Bet you’ve never heard this one before…. 🤣

While this not my favourite way to tee up this question in an interview, it is one that will likely arise in some way, shape or form. This question could also be asked as:

• What piece of constructive feedback have you heard repeatedly throughout your career?
• What do you find yourself continuing to work at/on?
• What is a mistake you’ve made more than once?

Over the years I have heard responses cleverly avoiding the question by masking with answers like “I work too much”, “I’m really hard on myself” or speaking about skills that don’t apply to the role.

In answering this question, I encourage you to lean in. Truly. Where do you have opportunity to grow? Share that.

The interviewer is interested in hearing about your self reflection and awareness, along with your development and growth.Here are three ways to answer this question honestly + powerfully.

no 1. What’s your weakness and how has it held you back? How did you overcome it?

no 2. Often your greatest strength is also your greatest weakness. What is it? Share an example of how this strength has got the best of you in a situation. What did you learn through that experience?

no 3. What’s a topic/skill/task that you completely avoid to learn? What about the topic/skill/task is stopping you from embracing it? Share the pain point for you and what or how you’re actively seeking to grow in this area.

“You learn more in failure, than you ever do in success”. Jay Z

Comment below if you have advice to share on answering this common interview question.

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