| One question that gets asked often is how to answer | | | | should he say he doesn't have any weaknesses as |
| the strengths and weaknesses question in an | | | | interviewers scoff at these types of answers. |
| interview. Last month, a jobseeker from Richmond Hill, | | | | Job Interview Skills Click here |
| Ontario, wrote: | | | | So, one way to answer this question is to identify a |
| Job Interview Skills Click here | | | | work-related weakness that you are working on or a |
| "I have recently been to over 5 interviews in the past | | | | weakness that would not interfere with your ability to |
| few weeks. During the duration of each interview the | | | | do your job. For example, suppose you are afraid to |
| interviewer asks me what my biggest weakness is. I | | | | speak in public, and would like to improve in this area. |
| find it extremely difficult to answer this question | | | | You could say something like, "I used to be one of |
| knowing that it will somehow work to my | | | | those people who would avoid all opportunities to |
| disadvantage no matter what I say. Is there a way to | | | | speak in front of a crowd, but six months ago I took |
| turn this into a positive?" | | | | my mentor's advice and enrolled in a Toastmasters' |
| This question is regularly asked at interviews, as the | | | | program. Not only am I a more confident speaker, but I |
| jobseeker above found out. One reason is that | | | | also volunteer for different roles in meetings and have |
| employers want to gain insights into the character of | | | | improved my leadership skills." An answer like this |
| the candidate and make sure they are hiring someone | | | | shows you are authentic and that you were able to |
| who will be an asset to the company, not a liability. The | | | | turn a weakness into a strength. |
| candidate, on the other hand, needs to be prepared to | | | | Some employers use behavioural interview techniques |
| discuss one or two weaknesses, as long as they are | | | | to select candidates, and these questions sometimes |
| flaws that won't affect his ability to do the job. The | | | | prove more difficult for the candidate to answer |
| candidate should not give "canned" answers such as "I | | | | because they are not as direct as "Tell me about your |
| am a perfectionist" or "I am a workaholic", neither | | | | weaknesses". |