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Interviewing

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by Jackfruit, Sep 29, 2006.

  1. Jackfruit

    Jackfruit Member

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    What do you say when an interviewer asks you what your weaknesses are? For one thing, it's hard for someone to see their own faults. Secondly, it seems as if it's a baited question. Regardless of what you say, you're in trouble.

    How do you respond to this question?
     
  2. MR. MEOWGI

    MR. MEOWGI Contributing Member

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    "Cute, fluffy kittens" works well for me.
     
  3. real_egal

    real_egal Member

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    There are standard answers like, "I am such a perfectionist, and I demand perfection from myself and peers", or "Sometimes I work too hard, that my wife complains" etc etc. But those are played too often, and most interviewers are tired of that.

    Generally speaking, you want to show honesty, but emphasize that you improved a lot since. Turning something not so good, into something great. Personally, I prefer an example of mistake you made in the beginning of career due to inexperience etc, you realized that and corrected that, improved afterwards. Show interviewers:

    1. YOu are not perfect, but you know where you need improvement.
    2. You have concrete plans to improve
    3. You are not afraid of admitting own mistake, and good at handling critical situations. You can also bring in team spirit aspects here and there, that you appreciate othes' help etc etc.

    Questions like that is never about the answer itself, but rather the way you answer it. Frankly, it's a chance given to you, to show your capability to spin logically and reasonably. That's my take.
     
  4. Master Baiter

    Master Baiter Member

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  5. bladeage

    bladeage Member

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    when they ask me that question i just reply with "Pantyhose."
     
  6. DonnyMost

    DonnyMost Member
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    "I Love Too Much"
     
  7. Lil Pun

    Lil Pun Member

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    LMAO! :D

    I just answer honestly. real offered some good advice.
     
  8. Supermac34

    Supermac34 President, Von Wafer Fan Club

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    When I took my HR class in college, that was the number 1 crappiest interview question.

    Your answer doesn't really say anything about you or how you would work in the job, its almost just a standard time filler to see what you can come up with.

    I guess you could say that your greatest weakness is that you like to punch people that ask stupid questions.
     
  9. macalu

    macalu Member

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    my golf game.
     
  10. huypham

    huypham Member

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    For you, JackFruit, the answer should be "tasty pork".
     
  11. huypham

    huypham Member

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    ha, seriously dude, you're a big picture kinda guy that doesn't always get detail oriented as much as you should. you're working on it, but it's a weakness.

    that's my honest answer to how i percieve you and would answer the question.
     
  12. real_egal

    real_egal Member

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    It depends on the job description. In IT for example, if you are interviewing for an architect position, that answer is ok. But if it's for project manager, QA analyst, DBA, etc. You won't get anything by saying that. :)
     
  13. Air Langhi

    Air Langhi Contributing Member

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    I had to interview somebody once and I don't see why an interviewer ever asks these questions. I don't understand why they ask half the questions they do. My manager asked me for like a 2 min overview of whether we should hire the guy or not. I wish interviewer would ask the questions that are relavent to the job instead of all these BS questions.
     
  14. A_3PO

    A_3PO Member

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    Bingo! In some cases, this question is a time-filler while the interviewer reviews his/her notes to see if any gaps need to be filled in.

    In other cases, they will actually pay attention to the answer. Like real_egal said, mention a PAST weakness that you have overcome (preferably not too recently) and describe how you did it. Or mention a "weakness" that isn't really a weakness but still shows the interviewer you admit to imperfections.

    Another question a candidate should always be ready to answer is: "Tell me exactly why you should get this job". I've had so many people flub this one it isn't funny.

    One other item for preparation: Think of some of the most outstanding things you have ever done on the job. Come to the interview loaded and ready to fire these at appropriate moments. Don't seem too rehearsed or it will come off phony/corny.
     
  15. No Worries

    No Worries Member

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    Good one. I usually say that "I sometimes work too hard and my family life suffers". It is a BS question which obviously requires a BS answer.

    I had a recent interview which ended with the final question being : "Do you have a personal motto?" I wanted to say "No and I don't put life summation bumper stickers on my car either".
     
  16. No Worries

    No Worries Member

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    a PAST weakness that you have overcome

    Another standard BS question: "How have you dealt / overcame a past work aversity?" My BS response is that "I tend to be very proactive about avoiding work aversities, since resolving them reactively may be too late for a win-win scenario."
     
  17. real_egal

    real_egal Member

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    Those are very good tips. Personally, I think one should make a good habit to try to lead the interview, make it a conversation instead of a test. Especially when one's facing a high level manager, he/she isn't interested in testing your knowledge, but rather examing how you can fit into the culture. One shouldn't be in wait mode, but rather take an active position, to lead the conversation into your own comfort zone. Always remember to combine your strength with the most important aspects of the job description. Those interviews are actually the easiest parts.

    I've had many interviews and interviewed many candidates before. I believe one should use every opportunity to make the points, that I understand the nature of the job and the culture of your organization, every bit of my knowledge, experience, and personality, fits that bill, and offers more. Those are the conclusions the interviewers should draw after the meeting. But still, I am not perfect, and I am willing to learn and improve. You help them by telling stories with details, rather than plain statements.

    Confident but not cocky.
     
  18. Jackfruit

    Jackfruit Member

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    You know how hard it is for me to resist pork, especially during Ramadan :)
     
  19. SwoLy-D

    SwoLy-D Member

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    Shouldn't your answer be: "I can't stand difficult questions. That's my weakness. In fact... wait, if I can answer this one, then it's not difficult, in which case it's a weakness... and I just overcame the weakness, but then it's not the answer... and I am therefore lying... and... oh, sh*t... forget it..."
     
  20. IROC it

    IROC it Member

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    When asked "What do you see as some of your weaknesses?" I might say something like...


    "My strengths. It seems that if I rely too much on myself, and don't take full advantage of the resources around me, I can miss something. So to avoid this weakness I must be in the mindset of a quarterback... I might be the one who gets the credit for winning the game, but I couldn't do it without my team playing it's part."


    Interviewers like the "team" reponses. ;)
     

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