interview this afternoon.... please help

[shoptilidrop]

im ok at interviews, so am not too worried, im just trying to think of an answer to the dreaded ' what are your weaknesses' question.
dont think saying:
lazy
talk too much
short attention span
like to go on mn all day

will go down too well.

any ideas? i know about trying to make it into a positive, but i cant think of a weakness that doesnt sound like i am just making it up iykwim

[RubyShivers]

weaknesses - tendency to take on to many projects/work instead of saying no
put off admin type tasks or less favourite parts of the job in favour of things you love doing

look at this link

hope it goes well - fingers crossed

[flowerybeanbag]

For 'weaknesses', think of something in your previous job where you felt 'additional development' would be helpful. So in other words, you were fab at your job but were interested in developing your knowledge/skills in a particular area further to make you even better at it. Then say what you did about it. That's crucial. Identify something where you wanted to improve yourself, and you did something about it. Then you are showing self-awareness, taking responsibility and initiative rather than just telling someone about a weakness

Good luck.

[mumzarello]

Great link Rubyshivers - I've used the perfectionist one as it is an asset in my line of work. I have asked this to a lot of candidates & the trick is to be frank but positive - is definately a good question to have considered - the number of candidates who dig themselves into a hole with it is astounding!!
Another question I find candidates struggle withis "Where do you see yourself in 5 years time"
Good luck shoptilidrop!!

[shoptilidrop]

oh well ive been working for an environmental company. tbh when i started my knowledge on the subject was zilch.
so could i say that was a weakness, but i have spent a lot of time reasearching and have overcome this?
so i could put it in a way that i like to be knowledgable about the company and products etc.......

or is that a bit crap?

[shoptilidrop]

and in fact my pr knowledge was very very slim, but ive worked around that too but would like to improve on it further?


in 5 years time.... a sahm! lol

[flowerybeanbag]

Those examples are fine shop. Don't say your knowledge was zilch, say it wasn't as deep as you would have liked so you addressed it by doing x,y z. Or knowing about company and products is good as well. Stressing your action to improve yourself is the key.

[mumzarello]

My mil is 58 & was interviewed for her current job a year ago.

They asked her where she saw herself in 5 years time & she said retired & on a beach!!

Apparently the interviewer just laughed - set questions don't suit everyone!

[shoptilidrop]

oh no, i wouldnt have said zilch.
so that sort of thing is ok....
great, im all sorted then.

thanks for all your help!

mumzarello.. lol!

[flowerybeanbag]

HOw about 'in 5 years time I would like to be happy and fulfilled in what I am doing.'

[shoptilidrop]

yep that sounds good, i was going to spout some waffle about having job satisfaction.

im getting nervous now! thing is im not even sure i want this job as ive just seen a ad for my dream job, except its a few more ( 4) hours than i would like, and im not sure if i would be slightly out of my depth. But it is what i really want to do,in the area that i want to work in, and have done since school. Its what i love doing, and what doesnt feel like work to me IFKWIM.

If i do ok at the interview and get this job i dont know what to do. And i dont even really want to leave where i am working at the momment.

[Carbonel]

Good luck with the interview

It is always good to acknowledge a 'weekness' which is really a strength, maybe 'I always like to finish a job / project on time so i can be seen as a little too demanding of others' or "Sometimes I'm too enthusiastic when working on a new project. But I've learned to adjust to everyone else's pace, and not go charging ahead." , "not suffering fools gladly; sometimes being impatient with other people's sloppy work; being too demanding; refusing to give in when you believe strongly about something; trying to do too much"

This has some good advice