Easy Answers to the Hardest Question

Questions to Examine while reading… Easy Answers to the Hardest Question

By Linda Matias 4/18/2005 Why should you not respond to an Veteran employment interviewers know there's interviewer’s question about what your one question job applicants desperately dread: greatest weakness is with something like "What's your greatest weakness?" Try as you “I’m a workaholic” or “I’m a might, this one just won't go away. So if you're perfectionist”? actively interviewing for a new job, get ready to answer it.

If you responded with a lofty answer such as "I'm a workaholic" or "I'm a perfectionist," stop it right now. Don't you think interviewers can see through that? You're trying to take what masquerades as a negative and make it a positive. You know what a savvy interviewer would say to you? "Aw c'mon, give me a real answer." Gotcha!

There isn't much that will make you feel worse than thinking you've given a hopelessly lame answer to an important question at a job interview. And it's not much comfort to know that there's more on the line than just your chance to get that job. Your interviewer's job is also on the line -- hiring the wrong person will make her look bad. Bottom line is, it all has to fit: Interviewers don't want to hire the wrong person and you don't want a job that doesn't suit you.

So how can you avoid the landmines of interview questions? Be prepared. A job interview is not the time to hone your What is the best way to avoid being improvisational skills, so don't go into an caught off guard with the What is your interview winging it. Like studying for a test, try greatest weakness question? Why? to anticipate the questions you think you'll be asked and prepare your answers ahead of time. Ask a friend to put you through a mock interview. If your answers don't seem right, jot down carefully thought-out alternatives and run them by a friend. When you think you know what you want to say, write down those answers, study them and practice aloud.

When it comes to divulging your greatest weakness, should you tell the absolute truth? Well…maybe…to a point. Don't give a play-by- play of every negative trait you have that needs Should you tell the truth if an improvement, but don't pretend that you're interviewer asks you what your greatest perfect either. And lose those "I love to work weakness is? Why or why not? overtime" teacher's-pet-type answers. If you're vying for a respectable position (and that can be anywhere from Starbucks to Bank of America or the Trump empire), keep in mind that your interviewer is probably a skilled professional who has already heard every answer under the sun. She usually knows when she's being snowed. Begin answering the question by emphasizing a strength and then focus the rest of your response on an area that doesn't have a major impact on your ability to do the job. (One of the ways to determine the importance of the job's tasks is the list of skills and responsibilities included in the job description. Look at the responsibilities listed toward the end of the description and see if one of those could be one of your weaker areas. If one of your weaknesses is the primary task of the job, perhaps you've applied for the wrong position.) Be sure to indicate your weakness is an area you're working on improving, though. And have that answer at the ready.

Here are three common workplace weaknesses and an example of how an answer to a "greatest weakness" question might be answered. Remember, you want to preface your Pretend your interviewer just asked you "weakness" with a strength. what your greatest weakness is. List three below. Make sure to use the format  Less then stellar time management that the article used, i.e. for every skills: "I have a tendency to think I can weakness, they backed it up with a do more in a day than is possible, but I strength. Do not use any of the examples that are listed already. like to think of that as a goal to increase my productivity. I'm going to be more mindful of the time it requires to complete each task."  Not strong on paperwork: "I concentrate very hard on closing sales, but I sometime lag on the paperwork required. I understand how necessary the documentation part of a business is and I plan to approach paperwork with the seriousness it deserves."  Have trouble delegating: "I like to make sure all the details of every project are complete and accurate. But I know it's important to share my goals and trust the team I'm leading."

Interviewers recognize that job seekers aren't always forthcoming when answering the "greatest weakness" question. As a result, seasoned interviewers cleverly disguise this question to get responses that reveal a more realistic look at the candidates. The following questions ask "What's your greatest weakness?" but in different ways. Familiarize yourself with these variations, and you'll be in the know.

We all have aspects of our job we prefer not to do. What aspect of your day-to-day responsibilities do you dislike?

While trying to make you feel comfortable, an Why might an interviewer use the word interviewer may ask questions that start with “We” when asking a question? "we." The psychology behind this is to make you feel as though you are with a friend, which can cause you to let down your guard. Be careful. The interviewer is neither your friend nor your enemy. She is an employee with a job to do -- and that's to hire the best candidate for the position.

Think back to your last review. What suggestions did your supervisor have for improvement? Why should you be careful about any questions involving your last Chances are high that your past supervisor performance review? What is the offered suggestions for improvement. interviewer expecting that you will do? Interviewers are aware of this and anticipate that you will disclose the details of your most recent evaluation. Be ready for this question. Pick one suggestion made by your past supervisor and be ready to talk about it with aplomb. Don't act shocked, shameful or indignant. Exude confidence because you've prepared your answer. Right?

Describe a project you worked on that didn't turn out as well as you expected.

Interviewers find that job seekers reveal more when they're asked to tell a story. The assumption is that the more you talk, the more likely you'll disclose your weaknesses. Keep your answers short and to the point. Provide details that relate to the job at hand but don't ramble on with personal stories.

In what area of your work do you think you can be more effective? What is the difference between the “What is your greatest weakness?” While this seems different from the "greatest question and the “In what areas of your weakness" question, it's the same thing posed work do you think you can be more backward. The phrasing of this question is effective?” question? Why do you think designed to make you feel less threatened and an interviewer might should one therefore more likely to answer freely. question over another? Regardless of how the interviewer is backing into the subject, you will answer the question freely, because you've practiced and you have your response down cold. If you believe that you can be "more effective" in one particular area of work, specifically explain why. It doesn't mean that you're not proficient in other areas. It may mean that you enjoy some parts of your job more than others. Or your skills excel in one particular area while you perform quite well in others.

Confidence and belief in yourself, coupled with thorough preparation, will go a long way to make interviewing a positive experience. Just remember, show the best that you can offer, think up your own questions, rehearse your answers, and be prepared.

Recognized as a career expert, Linda Matias brings a wealth of experience to the career services field. She has been sought out for her knowledge of the employment market, outplacement, job search strategies, interview preparation, and resume writing, and is a frequent source for The Wall Street Journal, New York Newsday, Newsweek, and HR-esource.com. She is President of CareerStrides and the National Resume Writers' Association.