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