when an employer ask you......at an interview.....what do you say?

Question

When an employer ask you what is your weakness.....what do you say? I can never seem to answer this..

Answer 1

Try to choose something that can be interpreted as a strength as well. I usually say that I am sometimes too meticulous which is a weakness in that jobs can take a little longer than neccessary. But it still gives me an opportunity to elaborate that it is because I like to get everything exactly right and emphasizes attention to detail.

Answer 2

I have two suggestions. First be honest - to a point. You don't want to be stuck in a job that you don't like. If the requires you to do something that is a major weak area for you that might mean that you won't like it. However, it might also make that weakness a strength in the future. That has happened to me. I honestly told my employer that administration was not for me but he thought he saw potential. I told him I'd give it a try. It worked out well for both of us.
Second, you could tell that potential employer a weakness that might be considered a strength by him/her. For example, a weak area for me is the way that I keep working on something until it is completed. That keeps me at work longer than others that I work with and gives me fewer hours to be at home with my family. My husband has the same weakness so he understands and helps out.
For the second you'll see that an employer could consider this a strength for him/her even if it is a weakness for you.

Answer 3

Give a breif second of thought, dont take too much time, just a second or two and say, "I do not belive that I have any weaknesses that would apply to this position. Have I said somthing that is of concern?"

Of course everyone has some type of weakness. Does it have to apply to your job? Of course not. Its usally a generic question and they will so no in recards to the concern part. If they do continue with it, you'll have a focal point to work on rather then the generic "tell me your weakness".

Just remember, be confident. The person that they feel can do the job, without telling them, usally gets it.

Hope that helps.

Rob

Answer 4

You should never Not answer this at an interview but you should also never be completely honest about it at an interview either.

For example, if you're the type of person who take things really really personally at work and you don't take critizism very well, you wouldn't want to say something like,

"I get upset when people scrutinize my work".

Instead say something like, "I'm so passionate about my job that I get bothered when things don't run as smoothly as I'd like. Although I've always been able to turn things around and produce the correct outcome, I could work on letting it bother me so much".

Answer 5

Always say something like, well obviously I would be new to the job so there will be a period of finding your feet and learning and establishing routines...so the first couple of weeks will be a learning curve.

Or another good one is to say that you want to continue developing a certain skill you already possess and that is also required in the job. E.g. 'I've worked for a short time in the voluntary sector before and I would like to continue developing my skills in fund raising'

This way you are not being too negative...in fact you are stating a skill you have and stating that you are keen to continue developing it too!

Answer 6

I used to say that my biggest weakness was being too meticulous.

For some jobs that IS a weakness, but it wasn't for the ones to which I was applying. ;-)

Answer 7

What is your greatest weakness?
Tip: Be honest but don’t sell yourself too short. Try and think of ways you can improve yourself and offer suggestions. For example:
You may say: “I don’t spend enough time studying."
Offer a suggestion to improve this: “But I have recently been to time-management classes. I am hopeful this will help me with my study habits.

basically you tell them something that you need to improve on and what you are doing at that time to improve it

Answer 8

Give a witty answer.

Ex. My weakness is I care too much.

Make sure your responce is in a serious tone, pertains to a positive quality, and be sure to elaborate your answer.

Answer 9

My legs and abs are my weak points. The rest of my is very muscular.

Answer 10

make ur weakness a positve...for example say my weakness is that I do not work well with people that do not spend their time wisely or something, make it make u look good...its a bit confusing lol i hope you understand :)