Job Interview question - What are your weaknesses?

gambitt said:
You really think that admitting you have a problem with time management will help you get the job?

They will instantly think "this guy is unreliable" and no job for you.
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I know, not think, that this type of answer comes across as an honest self-appraisal of a candidate's own weaknesses. HR direction I've been given in this and 3 previous jobs was also to look more positively on those who can be self-critical rather than those who either don't answer the question (you're not getting invited back) or make up something ridiculous and do the 'contrived perfectionist' spiel that you indicated. If you do the latter then I'm probably not going to hire you. I'd rather have someone who is self-aware enough to be honest and want to improve.

Look, I know you have an issue with the question and that's fine. That won't stop it being an absolute staple of virtually all interviewers' style.
 
Time management is an essential skill that ALL employers expect you to have. To anyone reading this thread who is thinking about admitting in a job interview that they have a problem with time management I highly recommend that you don't (unless you don't want the job).
 
It was clearly an example and anything can be used in its place.

The OP wanted examples so he could prep and all you've given him is "Wah wah wah, I don't like the question". Tremendously useful.

Anyway, I've had enough, I'm out.
 
[FnG]magnolia;16972836 said:
I know, not think, that this type of answer comes across as an honest self-appraisal of a candidate's own weaknesses. HR direction I've been given in this and 3 previous jobs was also to look more positively on those who can be self-critical rather than those who either don't answer the question (you're not getting invited back) or make up something ridiculous and do the 'contrived perfectionist' spiel that you indicated. If you do the latter then I'm probably not going to hire you. I'd rather have someone who is self-aware enough to be honest and want to improve.

Look, I know you have an issue with the question and that's fine. That won't stop it being an absolute staple of virtually all interviewers' style.
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Which is a bit of a shame really as I actually fit the "perfectionist" mark... :(
 
One good approach I think can be to tell them something they already know... for example if your CV is lacking in a particular area (say, lack of experience in a particular role you are going for) then mention that and use it as an opportunity to say how you can make up for that (proven adaptability, study you are doing towards the discipline etc). The key here is that you are deflecting concerns they may have formulated when reading your background.

Obviously, some would argue that your CV should be so well tailored that it will show no weaknesses, but for those that are honest and apply for jobs outside their comfort zone, this won't always be the case.
 
Those are my thoughts, even though that magnolia guy used his selective reading skills and missed this (hey look mag, I found your weakness :D ):

gambitt said:
The most idiotic interview question ever. The only context it should be asked in is for specific gaps in your technical knowledge (say your Unix skills need some work).
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Pick something trivial that they won't mind so much - definitely not a fundemental skill like time management :rolleyes:, working with others, or a technical skill that is key to the role.
 
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