Weaknesses

[~Beauty_from_Pain~]

So we all know the hard question that is asked at an interview: "What is your greatest weakness?"

Do you think your answer would change depending on different scenarios? For example, is if the same answer you would give if you were applying to a school, or just in general in your personal life?

I have been trying to prep for grad interview and I hear they might ask that question. Been having a hard time with it. I have come up with a big weakness-I don't trust people a lot and that affects me when it comes to working with others in any way because I burden myself with things because I don't trust they will get it done....or I burden myself with stress wondering if they will do their part. Also, I have a hard time stepping out and doing new things unless guided.

 

[EazyMack]

I have been trying to prep for grad interview and I hear they might ask that question. Been having a hard time with it.

Just tell them it's spelling.

"What is your greatist weakness?"

 

[~Beauty_from_Pain~]

Haha. Seriously now.

 

[stephanieamber]

I'd give what was my greatest weakness unless it specifically asks for a greatest weakness in a certain area.

 

[~Beauty_from_Pain~]

What if you don't know what it is in general, only based on different areas?

 

[stephanieamber]

what do you mean?

 

[Autumnleaf]

The way to answer this question is with a strength. ie Sometimes my family says I work too hard when work requires me to put in extra time. or I don't know Spanish as well as I'd like to yet, but I am working on it.

 

[Obzocky]

I've always wondered how much it would effect the interview if I just went;

"Actually it's chocolate torte, you offer me one of those bad boys and it would be gone within 30 seconds. You could probably get me to do anything for one slice"

It's hard looking at yourself subjectively and picking the weak traits that are not only truthful but would not be viewed that negatively by the interview board. Sometimes asking a friend/family member to be honest with you and pick the areas can help.


From what you've said it sounds like your weakness is a job well done. Not sure how you'd word that though.

 

[Thunder Peel]

Everybody tells me I'm too hard on myself and that I should have more self-confidence, although I don't really see those as weaknesses because they don't affect anyone except me. I tend to think of a weakness being something that harms yourself and others. I'm sure I have plenty but I'll have to think about it and report back later. My list will probably take up this entire page.

 

[Ayersy]

I'm too nice, and too trusting. Then once I realise that I become overly cynical as a defense mechanism.

 

[kevlite2020]

I don't have the slightest clue what I'd tell a potential employer. I have many weaknesses, none of which I would like to admit to someone who could hire me, lol.

 

[Im_A]

The way to answer this question is with a strength. ie Sometimes my family says I work too hard when work requires me to put in extra time. or I don't know Spanish as well as I'd like to yet, but I am working on it.

I'm echoing what he said in my response to the OP.
You want to answer 100 percent honestly but you also want to answer what will make you seem attractive to them at the same time.

Maybe you could find some tips online from employers and such?

The experiences I had with this, I acknowledged obvious facts about me and kept it purely job related. At my last job I had to answer that several times because I moved up 2x. I answered it the same and I'll give you a brief example of my answer. I can't give word for word because it was so long ago so don't take this as like me trying give you an example to work with. This is just how I tried to deal with the question and it worked for me with the company I used to work for.

My biggest weaknesses is my inexperience with the job I'm applying for. I haven't had the time in here to know exactly everything about it but with how I have currently proved that I can take on every new task successfully and learned the new task in a timely manner, I can do the same with this new job requirement. Now I did not say that word for word, but that was the point of my response to that question to them.

Yet the circumstance is different. I was already working for the company so I had ammo for me to use to prove myself a worthy candidate for the job and if you have ammo that will apply directly to what your applying for, use it liberally and professionally at your best. For your situation, I don't know. Have you looked up maybe advise online from people who have been in the same exact situation as yours?

 

[white dove]

So we all know the hard question that is asked at an interview: "What is your greatest weakness?"

Do you think your answer would change depending on different scenarios? For example, is if the same answer you would give if you were applying to a school, or just in general in your personal life?

Yes, it would vary. This is one of those things that I don't believe a person should be 100% candid about. A future employer or potential grad school won't really care to know the intimate details of your weak spots. Also, they really care about things that would directly apply to the job or experience anyway. I've actually tried to make light of a serious interview (demonstrating my humor/personality) by answering, "Well... I like chocolate." It got a few laughs, but when the smiling went away and the person across the desk gives you a stern look, you know you have to get down to business. If you don't have a real answer, you could get into some trouble. Those people who ask the question want to see how you assess yourself, flaws and all.

I agree that you should try to make your negatives a positive or find positive negatives, if that makes sense. For example, in the past, I've said that I work too hard and sometimes don't ask for help because I'd much rather troubleshoot problems on my own, seeing if I can do it first before getting another person involved. Those things might tell the other person that I have a strong work ethic and can work independently of others.

Now, when you look at the points of struggle, you need to see where they might turn that into something even worse. (Maybe it's just the over-analytical side of me cuz it comes to me naturally) For example, I work too hard. So, does that mean I'm too earnest and cut-throat? Will I do just anything to get ahead? I tend to assume their reaction and find a follow-up assurance. I might say, "I sometimes tend to work too hard, but usually am able to hold back if I see that I'm going at a project for a long time. I place time constraints on myself to make sure I'm making progress at a reasonable rate." OR what you could do is during the "strengths" portion, mention how you react to those weaknesses. Do you try to learn from them and propel yourself forward?

 

[~Beauty_from_Pain~]

I know all about giving a weakness that is a "strength" but that it is also well known that interviewers know that trip. And this is for school, not a job. So it's different anyways.

 

[Im_A]

I know all about giving a weakness that is a "strength" but that it is also well known that interviewers know that trip. And this is for school, not a job. So it's different anyways.

Here's something maybe for consideration.

The Interview - Graduate School Preparation - Pathways Center | Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa USA

 

[backspacekey]

I am also too trusting. After been bitten twice in one year (I didn't realize the second one until about 12 months ago) I've become very cautious and guarded. So sometimes I might appear to be cold and reserved. I don't want to but I have to protect myself. There are some very bad people out there who will take advantage of someone who is not on guard.

 

[traingosorry]

This question will likely come up so respond with an answer that does tie in with school and always follow it with a positive solution.


For example, maybe you procrastinate when it comes to assignments (that's actually my weakness, I'm an artist and it's allowed) so you could say something like "I tend to leave things 'til the end and I find I do my best work under pressure; however, I understand this would not be ideal in group projects so I make efforts to ensure my team can rely on me and that I do my share well ahead of deadline."

Obviously you might not be as bad as me but hopefully you can see what I am demonstrating here.

 

[Trashionista]

Shoes. And handbags.

In all seriousness though, and shoes and handbags are related, I find it difficult to save and to make real plans. I fly by the seat of my pants, I'm disorganized, I procrastinate, I'm commitment phobic.

 

[Paulie079]

Shoes. And handbags.

In all seriousness though, and shoes and handbags are related, I find it difficult to save and to make real plans. I fly by the seat of my pants, I'm disorganized, I procrastinate, I'm commitment phobic.

I'm almost the exact same way except for three things...

1. Shoes
2. Handbags
3. Commitment Phobic--I say 'yes' too much usually which makes the whole take-things-as-they-come, disorganized, procrastinating part of my personality show even more.

EDIT: Also, due to a helpful suggestion made in a rep comment, I also might add that iPods and frisbees are weaknesses as well

 

[toprhi]

I know all about giving a weakness that is a "strength" but that it is also well known that interviewers know that trip. And this is for school, not a job. So it's different anyways.

I dislike interviews in general. For my school interview, I answered that my greatest weakness was my inability to accept defeat. Which is true, I never give up on anything when sometimes you do have to give up on certain things.

But honestly, of course, they don't want to hear a "real weakness" because then it will be a reason why to not accept you. My greatest weakness actually is my lack of patience, but they of course, don't want to hear about that. It's what makes me dislike interviews. You have to display yourself in a way that isn't dishonest, but it isn't exactly 100% honest either.