Interview - You Can Answer the Toughest Question Perfectly!
What is one of the hardest and most common questions to answer in a job interview? "Tell me about a weakness of yours.
" The interviewer wants to find out: 1) Areas of your expertise that are lacking.
2) How you handle this sticky question.
Are you going to answer with your greatest fault? If you're smart you won't.
If you do, you run a high risk of a flubbed interview.
Bad answers...
You must answer truthfully! But don't respond answers like these or you're out! - I have a hard time completing projects on time.
- I'm so busy I sometimes run late.
- I don't suffer fools lightly.
- When I'm under pressure I tend to have a short fuse.
- I have a hard time working with stupid people.
- I prefer to work alone so others don't slow me down.
You get the idea...
These all may be true, but won't get you hired.
And, if you know they are true about you -- do something about it! You'll be happier and so will all who work with you.
Perfect answers that get you closer to an offer...
Your best answer to "Tell me about a weakness of yours," is honest and with one of these three possible tactics.
Here are some sample answers for you to consider: 1) Answer with something irrelevant to the position you seek.
Honesty is extremely important, but you don't have to expose your greatest failing.
"Speaking to large crowds is a challenge for me.
" "I'm not very mechanically inclined, so fixing equipment is not my strength.
" These would be great answers only if speaking to large crowds or having to fix equipment are not in the job description.
2) Answer with something that you have overcome.
"It used to be hard to give corrective feedback to people who work for me.
But, when I realized it improves performance, it became easier.
It's still not my favorite thing to do, but the results are worth it.
" "I used to get frustrated when I had less experienced people on my team.
But now I see they can bring fresh ideas to a project.
I welcome that!" These answers show that you are aware of your flaws and work to overcome them.
3) Your greatest strength can be told as a weakness and make you look good.
"I require absolute accuracy in financial reports.
I can sometimes appear demanding when I prepare reports, especially for upper management.
" "I sometimes frustrate people because I always keep our customer as the top priority.
What seems like a good idea sometimes isn't when you put customer loyalty first.
" These answers are examples of high standards that Hiring Managers desire in you.
High standards sometimes frustrate others however.
Not necessarily a bad thing! A tough, but typical interview question like, "Tell me about a weakness of yours," can't trip you up when you know how to answer it!
" The interviewer wants to find out: 1) Areas of your expertise that are lacking.
2) How you handle this sticky question.
Are you going to answer with your greatest fault? If you're smart you won't.
If you do, you run a high risk of a flubbed interview.
Bad answers...
You must answer truthfully! But don't respond answers like these or you're out! - I have a hard time completing projects on time.
- I'm so busy I sometimes run late.
- I don't suffer fools lightly.
- When I'm under pressure I tend to have a short fuse.
- I have a hard time working with stupid people.
- I prefer to work alone so others don't slow me down.
You get the idea...
These all may be true, but won't get you hired.
And, if you know they are true about you -- do something about it! You'll be happier and so will all who work with you.
Perfect answers that get you closer to an offer...
Your best answer to "Tell me about a weakness of yours," is honest and with one of these three possible tactics.
Here are some sample answers for you to consider: 1) Answer with something irrelevant to the position you seek.
Honesty is extremely important, but you don't have to expose your greatest failing.
"Speaking to large crowds is a challenge for me.
" "I'm not very mechanically inclined, so fixing equipment is not my strength.
" These would be great answers only if speaking to large crowds or having to fix equipment are not in the job description.
2) Answer with something that you have overcome.
"It used to be hard to give corrective feedback to people who work for me.
But, when I realized it improves performance, it became easier.
It's still not my favorite thing to do, but the results are worth it.
" "I used to get frustrated when I had less experienced people on my team.
But now I see they can bring fresh ideas to a project.
I welcome that!" These answers show that you are aware of your flaws and work to overcome them.
3) Your greatest strength can be told as a weakness and make you look good.
"I require absolute accuracy in financial reports.
I can sometimes appear demanding when I prepare reports, especially for upper management.
" "I sometimes frustrate people because I always keep our customer as the top priority.
What seems like a good idea sometimes isn't when you put customer loyalty first.
" These answers are examples of high standards that Hiring Managers desire in you.
High standards sometimes frustrate others however.
Not necessarily a bad thing! A tough, but typical interview question like, "Tell me about a weakness of yours," can't trip you up when you know how to answer it!
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