The damn interview stupid questions

[JenniferNL]

Any advice on how to answer "what are your weaknesses"? This just has me confused on the right thing to say and what they want to hear! I have always had jobs landed in my lap and not experienced with interviews.

Hey Jen, it's always a question everyone hates! For sure never say you don't have any faults! ha ha....we all have them... but pick one that isn't "important to the job you are applying for".. ie: determine what the "strengths" are for the job and stay away from the top three needed to land the job.. pick something that would not affect you being considered as the top candidate.. Admitting a "weakness" is ok and if possible try to follow it up with a "solution" if possible. ie: If you say "One weakness I always dealt with was overcomitting my time but not too long ago I got a blackberry and started using it and now I'm prioritizing my schedule so much better"...

A couple of goods ones may be:

I'm a person who likes to meet deadlines and deliver what I promise. I can get a little frustrated with fellow co-workers if I'm waiting on them in the last hour before something is due...I try to remind myself that we all have priorities....

I pay close attention to detail, which does result in a higher quality of work and saves additional time down the road, though it does take up more time up front........

Anyways...that's some thoughts. Good Luck! I hope it goes well for you!!!! I'm sure you'll get other feedback and you'll ace this!

[JenniferNL]

Thanks Lucy! That was very helpful!

[jsawe]

I like Lucy's answer.

I actually was sitting as a member of a board when a candidate - mentioned he hit his wife and had a drinking problem - he scored high for honesty, but also for stupidity.

I once had this rather inane question posed to me - and did a slight variation on LUcy's

I said I was a workaholic, probably too dedicated to the organization, and a perfectionist - all things I need to remain cognizant to maintain balance.


The point is whatever you say - the three bad characteristics - should actually be positives.

Here is another point unknown to most interviewees - sitting on the other side of the table can be tedious - you are looking for people who think outside the box and give original asnwers. With virtually any complex question - you want to redefine it in terms that you are comfortable with and then answer it. Never take the more complex questions literally - they are looking to see what you do with it.