Like the previous question, this one is quite direct and has little hidden meaning. This question allows you to focus on the credentials you have that are most important to doing well in the position you are seeking. Your response should emphasize your key adaptive or self-management skills. The decision to hire you is largely based on these skills; you can deal with the details of your specific job-related skills later. Remember that here, as elsewhere, your response must be brief and direct.
Sample Answer
This response is from a person who has little prior work experience related to the job he now seeks:
"One of my major strengths is my ability to work hard toward a goal. Once I make a decision to accomplish something, it gets done and done well. For example, I graduated from high school four years ago. Many of my friends started working, and others went on to school. At the time I didn't know what I wanted to do, so furthering my education at that point did not make sense. The jobs I could get at the time didn't excite me either, so I looked into joining the Navy. I took the test and discovered a few things about myself that surprised me. For one thing, I was much better at understanding complex problems than my grades in high school would suggest. I signed up for a three-year hitch that included intensive training in electronics. I worked hard and graduated in the top 20 percent of my class. I was then assigned to monitor, diagnose, and repair an advanced electronics system that was worth about 20 million dollars. I was promoted several times to the position of Petty Officer and received an honorable discharge after my tour of duty. I now know what I want to do and am prepared to spend extra time learning whatever is needed to do well here."
Once you begin speaking about one of your strengths, the rest of your response often falls into place naturally, as this sample response illustrates. Remember to provide some proof of your skills, as this response did when citing results of Navy entrance testing and repeated advancement in a highly responsible position. These specifics about your skills can make a difference.
Question #4: "What Are Your Major Weaknesses?"
You must be prepared to answer this trick question. If you answer the question as it is asked, you could easily damage your chances of getting the job. By trying to throw you off guard, the employer can see how you might react in similar tough situations on the job. I have often asked this question to groups of job seekers, and I usually get one of two types of responses. The first response goes like this:
"I really don't have any major weaknesses."
That response is untrue and evasive. The other type of response I usually get is an honest one like this:
"Well, I am really disorganized. I suppose I should do better at that, but my life has just been too hectic, what with the bankruptcy and embezzlement charges and all."
Although this type of response might get an A for honesty, it gets an F for interview technique.
What's needed here is an honest, undamaging response followed by a brief, positive presentation to counter the negative. The best approach is to present a weakness in a way that does not harm-and could help-your ability to do a good job. Here are some examples:
Sample Answer #1
"Well, I have been accused by coworkers of being too involved
in my work. I usually come in a little early to organize my day
and stay late to get a project done on time."
Sample Answer #2
"I need to learn to be more patient. I often do things myself
just because I know I can do them faster and better than
someone else. This trait has not let me be as good at delegating
tasks as I want to be. But I am working on it. I'm now
spending more time showing others how to do the things I
want done and that has helped. They often do better than I
expect because I am clear about explaining what I want and
how I want it done."
These responses could both be expanded with the Prove-It Technique, but they successfully use the Three-Step Process in answering a problem question, as outlined in chapter 1. In both cases, the answers responded to the question as it was asked, but they did so in a way that presented the weakness as a positive.