3 Key strengths and areas to improve: Ace your next interview

How to answer: 'What are your 3 areas of improvement?'

The 'What are your 3 areas of improvement?' question is your chance to shine. Navigating this question requires blending self-awareness with confidence. While self-reflection is essential, avoid self-sabotage.

Don't blurt out weaknesses that make you seem unfit. Focus on areas for development, not crippling flaws. Striking this balance is crucial.

Daivat Dholakia, VP of Operations at Essenvia, says,

“Instead of feeling like it's a personal attack against you as an imperfect person, understand that the hiring manager wants to know what professional skills you'd like to get better at. Have you always wanted to learn how to code better, but you're interviewing for an HR role? Use that as an answer. It doesn't necessarily need to be directly tied to the position you're applying for, but it does need to be a skill that will make you more valuable as an employee.”

Framing your opportunities for improvement

When tackling the question, always frame your areas for improvement around specific critical skills or knowledge that you can learn and develop, not inherent personality traits. Aim for responses that showcase crucial qualities, such as:

• Self-awareness: Understand your strengths and weaknesses. Acknowledge a weakness, but focus more on highlighting your self-awareness.
• Alignment with the role: Tailoring your response to the specific role you're aiming for is essential. For instance, if you're applying for a managerial position, emphasize your desire to improve delegation skills or your ability to provide constructive feedback. This demonstrates a commitment to growing in areas crucial for success in that role. In industries experiencing rapid change, highlighting adaptability can set you apart. By discussing suggestions for improvement related to the job, you showcase your readiness and dedication to excel in the position you're pursuing.
• Actionable growth: Don't only list weaknesses; show your commitment to improvement. Highlight a specific skill you're working on and explain how. For example, taking courses, using tailored AI coaching services, and seeking mentorship. Sharing concrete actions demonstrates your proactive approach to self-improvement.
• Frame weaknesses as opportunities: Reframe weaknesses as areas of opportunity for growth. Instead of viewing them as shortcomings, consider them as areas of potential to excel with the right support and development. This positive outlook demonstrates resilience and an ability to turn challenges into opportunities.
• Highlight soft skills development opportunities: Don't overlook the importance of soft skills. Employers value traits like communication, emotional intelligence, teamwork skills, and adaptability as much as technical skills. Discuss how you're working on improving interpersonal skills, as they are essential for success in any role.

“Keep in mind that soft skills are always an area that everyone can keep improving in. Your communication skills, how you interact with your co-workers, your problem-solving skills, and other soft skills will always need improvement. If you can't think of a more in-depth answer, then go with one of the soft skills that you can improve on,” says Dan Gallagher, VP of Operations at Aegle Nutrition.

📖 Read: 20 Areas of improvement examples for today's AI workplace

How to identify your strengths and areas for improvement through self-assessment

Start with honest self-reflection about what energizes you at work. When do you feel most engaged and accomplished? These moments often reveal your natural strengths – the skills and qualities that feel effortless and fulfilling to use.

Look for patterns in the feedback you've received from colleagues, supervisors, and mentors. What skills or approaches do others consistently praise? Where have they suggested room for growth? These external perspectives can validate your self-insights and highlight blind spots.

Consider both technical and interpersonal skills in your assessment. Technical abilities might include project management, data analysis, or specific software expertise. Interpersonal skills could involve communication, leadership, or adaptability.

🎯 Ready to explore your key strengths and areas of improvement? Take Marlee's science-backed assessment.

An example of a Marlee board showing "My Results"

Science-backed assessments can help you gain a deeper understanding of your 'why' and what motivates you. Based on the insights, you can tap into our AI coaching for professional development tailored to your needs.

Examples of what to say for areas of improvement in various contexts

Here are a few examples of what you could suggest for areas of improvement in a variety of professional contexts:

Hard skills:

"I’m taking additional training in coding languages like Python to streamline data analysis processes."

"Improving financial modeling techniques will help me provide more accurate forecasts and insights."

Industry-specific skills:

"I plan to deepen my understanding of regulatory compliance standards to ensure our practices remain up to date."

"Staying updated on a wide range of industry trends will allow me to put more innovative campaigns in place for our clients."

Effective communication skills:

"I'm focusing on improving my written communication skills to convey ideas better."

"Enhancing my public speaking abilities will help me deliver presentations with impact."

Interpersonal skills:

"I'm working on my active listening skills to understand client needs better and provide personalized solutions."

"Enhancing my conflict resolution skills will lead to smoother team dynamics and collaboration.

Leadership skills:

"I plan to enhance my coaching skills and mentorship skills in my leadership role to support the development of my team."

"Strengthening my decision-making abilities will improve my leadership abilities and help me act with more confidence and decisiveness."

Smart answers to areas of improvement questions

The 'What are your 3 areas of improvement?' question holds greater significance than revealing weaknesses. It’s not designed to trip you up.

Potential employers are simply prioritizing candidates who acknowledge their weaknesses while demonstrating a proactive approach to addressing them.

For hiring managers and supervisors, it's a tool to assess several key qualities in a candidate or employee:

• Self-awareness: Do you have a clear understanding of your strengths and weaknesses?
• Growth mindset: What are your personal goals, and are you driven by a desire to learn and improve?
• Proactive approach: Do you take initiative in overcoming challenges?
• Alignment with the role: How well do your improvement areas align with the job requirements?

Crafting effective responses for areas of improvement in job interviews

A well-structured answer can show valuable traits and position you as a dedicated and adaptable individual.

Here's a breakdown of strategies to craft winning responses:

• Select relevant and specific areas of improvement: Tailor your response to align with the job description and requirements of the role.
• Focus on areas where continued learning to enhance skills or knowledge will benefit your performance: Rather than dwelling on shortcomings, emphasize how addressing these areas of professional and personal development will lead to growth.
• Present these as opportunities for learning and advancement: As opposed to a real weakness.

Sample job interview scenarios and effective responses:

Interview scenario 1: You're applying for a software developer role that requires experience with a specific programming language. The following is a relevant, proactive, and focused response.

"While I'm proficient in several programming languages, I'm expanding my knowledge to stay ahead of industry trends. I've already enrolled in an online course and am working on personal projects that use this language."

Interview scenario 2: You're interviewing for a client-facing role that requires strong communication skills. The following response acknowledges weakness, demonstrates action, and emphasizes client focus.

"I'm always striving to improve my communication style. I recently completed a training program on active listening techniques. This will help me better understand client needs and concerns, which will, in turn, help me build stronger client relationships and provide better service."

Interview scenario 3: You're interviewing for a customer service role, but public speaking makes you nervous. The following response demonstrates self-awareness and a proactive approach.

"I'm comfortable interacting with customers one-on-one, but I'm looking for ways to improve my public speaking skills. I'm attending a local Toastmasters club on a regular basis and looking for ways to practice public speaking. This will help me present myself with greater confidence."

Sample answers to common interview questions

You can demonstrate your self-awareness, resilience, and commitment to personal development and professional growth by crafting thoughtful responses to common interview questions.

The following answers to some common interview questions acknowledge weaknesses while highlighting an action plan for addressing them.

Remember to give honest answers and be authentic.

Q:  How do you handle unexpected changes or challenges in the workplace?
I'm pretty good at adapting to changes, but I can see the value of developing my adaptability skills further, so I'm seeking feedback, learning from experiences, and seeking guidance from mentors.

Q: Describe a time when you faced work conflict and how you resolved it.
On a recent job, project deadlines were tight and tensions were high. It was challenging, but instead of letting it escalate, I suggested a team meeting and used my conflict management skills to address it. I listened to each perspective and found common ground, which allowed me to suggest a compromise that satisfied everyone. It was a learning experience, and I'm now focusing on further refining my mediation skills and teamwork skills to handle conflicts in the future.

Q: How do you handle high-pressure situations or tight deadlines?
I'm pretty good at managing my stress levels, but I'm always looking for ways to improve. I'm employing essential skills such as mindfulness exercises and time-management tricks to see if they help.

Q: Can you share a challenging decision you had to make at work and how you approached it?
On a project, we had to decide whether to pursue a risky strategy that could lead to growth but had potential drawbacks. So, I gathered input from the team, analyzed data, and weighed up the pros and cons. We proceeded, and it paid off. I'm looking to further refine my decision-making skills by learning from experiences like this and considering other perspectives.

Q: How do you build and maintain professional relationships?
I'm constantly developing interpersonal communication skills, and while I have built many strong professional relationships, I'm constantly expanding my network. I seek opportunities to engage in networking events, mentorship programs, and collaborative projects.

Q: What is your greatest weakness?
A blind spot I've been working on is my public speaking skills. While I'm fine speaking in small groups or one-on-one settings, addressing larger audiences is a challenge. Becoming a more effective communicator is one of my goals for improvement, so I take every opportunity to practice speaking in front of groups. I'm also considering taking a public speaking workshop to get more practice and feedback.

Crafting effective responses for areas of improvement in performance reviews

Like interviews, reviewing employee performance offers a tremendous opportunity for career advancement and growth by addressing areas for improvement in essential skills. 

Max Shak, founder and CEO of digital marketing solutions company nerDigital, has witnessed the growth and development of many talented individuals within his organization and has seen employees handle review questions on areas for improvement with great skill.

Shak shared the story of Mia, a recent graduate who joined the nerDigital team, as an example of an intern who impressed Max with her response to feedback on effective time management during her internship review.

“When asked about areas for improvement, Mia mentioned her desire to enhance her time management skills. She shared how she actively sought feedback from her supervisor, implemented time management techniques, and tracked her progress using productivity tools. By demonstrating her receptiveness to feedback and taking concrete steps towards improvement, Mia showcased her maturity and readiness for a full-time role,” says Max.

Renee McBride, Digital Marketing Manager at Acumen Connections, had to give negative feedback to a great employee on meeting deadlines.

“Despite her exceptional performance in other areas, there were areas for improvement with organization and time management. Instead of sugar-coating the issue, we approached the conversation candidly. Here’s what she did well when addressing her areas for improvement and how others can, too,” said McBride, who kindly shared the following tips.

• Acknowledge, but don't dwell: Honesty is key when faced with an areas for improvement question. Acknowledge areas where you can grow crucial skills, but don't dwell on them. Instead, focus on the steps you can take to address these areas and how to actively work to improve them.
• Show ownership and accountability: Own your shortcomings and demonstrate accountability for your actions. Avoid making excuses or shifting blame to others. Employers value candidates who are self-aware and willing to take the initiative to overcome challenges!
• Emphasize growth and learning: Frame your response in terms of growth and learning opportunities. Highlight instances where you've turned setbacks into learning experiences and how you've used feedback to fuel personal and professional development through training sessions.
• Showcase adaptability and resilience: Highlight your ability to adapt to new challenges and bounce back from setbacks. Share concrete examples of times when you've faced adversity and emerged stronger and more resilient as a result.
• Focus on tangible results: Tune your response back to tangible results or accomplishments whenever possible. Demonstrate how addressing areas for improvement has led to measurable success or contributed to achieving business objectives.

Sample performance review scenarios and effective responses

Performance Review Scenario 1: You’re a software developer but lacking in recent technologies. Your supervisor points out that while your core development skills are strong, there's a need to update your knowledge. The following is a proactive and focused response.
'I appreciate the constructive feedback on staying up to date with new technologies. I've identified a couple of key areas where I can enhance my skills. So, I've enrolled in an advanced course and am dedicating time each week to hands-on projects using this technology.'

Performance Review Scenario 2: You're a client-facing professional. You're told your engagement with clients is generally positive, but there's a need to better handle feedback from them. The following response demonstrates action and emphasizes customer focus.
'I'm planning to join a workshop on emotional intelligence and dealing with feedback to improve my customer service skills. This will help me understand what our clients are trying to tell us and how we can serve them better.'

Performance Review Scenario 3: You're a project manager, and your review notes suggest that meeting deadlines for many projects can be challenging. The following response demonstrates a constructive attitude, self-awareness, and commitment to development.
'I know how crucial it is that we deliver projects on time. I'm trying some new project management tools and agile methods to improve my prioritizing. Plus, I'll make sure to catch up with the team more often to keep things moving and make adjustments as we go. I'm confident this will make a big difference in keeping projects on track.'

Sample responses for performance review discussions

Addressing areas for improvement requires a proactive and self-aware approach. Frame weaknesses as opportunities for growth. Provide concrete examples of steps taken towards continuous improvement. Seek support from supervisors or the organization. These acts show your commitment to continuous development and professional excellence.

Q: I've noticed you're great at handling some unexpected changes. But have you considered ways to develop your adaptability in different situations further?
'I'm comfortable adjusting to most changes, but there's always room for improvement. However, I am looking into other communication strategies I can use when things shift quickly. Is there any specific feedback you have on areas where I could have adapted better recently?'

Q: There were some team disagreements during this project. How do you think you could have handled that situation better to avoid conflict?
'Yes, I admit tempers flared a bit on deadline over task allocation on this team project. It was a difficult time and looking back, I could have initiated a conversation sooner to clarify expectations.'

Q:  How can you better manage stress and maintain focus when deadlines are tight or situations get intense?
'I try to stay calm under pressure by prioritizing tasks and focusing on the most urgent ones. I've also been experimenting with some mindfulness exercises lately. This seems to be helping, but I am open to other suggestions.'

Q: We've seen opportunities for you to be more proactive in building relationships with clients.
'I can be more proactive. I'll make it a point to reach out to clients and business partners more often, not only when there's something urgent on the table. I'll keep my eyes peeled for opportunities to surprise them with insights or creative solutions. At the end of the day, it's all about building trust and loyalty, right?'

Q: Is there a specific area within your role that you feel you could improve on?
'Actually, yes. Public speaking can be a bit of a challenging task for me, especially in large groups. I'm comfortable presenting in smaller settings, but larger audiences make me nervous. It's an area of professional improvement I am focused on, and I've been considering taking a public speaking course. Would the company be open to supporting me in this?'

Putting your areas of improvement into action

Understanding your weaknesses (which we prefer to call blind spots) is only half the battle in career development goals. The true power lies in transforming that knowledge into actionable steps for career growth.

Here's how to translate your areas for improvement into a roadmap for success:

• Set SMART goals: Vague promises won't cut it. Craft goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). Instead of saying 'improve communication,' aim to 'deliver a concise and persuasive presentation to the team within the next quarter.'
• Create an action plan. Break down your SMART goals into smaller, more attainable goals. You might include steps like enrolling in a public speaking workshop or practicing with a colleague to achieve your presentation goal. Set realistic timelines for completing each step, ensuring steady progress toward your goals.
• Set your goal in Marlee and start AI coaching: Our AI Coach, Marlee, will curate a personalized online coaching program based on your specific goals and motivations. Regular AI coaching sessions, scheduled at your convenience, ensure you stay on track toward achieving objectives. More than 90% of users reach their goals in 4 to 9 weeks.
• Seek out learning opportunities: Don't underestimate the power of continuous learning. Explore courses, workshops, and webinars offered by your company, organizations, or online platforms. Consider seeking a mentor who can offer guidance and share their expertise.
• Track your progress and adapt: Change takes time, and setbacks are inevitable. Use AI Coach Marlee to track your coaching progress and identify areas that need adjustments. Are you missing deadlines on your action plan steps? Revisit the timeline or consider seeking more support.
• Celebrate successes and milestones: Acknowledge your achievements, big or small. Reaching a milestone on your action plan or receiving positive feedback are victories worth celebrating. Reward yourself for your dedication, and let that momentum fuel your continued progress.

By showcasing your strengths and demonstrating a growth mentality, you can position yourself as a well-rounded candidate. Remember to highlight strengths while acknowledging areas for growth and framing these as opportunities for development. 

Frequently asked questions

What do I do if I can't think of areas for improvement during an interview or performance review?

If you're struggling to identify areas for improvement, reflect on past challenges. Seek feedback from colleagues or mentors. Or focus on areas where you have less experience or knowledge and express your desire to develop in those.

How do I strike a balance between showing confidence and humility when discussing areas for improvement?

Acknowledge your strengths with confidence, but be authentic when discussing areas where you have room to grow. Emphasize your dedication to learning and development to show an openness to improvement.

What areas for improvement should I always avoid discussing?

Avoid mentioning any weaknesses related to core character traits like reliability or ethics. Also, steer clear of anything that might be considered unprofessional.