Interview Question: What Are Your Weaknesses?
29 January 2003, 11:03 AM
#1
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My wife's having an interview for a cracking new job this afternoon and is thinking that this question is bound to come up. Obviously, I think she's perfect 
:barf: 
so can't help with any answers! So, looking for some suggestions!
Constructive ones please - no ripping the p!ss!! Yes, I mean you Neil!
[Edited by V5 - 1/29/2003 11:04:21 AM]
:barf: so can't help with any answers! So, looking for some suggestions!Constructive ones please - no ripping the p!ss!! Yes, I mean you Neil!
[Edited by V5 - 1/29/2003 11:04:21 AM]
29 January 2003, 11:28 AM
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Ones that go down well are:
"I can be quite demanding, and I really find it hard to cope with a team member who won't put the same amount of effort in as myself. It can be extremely frustrating when you have someone who just doesn't seem to try. I can't abide laziness, and sometimes I suppose this shows through."
-or-
"At times I take on too much work; I know I should from time to time refuse to get involved and tell other people that I don't have time to help, but when you know the job won't otherwise get done properly, it's difficult."
-or-
"I've had to work with a colleague for the part xxx months who constantly complains. They're entitled to their view, and I accept that not everyone can have the same level of motivation, but I find I have to bite my tongue from time to time, and find a reason to end the conversation."
They've all worked for me, mainly because they're true.
bros
"I can be quite demanding, and I really find it hard to cope with a team member who won't put the same amount of effort in as myself. It can be extremely frustrating when you have someone who just doesn't seem to try. I can't abide laziness, and sometimes I suppose this shows through."
-or-
"At times I take on too much work; I know I should from time to time refuse to get involved and tell other people that I don't have time to help, but when you know the job won't otherwise get done properly, it's difficult."
-or-
"I've had to work with a colleague for the part xxx months who constantly complains. They're entitled to their view, and I accept that not everyone can have the same level of motivation, but I find I have to bite my tongue from time to time, and find a reason to end the conversation."
They've all worked for me, mainly because they're true.
bros
29 January 2003, 11:32 AM
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Cheers Bros, they're gooduns, esp the 2nd one. (Much better than my "Errrr....don't think I've got any" as a callow yoof I honestly can't remember which interview that was in....but prolly one of the ones I didn't get! )
I honestly can't remember which interview that was in....but prolly one of the ones I didn't get! )
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29 January 2003, 12:17 PM
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You should never admit to weaknesses,but politely.I would answer...
"Well i try to concentrate on my strengths,i think thats the best approach"..or something like that.
They dont really want to know your weaknesses,and even if they do its up to them to find out for themselves,they just want to see how you react to the question.
Fingers crossed that it's a job getting omen! 
29 January 2003, 12:49 PM
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Good thread this.
Hopefully doing a few interviews myself soon.
Can anyone give suggestions as to what to say on these questions?
(1). What sort of things put you under pressure? Give me an example and tell me how you cope.
(2). What would your colleagues say about you?
I can't stand it when they ask (2).
Damian.
Hopefully doing a few interviews myself soon.
Can anyone give suggestions as to what to say on these questions?
(1). What sort of things put you under pressure? Give me an example and tell me how you cope.
(2). What would your colleagues say about you?
I can't stand it when they ask (2).
Damian.
29 January 2003, 12:59 PM
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Well I'm conducting interviews myself (the interviewer) for some qualified finance posts..
There is no way I would ask that question... its a sign of a poor interviewor.. I mean if I was asked that question I'd be asking them if they wanted a text book answer or a real answer.. at that point I'd probably be asked to leave the interview
I would however ask such a question in an indirect way by saying something like
''I I asked one of your peers what they thought of you what do you think they woud say'' thats a total open ended question and is like '' tell me a story..
Can certainly un-nerve the idiots...
I really think that for most jobs its my chance to find out if you fit in. If I dont think I can then theres no way they are getting the job no matter how good they, or their experiences are
Most people can do the job..... its personality that counts... in finance its a real benefit.. most are a bunch of sad and serious wan*ers
There is no way I would ask that question... its a sign of a poor interviewor.. I mean if I was asked that question I'd be asking them if they wanted a text book answer or a real answer.. at that point I'd probably be asked to leave the interview
I would however ask such a question in an indirect way by saying something like
''I I asked one of your peers what they thought of you what do you think they woud say'' thats a total open ended question and is like '' tell me a story..
Can certainly un-nerve the idiots...
I really think that for most jobs its my chance to find out if you fit in. If I dont think I can then theres no way they are getting the job no matter how good they, or their experiences are
Most people can do the job..... its personality that counts... in finance its a real benefit.. most are a bunch of sad and serious wan*ers
29 January 2003, 01:06 PM
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LOL @ paulr
As for the question.."what would your colleagues say about you"..i'd answer...
"Well i'd hope they say i'm easy to work with,hardworking and good at my job,at least thats what i'd hope they say" (then smile
)
29 January 2003, 01:12 PM
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I really think that for most jobs its my chance to find out if you fit in. If I dont think I can then theres no way they are getting the job no matter how good they, or their experiences are
Thats why when i'm asked what my weaknesses are i never admit to any.
You could say "i thought you might ask that" and get a list out of your pocket
.....
29 January 2003, 01:33 PM
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...
I thought it was mostly IT bods on here
If I saw that they were really into cars, that might give them the upper hand. That said would they get any work done!.. if they were constantly on this site
I thought it was mostly IT bods on here
If I saw that they were really into cars, that might give them the upper hand. That said would they get any work done!.. if they were constantly on this site
29 January 2003, 01:37 PM
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I'd die if an interviewer began "I see from Scoobynet..."
Besides, I've tried to picture it and I just can't see you dying in that situation.
[Edited by TurboKitty - 1/29/2003 1:41:12 PM]
29 January 2003, 01:44 PM
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I'm not an I.T. bod. I just have time to browse Scoobynet as I am awaiting notification of redundancy.
For my sins I am in Finance and I am ACMA qualified.
p.s. Quite good being a Financial Controller in 2003 when manufacturing for the factory finished in November 2002??? It gets extremely boring though. The group just does not seem to want to let me go.
Damian.
For my sins I am in Finance and I am ACMA qualified.
p.s. Quite good being a Financial Controller in 2003 when manufacturing for the factory finished in November 2002??? It gets extremely boring though. The group just does not seem to want to let me go.
Damian.
29 January 2003, 02:00 PM
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I'm looking for Qualified accountants in West London and the USA. ACA/ACCA/CIMA....
I was made redundant and re-employed the same day by the same company..they paid me a bonus instead.. long story and wont go into it
However the department is within audit.. so most would find it fairly dull and it involves a lot of travel.. That said I've got loads of cv's in... mostly crap though
I was made redundant and re-employed the same day by the same company..they paid me a bonus instead.. long story and wont go into it
However the department is within audit.. so most would find it fairly dull and it involves a lot of travel.. That said I've got loads of cv's in... mostly crap though
29 January 2003, 02:50 PM
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Steve,
I started my Finance career in Audit/Practice and quickly got put off by being paid for absolutely busting my ***** to do a job, get paid ~ £2 an hour and get charged out at ~ £10 an hour.
Having moved into more Management Accounting I find it more interesting than ticking the boxes. Although I'm sure Auditors would find my job boring because I am always dealing with the same business.
I don't like travelling a lot as I believe a CCAB qualified person's time is wasted while travelling as it is very difficult to get anything done.
p.s. Steve, you don't work for one of the big 6..5..4 I can't keep up with it! do you as they always seem to be shedding staff like it's going out of fashion.
Damian.
I started my Finance career in Audit/Practice and quickly got put off by being paid for absolutely busting my ***** to do a job, get paid ~ £2 an hour and get charged out at ~ £10 an hour.
Having moved into more Management Accounting I find it more interesting than ticking the boxes. Although I'm sure Auditors would find my job boring because I am always dealing with the same business.
I don't like travelling a lot as I believe a CCAB qualified person's time is wasted while travelling as it is very difficult to get anything done.
p.s. Steve, you don't work for one of the big 6..5..4 I can't keep up with it! do you as they always seem to be shedding staff like it's going out of fashion.
Damian.
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