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.
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...
"My greatest weakness has to be my truly awesome sense of humility."
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.
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.
Quote from: Rev. What's-His-Name? on December 17, 2009, 01:51:26 PM
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!
"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
Quote from: Payne on December 17, 2009, 01:57:18 PM
Quote from: Rev. What's-His-Name? on December 17, 2009, 01:51:26 PM
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"
"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.
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 :)
"Debilitating Alcoholism".
THIS (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjFW-rGPQio) is the only way to respond to being interviewed.
^ :lulz:
Quote from: Rev. What's-His-Name? on December 17, 2009, 01:38:10 PM
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.
I tell them something they already know. Usually that I'm bad with face to face communication.
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.
Quote from: Cain on December 17, 2009, 03:03:21 PM
"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.
I've used that one a couple of times too.
"Sometimes I wake up in pools of other peoples blood, with total amnesia."
?
I'm not sure I've actually been asked that in an interview before. I have had my references asked that however.
"The inability to stomach answering pop-psychology business management questions like that one."
Quote from: Brotep on December 17, 2009, 03:27:17 PM
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.
The last job I interviewed for, which I didn't get, was quite a hoot. I knew the two people interviewing me and had worked with them on past projects. I thought that would give me an edge. Except, what I handn't counted on was coming down with laryngitis the day before and completely losing my voice. But, I went on with the show, and well, I didn't get the job. Fuckers!
"I like to share puns with my co-workers."
"What, we're done already?"
I generally go for something honest... like "I sometimes have trouble finishing a project after I get bored with it and I have to keep several reminders in my scheduling program to make sure it gets done."
That way its an obvious flaw, not a false humility kind of response and it appears that I have something in place to compensate for it. But I think "the best answer" probably depends on the kind of work and the interviewer.
"My greatest weakness is my hatred of stupid questions like this."
"Lost time due to STD flare ups."
"My inability to not stare at the breasts of my female coworkers."
TGRR,
Channeling Redman.
Yeah, I can that I have no problems with that last one.
Well, my office neighbor is okay looking, and the only one under the age of 35, but otherwise, yikes!
ON OCCASIONS I HAVE HORRIFIC BOUTS OF EXPLOSIVE DIARRHEA, FORCING ME TO SHIT IN TRASH CANS BECAUSE I AM UNABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE RESTROOM IN TIME.
I SHOULD REMIND YOU THAT THIS IS A MEDICAL CONDITION AND IT IS ILLEGAL TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST MEDICAL CONDITIONS.
WHEN CAN I START?
-StD,
recommends that you speak in capslock.
Interestingly enough, if I get this job I'd be working for the big hospital in my city. I wonder if they give discounts?
Quote from: Rev. What's-His-Name? on December 17, 2009, 07:21:12 PM
Interestingly enough, if I get this job I'd be working for the big hospital in my city. I wonder if they give discounts?
What would you be doing?
I usually pick something they already know by that point in the interview, my first job it was 'lack of experience' and my second it was 'face to face communication'.
Quote from: Doctor Rat Bastard on December 17, 2009, 07:31:34 PM
Quote from: Rev. What's-His-Name? on December 17, 2009, 07:21:12 PM
Interestingly enough, if I get this job I'd be working for the big hospital in my city. I wonder if they give discounts?
What would you be doing?
Coordinating the substance abuse prevention initiatives in my city's schools.
Quote from: Rev. What's-His-Name? on December 17, 2009, 07:41:18 PM
Quote from: Doctor Rat Bastard on December 17, 2009, 07:31:34 PM
Quote from: Rev. What's-His-Name? on December 17, 2009, 07:21:12 PM
Interestingly enough, if I get this job I'd be working for the big hospital in my city. I wonder if they give discounts?
What would you be doing?
Coordinating the substance abuse prevention initiatives in my city's schools.
Cool, thats awesome that its based out of a hospital!
Yep. The same hospital that my little boy will be born in. Again, I'm hoping they offer generous employee discounts. :wink:
I believe for my current job I chose to tell them my biggest weakness was trusting co-workers to fairly distribute the work load. I said that I tend to handle the majority of work that comes my way because I've had bad experiences with people not doing their share and seeing a goal suffer because of it.
So basically I told them my greatest weakness was other people's faults. I made a few jokes during the interview and when asked how I felt about working odd hours or overtime I said "Excellent." to which they replied "Good answer."
I fucking killed this one.
Quote from: The Omnipotent Grinner on December 17, 2009, 08:41:47 PM
I believe for my current job I chose to tell them my biggest weakness was trusting co-workers to fairly distribute the work load. I said that I tend to handle the majority of work that comes my way because I've had bad experiences with people not doing their share and seeing a goal suffer because of it.
That's a good one. I should remember that one.
However, it appears I have been upgraded to a "Critical Team Member", and will be getting a standard issue laptop, so I can keep the company going if the building blows up, or something. So I guess I won't have to be answering that question any time soon.
Not to shabby for a guy that spends most of his day on an Internet forum, huh?
LMNO
-slack to spare.