During job interviews, when asked what your weaknesses were, do you tell the truth?

Question

If so, what are they? If not, how do you cover them up?

Answer 1

Yes, you tell the truth. And you don't cover them up. You just turn it into a positive. For example, if you state that you are easily distracted and can lose focus. That is fine to say. But always follow that with a statement like, "I know that so I use tools available like my planner and other reminders so I can stay on track. I make sure that I am on target by keeping lines of communication open with the supervisor.... etc." Always turn a negative into a positive. It's honest and it shows that you are working on whatever you perceive as a weakness.

Answer 2

Never say anything negative in an interview. It will turn against you. Make your weakness something that is really positive, but don't make it too obvious. And try to be truthful. You are just being truthful in a tactful way. For example: "I once had a supervisor that told me that I was too persistent. I didn't know when to give up. But I am aware of this trait, so all you have to do is remind me." Or if typing is not a major part of your job and never will be, say "My typing speed isn't where I would like it to be, but I trust that this is not an important part of the job." The type of job and the education level required will depend on how much you need to be politically correct. Many companies will test you with questions like this to 1. get personal information from you that they can not ask you directly. 2. see how well you can handle yourself in a stressful situation without telling all or flat out lying.

Answer 3

I think this is a really stupid question and you should treat it that way.

Say something clever like "I mainly get cynical at job interviews when interviewers ask standard questions out of the "how to do an interview" HR manual.

It is a question that pops up over and over again (and you can also make this point.)

You can also say it is human nature not to divulge personal weaknesses that make the "top ten list". So you would be wasting your time telling you number 11 just to sound credible.

You can say that piece of advice came from the "how to do an interview" (for interviewees) manual

Answer 4

Oh yes of course. Always tell the truth.

My weaknesses in the work market and at home are: My perceptions of how things should be done vs. how others do them.

I have a very difficult time letting others do my work. Example the dishes. I like doing them MY way vs. someone else way. I just let them do the dishes and not worry so much any longer.

There is more than one way to do things. My way isn't the ONLY way!

Answer 5

As it has been said, don't pull out your bad habits, flaws, etc in an interview. And you can use the traditional answers of being a perfectionist, or workaholic. But, you can also zero in on a weakness associated with your field of choice. Maybe there is one subject matter that is your weakest. You could explain that and then explain your plan to overcome it. Such as taking a night course.

Answer 6

They ask that question not to see if ur honest or dishonest but to know ur mind. They ask that to know ur mind, how is ur mind, tough, emotional, soft, casual etc etc. What u could do is maybe tell a weakness but say that ur working on it and most probably or almost certaintly master it. However if ur boss is smart then nothing can help u, but ur true self. A smart boss will always come to know if ur smart , tough and fit for the job or not. The truth cannot hide.

Answer 7

You Can say your weaknesses of the work, but you have to follow your answer by saying you are ready to learn or ready improve yourself. You have to be honest from the beginning.. if you don't tel the truth, may they will ask you to do the thing that you are weakness in . SO WHAT WILL YOU DO THEN?

Answer 8

this is my PET HATE question from people doing interviews
it is old, lame, lazy and pointless

who on earth is going to say - well i lie a lot and steal and yeah i fight with my colleagues and and and noooooo they are going to say:

I am a workaholic
I am a perfectionist
I just cant stop something till i'm finished
I dont prioritise my life outside work enough
I am always giving myself a hard time about the quality of my work

basically this is all kiss a** stuff and bs the whole question is a waste of time

if i were asked this in an interview i would say my objective would be to work on my strengths to make them areas of experitise that i could share with others and look to minimise the impact of any weakensses and seek to learn from others around me who may be better at things than i am

phewwwww

Answer 9

I feel it is good to tell the truth. Most people use generic lines which are known to be crap. But by telling the employer the truth you will set yourself apart from the pack. But you don't want to beat yourself up. Be general, and reasonable. You may focus on certain areas which you believe you struggle with, but keep in mind most people probably have trouble with this as well. So don't hold yourself up to an unrealistic standard.

Answer 10

Yes, it may not be the best thing to do but I feel if I'm honest then they won't have any surprises later. I have the weakness that when I am under pressure I can't always concentrate and think clearly. I just do the best I can.