How To Answer the "Weakness" Question

[BoDEAN]

Resume Writer:
Looking forward to your response..

I am right in the middle of meeting deadlines for two more resumes, but I will come back later on to answer this!

Kathy

 

[ThomasR]

It seems to me if an interviewer is not looking for a "canned response" they should not use a "canned question."

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

It seems to me if an interviewer is not looking for a "canned response" they should not use a "canned question."

A most excellent point. An interviewer is going to get a much more natural response from a candidate about a subject if, for example, they read something specific on your resume and ask a question directly related to what is written.

"I see you were the rubdown boy for the Hawaiian Tropic Bikini contest. Tell us what aspect of that job you found most satisfying."

The thing is, those kinds of questions are very easy to answer, and they are more interested in questions that are tough. Part of the whole deal is to see of you can maintain a little composure under pressure and still form and convey coherent ideas.

 

[navigator72]

I ain't got no weakness

I Like to tell the interviewer that I have no weaknesses, When they say "What?" I usually start with standing up and picking up a chair over my head. If that doesn't impress them. I take a hold of the desk and try to put it over my head, which usually results in me dropping it on the interviewer and killing them.

I don't think I will ever get hired!

 

[phil]

You're fired!!

Regarding the Trump firing, if you're gonna head one of Trump's ventures you've got to be smart about it.

He needs a sharp leader, who can picture and premeditate all the angles-someone who's going to be thinking and who can outwit the competition and not make stupid deals. Especially in construction and especially in New York City where business is ruthless where they'll run you over and squash you with moves like that.

You've got to be thinking ahead of the competition, just like you've got to be thinking ahead of the airplane.

It was a keen assessment on Trump's part. If Trump was working for me and choosing someone to head one of my orginizations, I'd want him to pick someone who'd be able to compete and not be missing details.

Different skills go into heading a business vs managing people vs working with co-workers.

 

[Resume Writer]

Jeff,

There could be a million different answers to the weakness question.
There are no absolutes. When I work with clients and we talk about that question, (if it even comes up) I ask them what they perceive to be a weakness. Then, based upon that weakness, I will either nix it and have them think about something different, or help them to turn it into something positive.

An answer to the question might be something like what follows:

"I know I could improve on my patience with people who don't work at the same pace as I do. What I have found is that by helping members of the team who are having problems, I can move projects forward instead of being frustrated and doing nothing. This has also helped me to see problems from another perspective. As a result, I have developed better relationships with the members of my team and our projects have been completed in record time."

I would also be very careful using a technical skill. Do not make it something safety related. Depending upon your level of flying skill, the technical skill should be something that is relevant to that level.

I will poll my recruiter and HR friends and ask them what they have heard from candidates; good or bad. Once I hear back from them, I will post the results.

Kathy

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

"I know I could improve on my patience with people who don't work at the same pace as I do. What I have found is that by helping members of the team who are having problems, I can move projects forward instead of being frustrated and doing nothing. This has also helped me to see problems from another perspective. As a result, I have developed better relationships with the members of my team and our projects have been completed in record time."

See, now that's a great answer. But folks, don't copy this and just rifle off these good words because remember, after answering something like this, the next words out of the interviewers mouth are almost guaranteed to be:

"I see. Can you give me an example of when this has worked for you?"
(always have an example for any answers you give.)

 

[Resume Writer]

Very true, Hugh. No matter how you answer the weakness question, there will most likely be a follow-up question. It is kind of unavoidable.

Kathy

 

[FN FAL]

Well, from my perspective as an interviewee, I see the question as an interviewer's ploy to identify and eliminate flawed applicants. I guess it depends on the interviewer.

Notice that I said that I identified a personal strength (I hope) as a weakness and stated that I am always trying to bolster it. I should hope that working hard to meet deadlines demonstrates responsibility, accountability and interest in the team, and that trying to improve it presupposes humility and desire for self-improvement. Sure, everyone has weaknesses. Everyone. But why give an interviewer the chance to exploit them. If I admit to one outright flaw, undoubtedly the interviewer will conclude that I must have others.

It's odd what people regard as flaws. On The Apprentice last night, Mr. Trump canned a contestant, Bradley, who stood with his troops after they lost the ice cream selling contest. Bradley, as a group leader, waived his exemption to be fired and put the opportunity of a lifetime on the line. I thought that Bradley exhibited a lot of integrity, especially after it was Ivana who clearly exhibited her flaws. Apparently, exhibiting integrity and doing the right thing is a flaw these days. Mr. Trump saw it as a rash decision and fired Bradley therefor. Call me old-school. But, I digress.

Finally, for the sake of this discussion, I attended four regional airline interviews and a cattle call and was never asked that question.

You know what Bobby, I don't watch much TV, but I did see that episode of the "apprentice". I think it was that particular show that impressed upon me how real that show is. It was very dramatic. My wife didn't tell me untill after that guy got fired, that he used up an exemption. I can tell you right now...not only was that a stupid chess move, but Trump thumped his ass for it.

The meek shall inherit the dearth...and that's all I got to say about that.

 

[FN FAL]

Regarding the Trump firing, if you're gonna head one of Trump's ventures you've got to be smart about it.

He needs a sharp leader, who can picture and premeditate all the angles-someone who's going to be thinking and who can outwit the competition and not make stupid deals. Especially in construction and especially in New York City where business is ruthless where they'll run you over and squash you with moves like that.

You've got to be thinking ahead of the competition, just like you've got to be thinking ahead of the airplane.

It was a keen assessment on Trump's part. If Trump was working for me and choosing someone to head one of my orginizations, I'd want him to pick someone who'd be able to compete and not be missing details.

Different skills go into heading a business vs managing people vs working with co-workers.

I fired an attorney over the same thing.

We had just bought an old twin cessna from a old school gangsta type businessman from MKE, who represented himself as an upstanding businessman and a father figure to us guys buying the cessna. He was playing some serious head games with us after the father figure crap wore off...so I went to my attorney's office to get some litigation action and my Bruce Lee kick boxer lawyer was working a murder victim's case (happened at a place I worked at before I got into flying) and he didn't have time for small time crap anymore, so he gives us this new fish faced just out of school lawyer.

Mind you, my original atty was hot right out of school, but this guy was BOY SCOUT. After my initial consultation with him, I thought to myself, it would be better to borrow the skydiving club's 182 and fly down to MKE in the evening. Knock this sucker out with a sap, duc tape him up and take him for a plane ride on the 090 bearing and call "one minute to jumpers" out over lake Michigan. (which is kind of funny, considering it was rumored that this jump plane, N2691G, was owned by a famous MKE mobster back in the day...who was rumored to toss good fellahs and wise guys into the lake outta that plane).

But anyway, when it comes down to come downs...you gotta have staff that knows how to TCB...like knife edge sharp.

 

[TonyC]

I HATE you ! ! !

It's odd what people regard as flaws. On The Apprentice last night, Mr. Trump canned a contestant, Bradley, who stood with his troops after they lost the ice cream selling contest. Bradley, as a group leader, waived his exemption to be fired and put the opportunity of a lifetime on the line. I thought that Bradley exhibited a lot of integrity, especially after it was Ivana who clearly exhibited her flaws. Apparently, exhibiting integrity and doing the right thing is a flaw these days. Mr. Trump saw it as a rash decision and fired Bradley therefor. Call me old-school. But, I digress.

I have little interest in these types of television programs and less interest in Mr. Trump, but when I was doing my last channel surf before turning the TV off last night (this morning) I ran across a rerun of the show, had to linger long enough to determine it was the episode you've referred to, and then had to watch it to the end - - I lost sleep because of you, thank you very much!


When Bradford proclaimed that he'd waive his exemption, I perceived it not so much as a display of integrity, but rather as a statement of his confidence in his team. It was something that was done impulsively, certainly not planned. Clearly, he did not wiegh the possible outcomes before he blurted out "I'll waive my exemption."

Mr. Trump repeatedly stated that Bradford was the best one there, but he made a fatal error. Rash, impulsive actions such as his could instantly sink a company, and companies can NOT afford chiefs that are prone to such fatal errors.

Bradford had the opportunity to make his statement of loyalty (or integrity, if that's how you saw it) in many, MANY other ways. He could have stood on the boardroom desk, jumped up and down, pointed his finger at Mr. Trump and screamed "YOU'RE WRONG" at the ego-maniac and he couldn't have been fired - - he had the exemption. He wanted to make a statement, he had the right idea, and the intent was commendable - - the way he did it was impulsive and foolish.


That's my take, anyhow...


(I probably would have watched something else, anyway.)

 

[DenverDude2002]

Wait, your telling me the team leader for mosaic got canned? I was hoping they'd dump one of the ditz's on the Apex team who pissed off the street vendor. Remind me not to change channels during the last part again.

It was the first time I watched the show last night and it was really addicting. When is it on regularly?

 

[TonyC]

Wait, your telling me the team leader for mosaic got canned? I was hoping they'd dump one of the ditz's on the Apex team who pissed off the street vendor. Remind me not to change channels during the last part again.

It was the first time I watched the show last night and it was really addicting. When is it on regularly?

Ivana was the leader, and by all rights should have been fired. Enter the exemption-protected Bradford and his impulsive boast, and the cards turned.


I don't know how the firings go on the show, but it seems to me another gal on that team could've been a good candidate, too. I like the gal that sits on Trump's side of the table - - his "left hand woman"?? When Ivana was trying to make excuses, this woman basically shut her down - - any KID could sell ice cream in Times Square, but YOU FAILED!

 

[DenverDude2002]

Was Ivana the chinese lady team leader on apex? I thought the blonde ditz on mosaic shouldve gone personally, she just whined and acted stupid the wole time.

Next time I wont keep changing between Cops and The Apprentice, though, Cops was the new ones and they get more violent and more addicting everytime I watch

 

[bobbysamd]

Indecisiveness v. impulsiveness v. integrity

Ivana was the leader, and by all rights should have been fired. Enter the exemption-protected Bradford and his impulsive boast, and the cards turned.

Ivana lost her other cart and changed her mind constantly. Stacie J. has been disruptive during the first two shows. Either one should have been canned and not Bradford. Maybe they're waiting to see if Stacie J. turns into another Omarosa.

Bradford showed a great deal of integrity in sitting with these women. As it turned out, his loyalty torpedoed him. It's a sad commentary on today's society that loyalty torpedoes people. It used to be that being loyal rewarded people.

When Ivana was trying to make excuses, this woman basically shut her down - - any KID could sell ice cream in Times Square, but YOU FAILED!

Carolyn's analysis was somewhat oversimplified. Don't forget, the two teams had to create
a new flavor(s) of ice cream. Probably any kid could run out, purchase several gallons of chocolate, and sell it on Times Square. It takes far more ability and intelligence to create a brand new flavor of ice cream and then try to sell it.

It was the first time I watched the show last night and it was really addicting.

Isn't it, though. Some great ethical and morality lessons. It's on Thursday nights. So far, NBC has run encores of the first two shows on Saturday night.

 

[TonyC]

I realize my Apprentice naivite is probably showing through here, but I had a slightly different perspective. Both teams had access to the same ice cream-making company, both had carts, and both had similar locations. They were challenged to sell a product. One team used bow-ties and smiles, the other couldn't keep track of carts.


Ivana was indecisive, and her poor leadership contributed to their loss in the contest.

I don't know how Stacie has performed in previous shows, but it looked like she contributed to the chaos and the loss.

Bradford - loyal, honest, impulsive.

I saw it as a choice between indecisiveness, incompentency, and impulsiveness.

Oh, and there were ratings to consider. It's doubtful we'd be talking about this, doubtful I would have lingered on that channel, and doubtful that DenverDude2002 would be asking about the schedule had the Donald chosen Ivana or Stacie. In THAT context, it appears obvious that he made the best choice.

 

[Resume Writer]

That red velvet flavor reminds me of the movie, "Steele Magnolias" when they are at the reception and the groom's aunt made the "red velvet" armadillo groom's cake. Sounded disguisting then and sounds that way now!


Kathy

 

[TonyC]

That red velvet flavor reminds me of the movie, "Steele Magnolias" when they are at the reception and the groom's aunt made the "red velvet" armadillo groom's cake. Sounded disguisting then and sounds that way now!


Kathy

Armadillo sounds disgusting (for a cake or ice cream, anyway) but red velvet cake is DEE-lish.







.