What's your go to answer to this classic job interview question?

[MaryBoBary]

What’s your biggest weakness?

I haven’t had a job interview for 6 years. I haven’t worked for 3 years (since having my son) and I now have an interview for my dream job next week. I am so nervous and trying to prepare but need some help answering this potential question. My biggest weaknesses are that I worry about things I can’t change (actually have anxiety and am on medication but clearly won’t be disclosing that!), have no self confidence and am very self critical, but how do I express these in a way that don’t make me look like a nightmare employee? Or is there a better answer I should use, even if it’s not strictly true?

How do you answer this question and still look like a desirable candidate? What other questions should I prepare for? Any and all advice really appreciated!

Brilliant advice from ADHDme

Good luck OP!

I think it's a crap question- I despise 'new' interview techniques- all you need to do is reveres the wanted answers for your kind of area. What are your strengths and weaknesses. When have you dealt with a diffucto confrontation, etc. it's about who has the best rehearsed answers, not who is best for the job!! Juts practise, and you'll be fine xxx

Cringe at the ‘perfectionist’ answers!

Choose something truthful but with solid evidence of how you compensate/overcome your weakness.

Always makes me think of Spud’s job interview in Trainspotting.

‘Do you see yourself as having any weaknesses Mr Murphy?’

‘Well yes, cause like I’m a bit of a perfectionist, actually. For me it’s got to be the best or nothing at all...’
‘

"I don't really cope well with bullshit questions".

Yeaaaahhhh maybe not... :)

Im late to the party....as usual.

But i answered that question once by looking bemused and saying....' do you know, ive no idea. No one has ever mentioned any weaknesses to me".
And went onto say.....there will always be a first for everything though.

I got the job.
Feedback- they laughed at that answer. They are so used to the usual bullshit.

Only works in certain scenarios though!

Last time I had this question I said I didn't know anything about computer maintenance, so if my computer broke down, I'd have to call the IT department to fix it rather than even attempting to do it myself. This was for a huge company, so I knew that there was no chance at all they'd even expect me to do it myself.

I said that I come across as lacking in confidence, and I'd actually been given that feedback in prior interviews. Followed it up by saying I'll never be the loudest voice in the room, I like to think I'm a good listener but I'm definitely not lacking in confidence. Happy to voice opinions and have many experiences leading/presenting. It's a misrepresentation that I'm now making a conscious effort to improve.

I interview people and I think it's a shit thing to ask someone. The question itself is flawed - 'weakness' is such a horrible word and I think that's why people struggle to answer it - you're basically asking a person who is very nervous and wanting to improve their life to present themselves as weak in some way, with all that implies. It's awful. I ask candidates 'is there anything in your own learning or personal development that you'd really like some help on, something you think needs improvement?' Not only is it a far fairer, friendlier question, you also get far more honest and revealing answers. Plus it is framed positively from the get-go, no need for smarmy word tricks or humble-bragging. I also want the candidate to have the opportunity to find out if we can provide the development they want/need, because if we can't then it won't be a good fit.

If I had to interview for a job again and really needed it, I'd probably answer this question but if I was lucky enough not to need the job I'd just say 'Let's stop there' and walk out. I really can't stand it.

Speaking from an interviewer's point of view I would say: You know you best. If you can't tell me why you should have this job, and if you send me signals that you're not very good, you don't trust yourself, etc, then I'm going to believe you, because what else do I have to go on? I don't really want to hear about the things you're not good at, I have a job I need filled and I want to hear you telling me how you'll do that and make my life easier. I want you to reassure me that you're going to be a help to me and not a hindrance. I want to be pretty confident that I'm going to be glad to have you on my team. And for that, you need to believe it first. If you don't believe it, I'll know. I may still want to hire you, you may still seem great, but if you come in and show me clearly that you either you know your shit or you're all set to learn it, then you're hired.

I recently went for and got a new senior management role and some of the questions I prepared for were:

• what motivates you?
• what achievements are you proudest of?
• what would you set out to do in your first 3 months?
• can you describe a mistake or approach you took that you would now act on differently - what did you learn?
• describe one of the most difficult decisions you have had to make
• describe a difficult people problem you have had to resolve
• describe a difficult reputation issue you have faced
• what do people say about your leadership style?
• what is your style under pressure?
• can you describe a project or piece of work you undertook where there was no set plan for how it would be achieved

I'm not sure how many of these were asked but having prepared on all of them I had the evidence to back up most questions that could come up - with egs on each. I had also done a lot of research.

Apart from the story of your career and why you are interested in the role one of the other obvious things to cover off for an interview are those areas where your experience looks weaker on paper - you need to have thought about how you can give them comfort that you understand the issues and have transferable skills. These definitely did come up in my interview.

But, from my experience of interviewing a lot of people over the years, I would also say that being as honest as possible matters - being assured and self confident alongside showing that you are self aware matter. Rather than stock or phoney answers that are saying what you think they want to hear. I have never been asked my plans in 3-5 years - I think its a crap question personally.

Well I had my interview today, and after all your help and my prep, the interviewer didn’t ask me a single question he spent half an hour talking about himself and the role and it all sounded very odd and unprofessional. I did tell him a bit about myself and my experience and why I would be suitable, but more because I didn’t want to waste my prep! So even if I do get offered the job I won’t be accepting it, but it was good (ish) practise and has got me back out there. Now back to the drawing board and more applications!

I usually say I have a terrible sense of direction. Which is entirely true but doesn't impact me doing my role in any way.

I'm also quite impatient so I'd use that if pushed.

I wonder if it was one of those waste of time interviews where they've already got an internal candidate they have to rubber-stamp?

@BitOfFun the interviewer is running a business alone at the moment and needs someone for admin. But also needs “someone to ring up and vent at, someone’s do odd jobs like book my car for its MOT”.... Not what was advertised at all.

Heck, that sounds a nightmare

He also said “I might ring you up and say I need you to do X now but don’t think I’m annoyed at you, sometimes I’m just abrupt.”

Really sold the job...