It's Not About You Book
  • Book
  • About Rodger
  • Blog

It's Not About you

How to think like an employer and get the job you really want

How to answer "What's your greatest weakness?"

10/3/2016

4 Comments

 
Picture
In my opinion, this is a really dumb question, because I’m not really sure what employers expect as an answer. “Hmm, my biggest weaknesses would have to be my exceptionally low IQ and my penchant for kleptomania. Am I hired?"
 
Regardless, it’s still one of the most commonly asked questions in interviews. There’s never a really good answer to a dumb question like this one, so I would try and steer it back towards them and turn it into an advantage for you. I’d start by answering their question with something fairly innocuous like:
 
“I’d like to have more knowledge about X.” That shows that you have some self-awareness about a perceived weaknesses, but it also doesn’t really tell them very much. Also, by saying you’d like more knowledge in a certain area (that hopefully isn’t a core need for the position you’re interviewing for) your interviewers aren’t aware of how much knowledge you have already – maybe you have more than them, but you’re striving to be an expert, who knows? Anyhow, wanting more knowledge is always a good answer because you can always go and learn about that thing you’d like to have more knowledge about, therefore mitigating your weakness. But after you’ve answered their question, here's how to really turn it back on them for your advantage. Ask them this:

“What would you say is your company’s greatest weakness or challenge?”
 
This is a great question to ask because it will get them thinking about how they can best respond, honestly, without making their company seem less appealing to you. You’re also flipping the power dynamic in the interview. By asking this question you'll be more in control and this will put them on the defensive a little. However, instead of just using the word 'weakness' I’d try and soften this question by throwing in the word ‘challenge’ too, because weakness is such a pessimistic word you don’t want to put them too much on the defensive, nor do you want to come off as an arrogant jerk. 

This may feel like a real risk asking a question like this, and that's precisely why many candidates don't ever ask it - because they're too scared to. But it's an awesome question to ask because it demonstrates that you're really interested in their company - and when it comes to interviewing, being interested is much better than being interesting.
4 Comments
Joan
8/16/2016 04:33:35 pm

Interesting dynamic - and I'm sure it always works - nicely done!!!

Reply
Rodger
8/16/2016 04:49:29 pm

Thanks for your comments Joan. It does create an interesting dynamic and you'd be surprised how willing employers are to respond to questions about how they could improve their own businesses. Remember, as a job seeker, being interested is always better than being interesting.

Reply
Dawn link
8/28/2016 08:11:49 am

Hi Roger,

I share your opinion - the strengths and weaknesses question for me as an in-house recruiter has always been a "buy some time" question while I check through my notes - it doesn't naturally give a recruiter any real evidence, it's just the candidates opinion.

However I can confirm it still gets asked today and candidates must prepare before the interview.

Great article which I've shared on my social media!

Reply
Rodger link
9/5/2016 09:20:19 am

Thanks for your comment Dawn and for sharing on social media!

I appreciate you confirming how often this question still gets asked today, based on your expertise. Surprising how many people do not prepare to answer it properly.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Rodger Banister is an award winning copywriter and author of It's Not About You: How to think like an employer and get the job you really want.

    Picture
    View my profile on LinkedIn
    Picture



    Picture

    Archives

    August 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016

    Categories

    All

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Book
  • About Rodger
  • Blog