| In the last installment of the description of the TODAY | | | | prioritize my projects for the day. I have found that it |
| Acronym to prepare for job interviews, we'll focus on | | | | makes me feel much more sane, and keeps me |
| the last letter-Y which stands for Your Strengths and | | | | productive. |
| Weaknesses. | | | | Note in the above example how I discussed my |
| The previous letters were: T-Teamwork; | | | | weakness: that it's always been a problem, and how I |
| O-Overcoming Obstacles; D-Duties of your past | | | | work to overcome it on a weekly basis. Also note that |
| positions; and A-Achievements. | | | | admitting this specific weakness probably won't keep |
| The strengths and weaknesses topic is universally the | | | | me from getting the job-unless the hiring manager is a |
| one that most interviewees are afraid of being asked, | | | | compulsive neat freak (in which case it's probably best |
| and the question that most interviewers are most likely | | | | that I not work for them). Avoid weaknesses that |
| to ask. Therefore there is no reason not to have an | | | | could seriously cast doubt on your work ethic or |
| excellent answer to this question. | | | | personality. Never discuss coming into work late, |
| Let's start with the more difficult question first-your | | | | personality conflicts, or the quintessential "I work too |
| weaknesses. No one likes to admit that they have a | | | | hard" as a weakness. First, nobody wants to take a |
| weakness, whether it be for chocolate chip cookies | | | | chance on you if you have the first two weaknesses, |
| and hot chocolate, or procrastinating until the very last | | | | and nobody actually believes the third one. Acceptable |
| minute before an important project is due. | | | | weaknesses are a fear of public speaking, drinking too |
| The key to answering this question correctly is to | | | | much coffee in the morning, or the constant battle to |
| provide a weakness, and discuss how you have | | | | stop smoking, and others that are not typically |
| overcome it, or are working to overcome it. An | | | | job-threatening. Don't forget to show how you are |
| example I always use is that unless I'm constantly | | | | working to overcome these weaknesses. |
| vigilant, my desk can turn into an absolute hovel of | | | | In discussing your strengths-your best bet is to identify |
| papers. I have a tendency to let things pile up even | | | | a strength that you know is a quality they are looking |
| after I've completed a project, thinking that I'll still need | | | | for in a job applicant. If it's a customer service position, |
| to refer to my notes in the future. It's only after a few | | | | emphasize how much you like to help people, and |
| weeks have snuck by and I make a desperate | | | | although they can be challenging at times, you enjoy |
| attempt to find the desktop again, that I realize that I | | | | being able to make someone else's life easier. Just |
| didn't need to save as much paperwork as I did. I now | | | | don't get too sappy here or it will seem fake, but if |
| make sure that I set aside time when I come into the | | | | possible take this opportunity to further show them |
| office on Friday morning to clear off my desk and | | | | that you are the perfect applicant for the job. |