| With careful preparation, difficult interview questions | | | | you can demonstrate that you recognised the |
| can present you with an opportunity to shine under | | | | weakness, and found an effective method of |
| pressure. The important thing with all questions is to | | | | overcoming it. |
| show a balanced and considered approach. The | | | | Examining your strengths can be just as difficult as |
| following examples will show you some of the pitfalls | | | | your weaknesses. The important thing here is not to |
| and ways to avoid them. | | | | appear like an ego-maniac. Consider carefully what |
| Let's start with the classic interview question - what | | | | your strengths are, then consider the supporting |
| are your weaknesses? | | | | evidence you have for these strengths. Always |
| There are many variations on this question, common | | | | present a considered argument with supporting |
| ones include tell me a strength and a weakness and | | | | evidence. |
| what are your three greatest weakness. To fully | | | | Why are you leaving your current Job? |
| prepare you should have three strengths and | | | | The purpose of this question is for the interviewer to |
| weaknesses prepared. The worst mistake to make | | | | discover if you are leaving due to any current |
| with this question is to claim you don't have any | | | | difficulties. If you are unhappy where you are, what's to |
| weaknesses. This approach is unlikely to impress the | | | | say you will not be unhappy in your new job. Avoid at |
| interviewer and will present you in a cowardly light. This | | | | all costs talking about any problems in your current job |
| question may not be as difficult as it first appears. Sit | | | | and especially any problems with your current |
| down and consider what your true work related | | | | management. Highlighting problems, even if they are |
| weaknesses are. When you really think about it this is | | | | not your fault will give the impression that you are hard |
| often quite a long list (I know mine is). The next stage | | | | to work with or difficult to manage. |
| is to think what you have done to overcome these | | | | Look for the positive aspects of moving job role both |
| weaknesses in your working life. | | | | for you and your future employer. Emphasize why you |
| Let me give you an example. I personally am very | | | | want to move and relate them to the specific |
| task orientated, I like to get stuck in to the main tasks | | | | company and job. Potential answers include seeking a |
| and often used to ignore the more minor | | | | new challenge, looking for somewhere with training and |
| responsibilities. I realized that although I completed my | | | | looking for a role with more opportunities for |
| core projects, I had forgotten to do the other tasks I | | | | advancement. Consider how your answer relates not |
| needed to do like complete time sheets and tracking | | | | only to you, but how it will benefit your new firm. As an |
| reports. I now make lists of all the tasks I have to | | | | example if you are looking for a role with more |
| complete in a day and make it my priority to complete | | | | possibilities for advancement, you need to emphasize |
| the list above everything else. This has really helped | | | | how important work is to you and the effort you are |
| me to multitask more effectively. When choosing a | | | | prepared to put in in-order to advance. |
| weakness, look for one that is work related where | | | | |