| The fastest way to make a good interview go | | | | uncover the not-so-pleasant side of |
| bad is to avoid questions posed by the hiring | | | | candidates.Cleverly Designed "Greatest |
| manager. The one question candidates love to | | | | Weakness" Questions* We all have aspects of |
| avoid is, "What is your greatest weakness?" | | | | our job we prefer not to do. What aspect of |
| Most candidates are quick to respond with | | | | your day-to-day responsibilities do you |
| superficial answers such as "I'm a | | | | dislike?In hopes of making you feel |
| workaholic" or "I'm a perfectionist." Not | | | | comfortable, interviewers may ask questions |
| only are those responses boring, but they are | | | | that start with "we." The psychology behind |
| also predictable answers interviewers are | | | | this is to make you feel as though you are |
| used to hearing. So much so that an | | | | with a friend, which can cause you to let |
| interviewer's comeback line often is, "That | | | | your guard down.* Think back to your last |
| doesn't sound like a weakness. Now why don't | | | | review. What suggestions did your supervisor |
| you tell me about a real weakness?"Ouch. What | | | | have for improvement?The chances are |
| an uncomfortable position to be in-when a | | | | extremely high that your supervisor offered |
| decision maker challenges you during an | | | | suggestions for improvement. Interviewers are |
| interview. Just like you, the interviewer | | | | aware of this and anticipate that you will |
| wants the process to go as seamlessly as | | | | disclose the details of your most recent |
| possible, and they quickly become resentful | | | | evaluation.* Describe a project you worked on |
| when they are placed in a confrontational | | | | that didn't turn out as well as you |
| position.When answering questions surrounding | | | | expected.Interviewers find that job seekers |
| your greatest weakness, my advice is to tell | | | | reveal more when they are asked to tell a |
| the truth-to a point. Though I don't advocate | | | | story. The assumption is made that the more |
| providing a play-by-play of every area that | | | | you talk, the more likely you'll disclose |
| may need improvement, it isn't a good idea | | | | your weaknesses.* In what area of your work |
| not to cop to a weakness either. A happy | | | | do you think you can be more effective?This |
| medium does exist, and it lies in focusing | | | | question is very similar to "greatest |
| your response on an area that doesn't have a | | | | weakness" question. However, interviewers |
| major impact on your ability to do the job. | | | | believe the way the question is phrased will |
| This should be an area that you are on your | | | | make you feel less threatened, and therefore |
| way to improving. Note, not an area you've | | | | more likely to answer freely.Bottom line: |
| already improved, but one that is well on its | | | | whether or not you want to divulge sensitive |
| way.Interviewers recognize that jobseekers | | | | information during an interview, an |
| aren't forthcoming when answering the | | | | interviewer is going to try his or her |
| "greatest weakness" question. As a result, | | | | darnedest to dig for skeletons in your |
| there is a new trend in hiring circles of | | | | closet. Interviewers want to uncover any |
| interviewers cleverly disguising the question | | | | reasons why they shouldn't hire you, and they |
| and using a variation of the theme. In doing | | | | hope those reasons will come straight from |
| so, interviewers are successfully stumping | | | | you. So be prepared. |
| candidates, and are receiving responses that | | | | |