Help with interview question

MrsLestat

Long time lurker, first time poster so please be gentle!!

I have a job interview on Wednesday, my first one for a few years. At the last interview i had i was asked what i would condsider my weakness to be, this really stumped me, having to think on the spot as i hadn't prepared for this question.

So, i would like some advice as to what i can say if i'm asked again at this interview, a weakness with a positive spin?

Thanks in advance!

viktory

Try and make your weakness really a positive. For example, I have been known to say that I am a perfectionist and will often stay late to get the job done, or that I can be too helpful.

Good luck.

terra_ferma

Good advice from Vik
I normally say something that can be seen as a weakness, but also a strength. And what I do to overcome it.
For example that I have very high standards, and I'm a perfectionist, but life is not always perfect.
I'm impatient (which is a good thing in my job, as it's fast paced), and sometimes I have to slow down and wait for things I can't control.

Things to avoid: can't cope with stress, don't like working in a team/don't like working on my own (in most jobs you need to do a bit of both).

GOOD LUCK!

Zazen999

viktory wrote: »

Try and make your weakness really a positive. For example, I have been known to say that I am a perfectionist and will often stay late to get the job done, or that I can be too helpful.

Good luck.

And in an interview; this is No 1 on the 'cheesy responses to the Weakness question' bingo.

OP - what IS your weakness?

My advice would be to honestly answer 'something that you have already improved on'; for example I'm not a completer finisher but I know this and I overcome it by giving myself personal deadlines, breaking the tasks up into more manageable chunks, and by using 'To Do lists' in my notes so that I don't miss anything, and cross out the page lightly when I know I have completed it; it makes it much more manageable that way.

The reason I say this is because as an interviewer; I would always dig if someone answered with 'I'm too much of a perfectionist' and asking 'How So?' afterwards can really throw you, so make it an honest answer that you can back up.

terra_ferma

Zazen999 wrote: »

And in an interview; this is No 1 on the 'cheesy responses to the Weakness question' bingo.

OP - what IS your weakness?

My advice would be to honestly answer 'something that you have already improved on'; for example I'm not a completer finisher but I know this and I overcome it by giving myself personal deadlines, breaking the tasks up into more manageable chunks, and by using 'To Do lists' in my notes so that I don't miss anything, and cross out the page lightly when I know I have completed it; it makes it much more manageable that way.

The reason I say this is because as an interviewer; I would always dig if someone answered with 'I'm too much of a perfectionist' and asking 'How So?' afterwards can really throw you, so make it an honest answer that you can back up.

I never thought of that as a cheese answer... interesting to hear someone else's opinion.
I say those things about myself because they are true, but you are right to point out that the OP should find their own. Otherwise on that day they will get a whole lot of 'perfectionists' to interview. :rotfl:

In fact I never ask that question at interviews, I don't find it gives me any useful information, too obvious and well rehearsed...

dickydonkin

My answer (which I have actually used and is the same as terra_ferma's 'weakness') is that my 'weakness' is that I can be impatient (which is actually very true) - however, I explain that I can understand other peoples frustration when they are kept waiting or having been promised reports for example, therefore I like to ensure my work is completed/up to date to avoid other people becoming frustrated or impatient with me.

But don't forget, questions at an interview is a two way process.

The question I have asked at one interview and was later told by the interviewer that it was an excellent question is this:

"So, you have my CV, just about finished the interview and you should have a reasonable understanding of my experience and ability, so is there now anything that concerns you that may be a deciding factor in not offering me the job? Obviously, I would rather discuss this now and dismiss those concerns while I am here with you as opposed to you pondering over your apprehensions after I have gone".

The answer should hopefully indicate any weakness that the interviewer perceives you have and at least gives you the opportunity to allay those concerns

MrsLestat

Thanks for all the advice, it's given me some good ideas!

f1re_cr4cker

thats a fab question i will def be using that!

Zazen999

Actually there are 3 good questions to ask at the end of every interview:

a - what are the qualities that you are looking for in the person to do this job [if they mention anything that you haven't told them about yourself, now's the time to do it]

b - is there anything else that you want to know about me [saves the heartbreaking feedback which says 'we wanted x' but they never actually asked for it at interview so now's the time to wrap up any niggling queries]

c - thank you so much for your time, this is exactly the type of role I'm looking for, I'm really interested in it, what's the next step?

And if you don't hear by the time they say in c - then follow it up with them.

wuckfit

Those of us that are overweight can answer the weakness question with the answer "chocolate" ...

I've been tempted to answer it with "loose cars and fast women" if the interview is going spectacularly badly. (note the juxtaposition)

dpassmore and Zazen999's posts are excellent. I've got an interview in the next few weeks (rather unusually, I know I have been offered an interview, but they don't know exactly when it will be...) so I'll certainly be bearing those in mind.

Certainly anything that can be spun as a positive is a good weakness to use; or even twist it further with a preface like "my wife/partner/husband says..." and then add something like "I can get too wrapped up in a piece of work and forget to go home on time"