When I asked my coaching candidates and the participants in my workshops which question they believed was the most difficult to answer, the overwhelming response was the weakness question. Four successful strategies for answering this “killer” question are fully explained in my new book, Much of What You Know about Job Search Just Ain’t So. You can read the Introduction and Chapter One free of charge at Booklocker.com or Barnes and Noble (bn.com). Just insert title of book. (B. J. Rakow)

One of the secrets to answering this question is being honest about a weakness, but at the same time, demonstrating how you have turned it into a strength. For example, if you had a problem organizing your work in the past, demonstrate the steps you took to more effectively keep yourself on track. This will show that you have the ability to recognize aspects of yourself that need improvement, and the initiative to improve.

Do not say, “I don’t have any weaknesses,” or “I am a bit of a perfectionist.” Those answers will turn off interviewers. They know the first is probably untrue and the second is impossible. Being a little bit of a perfectionist is like being a little bit of a liar. Better to use a weakness that is really something you are trying to learn like a foreign language or a new software program. Make sure that any weakness you talk about is not a key element of the position.
Read more at InterviewDoctor.wordpress.com and learn what interviewers hate about candidates.

When I asked my coaching candidates and the participants in my workshops which question they believed was the most difficult to answer, the overwhelming response was the weakness question. Four successful strategies for answering this “killer” question are fully explained in my new book, Much of What You Know about Job Search Just Ain’t So. You can read the Introduction and Chapter One free of charge at Booklocker.com or Barnes and Noble (bn.com). Just insert title of book. (B. J. Rakow)

One of the secrets to answering this question is being honest about a weakness, but at the same time, demonstrating how you have turned it into a strength. For example, if you had a problem organizing your work in the past, demonstrate the steps you took to more effectively keep yourself on track. This will show that you have the ability to recognize aspects of yourself that need improvement, and the initiative to improve.

Do not say, “I don’t have any weaknesses,” or “I am a bit of a perfectionist.” Those answers will turn off interviewers. They know the first is probably untrue and the second is impossible. Being a little bit of a perfectionist is like being a little bit of a liar. Better to use a weakness that is really something you are trying to learn like a foreign language or a new software program. Make sure that any weakness you talk about is not a key element of the position.
Read more at InterviewDoctor.wordpress.com and learn what interviewers hate about candidates.