job interview qu: what is your major weakness?

[aidanjm]

How do you respond to this question?

please give me some examples of harmless "weaknesses" that indicate that I am human, but aren't going to rule me out of the job

 

[regnez]

I tend to drive a little under the speed limit, and my friends are always telling me that I am too responsible.

 

[PaNsyBoy8]

i sometimes get too into my work and lose track of time and skip my lunch.

 

[eLiTeGoodGuy]

"Yeah I'd have to say that my major weakness is that, some people call me lazy, I can't arrive to work on time, I don't dress professionally, and I punched the $hit out of my ex boss. Will you hire me?"

 

[mugs]

Fortunately I've never been asked that stupid question.

Originally posted by: PaNsyBoy8
i sometimes get too into my work and lose track of time and skip my lunch.

I'd rule you out right there for lying to me.

 

[jjones]

Firebombing offices where they refuse to hire me.

 

[777php]

I'm overly dedicated to the detriment of my health and relationships outside of work.

 

[PaNsyBoy8]

Originally posted by: mugs
Fortunately I've never been asked that stupid question.

Originally posted by: PaNsyBoy8
i sometimes get too into my work and lose track of time and skip my lunch.

I'd rule you out right there for lying to me.

i lose track of time and skip lunch all the time

 

[KarmaPolice]

i hate this question. You answer like one of the above they know your a bullshiting. Maybe that are trying to see how good you can bs...or maybe they want to hear the truth.

 

[vi edit]

8:00 AM conference calls to discuss UPI to MRN conversions.

*YAWN*

 

[erub]

I just told a recruiter that my weakness was that I don't like public speaking, but that I have taken a class to improve it (truth), and that each time I get up there I get a little better. I think she liked that, because she sorta sympathized about herself during training sessins. Its for an engineering internship so public speaking isn't a large part of the job but of course presentations are done..we'll see if I get another interview/job offer

 

[Pantoot]

Kryptonite.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: PaNsyBoy8

Originally posted by: mugs
Fortunately I've never been asked that stupid question.

Originally posted by: PaNsyBoy8
i sometimes get too into my work and lose track of time and skip my lunch.

I'd rule you out right there for lying to me.

i lose track of time and skip lunch all the time

I'm sure you do, but you're a liar if you tell me that is your biggest weakness.

 

[Jassi]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: PaNsyBoy8

Originally posted by: mugs
Fortunately I've never been asked that stupid question.

Originally posted by: PaNsyBoy8
i sometimes get too into my work and lose track of time and skip my lunch.

I'd rule you out right there for lying to me.

i lose track of time and skip lunch all the time

I'm sure you do, but you're a liar if you tell me that is your biggest weakness.

They didn't ask for the biggest weakness but a major one.....

 

[imported_Imp]

Originally posted by: erub
I just told a recruiter that my weakness was that I don't like public speaking, but that I have taken a class to improve it (truth), and that each time I get up there I get a little better. I think she liked that, because she sorta sympathized about herself during training sessins. Its for an engineering internship so public speaking isn't a large part of the job but of course presentations are done..we'll see if I get another interview/job offer

Think you pretty much had the perfect answer. They are probably looking for your ability to be self-critical, but at the same time be confident enough to know that it won't kill you, you are smart enough to deal with the problem, and finally, capable of improving on it. Doubt they just want you to say, "I always miss the toilet so I've given up and I painted my house yellow."

 

[Kelvrick]

My biggest weakness is that I'm a lazy asshole. Of course, that is also one of my biggest strengths in that I work hard and fast to get the job done right, so I can slack off after its done.

 

[aidanjm]

Originally posted by: erub
I just told a recruiter that my weakness was that I don't like public speaking, but that I have taken a class to improve it (truth), and that each time I get up there I get a little better. I think she liked that, because she sorta sympathized about herself during training sessins. Its for an engineering internship so public speaking isn't a large part of the job but of course presentations are done..we'll see if I get another interview/job offer

that's a nice example I think.

 

[bleeb]

"PERFECTIONIST" I like to take pride in my work and in all aspects of ventures I attempt. Sometimes this can interfere with other projects I simultaneously work on....yada yada yada....

 

[CalvinHobbes]

I'd probably say Asian chicks.

 

[aidanjm]

any more comments?

 

[Pshawn5]

Originally posted by: erub
I just told a recruiter that my weakness was that I don't like public speaking, but that I have taken a class to improve it (truth), and that each time I get up there I get a little better. I think she liked that, because she sorta sympathized about herself during training sessins. Its for an engineering internship so public speaking isn't a large part of the job but of course presentations are done..we'll see if I get another interview/job offer

pretty much what I say when asked that question, since it's the truth. but i've gotten alot better with my public speaking so they're sometimes surprised when I say it.

 

[Pocatello]

Originally posted by: erub
I just told a recruiter that my weakness was that I don't like public speaking, but that I have taken a class to improve it (truth), and that each time I get up there I get a little better. I think she liked that, because she sorta sympathized about herself during training sessins. Its for an engineering internship so public speaking isn't a large part of the job but of course presentations are done..we'll see if I get another interview/job offer

Winnar, I will use this line if the question comes up. Which is perfectly true for me. Abhor public speaking, but had to take speech classes and gave a couple of seminars in college.

 

[TreyRandom]

A stake through the heart will kill me.

 

[silverdj]

My answer to that question is "Well, I like to do drugs and don't like to work" but if you hire me I will do what I can do to make money to support my drug habit.

 

[fLum0x]

well, by "major weakness" you can't just make a total bullsh!t answer. You should use something non-work related if you have the gift of gab and can get humor out of it