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General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Saurdaukar on March 11, 2003, 09:39:32 AM

Title: Interview advise
Post by: Saurdaukar on March 11, 2003, 09:39:32 AM
Going to be meeting someone at another company next week about a rather desirable job.

Got my foot in the door - just working out details - and Im not sure how to answer the inevitable question:

"What is your biggest weakness?"

I was thinking that a proper response would be something positive - along the lines of "Im a perfectionist" or something of that nature.

Anyone got anything better?

EDIT: Misspelled "Advice" in topic - dunno how to change it
Title: Interview advise
Post by: gofaster on March 11, 2003, 09:43:52 AM
Q: What is your biggest weakness?

A: My total dedication to excellence in my job.

Never miss an opportunity to brown-nose. :)
Title: Interview advise
Post by: john9001 on March 11, 2003, 09:48:30 AM
Q: What is your biggest weakness?

A:  job interviews.
Title: Interview advise
Post by: crowMAW on March 11, 2003, 09:49:02 AM
The response I've always used is that sometimes I'm too tenacious...I hate to let a problem beat me and sometimes I'll work it longer than I probably should.

Good luck on the interview.
Title: Interview advise
Post by: Modas on March 11, 2003, 09:51:50 AM
I don't know....  both of the responses above are 'canned' responses and if the interviewer has half a clue, they will be expecting them.  Don't use them, everyone does.

You need to come up with something ORIGINAL, and honest, otherwise, you look like a yes-man.  

What did I use?....

I said... "I tend to speak without thinking when I get stressed out (who doens't), which usually results in me having to remove my foot outta my mouth later on"

He laughed, said that was the first original response out of 20 canidates for the job.  As a result, I go the job.  :D

Go with originallity, and be honest.
Title: Interview advise
Post by: midnight Target on March 11, 2003, 10:01:42 AM
For a management position I've used this one -

"I try to get the job done with too few employees sometimes."

The money guys love that one.
Title: Interview advise
Post by: Curval on March 11, 2003, 10:14:44 AM
How about...I am a terrible speller...fortunately there is a spell checker in most word processing programs.;)
Title: Interview advise
Post by: Hortlund on March 11, 2003, 10:18:00 AM
Q: What is your biggest weakness.
A: I spend several hours a day arguing with people on various internet BB's.
(add positive twist)
But I never surf for porn from work.
Title: Interview advise
Post by: gofaster on March 11, 2003, 10:28:16 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Modas
I don't know....  both of the responses above are 'canned' responses and if the interviewer has half a clue, they will be expecting them.  Don't use them, everyone does.


Canned question, canned response. :)
Title: Interview advise
Post by: Modas on March 11, 2003, 10:43:43 AM
Quote
Originally posted by gofaster
Canned question, canned response. :)



hehehehe, VERY true, however, they aren't the one looking for the job :D
Title: Interview advise
Post by: midnight Target on March 11, 2003, 10:45:05 AM
With employment laws today, canned questions are the only safe ones to ask.
Title: Interview advise
Post by: -dead- on March 11, 2003, 11:00:45 AM
Q: Do you see yourself as having any weaknesses?

A: Oh, yes. Cos, like, I'm bit of a perfectionist, actually. Yes, I am. See, for me, it's got to be the best or it's nothing at all. Like, if things get a bit dodgy, I just can not be bothered, but, hey, I get good vibes about this interview thing the day though, man. Seems to me like it's going pretty well, eh?
Title: Interview advise
Post by: Saurdaukar on March 11, 2003, 11:15:06 AM
Quote
Originally posted by -dead-
Q: Do you see yourself as having any weaknesses?

A: Oh, yes. Cos, like, I'm bit of a perfectionist, actually. Yes, I am. See, for me, it's got to be the best or it's nothing at all. Like, if things get a bit dodgy, I just can not be bothered, but, hey, I get good vibes about this interview thing the day though, man. Seems to me like it's going pretty well, eh?


Unemployed?  ;)
Title: Interview advise
Post by: majic on March 11, 2003, 11:57:35 AM
My favorite interview question fro my last interview (for management):

"What do you do when there's nothing to do?"

I laughed and said "C'mon, there's always something to do!"

Probably got me hired.

The weakness question: MT's answer was perfect for management.  Be honest, but give it a good spin.
Title: Interview advise
Post by: rogwar on March 11, 2003, 05:09:02 PM
Q: Do you see yourself as having any weaknesses?

A: I've got a real problem with authority man (said while lighting a cigarette with a Zippo for effect).
Title: Interview advise
Post by: T0J0 on March 11, 2003, 07:10:53 PM
Be honest...
Title: Interview advise
Post by: Nash on March 11, 2003, 07:30:16 PM
Whip out a piece and start makin' googly eyes.
Title: Interview advise
Post by: Fridaddy on March 11, 2003, 09:25:54 PM
Tell them spelling is your weakness. Its a valid one and one made pointless by spell checking software
Title: Interview advise
Post by: Hangtime on March 11, 2003, 09:56:48 PM
Q: Do you see yourself as having any weaknesses?

A: Fried chicken, watermelon and white women.
Title: Interview advise
Post by: Martlet on March 11, 2003, 10:38:19 PM
I interview people extremely often, for professional positions.  I had a candidate give a response to that question awhile ago, and his response was very good.  Regardless how you answer, make sure you add how you work around that weakness, or use it to your advantage.

His answer was something like this:

My biggest weakness is procrastination.  I HAD a habit of putting things off.  The only way I can combat this is to be extremely organized.   Every day, week, and month is planned.  For example, if I have customer calls to make, every Mon, Wed, and Fri from 8am to 12pm I make those calls.  Barring an emergency, that is the only thing I do at those times.  I do the same thing every week.   When things come up that need to be done, I write them down.  Every night before I go home, I plan the order and times I am going to complete those tasks the following day or week.

Therefore, as a result of my biggest weakness, I have developed one of my largest strengths.  I'm organized and punctual.  Probably the most organized and punctual person you will ever meet.  Because I have to be.

I don't remember it verbatim, but it went something like that, only longer and in more detail.  I hired him, and it turned out to be a crock of toejam, but he's still very good at what he does.
Title: Interview advise
Post by: MrBill on March 11, 2003, 10:50:27 PM
One of the few times I went out on a contract interview I was asked that weakness question.  I had never heard it asked before.  A bit taken aback, I paused some time attempting to think of a response.  I came up with something to the effect that my contract requirements were likely to high for a start up.
Got one of the best contracts I ever signed, with a note that they understood if I couldn't accept it.
It always "pays" to tell the truth.
Title: Interview advise
Post by: -dead- on March 11, 2003, 11:32:58 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Saurdaukar
Unemployed?  ;)
Sadly, no. It was a quote from the mother of all interviews: Spud in Trainspotting. ;)