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had a phone interview today

QueBert

QueBert

Lifer
It was going pretty good, then she asked what I thought my biggest weakness was. Everybody has weakness'es, but I had no idea how to answer this. I'm curious how anyone here would have answered that.
 
Originally posted by: QueBert
weakness'es
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I found it...



Edit: On a serious note... The proper answer to that question usually goes like this: I suppose my biggest weakness is patience, or lack thereof. When you're as driven and ambitious as I am it can be a challenge to relax and wait for things to develop. My natural urge is to fore the process along though I know that sometimes that is not always the best course of action.

Something like that. Or you could start singing

:music: Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble,
When you're perfect in every way...
I can't wait to look in the mirror,
I get better looking each day... :music:
 
Originally posted by: Semidevil
something like, "you get really frustrated when you fail at a task.." because you are such a perfectionist...
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Not really a good answer. It means that perfectionism will be your downfall and you can't move forward. Perfectionists make for bad employees.

better, "I tend to lead by example and that can be intimidating, so I try to empoyer others and allow them to lead when necessary. I'm working on it."
 
Your biggest weakness is you suck at preparing for interviews. I think that is one of the most frequently asked questions.
 
Originally posted by: tfinch2
Your biggest weakness is you suck at preparing for interviews. I think that is one of the most frequently asked questions.
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it is? I've had probably 30 interviews in my life and never been asked that question, it might very well be common but I've never had it asked.
 
Originally posted by: Semidevil
something like, "you get really frustrated when you fail at a task.." because you are such a perfectionist...
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Please don't do this. I have done panel style interviews and one of the other interviewees asked this question (I personally hate this question). More than half the people gave answers similar to or identical to this. At the end of the interviews when discussing people I put forth that people that didn't give what seemed like truthful answers can't seem to even admit they have weaknesses and if they can't do that they will need constant guidance in what they need to work on, and who wants to babysit?

You should answer with an actual weakness that you know about and are working on or have worked on improving. For example:

"I have tunnel vision and often concentrate on one task to the detriment of others so now I keep a list of tasks I am working on and ensure I spend an appropriate amount of time on all tasks instead of just one."

Its an actual weakness as opposed to a fake weakness that is really a plus. If you are going to lie might as well say you like working long hours for the same pay and hate spending time at home.

So find some weakness that you've overcome or are overcoming and use that but for the love of god don't use the cliche weaknesses.
 
Originally posted by: tfinch2
Your biggest weakness is you suck at preparing for interviews. I think that is one of the most frequently asked questions.
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Seriously, how could anyone not expect that question in an interview? I think about an answer to that EVERY time before an interview.

You should also expect "What are your strengths?" and "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?".

I've been asked at least one of those questions in every interview I've ever had. Most of the time, they ask me all three. "Where do you see yourself in 5 years" is pretty popular, and it's the only one of the questions they asked me in my last interview.
 
In my opinion, that question is to determine the quality of your BS answers.

"Oh my biggest weakness? Well golly, I think that might be how gosh darn nice I am to just everyone, and how I LOVE working in teams to maximize productivity!"
 
Originally posted by: MrBond
Originally posted by: tfinch2
Your biggest weakness is you suck at preparing for interviews. I think that is one of the most frequently asked questions.
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Seriously, how could anyone not expect that question in an interview? I think about an answer to that EVERY time before an interview.

You should also expect "What are your strengths?" and "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?".

I've been asked at least one of those questions in every interview I've ever had. Most of the time, they ask me all three. "Where do you see yourself in 5 years" is pretty popular, and it's the only one of the questions they asked me in my last interview.
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So what exactly are they looking for as an answer to the "5 years" question?



Originally posted by: tenshodo13
ON my interviews, I always put my weakness as "I overexplain things" Truth is, I do.
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What, in only one sentence? How can they trust that?😉
 
Tell her you've got a definite weakness for the hot, young Asian women!


In my case, I told them that I have a major problem hiding my feelings when I think someone is asking me a stupid question... like during an interview.
 
When I was on hiring panels I never asked any of those bullsh1t questions...

I always approached my part of the interview process like this:

I'm an engineer, this person is interviewing with with me because their position is technical in nature... so we are ****** talking shop.

I took them out into the plant and found out what they knew and didn't know and if they were lying about what they did and didn't know.
 
Originally posted by: Jeff7

So what exactly are they looking
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Here's a link that talks about it a little:

http://content.monster.com/articles/3479/17518/1/default.aspx

I think they're probably just looking for an answer that shows you have defined goals. I always say "I'd like to maybe be a team leader in a position where other people could come to me for suggestions, feedback, or advice". Sometimes I throw out there that I may start working on my MBA around that time, but that's looking less likely since I just got my MS in ChemE. I'm at a pretty good company now, so hopefully I don't have to interview anywhere else anytime soon.
 
My personal answer (and you should always answer this honestly) is that I suck at sales. I'm a terrible sales person - I like to present data and help people make the best decision, but I'm not very good at convincing others of something I don't believe in myself.
 
Definitely DO NOT give a truthful answer. That usually means that it makes you look bad. Answer it positively but not in a super generic fashion like " i work too hard". My friend says "I have trouble saying no" and interviewers seem to love that answer I don't know why.



And how could you not have been prepared for that question? It's one of the most common questions to ask. Everyone lies on interviews... so just sound articulate and screw the truth!

Personally, I find interviews *so pointless. Seriously, if you can analyze my life in 5 minutes then either you're too arrogant or i'm too shallow.

It's like a stupid game that you have to put up with in the beginning. After you get the job, you can just do a 180 and do whatever you want.
 
My biggest weakness is my stubbornness. Long after I should have just given up, I'm still waisting my and the company's time trying to get something to work.

Not a terrible trait because most other people give up too easily. I wish I had a nickel for every time that I thought something was hopeless and yet I got it to work.
 
Originally posted by: Jeff7
In my opinion, that question is to determine the quality of your BS answers.

"Oh my biggest weakness? Well golly, I think that might be how gosh darn nice I am to just everyone, and how I LOVE working in teams to maximize productivity!"
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I agree. If the answer isn't truthful, it will show. Give some background for your answer. Don't just rattle off some nonsense just because you think it sounds good, because if they ask you why you might find yourself a bit mute.

 
I have a hard time delegating. I work well in a team, and leading a small team, but a larger team I tend to start doing things myself, especially if somone fails to meet a goal that is critical. I often will not rely on that person for anything important.
 
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