What is Your Biggest Weakness? (Ace this Interview Question!)
About this video
Jeff Su explains how to answer ‘What is your biggest weakness?’ without using a disguised strength. First, avoid deal-breakers that signal you lack basic competence managers expect — he lists not being able to manage multiple projects at once, not being detail-oriented, and not being a people person — because managers want to avoid micromanaging, double-checking work, or apologizing for you. Second, highlight a skill expected of someone more senior, which is safe because it is not required at your current level. His example is a sales representative naming strategic thinking, a concern more typical for their manager who thinks about performing verticals, big bets for next year, and resources for the team. Third, give a concrete example using the CARL format — Context, Action, Results, and Learning — which he describes as STAR on steroids, to show self-awareness and steps you are taking to improve. His sample answer names lacking confidence presenting in large groups, describes preparing for a quarterly business review section on market sizing and opportunity after his manager could not attend, sending slides as a pre-read for feedback, receiving positive feedback, and learning that aligning ahead of time reduces surprises and nervousness.
Key takeaways
- Never name deal-breakers like poor detail, inability to juggle projects, or not being a people person
- Pick a weakness that is a skill expected at a more senior level, not your current level
- Use the CARL structure — Context, Action, Results, Learning — for a concrete example
- Show specific steps you are taking to improve, not a claim you fixed it overnight
- A concrete example demonstrates self-awareness to the interviewer
Episode details: published January 4, 2022 · 5:05 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. Business results and any income figures mentioned are Jeff Su’s own claims, shared for education — they are not typical or guaranteed.
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