'what is your weakness' interview question

SJI85

browneyedbazzi wrote: »

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.

Not necessarily. You may have got those job offers in spite of your answer, not partly because of it.

I guess it will vary by sector and job role. However, I am relatively experienced in this area despite me relatively young age (29), having been through non-graduate and graduate interviews, and worked for some time in vocational rehabilitation for people with brain injuries, and almost universally your answer would be judged negatively by any employer

In fact, I don't know if you watch QI but this was actually brought up on an episode a few years ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMmfJWITrR0

2:41 in. Obviously not everything Stephen Fry says is gospel (most is, but not all), and your answer is a bit different to just "I'm a real perfectionist" but I find it interesting nonetheless and, as mentioned, I do find what was said on QI to be quite true for the employers I've had experience with.

I actually once used an answer slightly similar to yours in an interview. I'm not the best with body language, but even I could sense how repulsed the interviewer was with my answer. I didn't get the job (I did when I re-applied the following year).

noelphobic

InsideInsurance wrote: »

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.
.

Good point, but why are these people being invited to interviews if they're making basic errors in their applications?

morganedge

bubble13 wrote: »

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!

I bet i'm worse than you!

It's mortifying at the time, but days later I can't help but laugh at how bad/embarrassing the whole ordeal was!

I need to find another job where I don't need to actually interview.
(i've had some in the past where that was the case)

fufu_banterwaite

morganedge wrote: »

I hate interviews. I can never think of anything to say.
Maybe the trick is to memorise good answers (after researching 'good interview answers') to every question that you can think of that may be asked. It's a bit robotic and not very spontaneous, but...

Surely everyone does this – ie memorise good answers? I have an interview next Wednesday and I will prepare for it in exactly the same way I have done for every other interview – I will write a list of potential questions I could be asked in the interview and draft a list of answers to them, as well as thoroughly researching the role and the company.

Doesn’t everyone do this if they have an interview for a job they really want? I can’t believe in this day and age anyone would go into an interview without doing some decent preparation for it?
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bubble13

I always prepare, I just go blank when I get in! Think it's the nerves.

morganedge

if it's just about finding a good answer and then memorising it, i'd rather just email them my answers, rather than risk forgetting the answer/going blank,lol

fufu_banterwaite

morganedge wrote: »

if it's just about finding a good answer and then memorising it, i'd rather just email them my answers, rather than risk forgetting the answer/going blank,lol

It isn’t about finding a good answer and memorising it. It is about you thinking about the questions you might be asked by an employer and then you tailoring your answers according to the job you are going for. That means when you go in for an interview you feel more confident in yourself which in turn leads to a better interview for both you and the prospective employer.[FONT=&quot][/FONT]

InsideInsurance

noelphobic wrote: »

Good point, but why are these people being invited to interviews if they're making basic errors in their applications?

Because I want someone who is an expert in SQL or business analysis and dont really care if they use slightly different shades of red in different parts of their CV.

However, if they say they are a perfectionist they shouldnt be happy with this and would have it all done perfectly. It then smacks far too much of a learned answer and not the truth.

Now we all know that we learn answers to these standard questions - my response is about having a laid back personality - but there should be a ring of the truth to it.

shell1999

When they ask you if you have any questions (usually near the end) maybe ask them what they enjoy the most about their position within the company because people usually like to talk about them selves.

Good luck

Heffi1

This was in the Telegraph today makes interesting reading, Top 10 interview howlers: What not to say if you want the job.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-business/10852780/Top-10-interview-howlers-What-not-to-say-if-you-want-the-job-careers-advice.html