asking someone "what is your greatest weakness" in an interview is not a useful question. It's apparently something that has been passed on from one generation of interviewers to the next, but it is idiotic and encourages a slick answer.
Asking someone "what is an area that you think you need to improve on and what steps are you taking to do so?" is much more useful.
Constance Commentof NE12:24PM April 28, 2010
Running your own enterprise can be tough, never-ending problems, wear too many hats, and ultimately the fate of the entire operation is on your back.
Sure beats working for someone else, subjecting yourself to The Interview, worrying about what to wear, who to eat with, how to decorate your cubicle all to maintain a high level of political correctness.
And to top it off 100% of your revenue comes from one source, get fired or laid off and ALL your income goes away in one fell swoop.
I love these articles....reminds me that I control my own destiny...and how much you have to compromise yourself for the privelege of working in a dictatorship.
steveof CA12:20PM April 28, 2010
Oh DEAR...stop asking this questions. I am looking for job and would be ahpp to get one NOW and then think what I want to do in 5 years. This question makes me so angry.
And regarding salary expectations- Let me say something- employers are hiring ppl who expect the LEAST salary and not the one who are asking for what they DESERVE.
Sonyaof MO11:37AM April 28, 2010
Its the same people who write such articles who also advice NOT to really give away your weekness and give an answer that 'turns a negative into a positive', or NEVER give away your salary expectations and 'box yourself'. It is precisely because of articles that have been written over the years that candidates have started giving such cliche'd answers, and all genuineness in interviews has been lost.
I find it interesting that these very same writers - so called 'experts' - write exactly opposing points of view... In my own years of interviewing, both a a candidate and an interview, I have found that 'a genuine effort to know people from an interviewer often elicits a genuine openness on the part of the candidate'. When an interviewer plays games, he/she gives an indication that the candidate is being tested for 'diplomacy' (the ability to 'not' say things, or say things without saying anything) and so receives the same treatment in return. Let's face it, whatever answer you give to questions like those posed here, they would never be good enough!
FTof CA11:16AM April 28, 2010
"What is your greatest weakness?" WHEN, for the love of all that's holy, will interviewers quit asking that corny question?
What's the point, anyway? So that the interviewee will scramble to come up with something like "I'm too meticulous"? Yeah, of course that's lame. But do they really expect an accurate confession of one's greatest weakness, like "I'm an alcoholic", "I cheat on my spouse", or "I shoplift"? The real purpose is to to see how the candidate acts under stress. But, the candidate is probably already stressed; most interviewees are either unemployed or trying to get out of a bad job. This, and other interview tactics meant to psych out an applicant, is borderline sadistic. An interview is where the company can identify whehter or not a candidate can fill a needed role. So let's quit playing games!
Alexof TX9:56AM April 28, 2010
"What is your greatest weakness?" WHEN, for the love of all that's holy, will interviewers quit asking that corny question?
What's the point, anyway? So that the interviewee will scramble to come up with something like "I'm too meticulous"? Yeah, of course that's lame. But do they really expect an accurate confession of one's greatest weakness, like "I'm an alcoholic", "I cheat on my spouse", or "I shoplift"? The real purpose is to to see how the candidate acts under stress. But, the candidate is probably already stressed; most interviewees are either unemployed or trying to get out of a bad job. This, and other interview tactics meant to psych out an applicant, is borderline sadistic. An interview is where the company can identify whehter or not a candidate can fill a needed role. So let's quit playing games!
Alexof TX9:56AM April 28, 2010
I came to face numerous Job Interviews and they're not that funny. I tend to get nervous and sweat to death! But reading this article i found myself nodding constantly cause thats all true.
#1 - NO you're not the best qualified person for the job, but YES you're willing to make the effort to get to know the needs of your employee and become a team that will make the company move foward.
#2 - Salary... research, you can always find a person who works in the same position you're applying who can give you some feed back about how much you can ask without sounding cheap or crazy.
#3 & 4 - Flaws...perfectionism is overrated, what about being stubborn? Thats my biggest flaw, cause i tend to never give up on something even if it is a lost cause.
#5 - About the questions i usually ask about the expectation of the employer towards the person in charge of the position, and about the persons who im gonna be working for and with. That usually gives me a perspective of where im gonna be standing in the power pyramid.
Last but not least (something i happen to run into in 3 interviews) SEXUAL questions ARE NOT part of the interview, your employer doesn't have to know your romantic status, if you have sex or if you like wearing lace lingerie
Anabelleof LA9:04AM April 28, 2010
Glen...before you enter the professional world, you need to learn the difference between "to" and "too" and also how words ending in "e" transition to "ing"... not to mention you also spelled "process" incorrectly. It will definitely NOT be a cake walk for you...GOOD LUCK.
Kof NC8:47AM April 28, 2010
I have to agree with the previous. I once had the habit of being to deep in the details of a project to realize that the project as a whole could be falling apart. So if I can't tell them what my ACTUAL weakness is and how I compensate for it, what is the more appropriate weakness a job candidate should use?
C`7of NJ7:59AM April 28, 2010
nmarch is right about the dynamics of getting hired. So many are out of the candidates control. All you can do is optimize the factors you can control and don't broadcast desperation. Rather, enthusiasm can get you a long way (sincere enthusiasm). Another pearl of wisdom that had never occured to me was "under-promise, over-perform." Also, limit the questions on conference calls and in presentations, especially if they are an attempt to prove your knowledge or skill level = backfire!
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Constance Comment of NE 12:24PM April 28, 2010
steve of CA 12:20PM April 28, 2010
Sonya of MO 11:37AM April 28, 2010
FT of CA 11:16AM April 28, 2010
Alex of TX 9:56AM April 28, 2010
Alex of TX 9:56AM April 28, 2010
Anabelle of LA 9:04AM April 28, 2010
K of NC 8:47AM April 28, 2010
C`7 of NJ 7:59AM April 28, 2010
scott of TX 7:29AM April 28, 2010