I've interviewed over 10,000 people and I've often asked "what's your greatest weakness?" but disguised it so it's not so obvious.

There are different reasons we ask you this question.

# 1-  I want to know if you have any critical flaws  that could prevent you performing this job well.

# 2 - I want to listen and observe how you deal with a question that puts you under a tiny bit of pressure.

#3 - I want to know how self-aware you are.

#4 - I want to know what you're working on self-improvements

#5 - I’m looking to see how honest you are.

Ok, first of all, having a weakness ISN'T bad.  
Everyone has weaknesses, but it’s your ability to be aware of it and at least be working on it that we want to hear about.

1. The first thing is try not to sound robotic and over re-hearsed when you answer it.
Even if you've practiced the answers, DO NOT sound like you're reading from a script. You need to speak naturally just like you're having a conversation.

2. When you pick a weakness, don't pick one that is critical to the job you are applying for. For example if your applying for an analyst role, and you say that you had difficulty working with large amounts of data, then you're going to lose the job.

3. Pick a weakness that is FIXABLE by you alone.

4. Explain HOW you are trying to improve.

5. Use the word 'improve' and 'improvements' rather than 'weakness', it demonstrates you are learner (and we love this).

5. Explain some improvement success you have made, and state that you are aware it is an ongoing process.

I get very nervous presenting to large groups of people.
I'm fine with presenting to small groups of people but when I have to do public speaking, I'm not confident.

I'm working to overcome my fear of public speaking by reading articles on it, watching tutorial videos and practicing when I get the opportunity. I'm sure over time, I'll become more confident with public speaking”

Here’s a list of weaknesses that you can think about:

Each one of these is fixable and you need to completely answer by telling the interviewer how you you are working on it, and that you are having some success fixing it.

Never tell me you are a perfectionist. This answer is older than Disco... and we don't accept it.

Some interviewers do ask you to name two or three weaknesses, so you should be planning 3 in advance. 

Now, don't forget I can ask this question in in a few disguises. I might ask you 
“what would your manager say is your biggest weakness?”
or “what skill do you need to improve?”
or even “what part of your job do you dislike the most”

See you need to carefully listen to the questions at all times in order to give the right answer.

Join me in the programme and I'll share 20 years of hiring experience with you and help you to
GET THAT JOB!