Describing your biggest weakness is one of the most feared and potentially treacherous questions applicants can face during a job interview. The idea that you should share damaging information about yourself in a forum where you’re supposed to be extolling your virtues feels uncomfortably incongruous to people. They’re scared to reveal something negative about themselves that might prejudice the interviewer against them.

But the truth is that there’s a deeper purpose to this question, and when you answer with that perspective in mind, you’ll demonstrate the exact qualities your interviewer is looking for. Specifically, they want an answer that demonstrates self-awareness, honesty, and a desire to improve.