INTERVIEW TIPS NEEDED PLEASE!! i messed up last time but dont want to this time....?

Question

about a week ago i had an interview at lowes. this was my first interview ever. she started asking questions, which i expected, but then she asked what was my biggest weakness or something i couldnt do well. i told her wearing heels... needless to say no ones called me or returned my calls. tomorrow i have an interview for krogers. does anyone have any tips or something i could say for weaknesses? i get EXTREMELY nervous, more nervous than A LOT of other people do when i have to answer questions like that. i hate bragging about myself so i dont know how i can overcome this or what to say. anything will help....
Thank you in advanced!

Answer 1

Congratulations. You may have failed to get THIS job, but you are turning it into a learning experience. There are entire books written on this, but let me give you some tips regarding your particlar experience.

Nearly every question they ask you will be regarding what you can do for them, or what they can do for you. Try to answer questions in those terms.

So when they ask your Strengths and/or weaknesses, first consider what skills or attributes you think a good employee should have. For example, in the retail area, this could include customer skills, people skills dealing with co-workers, product knowledge, ability to work under stress, desire to be a supervisor some day, money skills, and/or willingness to work overtime. (Your "high heel" example is not something that you would consider as important in an employee)

Now, pick the area from this list that you think you are weakest or most inexperienced at. Let's say for example, that you have not worked with a lot of people before, so your inexperience is a weakness. But don't fret at saying this out loud. Always try to phrase your answer in a positive mode. For example, you might say: "I think my biggest weakness is my inexperience in the working environment. However, I also consider this to be my biggest opportunity for self improvement. I enjoy being around people, and I'm looking forward to interacting with them on a professional level" This answers their question, but also turns it into a positive statement about what you can bring to the job.

In my case, I'm a natural slob. When asked my weakness, my answer is "My biggest weakness is how hard I have to work at staying organized. It doesn't come naturally to me, so I have to put more effort than others to remain so. I generally succeed in organizing my day, but it is the personal trait that I have to remained focused on." Again, admitting I'm a slob, but also showing that I'm both aware of it, and I'm fixing it, without appoligizing for it.

For the "What is your best strength" question, use the same technique. Think about what skills you expect a good employee to have, and pick the one you do best. Then tell them how that will work for them. For example, you may say "I feel that I'm a very friendly people person. That's why I'm interested in working here, because customers like to feel that the employees care about them, and I can do that very well" See. You're telling them your strength, and your telling them why that strength is good for them. Of course, they already know that people skills are important, but now they know that YOU know that people skills are important.

If you use this technique, it solves another problem you have. You won't feel like you bragging about yourself. You are simply stating how your personality or attributes fits their job requirements. You're not saying "I'm the smartest person in my math class", you're saying "I'm very comfortable with numbers, which will help in my role as a cashier or manager".

It even works for simpler questions like "What was your favorite class in school?" You might say "Gym. I liked it because I like to be active, and I like team sports. I'd rather be active than idle, and I get alot of stress relief through excercise" You answer the question, then you slyly tell how this works for your employer (team work, active).

Sit up straight in the interview, make eye contact, but don't stare (like you talk to your best friend), Shake hands before and after the interview. Dress conservatively, but comfortably, smile. Thank them by name when you are finished. And end it with a positve result, like "I'm looking forward to the opportunity to work in your store"

Good luck

Answer 2

Just pretend it is just a mock interview and you are only going to these interviews to gain practice. That's what I use to do and I tried not to stress too much as I knew with each interview I would attend I'd only get more confident. When they ask you what your weakness is a good answer could be that you sometimes worry about not being perfect at work as you always strive to do your very best... this showing them that you care about your work and this weakness can actually be a positive.

Most importantly be yourself in an interview! Don't make stuff up!

Good Luck :)

Answer 3

Knowledge is power. Go to your favorite search engine and search for: "Interview Questions" or "interview tips"

Take your time during the interview. Short answers are usually best when you are nervious. Saying "I don't know" is valid (even more so if you followup the interview with a phone call saying you researched the question and have the answer).

Mike Honeycutt

Answer 4

you don't have to out and out brag, but you do need to sell yourself. and when asked what your biggest weakness is, say something personality-related.