NBR: A loaded question..

emizer · March 2009

I have a job interview later today and I am FREAKING out. I've been through so many and I never get hired. I know they're going to ask me about my "weaknesses". What are some of your responses to this? I've been told all kinds of things to say and it's so frustrating because I'm the kind of person who wants to say ... "well, my weakness is I have NO experience in this area. But I'm willing to learn!" I know that's not right... so what is? TIA

CMDR513 · March 2009

Too much of a perfectionist, etc.

Put too much heart into the project

jwiatrek · March 2009

Pinpoint a weakness that has become a stregnth b/c of work experience and talk about that. Also, could it be that you are applying for positions w/o experience? I know that was an issue I personally had before I was able to work where I wanted to. I literally had to start at the bottom and move my way into what I wanted to do. I am a recruiter and I know that we often don't hire someone w/o experience b/c 9 times out of 10 there is someone applying for the position that has it. G/L with your interview!

jwiatrek · March 2009

CMDR513:

Too much of a perfectionist, etc.

Put too much heart into the project

These always work too!

star173 · March 2009

I'm a workaholic. Hahah. Don't say that.

I would think about a real weakness you have, and try to spin it to sound as "not too bad" as possible. Like mine is, "I'm very empathetic, sometimes too empathetic."

Good luck!

Alli3586 · March 2009

CMDR513:

Too much of a perfectionist, etc.

Put too much heart into the project

ditto!

unraveled · March 2009

Don't say the perfectionist thing. That always bugs me when candidates tell me that. I want to hear a valid weakness with a very a positive spin on it, or what you're doing to fix it. If someone gives me a fluff "all positive" answer that's too plainly rehearsed, I know they are obviously withholding the real answer, thus making it a waste of time.

If you have no experience, say that's honestly your weakness and you want to be candid. Tell them that your drive, determination, eagerness to learn, quickness in picking up new tasks, etc, are what make you a strong candidate despite your lack of SPECIFIC job-related experience, and that you will appreciate their time and willingness to show you the ropes, and to give you a chance to demonstrate that it's worth the risk of hiring you. Turn it in to a sales pitch.

jay.otter · March 2009

CMDR513:
Too much of a perfectionist, etc.
Put too much heart into the project

Ditto

MySweetBaboo · March 2009

The key is to make your weakness an actual strength. Say something like, you don't like to leave the office with unfinished business, even if it can wait until tomorrow. Or, Excel, but that you have taken courses and have improved, but it isn't your favorite software or something. Whatever you say, make it a positive, tell examples. Good luck!! I suck at interviews as well!

ali-1411 · March 2009

I usually say that when doing a team project - I will tend to pick up the slack of other employees, which may lead to me taking on most of the workload myself. I like to be in control so I know its being done right, etc.

Megan Briggs · March 2009

unraveled:

Don't say the perfectionist thing. That always bugs me when candidates tell me that. I want to hear a valid weakness with a very a positive spin on it, or what you're doing to fix it. If someone gives me a fluff "all positive" answer that's too plainly rehearsed, I know they are obviously withholding the real answer, thus making it a waste of time.

If you have no experience, say that's honestly your weakness and you want to be candid. Tell them that your drive, determination, eagerness to learn, quickness in picking up new tasks, etc, are what make you a strong candidate despite your lack of SPECIFIC job-related experience, and that you will appreciate their time and willingness to show you the ropes, and to give you a chance to demonstrate that it's worth the risk of hiring you. Turn it in to a sales pitch.

I agree totally. I think the perfectionist thing sounds like false humility. Like "I'm too perfect for my own good." Be honest, but talk about how you have overcome that weakness.

JARbaby · March 2009

I am anxious about time, I want everything done early of not on time.

candreco · March 2009

CMDR513:

Too much of a perfectionist, etc.

Put too much heart into the project

Ditto. I always say that my weakness is that I tend to focus too much on the 100% result, when often 90% is good enough and can be done a lot faster.

Lerxie · March 2009

unraveled:

Don't say the perfectionist thing. That always bugs me when candidates tell me that. I want to hear a valid weakness with a very a positive spin on it, or what you're doing to fix it. If someone gives me a fluff "all positive" answer that's too plainly rehearsed, I know they are obviously withholding the real answer, thus making it a waste of time.

If you have no experience, say that's honestly your weakness and you want to be candid. Tell them that your drive, determination, eagerness to learn, quickness in picking up new tasks, etc, are what make you a strong candidate despite your lack of SPECIFIC job-related experience, and that you will appreciate their time and willingness to show you the ropes, and to give you a chance to demonstrate that it's worth the risk of hiring you. Turn it in to a sales pitch.

This. Exactly. The best candidates know how to take an honest answer (difficult or not) and really make it a sales pitch for themselves.

Mjmksb04 · March 2009

CMDR513:

Too much of a perfectionist, etc.

Put too much heart into the project

With all due respect, these are NOT weaknesses and its a pet peeve of many employers when people use these. Think of a real weakness and how you resolve it.

Geekchick921 · March 2009

emizer:
I know they're going to ask me about my "weaknesses". What are some of your responses to this?

Blue eyes and chocolate. Wink

KMR816 · March 2009

I teach, and it's been almost 5 years since interviews...but...I always said something like I tend to be a little too passionate and get too involved in whatever I do...like it would be hard for me to leave the job at work. ?Hope that makes sense and helps. ?You could also say that you aren't easily satisfied...you constantly want to keep growing and learning.?

I hate this question, by the way!

LawLove08 · March 2009

Honestly, I do a lot of interviewing potential summer associate candidates for jobs, and I hate the canned answers to this question. ?Better to be honest, IMO. ?Come up with a genuine weakness (e.g. lack of experience) but then discuss what you're doing to improve upon it (researching the industry/position, etc). ?When people tell me "I'm a perfectionist" as their weakness, it actually is a point against them in my book, because they're saying what they think I want to hear, rather than actually thinking about and answering the question.

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NBR: A loaded question..

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