My greatest weakness....

[AFK]

So, I have a job interview tomorrow.  And no matter what kind of job interview you have, you invariably get asked the tandum of questions,

What is your greatest strength?
What is your greatest weakness?

Honestly, I think both are rather stupid questions.  My approach is usually to display a little bit of honest humility but to somehow make it look like a strength at the same time.  Like, "Well sometimes I get too involved in my work and i just need to learn to take a step back every now and again."

How have you answered these questions, if you have, for interviews?  Just curious. 

[Payne]

I invariably reply that my greatest weakness is "Answering that kind of question in a way that makes me feel comfortable."

Of course, I currently have zero jobs...

[LMNO]

"My greatest weakness has to be my truly awesome sense of humility."

[Richter]

These questions are a trap, IMHO

"I am deathly afraid of clowns", "Snakes", or "Kryptonite" aren't what they're looking for.

Then again, "I am fairly uncomfortable around snakes, but when I have to work with them I try to use coping mechanisms and focus on my work to avoid reacting poorly.", shows that you can recognize your own limtiations, strengths, weaknesses, and work with them.

You can LIE too, but keep jsut ENOUGH truth in it that it still works. 

[AFK]

Come to think of it, I don't think I was asked that question for my current job.  I was asked a question about a certain project I had done and how I might have done things differently.  I WAS asked in the interview for my current job what type of animal I would be and why. 

[Payne]

Come to think of it, I don't think I was asked that question for my current job.  I was asked a question about a certain project I had done and how I might have done things differently.  I WAS asked in the interview for my current job what type of animal I would be and why. 

A DRAGON! 'Cause, fuck you - I'm a DRAGON!

[P3nT4gR4m]

"My greatest weakness is I will fuck anything that moves. Do you have moving objects? You do? Well you're in luck - they'll be moving a lot faster by the time I'm through."

with or without manic cackle depending on whether I feel it's appropriate for the particular interview

[Richter]

Come to think of it, I don't think I was asked that question for my current job.  I was asked a question about a certain project I had done and how I might have done things differently.  I WAS asked in the interview for my current job what type of animal I would be and why. 

A DRAGON! 'Cause, fuck you - I'm a DRAGON!

"Charlton Heston"

[Cain]

"My greatest weakness is delegation" is a good one to go for.  Anything that actually sounds fairly awesome when you think about it for five seconds is always a winner.

[Triple Zero]

The basic idea is that you should pick a minor weakness that can also be worded as a strength.

Such as:

My weakness is perfectionism, I could spend too much time on getting a solution exactly right. Fortunately my judgement skills allow me to recognize when this happens and get the work done in time by implementing that what is needed.

I didnt quite word that right, but you get the idea, perfectionism is a weakness, but you name it so you can let shine through that you are really accurate and have great attention to detail.

Cains suggestion is also good

[LMNO]

"Debilitating Alcoholism".

[P3nT4gR4m]

THIS is the only way to respond to being interviewed.

[Brotep]

^

My approach is usually to display a little bit of honest humility but to somehow make it look like a strength at the same time.  Like, "Well sometimes I get too involved in my work and i just need to learn to take a step back every now and again."

I hear they've caught on to that strategy.

[Requia ☣]

I tell them something they already know.  Usually that I'm bad with face to face communication.

[Brotep]

For me, the strategy depends on the interviewer.  You can get a good sense of them quickly, if you're not too nervous.

If they're a fun-loving sort, a bit of lighthearted chatter goes a long way.
If they're more serious, they will respect thoughtful answers to their questions.
etc., etc.