Lots of interview queries are fascinating and useful for the employer. The “biggest weakness” query is a great one for seeing which candidates are prepared to answer difficult queries about themselves and how well they think on their feet.

The “Fatal Flaw” question is not one of those queries. The fatal flaw question is a bad query. It is basically inquiring you “Why should not we hire you, and you better give us a real reason!” Nothing productive can come from the question. Still, some hiring managers ask it anyway. Great.

Tips to Answer

There are a couple of choices. The first is generally to spin it into a “biggest weakness” question and avoid the “fatal flaw” aspect of it. That’s not a bad idea. Refer to how to answer weakness questions to see how to answer this interview query. If you’re certain they are looking for a true “fatal flaw” or you were already asked the “biggest weakness” question, this may be the one time that you can act as though you are perfect. See below.

Bad Answer

“I haven’t completed my college degree. But I am educated and capable of doing the job, as you will see by my qualifications and work history.”

This answer is too defensive.

Good Answer

“I’m not perfect, but I don’t have a ‘fatal flaw.’ If there was any skill I lacked that would stop me from doing the job to the best of my ability, I would continue to work on that problem so that I could precisely complete any task at hand.”

It is a risky answer. You might need to stick with a greatest weakness answer. Still, if you’re certain they are searching for a true fatal flaw, don’t give it to them. This is an interview question that is designed to cause good candidates to hurt their own candidacy. It is a bad question.