interview question tips

[capr]

Hey all, I am preparing for an interview and am looking at the standard question

"Tell me your greatest professional weakness"

Is it ok to say you don't know because you have never had a boss that gave you feedback? or because you haven't worked enough in a professional setting.

If I had to answer it I would say that I am very insecure about not knowing stuff. I end up giving ambiguous answers to hide my lack of knowledge.

Is that an acceptable answer? it's really honest.

[BoredBozirini]

Don't be humble. If they ask you that question, answer with a straight face: "None."

[laycat]

Don't be humble. If they ask you that question, answer with a straight face: "None."

Seriously? Answering with this only proves that you're either incapable or unwilling to self-evaluate, therefore you're unlikely to ever mitigate weakness and improve.

In reality, it doesn't matter what you say, insecurity about knowledge is acceptable, but it's how you present it that's important; you need to convey that you understand your weakness and have taken steps to deal with it. For example, a way to deal with insecurity about an answer of subject area is to perform additional research to add to your competencies and increase confidence on subject matter.

[what]

Hey all, I am preparing for an interview and am looking at the standard question

"Tell me your greatest professional weakness"

Is it ok to say you don't know because you have never had a boss that gave you feedback? or because you haven't worked enough in a professional setting.

If I had to answer it I would say that I am very insecure about not knowing stuff. I end up giving ambiguous answers to hide my lack of knowledge.

Is that an acceptable answer? it's really honest.

A better answer would be "I am very insecure if I find myself in a situation where I don't know about something. If this happens I make it a priority to learn about it when I get home. For example: blah blah blah". This shows you can identify your own weaknesses and that you're keen to learn, and examples are a good way of showing you aren't just telling them what they want to hear.

Literally any answer is better than "I have no weaknesses". That is utter bull**** because no one is perfect. If you can't identify your own flaws, you aren't going to improve without someone kicking you in the backside. No boss wants someone like that in their team.

[giantpotato]

Don't say anything negative without putting a positive spin on it.

[Farstrider]

What I would say when asked, is that everyone has weaknesses and that you are sure there are areas professionally that you need to work on but nothing that you can not overcome with hard work and job experience! If you get pressed further, i.e what are those weaknesses, pick one or two that are not critical to the job. Say something like, sometimes you can get a little too absorbed by tasks and can appear to be antisocial but when you finalize the work you get back to normal.

You know yourself better than I do, work a strategy with the person who is interviewing you. One technique used by people (going for the interview) is that they actually run the interview by manipulating the conversation in the direction they puts them in a positive light! Also get to know the company inside out and even find out and remember some names of senior people who work there.

Good luck.

[what]

What I would say when asked, is that everyone has weaknesses and that you are sure there are areas professionally that you need to work on but nothing that you can not overcome with hard work and job experience! If you get pressed further, i.e what are those weaknesses, pick one or two that are not critical to the job. Say something like, sometimes you can get a little too absorbed by tasks and can appear to be antisocial but when you finalize the work you get back to normal.

You know yourself better than I do, work a strategy with the person who is interviewing you. One technique used by people (going for the interview) is that they actually run the interview by manipulating the conversation in the direction they puts them in a positive light! Also get to know the company inside out and even find out and remember some names of senior people who work there.

Good luck.

I don't think being vague and not answering the question first time is a good idea. It doesn't inspire confidence if they have to ask extra questions to get the information they want out of you.

Being specific is always good, and making it relevant to the job is even better.