Interview Question? "Give me a weakness..."

RedfordML

Im sure I have plenty but was wondering what was a "good" answer/example to this question as in previous interviews it has tripped me up as I don't want to give any negativity?


Any suggestions to how best answer this kind of question and how to put a positive "spin" on it?


Thanks for reading...

lincroft1710

"My inability to make my work last as long as the time allotted. I usually have to ask my supervisor for more work"

Bogof_Babe

"I'm too modest" .

Beachview_2

I was asked that at an interview recently, and the after the interviewer asked it, they went on to say their own weakness was being impatient.

Bogof_Babe

Beachview wrote: »

I was asked that at an interview recently, and the after the interviewer asked it, they went on to say their own weakness was being impatient.

Did they wait for your answer first? :rotfl:

Alienna

I haven't been asked this one in my recent interviews! :j I have prepared for it, and the answer I go for is 'being overly helpful'. The good side of it is that I won't not do something just because it's not in my job description. The downside - not saying 'no'.

When I started in my current position a couple of years ago, it was a transfer to a different office, so I knew some of the people already. When I was questioned why was I doing that... "you know, you're not paid to do that, that's X's job". At the time, the thing I was doing made me learn more about the office etc quicker, so I explained that. X, my colleague I was learning didn't actually care, where as I did. I'm not going to not do something just because it's not in my job description!

(Sorry, went off on one a little there!)

Angry_Bear

Cliche replies are a bad idea here (think "I'm a perfectionist" *cringe*).

Come up with a real, but not too serious, weakness then go on to say what steps you are taking to address this.
For example, the "overly helpful" suggestion above you could say that you are working on always asking people if you can get back to them rather than saying yes straight away to allow you time to work out whether a) you will have the time to do what they need, and b) if doing it will negatively affect your other work.

My personal go-to answer is that I underestimate the amount of my time that is taken up by off-task activities (helping other people, replying to emails, making phonecalls, unplanned odd jobs etc) and therefore find that my main activity can be put at risk by less important things. I tackle this by time-boxing my off task "stuff". I actually have a physical timer running and limit myself - if I don't have time to do all the odd-jobs then I take it to my project manager and ask them to prioritise what must be done.

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

I usually just say "Ah, this is the old cite a weakness that's really a strength question, isn't it." then go on to cite a weakness that's really a strength, very obviously. It's worked OK so far.

DKLS

Its having to listen to cliched and outdated interview questions by someone barely qualified to interview a tadpole.

FBaby

It doesn't matter what your weakness is, what matters is what you say you do to overcome it. Even better, give an example!

Polarbeary

Assertiveness. Because as a PA I want to please everybody and do a good job but I have also learned how to politely push back and I've taken an assertiveness course!