Job Interview in 2 hours .... Anyone from HR?

Witchfinder_General

The "What is your greatest strength" question.

I have been in continual employment since I was 16. I have an interview this afternoon for what would be my third job in 39 years.

I have never had a sick day. Have been granted compassionate leave and had 7 days total in all that time (my dad (was serving in Norway and had to return to UK), and MIL funerals). I have always been on time. My bum has been in its seat where and when it should be.

If I told the interviewer the above. Would that be seen as a "great" strength?

tomtontom

Not phrased in that way, no. Good attendance is a basic expectation, can you think of something more individual, that tells them more about you?

engineer_amy

Yes, good attendance is expected as a matter of course, however
I am in the same boat, I have had 3 days off sick in 11 years, and I do frequently remind my boss of this - how reliable I am, how I take my responsibilities seriously, and never call in sick "because I cant be bothered". I see it as a massive plus, and respect colleagues who act in a similar way. But it may be hard to make that show in an interview.


I suppose if asked your greatest strength and honestly cant think of anything else, you could say something like your reliability, or willingness to get the job done, no matter what, for example in X years at ABC company, I had 0 sick days and I respect my colleagues by not giving them extra duties in my absence.


But it would be a weak answer. Is there nothing else that sets you apart?

Witchfinder_General

Thank you for your input chaps.

Yep I have a clich!d answer ready to go for the interview. Not a problem there.

However, I would have thought someone who was always there, totally reliable doing the job the company paid them for, was a strength.

Obviously I'm wrong. But as said earlier, thanks chaps.

tomtontom

You're not wrong - it is a strength, definitely a positive attribute, I just wouldn't sell it as your greatest strength because it's a bit ... grey? Think of something that could help the company (and yourself) excel, not just do the job.

Best of luck

Own_Worst_Enermy

The questions you practise and revise will never be the ones asked.

Annisele

Witchfinder_General wrote: »

However, I would have thought someone who was always there, totally reliable doing the job the company paid them for, was a strength.

It is a strength, it would just be very unfortunate if it was your greatest strength.

For example, I once missed an important work event because I was in A&E. It was absolutely not my fault, and (in the circumstances) it wasn't possible for me to tell my boss where I was. One of my colleagues stepped into my shoes at short notice.

If that colleague had had to spin the story into a "strengths" question, he could just say he was at work when he was supposed to be. But that would make him look nasty, given the background - criticising my failure to be at work would have been unkind. A much better story would include his flexibility, teamwork, and quickness on his feet.

(It's also unlikely your interviewer will have been quite as reliable as you, and it's never a great idea to try to make them look bad!)

El_Torro

I've been to many job interviews over the years and I have never been asked about my attendance record (nor have I volunteered that information). I wouldn't be surprised if it's one of those topics that they're not supposed to ask about (like your age).

And just to weigh in on what the others are saying: If I interviewed someone and they told me their greatest strength is that they hardly ever take sick days I would not be impressed with that answer.

engineer_amy

Hopefully the OP comesback to advise how the interview went this afternoon, and if that particular question was asked

Witchfinder_General

engineer_amy wrote: »

Hopefully the OP comesback to advise how the interview went this afternoon, and if that particular question was asked

I was asked the question. Was also asked the "greatest weakness" too. I was offered the choice of two positions. So all good.

I appreciate the input. I must be doing OK with the questions. Three interviews, three jobs.

Thanks all.