Interview tomorrow. What's your strategy for this question?

[crunchy1]

The last time I interviewed my answer to this question was: "My biggest weakness is not knowing how to answer this question!".

It got a good laugh from my interviewer and we went on to discuss lines that others have mentioned. It was a nice way to break the uncomfortable feeling of being asked that question.

[chesspain]

[ QUOTE ]
"what do you think are your weaknesses"

[/ QUOTE ]

"Large breasted redheads, sir."


[ QUOTE ]
or "if we spoke to your last employer, what areas would they say are your weakest".

[/ QUOTE ]

"Please don't do that."

[El Diablo]

OP,

I've interviewed about five bazillion people. I don't think I've ever used that specific question, but I do ask things like "which of the partnerships deals you did was the least successful?" In any question like this, I'm just looking for your ability to understand the situation and explain something. And probably I'll follow it up with something about what you learned from it, how you would do better, etc. The more real the answer, the better.

In the case of "what's your weakness" you are generally going to be far better off actually explaining a weakness than trying to make up some lame weakness with positive spin answer. Just say what a job-related weakness of yours is and you'll get an opportunity to explain how you compensate for that specific weakness.

[El Diablo]

CREAM,

If I asked you what your biggest weakness was and you said "I work too hard sometimes" I would probably say that's great and quickly power through the rest of the interview, probably rejecting you unless you wildly impressed me prior to that point.

[Case Closed]

CREAM,

Sometimes I disapear for several weeks at a time with no recolection of what happened. I also need a lot of vacation time for personal reasons. I also don't respond well to orders.

[youtalkfunny]

[ QUOTE ]
Example-

If you could be any part of a car, which part would you be and why?

[/ QUOTE ]

Pop that question on me in an interview, if you want me to walk out without another word.

Because clearly, either you're trying to lose me, or you're so whacky that I don't want to work for you.

I'm a poker dealer, a 100% automaton job, and I still get asked for my weaknesses. I explain that would be like asking the mailman for his weakness--the job is just too simple, and not nuanced enough, to have strengths and weaknesses.

"I show up on time. My appearance is neat. I'm very proficient at all phases of my job, including technical performance and customer service. My bosses love me, my co-workers love me, and the customers love me. Now you tell me, what are my weaknesses?"

The interviewers always frown.

[_TKO_]

[ QUOTE ]
Tell them that sometimes you are too much of a prefectionist and you end up working too much. This sounds like a negative, but usually is looked at as a positive by employers who are looking for workaholics.

[/ QUOTE ]

Cliché.

[diebitter]

Tell them the truth.

[_TKO_]

[ QUOTE ]
I ask this question all the time to potential hires and its unbelievable how many of them use the "Im a perfectionist" answer. I think they teach this answer in college.

I also like to ask a question just to see someones thinking process. A question that doesnt require a "right" answer but will help tell me a lot about that person.

Example-

What would you add to the water supply to improve humans?

Why are manhole covers round?

If you could be any part of a car, which part would you be and why?


[/ QUOTE ]

1. Flouride or iron, if it's not already in there.
2. So they don't fall in the hole when placed improperly.
3. Steering wheel; I like to know in which direction I'm headed.

How did I do?

[Leaky Eye]

Tell them you have trouble fielding stupid questions.

Or name an actual weakness that is both common, and is something that won't effect your work. Then talk about how you improve it.