| Are you familiar with the job weakness interview | | | | So, if nothing that you have heard before works, what |
| question? How many times have you had to answer it | | | | will work? The best strategies for mastering the job |
| in your lifetime? If you are like most people, you have | | | | weakness interview question apply equally to all |
| had to answer a question about your personal and | | | | positions, in all industries, and with all types of |
| professional weaknesses at least a few times. If you | | | | interviewers. |
| feel your answer was less than satisfactory or | | | | You want to slant your answer according to specific |
| painted you in a negative light, it's time to do some | | | | information that you find out about the company in |
| preparing for this question before you put on the suit | | | | question through research ahead of time. You should |
| and tie and shine up those shoes for your next | | | | be researching every company that invites you in for |
| interview. | | | | an interview anyway, so this is just something that can |
| Are You Awake? | | | | be looked for along the way. You are looking for |
| Some interviewers enjoy throwing out a question | | | | specific information about how the company works |
| about your weaknesses when you are least | | | | that will enable you to answer this question to their |
| expecting it. They want to see how you respond, if | | | | liking. |
| you can think quickly on your feet, as well as how | | | | For example, a company that tends to be extremely |
| compelling your answer turns out to be. This is why | | | | democratic in policy and operation might like the fact |
| they will often throw it in there with questions that | | | | that you had a difficult time adjusting to the lack of |
| most job seekers answer on autopilot, such as your | | | | structure in a previous job opportunity. |
| previous job experiences. You will be answering easy | | | | Notice how in that example the weakness given could |
| questions and chit-chatting along when suddenly you | | | | actually be understood as a positive for the particular |
| are thrown for a loop with this dreaded question. | | | | company you now want to work for. This is your |
| You can show your interviewer that you are very | | | | ultimate goal! You want to note a real weakness in |
| aware of your surroundings and are able to think fast | | | | another area or your life or in a previous position which |
| and give appealing replies on the spot if you answer | | | | could be taken as a positive in this new company's |
| the job interview weakness question without stalling | | | | environment. If you can let this new employer get the |
| and in an effective manner. You could actually bypass | | | | impression that you have dealt with this weakness and |
| other candidates who may have more experience or | | | | have take action to improve yourself in that area, they |
| who have a better educational background than you, | | | | will see that you are an honest person who is serious |
| just by impressing the interviewer with your answer to | | | | about their reputation and life. That is quite impressive |
| this one question! | | | | compared to the answers most others give! |
| The Worst Approaches | | | | Another way to approach this is to tell a story about |
| You may assume that the outdated advice of twisting | | | | your weakness in a funny way. You want to get them |
| a good personality feature into a minor weakness is | | | | smiling and laughing, but remember it must be directly |
| the best approach to this dreaded question, but this | | | | related to the position you want to fill. The interviewer |
| could actually backfire in your face and give the | | | | is human and will respond to a joke favorably as long |
| opposite impression than what you want to give. For | | | | as it is delivered in the proper tone. |
| instance, saying that you are a perfectionist as if it is a | | | | In some cases you may be asked to elaborate about |
| negative thing could send a message to your | | | | your answer, so it helps to be sincere and give an |
| interviewer that you will try not to be a perfectionist | | | | honest answer. Many interviewers can detect when |
| and might turn in sloppy work. | | | | you are lying or making something up off the top of |
| A weakness is a weakness is a weakness. Your | | | | your head. If they get the sense you are being direct |
| interviewer has heard all types of spins when it come | | | | and honest they will have great respect for you. |
| to this question, and they will notice anything that lacks | | | | Keep your answers as brief as possible. When you |
| substance and honestly. | | | | start going into more elaborate details you open the |
| You also want to avoid giving weaknesses that are | | | | door to some awkward questions that may not |
| irrelevant to the position you are applying for. If you | | | | present you in a favorable light. Just keep it short and |
| want to fill a position as a computer engineer, you | | | | simple and try to move the interview forward from |
| shouldn't state that your biggest weakness is not | | | | there as quickly as possible. |
| knowing how to use most copy machines. Copy | | | | Finally, just sit back and try to relax. Take a deep |
| machine knowledge may be essential to secretary | | | | breath if you have to, but make sure to appear calm |
| position, but has little to do with the job of computer | | | | and collected when the question is asked. Remember, |
| engineer. | | | | you are dealing with a human who has nothing against |
| Also, don't go into the interview trying to paint yourself | | | | you. They will notice that you are calm and not |
| as a perfect person. There isn't a perfect person | | | | panicked. |
| walking the earth, and your interviewer will be instantly | | | | This is one of the most stressful questions of an |
| turned off if you try to convince them otherwise. | | | | interview and everyone dreads having to answer it, |
| Never state that you have no flaws, especially if you | | | | but if you are prepared ahead of time with proper |
| are applying for a lower level position! | | | | research and rehearsal at home, you will get through it |
| The Best Approach | | | | with flying colors! |