INTERVIEW TODAY - can you help with an answer?

[Bertha Venation]

I've never known how to answer the question "what is your greatest weakness?"

I've always had an answer but they've always seemed lame. "Too organized" (not possible), "patient to a fault" (not possible), etc.

I don't wish for you to answer the question for me as you don't know me, but any advice you can offer to direct me would be welcome.

Thanks so much.

[PoliticAverse]

1. "If I knew, I'd fix it". n/t

[alphafemale]

2. Bacon. nt

[mackerel]

17. LMAO!!!!!!!!!!! I'm stealing that!

[steve2470]

3. Hmm... " I don't know how to answer difficult questions like this" ? nt

[underahedgerow]

4. Always choose a 'fixable' weakness such as

“I get nervous when speaking in front of large groups.” The solution, 'so when I have to do this, I practice in front of the mirror and my friends'.

Choose a genuine but quite neutral weakness and then the steps you take to overcome it.

Impatience, being too direct, delegation, etc.

[Phentex]

6. a real one for me is impatience with others...

I want people to work quickly like I do.

I hate when people drag all day to get back to me about something and then show up at my desk about a minute before I am walking out the door.

[KMOD]

5. Good Luck, Bertha

Those questions are always awkward.

How about, some may say I'm a stickler for detail, but my focus is to not only get the job done on time, but to get it done right.

[sharp_stick]

7. Here's one

I like the previous post about public speaking, it's something that you can follow up with "but I work around it by practicing with team members".

[cwydro]

11. This is hilarious.

Saved.

[hibbing]

8. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Ugh, I always hate that one! I certainly wasn't able to become overlord of the place I was applying for so there was really no "climbing the ranks" available,

I like what others have posted about finding a natural weakness that a lot of people have and then providing some explanation of how you overcame it or have tried to.

Good luck!

Peace

[raccoon]

13. Retired! nt

[Chan790]

19. I had the best answer for that one...

"On vacation in Ibiza paid for by the company in appreciation of my exceptional work."

[Special Prosciuto]

9. Turn it into a non-employment related positive.

A favorite food or pet, for example.

I've always thought this question was designed to make you sweat over some possible past mistake, real or not.

[progressoid]

10. "Kittens. I think they are delicious"

[dr.strangelove]

12. I always say Kryptonite

I usually make a joke of it

[elleng]

14. 'Too honest!'

Hope things go/have gone well, BV!

[Ron Obvious]

15. I sometimes demand too much of others

I hold people to the same standards I set for myself, and that sometimes causes problems.

Hard one to pull off, though Good luck.

[Enrique]

16. "I'm a terrible employee"

[riderinthestorm]

18. So did they ask the question? If so how did you answer? Nt

[Myrina]

20. Take your biggest weakness and turn it into a positive for the company ...

Mine is patience.

So, in an interview I would respond "I sometimes am so excited to learn new things or take on new projects that I don't allow myself time to observe thoroughly or learn all of the ins/outs and I get frustrated with myself for not knowing more, sooner."

[whistler162]

21. 42

it is always the correct answer.