Your greatest weakness?

[Dolby]

When they ask this in an interview relating to your job ... what is the 'correct' answer?

 

[Maverick Jester]

To be honest, but with a plan of action on how to overcome it...

 

[rubytox]

Good question.
As far as I'm concern, mine is a craving to smoke

In reality, however, there is no correct answer. A lot of interviewers are clueless anyway ... it's on the list of questions to ask. What's lacking in most cases, is someone who can properly assess the answer/s.

 

[guest2013-1]

I usually go with "I'm TOO awesome, I need to tone it down a bit" and then follow it up with something mundane about how I can get frustrated when something I'm doing doesn't work like I want it to work and that I'd sit with it until it does even if it means I work the entire weekend (which is true, **** bothers me too much to leave it till Monday)

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

Never got asked this before The answer would depend on the position I suppose.

 

[Pooky]

Kryptonite

 

[Jings]

The standard application for interviews is the STAR system, which applies to any competency question:

Situation/Task
Action/Action Plan
Results/Solution

 

[InvisibleJim]

I usually go with something that is usually a positive trait but can be a disadvantage in certain situations. Must also give an indication of how you overcome that weakness eg.

"I am very thorough with a strong attention to detail which can mean I overthink problems. I have learned to force myself to sometimes act on an 80% solution in order to be able solve problems more quickly."

Of course it should be something relevant to your personality.

 

[OMB]

I usually go with "I'm TOO awesome, I need to tone it down a bit" and then follow it up with something mundane about how I can get frustrated when something I'm doing doesn't work like I want it to work and that I'd sit with it until it does even if it means I work the entire weekend (which is true, **** bothers me too much to leave it till Monday)

I would rephrase that into something like "I'm a perfectionist, which whilst generally is a positive thing it also sometimes means I don't know when to let go or give up, however I've learned to evaluate each situation where I see my perfectionist streak coming through and I like to weigh up if things really need to be 100% correct by my standards or if 95% by everyone else's will do"

then live up to it

 

[KevRSA]

I would say carbs *shrug*

 

[WaxLyrical]

The guys with the smart ass answers usually don't the position.

 

[biometrics]

Thanks goodness I've been an entrepreneur most of my career.

 

[InvisibleJim]

http://www.totaljobs.com/careers-advice/job-interview-advice/how-to-talk-about-weaknesses-in-job-interviews

Apparently being a perfectionist is now out. It's probably become a bit of a cliche.

 

[Avenue]

Most people give a thiny veiled attempt at wrapping a strength up as a supposed weakness- eg I sometimes work a little too hard....

Don't speak about your vices and things you are struggling to overcome in your private life- uuuuh, well, uh, I tend to struggle with pornographic images on the internets and I have anger issues. That's none of their business.
Also don't speak about things that you can overcome with a bit of effort- ie I tend to day dream a lot and procrastinate.
When they ask what your weaknesses are, they are trying to understand what you are more suited to in your line of work. This will help keep you out of jobs that are not for you. If you get flustered talking to customers, you should tell them, because if you end up in telephone sales, you're going to be unsatisfied in your job.
So don't say it in an apologetic way- know who you are and how you function, and help paint a detailed picture.

So I would say something like I tend to be more creative working by myself than in a group. I'm able to see things in a way that other people often do not, but throw me into a room with ten other people in a group think session and I tend to fade into the background, and allow the more dominant personalities to push their ideas, even if I know mine are better. Lock me in a room for half an hour with a pen and paper though and I can come up with ten ideas that are usually very well received.

 

[Picard]

I hate it when people use negatives that actually mean positives ... and think that no-one else can see through and realise that you didn't answer the question.

For example: you might say you are impatient ... but this would probably seem that you are enthusiastic and dynamic and a go-getter and a mover or a shaker. All positive traits.

But actually you're just a willfull assh&le with no consideration for anyone else.

 

[Picard]

I hate it when people use negatives that actually mean positives ... and think that no-one else can see through it and realise that you didn't answer the question.

For example: you might say you are impatient ... but this would probably seem that you are enthusiastic and dynamic and a go-getter and a mover or a shaker. ---- All positive traits.

But actually you're just a willfull assh&le with no consideration for anyone else.

 

[ponder]

I don't suffer fools gladly and I can be to direct

 

[Crowley]

Interviewer - What is your greatest weakness?
You - Honesty
Interviewer - I don't think honesty is a weakness
You - I don't give a **** what you think

 

[HavocXphere]

The correct answer is:

I've struggled with XYZ in the past. Lately I've been trying to address this by doing 1) 2) 3). I still need to work on it, but I'm making good progress.

...Just wing it from there if the interviewer wants more.

 

[Ancalagon]

This is why I hate these questions.

I would answer:
I'm immune to most small arms, but a large enough caliber rifle can give me pause.