5 Pieces of Bad Career Advice

Reader Comments
Back to blog

Actually, perfectionism is a legitimate weakness*, as is overworking; also, they are not the same thing. The important point is how the candidate presents these. You might what strategy the candidate is using to manage around the weakness. Probe deeper. Don't let them get away with a pithy trite answer.
* A perfectionist programmer, for example, may spend endless hours polishing her code, thus missing deadlines. A perfectionist manager can become a micromanager. Perfectionism is a real weakness. You need to determine if this is an honest assessment or a disingenuous avoidance of real thought.

Vicki Brown of CA 8:10PM December 22, 2011

Employers, who ask the "what is your weakness" question and then find themselves exasperated, get what they are asking for. The candidate has invested their time in coming to the interview present reasons to be hired. To ask the "weakness" question is to ask the interviewee to waste their time. Just because a person is applying for a job does not mean their time has no value. Employers how ask this question don't have a right to expect a straight answer.

Edward of VA 1:32PM January 11, 2011

As I prepare for a phone interview that will hopefully be later this week (it has been rescheduled twice) I appreciate advice on what to expect, whether the question is a good one or a terrible one. I want to think ahead about what to say, and whatever actual weaknesses I have might be less important to a potential employer than my self-awareness of their existence and my ability to articulate the on-going plans to continually evaluate and improve myself.

Steve of GA 12:08PM November 29, 2010

I believe in being reasonably honest with this type of response but it takes thought, preparation and rehearsal. Please address this more in future. I would say, there are software packages that I don't know as well as I would like i.e. Powerpoint and newer Word proposal packages. I am taking a basic PPT class and ask our proposal Team specialists for help real time. Thanks, Wayne

Wayne Hooton of AL 10:32AM October 22, 2010

'What's your biggest weakness?' is the worst possible question an interviewer can ask. Everybody has weaknesses, and anybody who says they don't is a liar. But wanting to dodge the question is human nature. People hate to show/admit weakness. When I'm being interviewed for a job, I want to sell myself as well as possible. Showing weakness is a good way not to get the job. Again, this is a terrible question to ask an interviewee.

Jeff of TX 8:53AM October 22, 2010

Asking an interviewee his or her biggest weakness is a terrible idea. Everybody has weaknesses and anybody who says they don't is a liar. But dodging the question has nothing to do with lack of insight or self-awareness. It has to with the fact that people don't like to show weakness. When I'm at a job interview, my job is to sell myself as well as possible. Showing weakness, whether asked to do so or not, is a way to do a poor job of selling yourself. Again, this is a poor question to ask at an interview.

Jeff of TX 8:45AM October 22, 2010

When you are 50 and older, you know that you are good at so many things. I don't lie..I don't make up anything...and to me...I have more credentials than I've ever had. The problem is no one hears it. I've run and managed several businesses of my own. But I only want to work for someone to keep my resume going in the event they don't work out as planned. A just in case scenario. Nothing is really addressed in the realm of the most competent people, but more and more seniors are getting laid off to get cheaper people coming out of school. Life experience and our ventures in life are getting us nowhere. How do you address that?

Debbie Lutman of FL 6:39PM October 21, 2010

I agree with both comments. I m not sure if this article still applies to now -2011- you need to get yourself noticed, so the chrono and dates, etc are so outdated. These days you need to be more flexible, different and creative to get your 4 page resume be interesting and memorable. Adding Testimonials, project list, your skill list and vision and mission section could make your resume outstanding.
I'm sure the '80's mentality is out the door. And I'm sure I am not want to work for someone (company) with this mentality and HR background. I'm looking for a open space, minded, and energetic place to work. Not a place they still have closed office, non-flexible hours and uptight environment.

C of TX 1:50PM October 21, 2010

In this job market when it is difficult to even get an interview, you indicate that one has multiple opportunities and we should not shape our responses based on the job at hand. This is a luxury few of us have right now. I am not saying you should apply for jobs you are not interested in and do not feel competent in performing, but when there is mortgage to pay and mouths to feed that is a different scenario then you describe. In addition, there are hundreds applying for the same job and as long as you are honest and do not "fluff" your background and skill set, I see nothing wrong with tailoring your resume and responses to interview questions.

Steve of CA 12:01PM October 21, 2010

How to sell yourself after unemployed for such a long period of time? If you or anyone has advice, I' m willing to work on this weakness of mine. Thanks!

Tammy Connally of GA 11:32AM October 21, 2010