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By *rMonkeyMan
over a year ago
Somewhere |
Dont say something along the lines of 'I'm a perfectionist' or similar.
Choose a real weakness and highlight how you have worked to improve on it or plan to do so.
I interviewed many years ago for a position and had very little experience using the CAD software they did. I used that same weakness and still got the job. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Don't use the question to highlight your positives in a disguise. You will do better if you answer the question honestly. Something you struggle with, could be work based could be personal based. Answer the question by acknowledging it and expand by saying what you do manage it or improve it. |
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Make sure you engage them in conversation. Also make sure you have some killer questions to ask at the end. Even if that is just asking for some clarification of something they have said. It shows your are listening.
Also research the company and ask some questions from that too.
Beard |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Don't use the question to highlight your positives in a disguise. You will do better if you answer the question honestly. Something you struggle with, could be work based could be personal based. Answer the question by acknowledging it and expand by saying what you do manage it or improve it."
Exactly this.  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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The best answer to this one in my opinion as an interviewer is one that’s honest and human, not one that’s clearly from a manual, and most importantly were looking for how you address you known weakness.
Everyone has something that they’re not good at , it’s how you identify that and what steps you take to manage that that the question seeks to answer.
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It is to give a truthful answer but make it something that is largely irrelevant to the job you are going for. That way they will brush the entire question to one side.
The work I do in HR has shown this to be a terrible question and mostly now it's asked in a way like, which skills do you need to develop and how would you do that.
Best of luck. |
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In the last year I have done several interviews (my new job starts in March) and this was one of the questions I was asked.
I agree with the above, it’s a really good idea to be truly honest with the answer.
In my case I told them it took me sometime to pick up new skills. But due to that and you can see my previous work history (most of my jobs I stayed with my employer for more than 5 years) I do take stuff home to study or get in early/ stay late to get my head around whatever it is I need to learn. I would then give examples of previous issues and how I got over them.
It’s actually a good question to show that you’re aware of your weaknesses and have strategies to get over them.
Good luck Op, all of my interviews were done via Teams, so have plenty of notes around if your interview is the same.  |
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By *vd1987 OP Man
over a year ago
Manchester |
Thanks for the advice.
Part of me thinks of saying my weakness is being shy (if that counts) but how im working on speaking up more and being more of a leader.
The job is a shared supervisor role so trying to think of things to say lol |
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By *bi HaiveMan
over a year ago
Forum Mod Cheeseville, Somerset |
"Hey all advice yet again if possible.
Got an interview coming up and was wondering if anyone has any good answers and reasons for
"What's your biggest weakness?"
Thanks in advance!"
Cake, haribos and that music video with Rihanna and Shakira writhing around on a bed together..... 
A |
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"Thanks for the advice.
Part of me thinks of saying my weakness is being shy (if that counts) but how im working on speaking up more and being more of a leader.
The job is a shared supervisor role so trying to think of things to say lol "
Shyness is as good as an example as any. So you’ll need to tell them, especially as it’s a supervisory role, how you overcome it in the workplace and even its plus points, can it make you more empathetic maybe ?
Have you been given the questions in advance or has someone told you what they were asked ?
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By *vd1987 OP Man
over a year ago
Manchester |
"
Shyness is as good as an example as any. So you’ll need to tell them, especially as it’s a supervisory role, how you overcome it in the workplace and even its plus points, can it make you more empathetic maybe ?
Have you been given the questions in advance or has someone told you what they were asked ?
"
I've not been given the questions just more guessing. I've got alot of answers worked out (I've done my bosses work before and been the only 1 in out of a team of 10 when they were sick so I feel I got the worth ethic, dependable and organisation skills down lol)
It's more the not knowing the weakness question. (Obviously I have weakness but thinking of a good one for an interview lol) |
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"
Shyness is as good as an example as any. So you’ll need to tell them, especially as it’s a supervisory role, how you overcome it in the workplace and even its plus points, can it make you more empathetic maybe ?
Have you been given the questions in advance or has someone told you what they were asked ?
I've not been given the questions just more guessing. I've got alot of answers worked out (I've done my bosses work before and been the only 1 in out of a team of 10 when they were sick so I feel I got the worth ethic, dependable and organisation skills down lol)
It's more the not knowing the weakness question. (Obviously I have weakness but thinking of a good one for an interview lol)"
Good luck and go with it, hope it works out. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Firstly, congratulations on the interview. I tend to advise people you use something that is universally relatable,such as "Public speaking". Talk about nerves and fight or flight when faced with this situation and how you are working to become more confident at this. End with the point that the supervisor role will give ample opportunity to work on this weakness as team talks, town halls etc will be BAU for your new responsibilities.
Good luck . |
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"Hey all advice yet again if possible.
Got an interview coming up and was wondering if anyone has any good answers and reasons for
"What's your biggest weakness?"
Thanks in advance!"
Lack of self awareness? But I'm working on it. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Firstly, congratulations on the interview. I tend to advise people you use something that is universally relatable,such as "Public speaking". Talk about nerves and fight or flight when faced with this situation and how you are working to become more confident at this. End with the point that the supervisor role will give ample opportunity to work on this weakness as team talks, town halls etc will be BAU for your new responsibilities.
Good luck ."
This is a great answer |
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By *mma29Couple
over a year ago
wirral |
If you're going to say you can be a bit shy sometimes follow it up with something youve done to overcome this, like I can be a bit shy and upon recognising this I made an effort to take on some customer facing roles or I joined a team to improve in this area, something like that |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Hey all advice yet again if possible.
Got an interview coming up and was wondering if anyone has any good answers and reasons for
"What's your biggest weakness?"
Thanks in advance!"
I've literally just had a job interview and this was the final question I was asked.
My response was that I am too nice - and sometimes that means I'm not good a having boundaries. I explained that I realised this as a big weakness, and was working on things to ensure I know when to make boundaries, and when to signpost people elsewhere for what they need rather than trying to help the world single handedly, and stop myself feeling guilty for letting people down when it wasn't my responsibility in the first place. I got offered the job, and am currently working my notice in my old job! Good luck for your interview
Mrs |
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By *vd1987 OP Man
over a year ago
Manchester |
To be honest I'm thinking of going with
"I'm confident in my work but I tend to sell myself short and not give myself as much credit because I feel its more about team work than an individual"
As my biggest weakness |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Hey all advice yet again if possible.
Got an interview coming up and was wondering if anyone has any good answers and reasons for
"What's your biggest weakness?"
Thanks in advance!"
To always be better at your job? Better saying that than “leaving jobs” |
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"To be honest I'm thinking of going with
"I'm confident in my work but I tend to sell myself short and not give myself as much credit because I feel its more about team work than an individual"
As my biggest weakness"
Firstly congrats on the interview and good luck for Monday!
Personally I feel saying your confident in your work but sell yourself short and don’t give yourself enough credit could come across as though you’re either not confident in your own ability and would rather tail the team or that you are resentful that you have to share recognition with a team.
I think your first thought about using shyness is perfect, because you can give specific examples of what you’ve done or achieved that demonstrate you are overcoming your shyness in both your current role and when you’ve covered your manager’s role. D x |
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By *vd1987 OP Man
over a year ago
Manchester |
Well interview has been delayed till tomorrow.
Have since found out some of my colleagues are definitely trying to get a heads up... one even asked the boss doing the interview what will the questions be |
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Biggest weakness - big tits and jaffa cakes… im forever shagging people I work with … often on company premises during work hours… it’s a real weakness but to be fair ive got better because the last bird i shagged was quite flat chested - so that’s growth isnt it?? When do I start?  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Well interview has been delayed till tomorrow.
Have since found out some of my colleagues are definitely trying to get a heads up... one even asked the boss doing the interview what will the questions be"
Having just taken some interviews myself on Friday and been disappointed by some candidates who on the face of it were really good but gave bad interviews may I suggest the following.
Pay close attention to the wording of the question and make sure your answers are relevant to that I.E. tailor you answer to the question, don’t try and force your prepared example to the fit the question.
Keep answers to the point, don’t ramble to get force the interview to keep you on track.
Remember the STAR technique when describing examples
Situation - set up the scene for what you’re describing
Task/Actions - tell the interviewer what you did to bring about a good result
Result - what was the outcome, what did you learn about it/yourself
Sending good vibes for you |
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It depends on the role you are going for.. try and find something that’s not directly applicable for the role. So it’s less relevant if a weakness.
I always fall back on public speaking at a large event. it’s something most people don’t like and I phrase it along the lines “in the roles I have had previously it’s not something I have had to do often, which is why it’s not a skill I have fully developed. i do attempt to overcome the weakness with rehearsals of the presentation, and I make sure I know as much as I can about the subject matter” |
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I tend to take some stories about myself that cover a multitude if the standard questions. Try not to use the same one more than twice!
If you need a moment to think about an answer to a question use "active listening" essentially speak the question back to them
Example" Tell me about a time ypu showed leadership"
Active listening " Hmm, a time i showed leadership, well I have this story about me..."
Good luck.
Also make sure you have questions for them too! One I like is "where do you (interviewer) see the role in 5 years"
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Interviewer: 'So what do you think is your biggest weakness?'
Me: 'I am sometimes too honest for my own good.'
Interviewer: 'I don't necessarily think being honest is a weakness.'
Me: 'I don't give a fuck what you think.' |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I all. I got the job. Can't believe it really with the way it happened but I got it.
Thank you all for the advice and messages"
That’s awesome ! So stoked for you but from your questions on here, it’s clear you did your homework and were looking to go into it well prepared.
So happy it paid off for you |
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"I all. I got the job. Can't believe it really with the way it happened but I got it.
Thank you all for the advice and messages"
Congratulations!! Am intrigued by what you mean by the way it happened though OP? |
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By *vd1987 OP Man
over a year ago
Manchester |
Well there were 2 posts going and 5 applying (one was a dead cert to get the job as they are related to the manager and really close but in fairness they are REALLY GOOD at the job)
Well I got the other job and turns out the teachers pet didn't get the second job someone nobody likes got it lol.
The teachers pet knows bout more bout the job than I do (they been there longer) so it's gonna be awkward when I will have to ask them questions on how to do things but technically I will be their superior
|
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"Well there were 2 posts going and 5 applying (one was a dead cert to get the job as they are related to the manager and really close but in fairness they are REALLY GOOD at the job)
Well I got the other job and turns out the teachers pet didn't get the second job someone nobody likes got it lol.
The teachers pet knows bout more bout the job than I do (they been there longer) so it's gonna be awkward when I will have to ask them questions on how to do things but technically I will be their superior
"
Not sure "superior" perhaps their senior or manager. That aside congrats on your new job op. New chapter. Hope it goes well. |
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"Well there were 2 posts going and 5 applying (one was a dead cert to get the job as they are related to the manager and really close but in fairness they are REALLY GOOD at the job)
Well I got the other job and turns out the teachers pet didn't get the second job someone nobody likes got it lol.
The teachers pet knows bout more bout the job than I do (they been there longer) so it's gonna be awkward when I will have to ask them questions on how to do things but technically I will be their superior
"
Absolutely love this because firstly is shows they’ve followed a fair process and secondly you have clearly shown and demonstrated more potential that the perceived favourite! Good luck in your new role OP  |
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By *vd1987 OP Man
over a year ago
Manchester |
"
Absolutely love this because firstly is shows they’ve followed a fair process and secondly you have clearly shown and demonstrated more potential that the perceived favourite! Good luck in your new role OP "
Thank you |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Well there were 2 posts going and 5 applying (one was a dead cert to get the job as they are related to the manager and really close but in fairness they are REALLY GOOD at the job)
Well I got the other job and turns out the teachers pet didn't get the second job someone nobody likes got it lol.
The teachers pet knows bout more bout the job than I do (they been there longer) so it's gonna be awkward when I will have to ask them questions on how to do things but technically I will be their superior
"
Congrats on getting the job!
Mrs |
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""What's your biggest weakness?"
Thanks in advance!"
Personally I hate that question and I've never accepted a role at a company that asked it. What is this, HR for dummies? I had a rant at one HR oink who wanted to ask it at an interview they offered to 'help me' with. I said that they should think of some questions that were relevant to the role I was trying to fill.
People generally have characters, in some situations a character trait might be a weakness, but in other situations the same trait can be a strength. I want a blended team, not a bunch of clones!
The next thing, they wanted to see the questions I was going to ask, and according to their thinking, I should ask the same questions to each candidate, and score them. But that doesn't work. How the
candidate answers the first question will decide what follow on question I ask. HR people, they should be exposed at birth |
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