Job interview question advice requested

[ladypanther]

I am interviewing Thur afternoon. I have a pretty good job with a state agency...there is a job with a sister state agency that I think would be even better (It is in staff development).

So...everyone has been to interview 101. They always ask....1)What are your strengths? 2) What are your weaknesses, things you need to work on , etc.

I have question #1 nailed. Question #2 is tricky. You have to give them something...but do not want to give them something that hurts your chances.

As you would guess, I have no weaknesses. (Besides the fact that a long time ago I did not chose a career path that would have been more profitable.)

So, looking for some suggestions....make me humble and someone they cannot live without.

[lightsout]

Mention the giant mole on your lower back that gets confused for a birth mark that looks like David Schwimmer. May not have much meaning for the job, but it will at least be a good story.

[dimbee]

Those questions are garbage and the interviewer learns absolute ZERO from those questions. I would ask for the real interview questions. Then say, "I'm going to make the role better and more efficient. Ask me how I plan to do that."

I know you can't do that, of course.

So, I would say something like my colleagues often like to stop by and chat with me, so I need to get better at explaining that I need to be applying myself to whatever task is at hand and I will chat with them after work.

They'll lap that poo up like milk.

[Ja Rhule]

tell em you are a perfectionist. Its a great weakness to have. No joke.

[ladypanther]

Mention the giant mole on your lower back that gets confused for a birth mark that looks like David Schwimmer.

Who told you about that????????

Did I mention that I would like serious responses??

[lightsout]

Who told you about that????????

Did I mention that I would like serious responses??

Haha, sorry. The above 2 responses are actually pretty sound. I was typing something similar to the second one, but couldn't figure out how to word to where you took it seriously, so a joke was better suited.

[dimbee]

I tried...

[charlotte49er]

I always used to tell them that I have to learn how to manage my work time and personal time better. that I can spend too much time at work and not enough time at home with family and friends. (I never used to take all my vacation time.)

That I need to spend more "Me Time" to avoid burnout.

I don't know if they liked that response or not, but it was the truth.

[dimbee]

They didn't. But probably appreciated your honesty.

[Squirrel]

Once I eat one I cant stop.

[dimbee]

Once I eat one I cant stop.

And you close threads for thread-derailing spam pictures.

Just sayin

[Squirrel]

I was actually had a point. Just be yourself in the interview and dont get wrapped up in the questions. I did 8 interviews in the past 11 months they asked all the same questions. It wasnt about your answers but how you got along with the interviewer. Be interested in the job, know what it is and just be yourself.

Just say you have weakness but you try to improve on them everyday to improve yourself. Dont say you dont have one or try to turn the question from a negative to a positive.

[charlotte49er]

I had an interview when I was in college for Hughes Aircraft. It was scheduled for 20 minutes. We got talking about RC airplanes and it lasted over an hour! I got an offer from them, but turned it down for IBM. They came back and offered me more money! I told this to IBM and they offered me more money! I ended up going to work for IBM for 15 years.

I was the highest paid grad of Indiana State in 1979 for 2 months. Then Larry Bird signed with the Celtics for $600,000 and blew me out of the water!

About the only adive I can really give you, is to do your homework on the position and company. Since it's the State agency, Just go on-line and make sure you can ask some questions about the position and office.

Exp: Are you replacing anyone? A) Are they still working at the posiiton? or is it now vacant.If you are replacing someone, it he/she being promoted? Let go? (Can make a hostile workplace if you are replacing someone that is being let go.)

If it's a new position, is it likley to go away if they lose state funding?

[boo7382]

tell em you are a perfectionist. Its a great weakness to have. No joke.

Do NOT do this. Seriously. Do not do that. That may have worked 10 years ago but in this day and age with this job economy, that is such a bad answer. Sounds like something Michael Scott would say.

They are asking you this to see whether or not you can admit your weaknesses and show them your ability to overcome.

This is normally what I say (unfortunately I have had A LOT of interviews this year):

Figure out something you are not good at, or it could just be a lie, like say, letting people do your work for you, or helping other co workers who don't know how to do their job. Tell them that was a big weakness for you but you have recently been working on it and have learned to be patient with co workers who don't know how to do their job. Or, for the other one say, you have relaxed and become more comfortable with trusting others to do your work correctly.

Doesnt have to be either one of those but just pick something that isnt horribly bad and make sure you let them know you have made an effort to change and better yourself.

You don't have to go with my suggestion, but do NOT say you are a perfectionist. They will call bullpoo on the spot.