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Whats your weakness, job interview

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OG_lock
Posts: 314 - Karma: 1,615
need some good ones
+++++++++++K
Feb 12 2013 11:16PM
5 1
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SkierPT
Posts: 2199 - Karma: 4,830
I tend to take on too much of the workload on myself and don't delegate it to others.
Feb 12 2013 11:17PM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,273
i am addicted to having sex with my own feces, but i like to think of it more as making love with my own feces
Feb 12 2013 11:17PM
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Spinoza
Posts: 12763 - Karma: 3,846
Why don't I tell you what my greatest weaknesses are? I work too hard. I care too much. And sometimes I can be too invested in my job.
Feb 12 2013 11:20PM
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Bonzalo
Posts: 2593 - Karma: 1,812
http://jobsearch.about.com/u/ua/topinterviewanswers/greatweakness.01.htm

really?
Just google it up a bunch of 12 year old kids are not going to answer your serious question.
Feb 12 2013 11:20PM
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grown-ninja
Posts: 3031 - Karma: 175
Ask the interviewer and Say something like do you want the generic me taking a postive and passive agressively turning it into a negative, or do you want me to be real and tell you something I hope to improve in time
Feb 12 2013 11:21PM
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grown-ninja
Posts: 3031 - Karma: 175
^ you need some confidence when saying it but it sets you apart from the 60 other people he herd the same exact response from
Feb 12 2013 11:22PM
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KingGeedorah
Posts: 890 - Karma: 1,576
I'm a perfectionist... but also there's the heroin addiction.
Feb 12 2013 11:23PM
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skiminnesota
Posts: 9093 - Karma: 429
its not a weakness. its something Im working to improve on.

see what i did there?
Feb 12 2013 11:23PM
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RimJobber
Posts: 3313 - Karma: 10,058
I'm a perfectionist. Something that would normally take 5 minutes takes me 8 because it has to be perfect. Boom. You have the job.
Feb 12 2013 11:25PM
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JakeAssBeatClap
Posts: 6673 - Karma: 2,537
If you did that to me in an interview i'd probably laugh at you and tell you to leave after that answer.

Of course they want you to be real and tell them something you hope to improve on in time. There is no point in making yourself look like a jack ass and ask the guy "Do you want me to do something fucking stupid or do you want me to do what you asked me?"
Feb 12 2013 11:25PM
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pat_in_the_hat
Posts: 3019 - Karma: 2,695
ha i got that interview question the other week. I said that i can really get too involved into my work. and that its really hard for me to walk away
Feb 12 2013 11:25PM
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james6345789
Posts: 4763 - Karma: 467
this is good
Feb 12 2013 11:27PM
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shocker611
Posts: 2599 - Karma: 423
that is the WORST answer ever. All you are doing there is lying to their question. You're trying to make it into a positive when thats not what they're looking for. When answering this question, be honest. For me, its usually "public speaking, I am uncomfortable speaking in front of large groups of people, but have been involved in leadership courses and public speaking classes to help myself improve." They want to see if you can be honest and if you are working to try to make yourself better. Answer honestly, and then give them a way that you are trying to change your bad habits
Feb 12 2013 11:27PM
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shocker611
Posts: 2599 - Karma: 423
no its not
Feb 12 2013 11:28PM
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Rafiki
Posts: 3858 - Karma: 2,251
having a big dick is a double edged sword. definitely a blessing and a curse
Feb 12 2013 11:30PM
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grown-ninja
Posts: 3031 - Karma: 175
No way I'd hire you, when you're taking 60% longer to finish something because you're a profectionist that a huge cut to production in my mind
Feb 12 2013 11:32PM
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iFlip
Posts: 4544 - Karma: 19,137
OK, So I'm really, really good at interviewing. The best answer you can give to the dreaded weakness question is as follows:

"I really, really hate being wrong, so I tend to over-prepare for everything. This can make me a bit stressed sometimes, but I greatly prefer it to being wrong."

This turns your "weakness" into a plus, without being completely open in doing so. Don't say you have no weaknesses. Also don't say that you have X weakness. After you give this answer don't fill the silence that may follow it. Politely wait for the next question. Don't ramble on trying to fill a silence - it makes you look uncertain and immature. They are interviewing you - you are not interviewing them. Answer their questions. Have a personality, but don't have a personality.
Feb 12 2013 11:36PM
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timmi
Posts: 12874 - Karma: 3,460
I say I'm not great with names, but it is something that I am taking steps to improve. They will obviously see through something like I'm a workaholic or something.

I also like to crack a joke like "ah the million dollar question" just to show that you aren't going to try and bullshit it.
Feb 12 2013 11:40PM
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cheener12
Posts: 2881 - Karma: 5,887
haha
Feb 12 2013 11:41PM
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Tree60
Posts: 1438 - Karma: 4,961
true, except that is what every other applicant will be saying, if you actually want to put yourself in the mind of the observer, don't tell a blatant lie like that. Something that has worked for me in the past is to tell an absolute truth (for me its usually that I'm disorganized) but that I'm consciously making an effort to change that. What it shows to interviewers is that you know when you are making a mistake, and you know that its bad. Every single other answer will be a spin on "I'm to perfect" and they know that its a lie. Interviewers aren't looking for the best made up answer, they're looking for the answer that shows the most about who you are as a person, if you subconsciously tell them that you try to solve your own problems, it will work in your favor.
Feb 12 2013 11:44PM
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hokkanee
Posts: 1800 - Karma: 435
This exactly. You want to give a real weakness, but give examples of steps that you've taken to overcome that particular weakness
Feb 12 2013 11:45PM
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NinetyFour
Posts: 8650 - Karma: 13,411
"I have tourettes...















PENIS!"
Feb 12 2013 11:46PM
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shocker611
Posts: 2599 - Karma: 423
you are obviously not really, really good at interviewing. Any large professional company with an experienced interviewer would tear your ass a new one or would just simply dismiss an answer like that
Feb 12 2013 11:51PM
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grapejuice3000+
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 1,985
sometimes I have very dark visions during the day, like ill see myself chopping something up, blood smeared all over my body. its weird but they usually come when i'm talking to somebody in charge of me. Its not like i always make the visions come true or anything but still.
Feb 12 2013 11:52PM
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shocker611
Posts: 2599 - Karma: 423
haha go with this.
Feb 12 2013 11:53PM
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Schoening
Posts: 14332 - Karma: 1,268
Just be 100% honest. tell them your weakness and what you are working on to overcome it. If i was the interviewee I would much rather hear a real response then someone trying to have their "weakness" be seen as a positive
Feb 12 2013 11:54PM
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TheQuailman
Posts: 7382 - Karma: 152
Don't lie. You should actually say what your weakness is. You should pick something that's a skill you don't have (but could learn) instead of a personality flaw (which hopefully you don't have). You should then explain what you've done so far to improve it and how you will continue to improve it in the future.

I said that my weakness was that when I first arrived at my internship last summer I wasn't as quick at Excel as I would have liked to be. When I was given Excel based assignments I took a small amount of time to lookup shortcuts online or ask the my coworkers for tips. I set a goal which was to be able to complete my daily and weekly Excel-based assignments without using my computer mouse. By the end of the summer, I accomplished this goal and was able to complete my work much faster than at first. I have also enrolled in a spreadsheet modeling class and a VBA class so I can continue to improve my Excel skills.

The interviewer takes away that this is a candidate who is willing to admit his weakness, sets goals to improve, can achieve them, is willing to ask for help when he needs it, and will be an Excel master by the time he starts working here.

Feb 12 2013 11:57PM
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Funkadelic
Posts: 1967 - Karma: 391
I always say I have a difficult time saying no to people, so I tend to end up spending too much time helping people when they ask me questions and it distracts me from my work.
Feb 12 2013 11:58PM
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iFlip
Posts: 4544 - Karma: 19,137
o rly? curious where you and i stack up then buddy. btw, i've landed 100% of the jobs i've interviewed for and we aren't talking McDonald's here.
Feb 13 2013 12:01AM
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BlackCupid
Posts: 1533 - Karma: 9
Tell him you're lazy.
Feb 13 2013 12:02AM
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BrewskiJr
Posts: 5738 - Karma: 1,478
I've talked to a couple people in HR about this question. The high majority of these answers annoy interviewers. They mostly view them as cop-out questions like the "I work too hard" or "I take on too many projects because I'm dedicated." They know you're lying, and even if you aren't they will probably think you are.

So instead, I've been told to find a "weakness" that the company can train you to learn. If you tell them that your biggest weakness is something they can completely solve/cure with basic on-the-job training, then they will have a much higher view of you from the question, instead of thinking "oh, here comes another typical answer."

I've been through dozens of interviews (mostly real, some mock including 4 case-based interviews) and have come to really love them. Its a puzzle with the company as the picture. If you can put the pieces together, you'll get hired. Remember, interviews are only face-value (in most cases).
Feb 13 2013 12:13AM
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iFlip
Posts: 4544 - Karma: 19,137
This is actually a way you can stand out. If you are serious about the job, you should research the company, the position, and especially the department in great detail. Thoroughly read the company's website. Be able to go into that interview knowing by name/face each person on the committee. This will instantly set you apart. It will solicit unprepared, unrehearsed questions, namely how you know their names. This sets you up to explain you are serious about the position and company, and took the time to read through as much as you could find. Jump into Mr. X, I'm curious about your work on the ZZ project. Instead of them hiring someone completely new, they will feel they are hiring someone already on their team. Everyone likes to see initiative, and this is initiative that cannot be BSed. Obviously this is only worthwhile for a serious position, not your average terrain park crew weekend gig.
Feb 13 2013 12:33AM
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BrewskiJr
Posts: 5738 - Karma: 1,478
Absolutely, that's a MUST for any interview.

http://www.glassdoor.com/

This is an AWESOME website. Past interview-ee's go on there and post what happened during the interview. This way you can prepare for what type of questions they are going to ask.

There is also salary info for jobs, benefits, and company reputation.
Feb 13 2013 12:39AM
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cool_name
Posts: 4295 - Karma: 3,131
my biggest weakness is answering this question because i have no weaknesses, if you say this confidently they will hire you on the spot because it show them that you are prefect at everything
Feb 13 2013 1:24AM
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Aidan-G
Posts: 9415 - Karma: 10,861
My biggest weakness is my dick. It's needle shaped
Feb 13 2013 1:26AM
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Anathema
Posts: 21048 - Karma: 5,061
punctuality. it's often a good thing for myself, but i am greatly irritated by people around me who don't care as much about things as i do and either leave you waiting, doing things alone, stalling and making excuses on why they can't be a part of this, or help out with that, etc.

i'm a big do-it-yourselfer. i trust my own ability more than i do that of those around me, so often i will take control of projects knowing that all the little things will be taken care of. that may make me come off as a little bossy or even anal when it comes to refining every detail, but that's the way i like to function. i take pride in the end result and make sure that anything i do isn't half-assed.
Feb 13 2013 1:44AM
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
be honest but tell them how you are working on it and your plan to improve.

Feb 13 2013 1:54AM
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Darth.Maul
Posts: 2472 - Karma: 652
I cum blood...

No but seriously, I would tell them that I hate working in teams/having someone tell me what to do. Even if the person telling me to do something is completely 100% right, i'll still think of ways that I could have done his job better and how I'm more qualified for the job than him because hes a dumbass. Even though this guy is doing his job spectacularly, its just how i think because I am so competitive at everything.

And even though this goes on in my head, I'll still do what he tells me to do since he has seniority/is my boss but I'll make sure that I do the job 110% because I want to show that I'm more qualified than he gives me credit for. I want to prove to him that I don't need him and that I can get my work done independently and get it done faster that way.

There's my weakness summed up...
Feb 13 2013 2:01AM
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shocker611
Posts: 2599 - Karma: 423
Ive both interviewed and been an interviewee for quite a few major companies. If that is honestly your answer to this question it is obvious that you don't have a lot of experience with interviews (not that its a big deal, just don't give people shitty recommendations).
Feb 13 2013 2:06AM
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E__
Posts: 5751 - Karma: 4,635
I had a job interview for a job involving customer service and they asked me what my weakness was and I was like "Talking face to face with people" and in my head I was like shit shouldn't of said that. That's my job interview story, good luck.
Feb 13 2013 2:06AM
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shocker611
Posts: 2599 - Karma: 423
definitely agree with all of this though
Feb 13 2013 2:07AM
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cubber
Posts: 1933 - Karma: 638
my biggest weakness is his dick. it's needle shaped. honestly, how am i supposed to resist that? If you think you won't catch me by the water cooler giving him a over the pants handy, you've got another think coming. And if you think you'll be noticeably disgusted, prompting me to ask you for anal, you're right.
Feb 13 2013 2:09AM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,313
Click for larger image
Feb 13 2013 5:13AM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Just say you're always trying to do things too good.

"Perfect is the enemy of good".
Feb 13 2013 5:46AM
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Tacocat
Posts: 658 - Karma: 356
Say "My dick is too big". When saying this look at the females.
Feb 13 2013 5:48AM
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starsky_hucks
Posts: 394 - Karma: 62
I tend to be sexually harassed by other women in the office
Feb 13 2013 6:35AM
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Aidan-G
Posts: 9415 - Karma: 10,861
You're hired
Feb 13 2013 6:41AM
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DubV134
Posts: 1541 - Karma: 690
deny weakness and acknowledge the aspects of your professional life that you are working to develop
Feb 13 2013 7:03AM
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BrewskiJr
Posts: 5738 - Karma: 1,478
Hahah if that's the case then you are REALLY limited yourself. I've interviewed for companies I didn't really have a big shot for. Having a 100% interview success rate really isn't impressive at all unless you name the companies you worked for and te positions.........Waiting.
Feb 13 2013 9:42AM
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theblackrod
Posts: 2162 - Karma: 575
The best thing to do is as soon as you mention your weakness you immediately go on how you can over come it and how you're other strengths will outshine your weakness. in a much more eliquent way than i put it
Feb 13 2013 9:47AM
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