How to answer "What critical feedback do you most often receive?" in a job interview

You’re in a job interview that’s going really well when suddenly — the interviewer asks the dreaded question:

"What critical feedback do you most often receive?"

Panic sets in — you freeze, your hands get clammy, and your stomach drops.

Relax! There's a simple way to answer this question with all the confidence of a qualified candidate.

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It feels a bit ironic — aren't interviewers supposed to hire you for your strengths, not your weaknesses?

Interviewers are checking for a few different things with this question.

• Self-awareness: Nobody wants an employee who thinks they are perfect. There's always room for improvement!

• Active improvement: Employers like to know that their employees are working to make themselves better people.

• Critical thinking skills: Interviewers want to see that you can think creatively and logically on your feet.

First things first — choose an honest, manageable weakness that is relevant to the position.

Here's a simple and easy 3-part formula for answering: Honest Weakness + Concrete Action + Positive Result ✏️

Avoid naming weaknesses that would immediately exempt you from the job. For example, talking about your "lack of patience" when interviewing for a job that works with kids, is not a good way to get hired. Check out some examples below!

Expert Answers ✅

• Taking on too many responsibilities

• Be more proactive in sharing ideas

• Delivering feedback in an overly straightforward way

Not Quite ❌

• Perfectionist: Unless you have specific evidence, this can come across as cliché and untruthful.

• Poor time management: This is too large a problem, and may be a red flag to hiring managers.

Next, when you share your answer, make sure to include the ways you're actively working to improve yourself. Take a look at this expert answer:

In the past, I have received feedback that I take on too many responsibilities, which impacts the quality of my work. While I enjoy working hard, I now know that putting too much on my plate can negatively impact my work. I have been working on become a more collaborative team member in addition to planning out projects before I begin and delegating to others those tasks which I am unable to undertake.

Quiz: Sophie's Interview

Sophie is preparing for an interview. Which response best shows she’s addressing feedback that she includes too much detail in her reports?

A. I have been told that I put too much information into my reports. I am a detail-oriented person, but I understand that too much may be overwhelming to readers. I have been scheduling a review day where I edit and trim my reports before submitting.

B. I have received feedback that I give too much detail. While I see where some people may disagree with me, my old supervisor was very picky about my work. I like to be detail-oriented.

C. Employers have told me that my work contains too much information. However, I disagree. I believe that detail-oriented work is important.

D. I don't have any.

Keep these in mind as you prepare your answer!

1. Focus on the solution, not just the weakness. Everyone has areas to improve — don’t stress about being perfect. Interviewers want to see self-awareness and a genuine effort to grow.

2. Pause before you respond. This isn’t a timed test. Taking a moment of silence to gather your thoughts is completely acceptable.

3. Practice your answer out loud. It may feel awkward at first, but speaking your response aloud helps you clarify your message and deliver it with confidence.

Hopefully, you're now feeling more confident about answering the interview question, "What critical feedback do you receive most often?" Take these next steps to help you nail your next interview!