'what is your weakness' interview question

morganedge

JKSandy wrote: »

"I can sometimes take on too many tasks at the one time, however I make sure that each task is completed correctly and I have now learned to manage this by prioritising each task"

I might actually learn that answer off by heart and use it in my next interview

Now to find lots more answers to other typical questions.

SJI85

browneyedbazzi wrote: »

It sounds like a cliche, but I answer that I'm a perfectionist and have extremely high standards about how things should be done - on one hand it's a positive trait because whatever I do is done properly, but on the other hand it means that I sometimes struggle with colleagues who don't work to the same standard (but I try very hard not to apply my own standards to others or to let it show if I do!).

God no. Please just no. Saying that will only give off the impression you're an egotist who thinks of himself as someone very special and despite what you subsequently say, will find it difficult to get along with others. It will set off alarm bells. And as you say, it is so cliched.

I usually say: -

Historically in group discussions I've been far more comfortable being an active listener rather than contributing to the discussion. This isn't down to lack of ideas but often shyness. However, I've made attempts to increase my confidence in these situations (expand on this). I'm now much more active in small groups of up to ten people. However, in groups of over ten people I still hope to improve further. I may not say much, but when I do make contributions they are well received.

Honest. Recognised your weakness, done something about, recognise there's still improvement to be made but you give a positive impression that you will improve. Also you're showing that it's YOUR weakness you aren't transferring that onto others by essentially saying they are the ones at fault for not having the same "ethic" as you.

brightonman123

obsession with detail, but I've learnt to be more confident in my ability..


<bleurgh>

browneyedbazzi

SJI85 wrote: »

God no. Please just no. Saying that will only give off the impression you're an egotist who thinks of himself as someone very special and despite what you subsequently say, will find it difficult to get along with others. It will set off alarm bells. And as you say, it is so cliched.

Thanks for your opinion - It may be a cliche and you may interpret it negatively but it is my honest answer. I've been continually employed since I left school and have never struggled to get a job so I'm guessing that those who have interviewed me see it differently to you.

You might not like it and think it makes me an egotist, but I'm not ashamed to admit that I am exceptionally good at what I do. Being capable and confident is a positive and not a negative in my book - and I think a lot of employers would agree.

As for alarm bells about being difficult to get along with - in my field of work everyone knows each other. It's a relatively small community and if I had interpersonal problems or didn't work well with colleagues it wouldn't be a secret.

Keep in mind that there is no one right/wrong answer, what is a 'good' answer will depend somewhat on the role involved and other factors. If you said you were shy and hesitant to speak up in an interview for my job you'd end up at the bottom of the pile because the employer would think you weren't suited to some key parts of the role (chairing meetings with senior figures from other agencies and businesses, leading group discussions, teaching, giving evidence in court, conducting inspections etc). For other roles it might be a perfectly acceptable answer and mine might come across wrong.

Malkin157

Cream cakes, always cream cakes.

You could try saying "I don't interview very well".

bubble13

Thanks for everyone's advice and input.

I felt a bit 'put off' by my shyness answer, but it is my main weakness... I may try to use it again, but back it up more with how I am improving this.

Don't want to mess up as I really want this job, I am just absolutely terrible at interviews and am either blabbing without actually answering the question or sitting watching the tumbleweed as my mind goes blank!

System

I always answer this honestly. It is an opportunity to show that I have understood what the role entails and evaluated my own skill set against the job specification.

InsideInsurance

Perfectionist and work-a-holic are the most common answers and ones that annoy the hell out of me. Esp when their application clearly shows they arent a perfectionist with spelling errors/ misalignments etc.

As others have said, ideally pick something that you can both spin it to a positive and also say what you have done to combat it.

So being shy you can spin it to say that its actually made you a very good listener as you arent just waiting for your turn to speak. Plus you've intentionally volunteered for things etc where you'll be forced to speak or be a centre of attention etc to help you become more confident in coming out of your shell.

noelphobic

Malkin157 wrote: »

You could try saying "I don't interview very well".

I've been told (by an employment advisor) that it isn't a good idea to say that. You may have been doing really well in the interview and by saying this you have put doubts in the interviewers' minds.

noelphobic

bubble13 wrote: »

Thanks for everyone's advice and input.

I felt a bit 'put off' by my shyness answer, but it is my main weakness... I may try to use it again, but back it up more with how I am improving this.

Don't want to mess up as I really want this job, I am just absolutely terrible at interviews and am either blabbing without actually answering the question or sitting watching the tumbleweed as my mind goes blank!

They may have given you feedback about your shyness as much about the way you came across in the interview as the answer you gave to the question about your weakness. It would be a good idea to think of another answer though.

If it's any consolation the last feedback I got was that I 'wasn't human' and 'didn't have a sense of humour'! :eek:

You sound like you're very much like me in interviews - I either waffle for England or become totally tongue tied. Practice makes perfect though, I hope, and I think I'm getting better.