What is Your Greatest Weakness?

[Resume Writer]

Hi Everyone,

I found this article and thought I would post it. It gives a look at the way some employers are getting around the weakness question by asking other "types" of questions.

Kathy

What Is Your Greatest Weakness?
by Linda Matias​

The fastest way to make a good interview go bad is to avoid questions posed by the hiring manager. The one question candidates love to avoid is, "What is your greatest weakness?" Most candidates are quick to respond with superficial answers such as "I'm a workaholic" or "I'm a perfectionist." Not only are those responses boring, but they are also predictable answers interviewers are used to hearing. So much so that an interviewer's comeback line often is, "That doesn't sound like a weakness. Now why don't you tell me about a real weakness?"

Ouch. What an uncomfortable position to be in-when a decision maker challenges you during an interview. Just like you, the interviewer wants the process to go as seamlessly as possible, and they quickly become resentful when they are placed in a confrontational position.

When answering questions surrounding your greatest weakness, my advice is to tell the truth-to a point. Though I don't advocate providing a play-by-play of every area that may need improvement, it isn't a good idea not to cop to a weakness either. A happy medium does exist, and it lies in focusing your response on an area that doesn't have a major impact on your ability to do the job. This should be an area that you are on your way to improving. Note, not an area you've already improved, but one that is well on its way.

Interviewers recognize that jobseekers aren't forthcoming when answering the "greatest weakness" question. As a result, there is a new trend in hiring circles of interviewers cleverly disguising the question and using a variation of the theme. In doing so, interviewers are successfully stumping candidates, and are receiving responses that uncover the not-so-pleasant side of candidates.

Cleverly Designed "Greatest Weakness" Questions

• We all have aspects of our job we prefer not to do. What aspect of your day-to-day responsibilities do you dislike?
  In hopes of making you feel comfortable, interviewers may ask questions that start with "we." The psychology behind this is to make you feel as though you are with a friend, which can cause you to let your guard down.
• Think back to your last review. What suggestions did your supervisor have for improvement?
  The chances are extremely high that your supervisor offered suggestions for improvement. Interviewers are aware of this and anticipate that you will disclose the details of your most recent evaluation.
• Describe a project you worked on that didn't turn out as well as you expected.
  Interviewers find that job seekers reveal more when they are asked to tell a story. The assumption is made that the more you talk, the more likely you'll disclose your weaknesses.
• In what area of your work do you think you can be more effective?
  This question is very similar to the "greatest weakness" question. However, interviewers believe the way the question is phrased will make you feel less threatened, and therefore more likely to answer freely.

Bottom line: whether or not you want to divulge sensitive information during an interview, an interviewer is going to try his or her darnedest to dig for skeletons in your closet. Interviewers want to uncover any reasons why they shouldn't hire you, and they hope those reasons will come straight from you. So be prepared.

 

[Dash8]

girls

 

[TDTURBO]

girls

The first thing that came to my mind was women and fast cars, is that bad?

 

[FN FAL]

The first thing that came to my mind was women and fast cars, is that bad?

Yes...how'd you like to dig this skeleton out of your closet...
http://www.jsonline.com/news/racine/jan05/289790.asp

 

[Guitar Guy]

I suppose aviation - I'm a sucker for airplanes!

 

[SSDD]

I spend too much freaking time on these boards

 

[SDF2BUF2MCO]

I'm an Arizona Cardinal football fan. Sometimes the lines are blurred between stupidity and weakness.

Somewhat seriously, Kathy, the author tells us the interviewer is looking for weaknesses but doesn't provide counsel on how to effectively inform the interviewer of our weaknesses. Any hints?

 

[JonJohn82]

pr0n?

 

[bobbysamd]

Strength as a weakness

Good article, Kathy, though I would still be hesitant about answering the question, as such, directly. I would still answer the question using one of my strengths. E.g., that I tend to focus on completing what I have started, that I like to see things through to the end so I can move on to the next project, that I hold myself to high standards and cannot understand why, if I can do something, others who are smarter than me cannot, etc.

No matter how many times I have been told I am wrong about this, I could never bring myself to admit a genuine weakness to a stranger at a job interview. No matter how clear and candid I might be, there remains no doubt in my mind that I would come off looking bad, to-wit:

Interviewers want to uncover any reasons why they shouldn't hire you, and they hope those reasons will come straight from you. So be prepared.

The "what is your greatest weakness" question, in its various guises, is a wolf in sheep's clothing. It is a gambit intended to harm you. Be smart. Decline it.

 

[rvsm410]

In My last interview, I was asked the question directly, "what is your weakness", I answered "Next question"....got the the job....

I agree with Bobby on this one, if anything use a strength, make it short, and shut up.....dont say more then you have to, no stories, not big long conversations....sit there and look at them for the next question...if anything they may think your mysterious, but at least you did not sink your own ship!

 

[Resume Writer]

There are ways to answer these type of questions and I think I covered it pretty well on this thread: http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=39824&highlight=weaknessThe reason the person did not put a direct way to answer these questions is because she is a career coach! Her article was designed so you cannot answer the question yourself and have to go to her for assistance. But look into the thread above and see if I answered it for you!

Kathy

 

[VNugget]

Good article, Kathy, though I would still be hesitant about answering the question, as such, directly. I would still answer the question using one of my strengths. E.g., that I tend to focus on completing what I have started, that I like to see things through to the end so I can move on to the next project, that I hold myself to high standards and cannot understand why, if I can do something, others who are smarter than me cannot, etc.

No matter how many times I have been told I am wrong, I could never admit a genuine weakness to a stranger at a job interview. No matter how clear and candid I might be, there remains no doubt in my mind that I would come off looking bad.

The "what is your greatest weakness" question is a gambit intended to harm you. Be smart. Do not accept it.

Then make something up. I've never had a job interview above the burger-flipping level, and even to me it's obvious how laughable the "my biggest weakness is my perfectionism" answer is. I'm pretty sure that any interviewer at the professional level won't take too kindly to getting bull**CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**ted.

 

[mmmdonut]

gay porn

 

[AA717driver]

My only weaknesses are... Sex, drugs, alcohol, WRX's, porn(straight and gay), airplanes, waffle houses and sex. TC

 

[HowlinMadMurdoc]

Can being a magnet for psycho, headcase women be considered a weakness??? Is it just me??? Or are all guys a magnet at some point in their lives???

 

[avbug]

Employers have always asked that question. I usually need clarification, and ask if they mean something other than my bad teeth, balding head, lazy eye, unusually stringy biceps, lack of education, redneck background, spare tire, shortness, bastardized accent, lack of diction in the queens vernacular (can I say that in mixed company?), fear of heights, or generally poor flying skills.

Fortunately for me, the answer is always yes. Something other than those things.

I can't think of a one.

 

[Flying Illini]

My biggest weakness is that I can't think of my biggest weakness...other than the stuff they don't want to hear about (fast cars, powder days, girls wrestling in oil/pudding/mud/etc, krispy kreme donuts, the sunset beach bar...I could go on).

 

[minitour]

Isn't "greatest weakness" kind of a contradiction...

I would think a weakness wouldn't be too great...a "greatest asset" would make more sense...or perhaps "worst weakness"...

My greatest weakness is over-analyzing things too much...

-mini

 

[VNugget]

"Landing"

 

[qmaster3]

Can being a magnet for psycho, headcase women be considered a weakness??? Is it just me??? Or are all guys a magnet at some point in their lives???

Just when we want a good ride


Kathy,

Thanks for all the HR advise you post. When resume time rolls around, your HR firm will be on the top of my list.

R/
Q

 

[dash8driver]

foamies

 

[SDF2BUF2MCO]

There are ways to answer these type of questions and I think I covered it pretty well on this thread: http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=39824&highlight=weakness
Kathy

Thanks Kathy. I may be needing this in 2005.

 

[JediNein]

Me to interviewer: "Chocolate. Rich, deep, smooth, melt-in-your-mouth milk chocolate. And you have some on your desk. Hand it over and no one gets hurt."

Fly SAFE!
Jedi Nein

 

[enigma]

My greatest weakness is that I tend to honestly answer questions like this. That will be my opening line, because it's true. then I'll admit that I tend to try too hard to get along, which leads to being slightly wishy washy.

Now please tell me how to answer this in more positive words. One way that I thought of to show that I'm making a positive out of this trait is to say that I've tried to turn this into a positive by looking at it from the perspective of "finding common ground". Is that a good way to perfume the pig?

Or should I just find another weakness to showcase. Lord knows I've got more of em to go to.



enigma

 

[flyifrvfr]

I have answered that question by saying that I have no weaknesses. I come to work everyday on time, I work when I'm sick and don't want to be there, but I do it anyway. I always complete assignments even if it the outcome is not what was expected, meaning you don't bust minimums to get a client to his intended destination but try to get him as close to it as weather and safety will allow.

I have no weaknesses, only strenghts. I tell them that I get along with everyone and have never had a disciplin problem because I work well with superiors. I work until the job is done.

 

[Resume Writer]

My greatest weakness is that I tend to honestly answer questions like this. That will be my opening line, because it's true. then I'll admit that I tend to try too hard to get along, which leads to being slightly wishy washy.

Now please tell me how to answer this in more positive words. One way that I thought of to show that I'm making a positive out of this trait is to say that I've tried to turn this into a positive by looking at it from the perspective of "finding common ground". Is that a good way to perfume the pig?

Or should I just find another weakness to showcase. Lord knows I've got more of em to go to.



enigma

If you told me that you were slightly "wishy-washy" in any form, I would think twice about hiring you. The reason being is that I might need someone that can make a decision. It is ok to ask for opinions of everyone around you, and then come to a common ground. But, I would worry that you might be someone that changes their mind and never finishes anything.

Now, one way you might be able to form the answer would be something like, "In the past, I wanted to please everyone by asking input from too many sources, which bogged down the process of getting things accomplished. However, I have been working on that and determining the people that I really need to obtain answers from based upon their expertise in certain areas. This has really helped me to key in on the strengths of certain people and get projects done quicker."

Since I really do not know your total background, it is hard for me to come up with an "off-the-cuff" answer for you. But, if you look closer at how I answered that, it says I am being a team player, I pay attention to my people, I know who I need to include and exclude, and I am aware enough of my shortcomings to make a change.

Let's put this in an aviation perspective. If you have to divert because the weather is down at your destination, of course you are going to contact and coordinate with certain people, i.e., your FO, ATC, Dispatch, let your FA and Passengers know, etc. This shows that you know how to use CRM. However, you are not going to go up and down the aisle asking the passengers which alternate would be the best based upon their travel and business meeting plans!

Be prepared when you answer that question to give them an "example" of how you put that into action. There is really no way to get around a "follow-up" question in the weakness category.

Kathy

 

[qmaster3]

My thinking leads me to believe one shouldn't go to an Airline interview admitting weakness that relate to flying airplanes or people/leadership skills. Feedback please.

 

[Goose Egg]

I think my greatest weakness is that I work too hard, and love my job too much.

-Goose

 

[capt. megadeth]

"Landing"

Ha ha That is a good one.
The funny thing about this is that employers always say "oh, the job is yours to lose" or "we just want you to be yourself" and then they ask you sneaky questions to "dig out any skeletons". I mean, I understand the reason behind it but it is just so annoying because it is entirely A GAME! Some people are better at the game than others and it may have nothing to do with your ability as a pilot.
Sorry, I just wanted to rant about it....I know I can't change it.....so I gotta learn to play the "game", but what a joke.

 

[Indigo]

I understand the reason behind it but it is just so annoying because it is entirely A GAME! Some people are better at the game than others and it may have nothing to do with your ability as a pilot.

No kidding. My greatest weakness is that I don't play the interview game very well.