Job Interviews

[trulfe]

So when they ask you "what are your weaknesses", what are some good answers that wont make you look like a bad employee or risk for them to hire you?????

 

[PsychoAndy]

"i usually work for less money than i should"

 

[sohcrates]

I try too hard is popular but quite cheesy

BUT, if you say something like " I need to work on doing my best in the alloted time " then there's something you can improve on...you realize deadlines are important.

at least, that's what i used a couple of times.

it's hard to think of stuff like this!

 

[kranky]

For an entry-level job, you can say that your lack of experience is a weakness, but you are prepared to work very hard in learning the job and that you will be able to do it faster than the average employee (because you have done so at other jobs).

If it's not an entry-level position, think about the type of job it is. Then you can say something that relates being "new" to one particular aspect of the specific job. For example, if the job is heavily team-oriented, you could say "I haven't had much experience in working in a team environment, so I may have to adjust to that. But since I am committed to doing an excellent job, I recognize that I will have to work on that aspect and I am confident I will fit in well." That is a weakness, but not something that is going to kill your chances and it also shows you have thought about the specific work environment.

One thing NOT to say: "I have a tendency to push myself too hard" or anything like that. I have heard that one a million times and it always sounds clichéd.

 

[gopunk]

i'm going to go with be honest.... that's probably what they're testing for

 

[trulfe]

thanks so far guys

 

[VTBigBear]

kranky...


thats good advice....


Thanks

 

[Ameesh]

"I am too detail oriented" always works for me.

 

[Capn]

say "I'm a perfectionist"

 

[CrazyDe1]

I'm a perfectionist is BS...they see right through that...as are responses like I try to hard and get wrapped up in my work...its so see through...I knew a few people workin in HR at large companies that would deny you based on a response like that...they want to see humility, not disguising a strength as a weakness...
I usually say stuff like I have a bad memory...it hurts me when I take tests and I'm not good at memorizing stuff, but it doesn't really effect me on projects. I make up for it by writing stuff down and double checking twice.

A statement like that shows an actual weakness, but also shows it won't get you down, and you can overcome it...

 

[CrazyDe1]

also I agree w/ kranky's responses...thats good stuff

 

[yoda291]

<< So when they ask you "what are your weaknesses", what are some good answers that wont make you look like a bad employee or risk for them to hire you????? >>



My last interview had an exchange like this:

Interviewer: So....what would you consider your greatest weakness
Me: (immediately) Kryptonite.
Interviewer chuckles
Me: Seriously, it'd probably be that people don't realize when there's pressure on me to do things because I don't really show it. Hence, it's hard to communicate the gravity of bad situations.

Translation -- I don't crack under pressure and I can give bad news very well.

It seems to have worked.

 

[Polgara]

DO NOT be overly honest here. They assume that you are not going to tell them the truth. IF you tell them your real weaknesses, they will assume that the truth is much worse.

Question: ?What is your greatest weakness??

Begin with a frivolous answer:

?I hate washing the dishes.?

Then. "But really...."

?I get very nervous when I have to give presentations. However, I try to overcome this by preparing very well. I try to think of all the questions I could be asked, and make sure that I am ready for them.?

See, you present a real weakness (one that can be overcome with experience) and that you already are dealing with it.

Sarah <== Got every job for which she interviewed.

 

[HamSupLo]

i got asked what my weakness and I said public speaking.

 

[trulfe]

since i am applying for an entry level position i think the lack of experience is probably the best answer so far.

 

[dirtboy]

I don't ever recall being asked that question. I don't take canned responses to interviews myself. The best thing to do, is beat them at their own game. Interview them. Find out what weaknesses they have in the position currently and position yourself to solve them.

I have been on interviews where they asked all the questions. Sure I got the job, but I didn't feel all that good afterwards... with my chances to get the job.

I have also been on interviews where I asked most of the questions and made them think about whether they really wanted to hire someone of my caliber for the lowly position and whether or not the company would have positions in the future for me. I didn't get any of those jobs. I was going through a phase where I'd interview for any job remotely close. There were some places, after seeing the operations, I told them I wouldn't work for them. Others wanted to hire me for an entry level help desk when I was network admin. I told them they better have something open within a few months and they just weren't ready for me. With those interviews, I felt totally in control. They knew I was serious and that I knew what I wanted. I knew I had every job when I left and it was my choice.

Good luck with your interview! Remember to dress nicely.