Business presentation template
Speaker cue cards for a general business presentation: a clear opening, the key message, three supporting points with evidence, a recommendation, next steps and a strong close with Q and A.
Speech8 cardsAbout 2 min to speakBeginnerWork
Strengths and weaknesses interview answers
Cue cards for answering 'What are your strengths?' and 'What is your greatest weakness?' honestly, with evidence for each strength and a real weakness you are working on.
Free to use, edit, print and study. No account needed: your set stays on this device.
The cards
- 1
Plan before you speak
- Pick three strengths that match the job advert
- Find one proof for each: a moment, a result, a comment
- Choose one real weakness that is not core to the role
- Know what you are doing about it
- 2
Strength one
One of my strengths is [skill, e.g. organising complicated work].
For example, at [place] I [specific situation and what you did], which meant [result].
- 3
Strength two
I am also good at [skill, e.g. building trust with customers].
[Name or role] once told me [paraphrase of feedback], and that is something I keep doing because [reason].
- 4
Strength three (if asked for more)
I would add [skill]. I noticed this when [short example].
In this role, I can see that being useful for [task from the job advert].
- 5
The weakness
Something I have been working on is [genuine weakness, e.g. saying yes to too many requests / public speaking / delegating].
It showed up when [brief honest example].
Avoid fake weaknesses like 'I work too hard'. Interviewers hear it daily.
- 6
What I am doing about it
So I have started [concrete step: a course, a habit, a tool, asking for feedback].
It is already better: [evidence of progress].
I still [where you are now], and I keep an eye on it.
- 7
Words to avoid
- 'Perfectionist' with no example – it sounds rehearsed
- 'I don't really have weaknesses' – it sounds unaware
- Criticising past managers or colleagues
- A weakness that is the main skill of this job
Swap vague labels for a short, specific moment.
- 8
Close the answer
Overall, I think [strength] would help me most in this role, especially with [responsibility from the advert].
End on a strength, not the weakness.
How to use this template
Questions about strengths and weaknesses test two things: whether you know yourself, and whether you can talk about your limits without getting defensive. This template gives you a planning card, three strength cards with space for evidence, a weakness card and an improvement card, and a closing card that brings the answer back to the job. Each strength follows the same pattern: name the skill, prove it with a short example, and link it to the role. The weakness section is honest but controlled: a real area for growth, a short example, and the steps you are taking. Use the cards in order if you are asked both questions together, or split them if they come separately.
Tips
- Read the job advert and circle the skills it repeats; your strengths should come from that list.
- Use different examples for each strength so you do not reuse the same story three times.
- Choose a weakness that is real but would not stop you doing the core job; a junior accountant should not say they struggle with numbers.
- Show progress with evidence such as feedback from a manager, a course completed or a change in how you plan your week.
- Keep the weakness part to about 30 seconds and the strengths to a minute or so.
- If the interviewer pushes for a second weakness, have a smaller one ready, such as a technical skill you are still building, rather than freezing or repeating the first.
Make it fit
- If asked for 'three words that describe you', use the headings from your three strength cards as the words.
- For a 'What would your manager say about you?' question, rewrite the strength cards in your manager's voice using feedback you have actually received.
- For a graduate role, a weakness linked to inexperience is fine if you show how you are building that experience.
- On a phone interview, read slowly; without body language your examples need to be a little clearer.
- In a performance review, the same structure works for your self-assessment: strengths with evidence, one development area, and a plan.
Updated October 28, 2026