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