How to Answer 'What are your weaknesses?'

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Barb, I am so sorry you are having a difficult time finding employment. I recently lost a job 4/26 and have finally had 2 interviews today. One I have a call back for a second interview tomorrow, thank God. The second one, that I really wanted, was with a temp agency I have worked for in the past. It is a temp to hire position with the State and there were multiple positions. I waited for almost an hour while 2 people, who were together, were interviewed, given drug tests and made offers. My interviewer apolgized for the wait, told me that all of the assessment testing scores I had done were very good, I had 100 on 2 0f the 5, and then started to make small talk. I filled out all the usual paperwork that is associated with begininning a new job. More small talk. Then he starts asking about my availability and if I had posted my resume online to Monster, Linkedin, etc. I asked why and he stated it was a way that he finds prospective employees. He then starts talking about a position that was not one I had been made an offer for. The position was 3rd shift. I declined and asked about the position that I had been offered just the prior afternoon. And he stated that the position was filled prior to my arrival. It came off as so insincere. I know that it untrue because I came home and called someone within the company and they stated they still have several positions to fill.
I believe it is my age. I am almost 55. Wow! Never thought that I would be dealing with this!

Delores of TX 10:55PM May 14, 2013

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Robncv69 of GA 2:16AM April 25, 2013

@KATHY of MI
Your refusal to hire someone who has prepared answers because this means they are insincere is a naive assumption that they have never been asked those questions before. Are you asking really weird questions that no one normally has t answer at the billions of job interviews we suffer through endlessly?

Renee of MO 12:55AM April 18, 2013

Weeknesses -- getting a job at my age>>>>>>>>>>>60, even tho I may be reliable and responsible and together . I still can"t fine a JOB !! Off work 5 months now.

Barb of PA 6:00PM April 17, 2013

Being as im a tubular dialysis manager, its impportant to not have any romance on the job, so I always mention this in my interviews. I also find that when they ask a weakness, it helps to jump up and down and cows are overpopulated in america, there are so many in warehouse,etc that we dont know about when i was little the dark didnt really scare me unless sometiems i used to go see movies a lot my dog is really cute and right now im actually calculating it.

Tony of MS 4:03PM March 04, 2013

I do a lot of hiring for the pharmacutical company I am employed with. Quite honestly, I expect no answer that is not sincere and honest. If an answer is spit out right away, chances are, it is a rehersed response and more than likely not an honest one. I look for a short reflective pause, then an honest and sincere answer. I do two part interviews, this question is in part one. I am looking for someone who has self awareness of their own weaknesses and yes, we all have them. If I feel someone is less than honest, the second interview does not take place. My advice, choose your wording carefully, but be honest. Someone had posted that an employee of a company said they should have been less than honest, shame on them and you are better off. Look at this way, if they expect you to lie in an interview, what do they lie about to employees?

Kathy of MI 11:43PM February 02, 2013

I hate this questions as they will never get a real response. It is a waste of everyone's time. We are there to sell a product (ourselves) and who, ever, in the history of selling of products include the products weaknesses in the sale brochure?? Absolute waste of time. I think it is just an egomanic, power play question, that sadistic interviewers use so they can enjoy watching the interviewee squirm.

Louise 11:18PM December 01, 2012

Thank-you so much for the insight on this questions, it has really helped me in preparation for my interview tomorrow. I always felt cornered when asked that question.

sandi.m 3:01PM November 20, 2012

I hate this question because most managers\interviewers feel they are perfect. I recently lost a prospective job because of this question and I answered it honestly and added that I was always trying to keep improving because no one is perfect.
When I talked to someone at the company, they actually told me I should have been less than honest and picked something harmleses as my weakness. Although I'm still a bit scorned from this loss, I guess it's good I didn't get the job...I don't want to work with managers who are this narrow minded.

looking for job in ca of CA 4:22PM September 26, 2012

So, basically we're supposed to give them a cliche answer anyway, because that is pretty much what the article says.
Ok. Got it. And I really hate that question. To me, it indicates that the person interviewing me lacks depth because *they* are the ones asking tired old cliche questions. It shows me that they are not the person that I really need to be speaking to.

Janey of TX 1:43PM July 17, 2012