Weaknesses

bristol_pilot

Problems with spelling is a dreadful answer to give for an admin role as it implies you do not have one of the key skills needed to do the job. If I had an admin clerk who couldn't spell they wouldn't get a development opportunity they would be let go. I'd assume that any task I set would come back 'all wrong' and I'd constantly be correcting the clerk's spelling.

Stating a weakness that is actually a strength is one way to answer this question, but claiming to be a 'perfectionist' is too much of a cliche. For example you could say that you sometimes get so focused on delivery that you don't take time to see the whole picture from a strategic viewpoint. Such an answer reassures the interviewer that you will knuckle down and work hard whilst at the same time flattering the interviewer who probably sees strategy as his role anyway.

bristol_pilot

westv wrote: »

Really though the question is one of those stock ones that can sometimes be rolled out by interviewers because they have no real idea as to what they should be asking.

Exactly.

This used to be a good interview question at one time, but these days all candidates are expecting it so all you would get is rehearsed answers and what people have read on the internet. Lazy interviewing and a waste of time. This doesn't help the candidate who is asked such a damn fool question though.

KevInChester

http://imageshack.us/f/804/interviewtechniques3.jpg/ > some expert techniques in this scan... (was given to me on the 'Work Programme') On 2nd thoughts, just go with what everybody else has suggested

Debt_Free_Chick

Usually questions about "weaknesses" or "areas for development" are designed to show whether you're aware of them and working on improvement.

So, yes - identify a weakness (spelling is fine, I think, especially as the competency test may reveal this anyway) and say that you're working on improving it. Have some answers ready if they say "how" e.g. web-based tools that you use at home. Google "improve your spelling" has loads of results.

Good luck

[Deleted User]

I've recently been on the interview circuit (got a job now!) and I found the best way to answer this question was to identify a skill they were asking for and say although you have experience of this, you would like to develop it further so that you are more competent. For example, the job I got, they wanted someone with experience in Excel. I said at the interview that I had been trained in excel several years ago (I have a qualification) but that in recent years I had only used it for payroll spreadsheets so although I was familiar with the programme I would probably need to brush up my skills with a training manual or by sitting next to someone else for a couple of hours until it all came back to me.
If you persuade them that although you don't know everything you are perfectly capable of learning it quickly given the chance, you will come across as confident and self-aware

SueC_2

"I'm quite self-critical, which means I'm constantly assessing what I've done, how I've done it, and if there is any way I could improve on it in future".

Mischa8

I would not bring up your poor spelling for an admin post.

As you probably know - your best friend for spelling is Word spell check. Ditto for grammar, you can get many online help guides for how and when to use it.

Just think of another weakness you can name.

I don't know if they tested you beforehand on spelling or if they plan to do this in interview. and really, to be brutally honest, I would make a concerted effort in the future to improve your spelling either by way of evening classes, practising with friends and family etc.

Mischa8

bristol_pilot wrote: »

Problems with spelling is a dreadful answer to give for an admin role as it implies you do not have one of the key skills needed to do the job. If I had an admin clerk who couldn't spell they wouldn't get a development opportunity they would be let go. I'd assume that any task I set would come back 'all wrong' and I'd constantly be correcting the clerk's spelling.

Stating a weakness that is actually a strength is one way to answer this question, but claiming to be a 'perfectionist' is too much of a cliche. For example you could say that you sometimes get so focused on delivery that you don't take time to see the whole picture from a strategic viewpoint. Such an answer reassures the interviewer that you will knuckle down and work hard whilst at the same time flattering the interviewer who probably sees strategy as his role anyway.

Just to reiterate - I totally agree with this answer. Spelling correctly is CRUCIAL for an admin role. Whether you wing it and use a dictionary if you get the job is here nor there. There is no way I'd employ someone for an admin role who admitted bad spelling was one of their weaknesses as it'd mean that me, the boss, or a colleague would constantly having to be checking this person's work, thereby using up maybe up to a quarter of someone else's working day.

I am awful at maths but there is no way I'd bring that up at a job interview. On the other hand I also would not apply for jobs requiring a good level of maths, unless I knew I could improve.

I have, on the other hand, applied and got jobs where I have rusty Powerpoint (I hate using it) but have either gone on courses or practised out of work. Again, I may briefly mention my powerpoint is rusty in an interview but no way imply I can't use it. You are meant to sell yourself at an interview not put yourself down.

InsideInsurance

Dont say you are a perfectionist. If anyone says it to me, and they often do, they get a big black mark against their name.

The trick as others have said is firstly to choose something that is fairly irrelevant to the role you are doing. Secondly choose something that can be both a positive and a negative. Thirdly, say what you have done to address it!

The one I always used to give (given my role as a change manager) was that I always come across as exceptionally calm which isnt the best when you are trying to motivate a team of people but I am aware of it, I consciously make an effort to appear more excitable and also ensure that I have others on the team that are more of the bouncy type. On the flip side of cause when the proverbial hits the fan the ability to always come across calm helps to calm others and helps prevent the headless chicken syndrome.

Idiophreak

SueC wrote: »

"I'm quite self-critical, which means I'm constantly assessing what I've done, how I've done it, and if there is any way I could improve on it in future".

Don't like that, I'm afraid.

You were asked to identify a weakness, not a strength. So my next question would be..."right...and you're hoping to not be that way in the future?"