How to Answer “What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?” in an Interview

Published on Jan 29, 2026 by Lakshita Sharma

In a job interview, some candidates are blank when interviewer asked about your strengths and weakness .many job candidates are  unsure how to approach this question.many candidates struggle to answer the question “what are your strengths and weakness?” because they fear saying the wrong thing.some people explain their strengths, while others highlight weakness that hurt their chances. This confusion often leads to unclear or unconfident answers. Interviewers, however, ask this question to understand how well you know yourself and how you handle challenges at work.

The best way to answer “what are your strengths and weaknesses?”n is to focus on problem-solving  and improvement. Your  strengths should show how you add value and solve workplace challenges , while your weakness should reflect honesty and a willingness to grow.

In this guide, we will explain how to answer this interview question clearly.you will learn how to present your strengths with confidence. We will also show how to talk about weakness in a positive way. This approach will help you impress interviewers and stay honest.

Why Interviewers Ask About Strengths and Weaknesses

Interviewers ask about strengths and weaknesses to evaluate a candidate’s self-awareness, honesty, and alignment with the role’s requirements. This question helps identify a candidate’s ability to handle pressure.

Key reasons for asking this question include

• Assessing self-awareness and honesty: it shows whether you understand your professional capabilities and limitations.
• Evaluating growth mindset: employers want to know if you are actively working to improve your weaknesses.
• Checking job fit: strengths indicate if you can excel in the role, while weaknesses help determine if gaps are manageable.
• Identify soft skills: the ability to discuss these topics demonstrates critical thinking, confidence, and emotional intelligence.

How to Explain Strengths with Examples (Using the STAR Method)

In an interview, simply stating your strengths is not enough. You need to support them with real examples, and the STAR method helps you do that clearly and professionally.

What Is the STAR Method?

The STAR method is a structured way to answer interview questions by explaining:

• S -  situation: the context or situation you were in.
• T - task: your responsibility or goal
• A - action:  the steps you took
• R - result: the outcome of your action

Example (Strength: Problem-Solving)

Situation:

Meri previous internship me project deadline bahut close thi aur team me coordination issue aa raha tha.

Task:

Mujhe ensure karna tha ki project time par complete ho.

Action:

Maine team meeting organise ki, tasks clearly divide kiye aur daily follow-ups start kiye.

Result:

Project deadline se pehle complete ho gaya aur client se positive feedback mila.

What Are Weaknesses & Why They Matter

Weaknesses are the areas where you could be lacking experience or need to work on your skills. Discussing your weaknesses in an interview will help the employer understand your level of self-awareness, honesty, and willingness to improve.

• Weaknesses are skills or areas where you need to improve or lack confidence.
• Interviewers ask about your weaknesses to test your self-awareness and honesty.
• It also helps them assess your ability to deal with difficulties and learn from mistakes.
• Discussing a weakness demonstrates maturity and a growth mindset, not weakness.
• Talking about how you are working to improve your weakness leaves a positive impression.

Best Strengths to Highlight During a Job Interview

• Communication Skills: The ability to express ideas, listen actively, and collaborate with others.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Skilled at identifying problems and developing effective solutions.
• Teamwork: The ability to work well with others, support team objectives, and make a positive contribution to a team environment.
• Time Management: The ability to manage multiple responsibilities and meet deadlines.

Common Mistakes to Avoid While Discussing Weaknesses

• Stating “I have no weaknesses”, which appears to be an unrealistic and overconfident statement.
• Pointing out work-critical weaknesses that may directly impact your performance.
• Listing extremely personal and negative weaknesses that are not related to your work.
• Not explaining how you are working on your weakness.
• Using generic responses that appear to be rehearsed and lack authenticity.

Sample Answers for Freshers

Sample Answer:

My strength is my willingness to learn and adapt quickly. During my college projects, I often took the initiative to learn new tools and apply them to improve our work. My weakness is that I sometimes hesitate to ask questions, but I am actively working on this by seeking feedback and clarifying doubts early.

Sample Answers for Experienced Candidates

Sample Answer:

One of my key strengths is problem-solving. In my previous role, I handled a critical project delay by identifying bottlenecks, reallocating tasks, and improving communication within the team. As a result, we met the deadline and improved overall workflow. A weakness I’m working on is delegating tasks, and I’ve been improving this by trusting my team and using clear task tracking.

FAQs 

1. Why do interviewers ask about strengths and weaknesses?

To test your self-awareness, honesty, and suitability for the job role.

2. How many strengths should I mention in an interview?

Only one or two strengths are sufficient and should be described in detail with examples.

3. What type of weaknesses should I avoid mentioning?

Weaknesses that are essential for the job role or lack professionalism.

4. Should I give the same answer in every interview?

No, you should change your strengths and weaknesses as per the job role.

5. How can I make my answer more impressive?

You should provide examples, be honest, and demonstrate how you are working on your weaknesses