Suggestions On How To Handle The What s Your Greatest Weakness Question

I nterviews are about              an analyst, don’t say that you     putting our best foot           are “disorganized.” (2) If you     forward. Yet, why do            are applying to become a lawyer,   interviewers come up with             don't hint that you have ethical   questions like that? (1) Because      issues or that you are a bad       we are all humans and all have        writer.).                          weaknesses; (2) because they want                                        to put us to the test and see how     2. Focus on how you have improved  we respond; and (3) because they      and mention the steps you have     want to know how we overcome          taken to change. This will show    difficulties.                         that you are pro-active.                                                                                    A big part of the job application     3. Discuss how the job to which    process is about “reading between     you are applying to will help you  the lines” and putting the            in building your skills set. Be    emphasis at the right place. When     careful here. Don't state it in a  a recruiter asks you what your        way that implies that you may      weaknesses are, you can answer by     become a burden. Instead, look     stating your weaknesses or you        forward to it as a "challenge."    can answer by “qualifying” your                                          weaknesses. In other words, it’s      4. Mention a valuable advice you   all a matter of perspective.          received that is related to your                                         weakness and elaborate on it.      Following are some suggestions:                                                                                5. See if there are “good sides”   1. Choose a weakness that does        to your weakness (e.g. some        not go to the core competencies       strengths drawn to their extremes  required for the position to          can become weaknesses, like being  which you are applying to (e.g.       “too” perfectionist or “too”       (1) If you are applying to become     demanding – toned down, however,   they are real strengths).             weakness or a “minor” weakness.                                          By the way, the capacity to move   The basic idea is to make your        forward and improve is actually a  weakness look like a “past”           good thing.                        About the Author: John Stronack is a writer for WorkBloom (http://workbloom.com), an online career resources website (Resume Tips, Cover Letter Tips, and Interview Tips). Read more articles by: John Stronack Article Source: www.iSnare.com