Difficult Interview QuestionI have been to many interviews, but I still am unsure how to answer the standard question: "What are some of your weaknesses?" or "What are some criticisms people have of you?". Any suggestions? Find a "weakness" that really isn' t one, from their perspective. Example: "I tend to take work home with me on the weekends" or "Unfortunately, I' m really not very fluent in Mandarin Chinese." or "I have a difficult time passing up free pizza in the lunchroom." I'm by far no expert, but I think you should give a real weakness of yours, but one that isn't very relevant to the position, and one that you have worked to improve upon. I either answer public speaking or managing others. On public speaking, I've done alot of things in college to improve that, like volunteering to teach some financial seminars and being on a presentation team. I also had some experience with project management that helped me to improve in that area as well. I just get sick and tired of reading where people say, "Oh I'm a perfectionist" or "Well, I just can't say no to people"...etc. There is always going to be something that you aren't good at. I think it's good to tell a true weakness, because that shows you can analyze yourself. Also, it's good to show that you can take something you're not good at and work to make it better. "What are your weaknesses?" is a game question. Basically, the employer wants to know how you view yourself, whether you display confidence and control in the face of challenges, etc. If you claim you don' t have any weaknesses, you come across as arrogant, stupid, or nonhuman. Instead, mention a weakness that shows you' re a self-aware non-robot...but make sure that particular "weakness" isn' t too relevant to the job you' re seeking. In other words, if you' re trying to get hired by an accounting firm, it' s self-sabotage to say that you' re no good with numbers. Better to say, "Sometimes I can' t resist taking work home with me on the weekend." I recently went to an interview and got a few curve balls questions. Although I feel I did ok (cause I got an offer), it would be great to hear some opinions.
1. Why should we hire you but not other candidates? 2. (Similar to OP' s question) - What do you want to improve on? Or you feel you should improve on? - For this question, should we stick to professional related things? I answered I would like to get in better shape and improve on my time management skills. The interviewed laughed at my first response. 3. If you win a 100 million dollars tomorrow, what would you do? I was asked question number one some months ago. Honestly, I have absolutely no idea how that question SHOULD be answered. By the time the interviewer asked me that one it was already about 15 minutes into the interview and I knew that the position wouldn' t be the right one for me so I channeled my usual non-interview smart self and said "Because I have more skills and am substantially better qualified than anybody else you could possibly interview much less hire and so am obviously better". The interview ended soon after. Strange part is that two days later he called and stated that after much due consideration, he would like me to start work for him the following Monday. I am professional and efficient, punctual and considerate, smiling and nice to everyone and I get squat. I am rude and a total smart-as$ and I get an offer. I had to laugh at that answer. It' s actually good to see that there are people out there who are not afraid to give honest and smart*** answers to interview questions.
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