Prep for that job interview: How to answer 'What is your biggest weakness?'

Everyone has that one question they dread answering in a job interview, but you've got to get through them all if you want to get the position. Whether you’re looking for your first job or your next gig as a seasoned professional, preparing for an interview is crucial.

According to Career Sidekick data, an average online job posting receives around 250 applications, but only 2-3% of those applicants are called in for an interview. If you’re part of that small percentage, pat yourself on the back. You’ve made it through the first barrier. Now it’s time to put your best foot forward for the interview.

Here’s your guide for answering tricky questions like a pro.

How to answer 'What are your weaknesses?' during job interview

Film director and content creator Erin McGoff says the key to answering any job interview question is to think about what your interviewer is trying to get from the answer.

With over two million followers awaiting her next video, McGoff began making TikToks to level the playing field for career advice, which she says is often elitist because people who need it the most don’t have access to it.

When it comes to answering your biggest weakness, McGoff advises against stating a “quasi-weakness” like being a perfectionist.

“They don't actually care, or expect you to say your greatest weakness,” McGoff told USA TODAY. “They want to hear you talk about your faults, because it says a lot about your character.”

She recommends sharing a real weakness that might not affect your ability to do the job. If you’re applying to be an EMT, for example, you don’t want to say you don’t work well under pressure.

“The key to answering that question: You spend about 10% of it explaining the weakness and 90% of it explaining how you are working on weakness,” McGoff says. “So instead of saying, I'm bad at computers, you would say: ‘Something that I'm currently working on is my Excel skill, I'm actually taking an online course right now. It's helping me learn how to navigate Excel and operate the software more efficiently.’”

What to bring to a job interview: What you should (and shouldn't) bring to the meeting

How to answer 'What are your biggest strengths?' during job interview

You can just as easily flip the script for answering what your biggest strength is.

“They want to see how you talk about yourself in a positive light. They want to see how comfortable you are talking about yourself,” McGoff says.

The key is going into the interview knowing that you have a strength that is important to the specific company. Pay close attention to the job description and look at where your assets line up.

If you’re worried about coming off conceited, phrase the question to share what others have told you is a strength in the past.

“You may want to say … ‘Something that I've been complimented on in the past is how collaborative I am. I'm always willing to listen to other people, maybe that comes from my childhood growing up in a big family, I had to be collaborative,’” McGoff says. “Make a joke about it.”

How to answer 'Tell me about yourself'

McGoff uses a tried-and-true past, present, future model when answering this question. When you think about the anatomy of the question, they’re really asking you to set the tone for the interview, she says.

“What they're really asking is ‘Describe to me that you're the perfect person for this job,’” McGoff says.

The “past” section could revolve around where you grew up, went to school or where your passion began. When it comes to the present, talk about the skills and assets you bring to your current company. McGoff says to “keep it upbeat” when talking about the future and not get bogged down by sharing current job qualms. It's generally not a good idea to turn this question into a rant about how much you dislike your current job. Using the word “pivot” can frame your future goals in a positive light.

Check out this example of a "past, present, future" statement:

I grew up in upstate New York and studied at New York University, where I really honed my passion for marketing and communications. I currently work as a growth marketing manager where I manage campaign strategy and growth. I’m looking to pivot to a more boutique agency where I can take ownership of new and exciting campaigns. 

Common mistakes to avoid in a job interview

Talking too much about yourself

While you’re certainly the star of the interview, don’t forget to balance sharing your personal history with talking about the company itself. Share how your skills and experience make you the best candidate for the job.

“They're interviewing a dozen ‘you's,’” McGoff says. “They want to know what you can do for the company.”

Not reading the job description

It may seem obvious, but combing through the job description is essential when preparing for a job interview. Maybe there’s a tidbit about working with clients — something your customer service experience lends itself to. You might notice a detail about working with the company’s social media platforms. Now is a good time to mention you have a small following on TikTok.

“I think people go into the interview thinking, ‘How can I get this job?’ instead of thinking about ‘How can I be the solution to this company's current problem of not having an employee for this position?’” McGoff says.

Letting intimidation take over

Remember the person on the other end of the conversation is also a human. Not only will it calm your nerves, but it’ll help you ace the interview. They’re a person with good days and bad ones, just like you. They’re a person who once applied for jobs and sat exactly where you are now.

At the end of the day, McGoff says, they want the interview to go well just as you do.

“They are advocating for the company, so that is important to keep in mind. They are not advocating for you necessarily,” McGoff says. “But they are praying that you are the perfect person for the role, because if you are then their job is done and they can go home early.”

Jobs report: US employers add more than 250,000 jobs to blow past estimates

Just Curious for more? We've got you covered

USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From "What is the Nobel Prize?" to "What is the highest paying job?" to "Can I get unemployment if I quit?", we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our Just Curious section to see what else we can answer for you.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Weaknesses' for job interview: How to answer tricky question