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You Don’t Need to Improve Your Weaknesses
The myth of turning weaknesses into strengths
I know the interviewer’s question before she asks: “So, what’s your biggest weakness?”
I could humble-brag that my biggest weakness is that “I’m a perfectionist,” interviewers love to hear that. Or, I could take the honest approach and say, “I don’t kiss up to my bosses or play the corporate game.” But that doesn’t paint the most flattering picture of me. So how should I respond to the question?
I don’t have a one-size-fits-all answer to the dreaded “biggest weakness” interview question. Most experts recommend framing your weakness as a strength, but that brings up an important question.
If a potential employer wants you to somehow make your weakness a strength, why ask about weakness at all? It seems more efficient to focus on strengths.
We focus too much on our weaknesses in life. Yes, you should know your potential blind spots. But obsessively trying to improve your weaknesses will only make you miserable. If you aren’t good at something, you’re unlikely to make massive improvements in that area. And even if you do, you won’t enjoy the process.
You don’t need to focus so much on improving your weaknesses. Instead, work on improving your strengths.
