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photogenic · Newbie Joined: 13 May 2007 Posts: 1 Career Advice: +0/-0

I have found myself being asked the interview question : "what are your weaknesses?" at most of the job interviews I have been to and I always found it difficult as to what to reply. Till now I have always tried to answer in such a way that the so called “weakness” appears to the interviewer to be an “asset”. For example once I tried saying that I was very fussy on keeping things very very organized and that I consider it a weakness. When they asked “why?” I told them about how during my last job I had been sharing an office with another colleague. He was not the organized type and always left a lot of papers scattered on his desk, never found what he was looking for, etc etc …This had always made me very frustrated of having to work with him and sharing the same office. With no surprise I received a letter a week after the interview saying that the post was filled and they will keep my CV for their reference should any other vacancy arise. What have you replied to this question which made you get the job?

Katja144 · Expert Joined: 22 Aug 2005 Posts: 177 Career Advice: +2/-0

There are other ways to indicate that your level of organization is a weakness without essentially saying you don't get along with your coworkers. You might pull out a story that illustrates a time when it made life difficult for you--for example, I tend to say one of my weaknesses is being too efficient and relate a time when one of my bosses said "where is that paper I just had sitting here?" I told him, "I filed it," and he said, "but I was still using it!"

I think saying you're too organized is fine, as long as you have a good reason for why--which means no "my coworkers drove me nuts/my coworkers couldn't stand me/I get really anal when someone touches my desk/whatever." If you can't think of a good reason, try to think of something else. Or, come up with a minor weakness you have resolved and tell how you worked to resolve it--they also like to see that you're into self-improvement.

lexa10881 · Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 2:34 am Post subject:

Katja gave you some very good advice. By admitting to a weakness in a way that plays to your advantage, and showing that you have resolved it, exhibits much about your character. It shows that you are human, willing to change when needed, have ways to solve problems in an effective manner, and are aware of yourself. After you have selected your chosen 'flaw' make sure you do relay it in a manner that is conducive, not inhibitory, to you being employed.

http://www.cvtips.com/personal_strengths_weaknesses_interview.html

ank06 · Expert Joined: 20 Sep 2006 Posts: 247 Career Advice: +1/-0

Well...
They might have been looking for someone to do a great job in team work and who doesn't complain about the other colleagues. Don't ever mention in your answers the word "frustrated" because it is in your detriment. The pieces of advice above are very good, so take them into consideration.
Also, consider thinking of something general as an answer, but still, something to be applied in specific situations.

uttam_giet

Never say You are a Workaholic, a Perfectionist, etc. because it sounds negative. Try to convert these negative biased qualities into positive ones. For example, in place of Workaholic you can say you are a hard worker and always willing to work for extra hours.In place of Perfectionist, you can say you are detail oriented and like to set high standard for work.

“Try to specify your weakness as your strength and also highlight it as a benefit.”

Your answers can be:

1) One of my weaknesses as I perceive is occasional compromise on time for quality and perfection.

2) I feel I am not very detail-oriented. I’m a person that wants accomplish as much as possible. I realized this hurts quality and therefore I‘m trying hard to find a balance between quality and quantity.

3) At times even when I need help, I try to solve my own problems instead of asking a co-worker who might know the answer. This would save me more time and I would be more efficient. I’m working on knowing when it would be beneficial to ask for help.

For more answers, visit:

http://uttambpt.blogspot.com

lindawalkrsin · Newbie Joined: 07 Jul 2009 Posts: 1 Career Advice: +0/-0

Maybe it's just me, but when I'm in the chair interviewing a potential candidate, all these "sugar coated" answers really don't appeal to me at all. I prefer a little bit of an honest and straightforward answer, without trying to awkardly spin it into some positive attribute.

sarah_9 · Newbie Joined: 09 Jul 2009 Posts: 3 Career Advice: +0/-0

Hello,

Such questions are asked to judge your confidence and your attitude, it is better to expose your second greatest strength as your weak point, it will help you in creating right impression on board members.

Regards,
sarah_9

Randy · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 11:41 am Post subject:

lindawalkrsin:

Maybe it's just me, but when I'm in the chair interviewing a potential candidate, all these "sugar coated" answers really don't appeal to me at all. I prefer a little bit of an honest and straightforward answer, without trying to awkardly spin it into some positive attribute.

Holy hell, you and I would get along splendidly! I positively suck when it comes to following the "conventional wisdom" and "expert advice" of "spin," i.e., lie. After all, that's what it's reduced to, now isn't it?

E.G.: "Randy, give me an example of what you perceive as a weakness in yourself."

Me: "Glad to. I postively loathe being asked an open-ended question, the purpose of which is to get me to say something that serves no purpose other than to give you a reason not to hire me. We've established, on paper at least, that I have all the qualifications and experience necessary to do the job or we wouldn't be sitting here having this conversation, now would we? So we're having this pretense of a discussion for no reason other than to give you a chance to decide if you 'like' me or not. And if you really believe for one minute that hiring people you 'like,' those who leave you feeling good that they're 'team players' and that elusive 'ideal candidate' is what you want, you're an idiot in the first place and I've worked for enough of those in my life. I'm far more interested in achieving results and getting the work done than in expending time and energy in pretending to be someone other than who I am...."

Yes, a wee-bit harsh for dramatic effect but here's the problem:

I've given that answer in interviews.

I'm at my best, however, when asked the single-most stupid question ever asked in an interview:

"Where do you see yourself in fives years?"

Linda, you're a rare jewel, a breath of fresh air, and I envy anyone who has the pleasure to be interviewed by you.

bereanmh · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:01 pm Post subject:

I like the honest approach as well. The reality is, if someone knows their stuff, why do they need to come up with polished answers.

When I am interviewing, I do take time to answer questions honestly. What that means is I don't spout answers off the cuff, but think about them. That does not mean that I have premeditated answers to the questions.

As far as open ended questions, I don't find these to be a problem as long as the interviewer does not make them too vague.

uttam_giet · Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 6:49 pm Post subject:

You can answer as :

1) I've been told a few times I'm too much detail oriented. I do make it a practice of checking my work at least once or twice to make sure that it's absolutely accurate.

2) I believe one of my weaknesses is my impatience. Whenever I work in a team and any of the team members don’t perform up to the expectation, I get impatient and annoyed. I understand if they are working hard and if their portion is difficult, but sometimes a person can’t do the assignment due to incompetence and laziness. I know I can help out by explaining things to some people and encouraging lazy people by reminding them of deadlines. I know it’s bad to be impatient, but I’m definitely working on it.

There’s a saying –

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