'what is your weakness' interview question

PenguinOfDeath

I once answered with 'I struggle to get up early in the morning' (I didn't particularly want the job...)

They offered me the job and automatically put me on the later starting time shift

Alarae

When I was asked this in my interview a couple of weeks ago, I said 'I sometimes expect too much, both from myself and colleagues'. Then I just elaborated with how sometimes it is impossible to do everything, but has enabled me to be able to turn to colleagues for help with my own work if needed, or to help another colleague if it appears they are struggling with theirs.

A variant of the 'perfectionist' answer, but with a good team player spin (at least I'd like to think so!).

Got offered that job within 20 minutes of leaving, despite them telling me at the end that there were more candidates to interview. When I received the call so soon I thought I had done catastrophically in the interview for them to reject me so quickly!!

morganedge

I pretty much just go blank.
In my last interview I was completely thrown off within seconds when he said ''tell me about yourself''.
I was like, ''errr....what do you want to know?''
He said, ''just me about yourself''
I said ''My names Morgan. I live locally. I like music. Films. Sports....''
Then we just sat in silence for what felt like an eternity, lol.
The interview got worse from that point!

El_Torro

I've had quite a few job interviews over the years and I always struggle with "what's your biggest weakness?" I tend to talk about how I don't have a professional qualification in my field (I do have a degree) but that I have done formal training and am planning to do the qualification soon.

Some employers accept that as an answer though a couple of times I have been asked to give an answer regarding my skills. Once I even said that I couldn't think of anything, which didn't go down too well.

makeyourdaddyproud

morganedge wrote: »

I pretty much just go blank.
In my last interview I was completely thrown off within seconds when he said ''tell me about yourself''.
I was like, ''errr....what do you want to know?''
He said, ''just me about yourself''
I said ''My names Morgan. I live locally. I like music. Films. Sports....''
Then we just sat in silence for what felt like an eternity, lol.
The interview got worse from that point!

No wonder. Your reply was borderline sarcastic (as he already know your name).


Try this:


"I am perhaps the most exciting and intellectual individual you could ever meet. I have all the pertinent skills to hit the ground running, I can form good relationships with all personnel from shop floor to management and stakeholders. Want to develop new clients? No problem, just gimme that fone"

rochja

You could always try: 'I am too open with people. What you see is what you get. So if you don't see any weaknesses that bother you then they are probably not there.' Just don't expect this answer to get you a job with the secret service.

makeyourdaddyproud

The replies to this thread (including mine) won't help the OP, it only proves people can and will talk utter rubbish for money when they would otherwise be honest.

amiehall

I would just cringe if I heard someone pull out the "perfectionist" line... They want to see that you have some self awareness.

I normally mention something about being busy doing X, Y and Z so that can make me impatient with colleagues if they're taking longer than normal with a task. It's a good idea to mention something you've done in the way of self-improvement. Like I could say that I've made an effort over the last 6 months to make time for training and coaching and can view occasions where staff are struggling as an opportunity for development.

I think it's important to choose something the interviewer will be able to relate to and will think is "reasonable". Like if they can imagine themselves feeling/behaving like that, it's less likely to be held against you.

devilivus

I want a job because I need money! I just want to live in a hovel and eat beans and rice; I don't ask for much. Give me the god damn job! All my answers are predetermined concocted BS. My off-the-cuff answers are mere words pulled out of my !!! to keep the silence away and to make me appear more viable than I am. If you want to now more about me, call all my references; they will be more objective about my "weaknesses", "strengths" and about the "2 separate occasions when I was able to increase the efficiency at my former place(s) of employment". 90% of my responses are embellished quarter-truths designed to kiss your as$ in hopes that you hire me.

Tell me about myself? I am a starving and desperate slave who will be willing to be taken advantage of to a great degree so that I can earn a pittance. I'll take your god damn crumbs to ensure shareholders can increase their wealth exponentially as my salary is frozen.

Why do you want to work here? Uh why does anybody want to work anywhere? We don't want to work anywhere, we have to pay the bills and you and any employer could pay my bills. You're not that blooming special!

makeyourdaddyproud

devilivus wrote: »

I want a job because I need money! I just want to live in a hovel and eat beans and rice; I don't ask for much. Give me the god damn job! All my answers are predetermined concocted BS. My off-the-cuff answers are mere words pulled out of my !!! to keep the silence away and to make me appear more viable than I am. If you want to now more about me, call all my references; they will be more objective about my "weaknesses", "strengths" and about the "2 separate occasions when I was able to increase the efficiency at my former place(s) of employment". 90% of my responses are embellished quarter-truths designed to kiss your as$ in hopes that you hire me.

Tell me about myself? I am a starving and desperate slave who will be willing to be taken advantage of to a great degree so that I can earn a pittance. I'll take your god damn crumbs to ensure shareholders can increase their wealth exponentially as my salary is frozen.

Why do you want to work here? Uh why does anybody want to work anywhere? We don't want to work anywhere, we have to pay the bills and you and any employer could pay my bills. You're not that blooming special!

NOW THIS IS WHAT I CALL HONESTY.


Does anyone else think either interviewer or interviewee really believe (or care) in what is being said when asked these questions? Really, I mean?


I'm only ever at the interview because the hirer has a problem I have the skills and want money and he is dumb enough to pay for it.


No employer is special because you're only sat in front of them because they have a problem and no other alternative other than to pay for a hired "solution".