Interview Questions

Feelgood

I always have difficulties answering the "Tell us about your weaknesses" question in interviews.

What is a possible employer trying to gauge with this question?.
What is the best way to answer it?

skallywag

It's a meaningless question which I myself would never ask someone in an interview, that said though you are still going to come across it from time to time.

I find the best answer is one which points out a weakness which you may have had in the past, and then outline what you have subsequently done to address this.

Achtung Maybe

I agree with Skallywag to an extent insofar as to address a prior weakness but then to refer to the steps you took to overcome that weakness.

However I disagree when it is referred to as a "meaningless question", it is a good question to prepare for as its still used by many multinationals in their interview process

The employer is trying to see how you think on your feet and how you react to pressure by asking this question.

skallywag

Achtung Maybe wrote: »

However I disagree when it is referred to as a "meaningless question", it is far from meaningless...

I would have to disagree with you there.

I have interviewed many candidates myself as a hiring manager, and have had this discussion with other peers who have done the same, with us all coming to the same conclusion, i.e. asking a candidate to tell you about their weaknesses is meaningless and brings no positive value in itself to the process of vetting a candidate. The answer to such a question is inevitably going to be completely contrived. There are much more genuine ways to gauge a candidates ability to think on her / his feet.

I do agree with you though that even some large well known internationals will still fire this one out during the interview phase, so one should indeed be prepared to field it.

By the way, as an aside, the companion question, i.e. what are your strengths is an extremely valuable tool, where one should always have at least 3 key points well prepared.

Eoin

As I always say in these threads, do not say things like "I work too hard".

As has been said, pick something that you did have a problem with before but have taken steps to overcome. And/or pick a specific skill rather than a character trait that you're weak on, but would like to develop (and isn't essential for the role).

Mr. Loverman

If you use the search at the top of the screen you will find previous answers to this question.

I agree with Eoin that the way to go is a skill weakness rather than a character weakness.

Eoin

skallywag wrote: »

It's a meaningless question which I myself would never ask someone in an interview

It's often asked (or at least perceived) as one of those "bullsh1t HR questions", but phrased differently (e.g. tell me what skills you feel you would need to develop a bit more for this role), it's not totally meaningless.

skallywag

Eoin wrote: »

It's often asked (or at least perceived) as one of those "bullsh1t HR questions", but phrased differently (e.g. tell me what skills you feel you would need to develop a bit more for this role), it's not totally meaningless.

I agree with you completely that it's often asked, and that phrased in a different manner it can certainly have merit. But asking someone straight out "what are your weaknesses" is in my own opinion characteristic of a lazy / incompetent HR function.

Eoin

Yeah, that's true enough - can't disagree with that.

allibastor

I usually say Kryptonite.

hmmm

Most interviewers want to find out:
1) Can you do the job
2) Will you give them any hassle

I put the "tell us your weakness" question into the second category, even though it's phrased as the first. No interviewer is expecting you to turn around and start telling them how you're dreadfully weak in areas that are required to do your job, they're really searching for an answer to #2. Interviews can be stressful for the interviewer too, so I wouldn't be too hard on people because they ask what sounds like a trite question.

The answer I'd like to hear would be something along the lines of "I can do the job as my CV & experience demonstrates, and I'm professional and hardworking, and I'd hope over time to develop my skills in the xy and z area which I'm probably not as strong in as I am in areas ab and c."

Similarly the classic "have you ever worked in a team?" question. It's a question phrased as #1 above but is really about #2.

skallywag

hmmm wrote: »

Interviews can be stressful for the interviewer too, so I wouldn't be too hard on people because they ask what sounds like a trite question.

That's a fair point, though it still doesn't take too much effort to word the question in a 'so what do you think will be the main challenges for you in this role' type manner.

That said, one can (although rarely, thankfully) encounter someone within HR who is a genuine pain and who enjoys firing out such questions just for the sake of it. Taken to the extreme I know a story of a UK bank who were once interviewing in Dublin, where a chap had a drink poured over him to gauge his reaction. I know what my reaction would have been if it had been me it was done to, let's just say I would not have been getting that job !

_Brian

Feelgood wrote: »

I always have difficulties answering the "Tell us about your weaknesses" question in interviews.

What is a possible employer trying to gauge with this question?.
What is the best way to answer it?

Just construct a basic reply which doesn't paint you in a bad light..

Myself I've just said that my handwriting can be poor, particularly if its something not intended to be seen publicly. Silly harmless answer to a silly harmless question.
Personally when I did interview I never asked the question..

Lux23

I always tell them the truth which is, I can sometimes have difficulty saying no to work because I don't like letting people down, but I explain that I have learned to stop and check that my schedule can cope with the extra work.

jos28

Hope you don't mind me hi-jacking your thread Feelgood but can I ask recruiters here what they expect to hear when they ask the 'why should we give YOU the job' question.
I had a mock interview recently and fell down badly here. Feedback said that I undersold myself and should have used that question to really sell myself.

Eoin

It's a bit of a stupid question - you don't know who the other candidates are, so how you can tell them why you should get the job? All you can really do is summarise your skills & experience and link it to the role, why the role is of particular interest to you, why you'll be able to hit the ground running (so make sure you get an idea of what you'll be working on as soon as you start).

TL;DR - it's basically a way for you to wax lyrical on how you really want the job and why you have the skills for it.

Saipanne

Feelgood wrote: »

I always have difficulties answering the "Tell us about your weaknesses" question in interviews.

What is a possible employer trying to gauge with this question?.
What is the best way to answer it?

They want to know whether you are capable of self criticism. A vital characteristic for an effective employee.

I work in a technical profession. I answer honestly. I choose an area where I feel I need improvement, and how I would like to improve it. Then I turn the question in them. What type of training do they provide? How could they help me improve this weak point?

It isn't all about you selling yourself. They have to convince you of making the move. That its right for you. Its not a one way street.

jos28

Eoin wrote: »

It's a bit of a stupid question - you don't know who the other candidates are, so how you can tell them why you should get the job? All you can really do is summarise your skills & experience and link it to the role, why the role is of particular interest to you, why you'll be able to hit the ground running (so make sure you get an idea of what you'll be working on as soon as you start).

TL;DR - it's basically a way for you to wax lyrical on how you really want the job and why you have the skills for it.

Thanks Eoin, hope to get to answer it at a real interview in the New Year.
Cheers

Eoin

Best of luck with the job hunt!

Sara3305

Hi, not sure if this is the right thread for but hopefully someone can help. i am applying for jobs right now and working on my cv. until last month i was doing a masters as i wanted to be a secondary school teacher. my first week of the course several lecturers told me that i was unemployable with the subjects i had. obviously this worried me so i did more research and spoke to various people. they all gave the same impression. while i really wanted to be a teacher i could not justify the cost of a 2 year program with so little chance of a job at the end. now i am applying for jobs and i have included the 4 months education and teaching placements on my cv as i genuinely feel i have valid experiences to offer from this but i am worried about having to explain why i left. will employers think i am uncommitted or give up too easily or that i hadn't researched enough before starting? Any ideas how I can answer these questions if they come up?

Mr. Loverman

Sara3305 wrote: »

Hi, not sure if this is the right thread for but hopefully someone can help. i am applying for jobs right now and working on my cv. until last month i was doing a masters as i wanted to be a secondary school teacher. my first week of the course several lecturers told me that i was unemployable with the subjects i had. obviously this worried me so i did more research and spoke to various people. they all gave the same impression. while i really wanted to be a teacher i could not justify the cost of a 2 year program with so little chance of a job at the end. now i am applying for jobs and i have included the 4 months education and teaching placements on my cv as i genuinely feel i have valid experiences to offer from this but i am worried about having to explain why i left. will employers think i am uncommitted or give up too easily or that i hadn't researched enough before starting? Any ideas how I can answer these questions if they come up?

OK I've had a few beers to take this for what it is.

As a general life rule, people believe in people who have a lot of self belief.

You could see your course was not the best use of your time, so you quit to work while continuing to further your education on a personal level, reading books at night and applying your knowledge during your day time job.

Something along those lines. If you believe it they will too.

Sara3305

Mr. Loverman wrote: »

OK I've had a few beers to take this for what it is.

As a general life rule, people believe in people who have a lot of self belief.

You could see your course was not the best use of your time, so you quit to work while continuing to further your education on a personal level, reading books at night and applying your knowledge during your day time job.

Something along those lines. If you believe it they will too.

Haha thanks, maybe I should have a few beers before I do an interview

Faze11

Start by saying that you prefer to call it an "area for development" rather than a weakness. Explain what it is and what you are doing to address.