Interviewing: ??

[totalburnout]

When you interview and are asked the inevitable question of three strengths and three weaknesses of your personality, what is your answer?

Strengths:
Sociable
Outgoing
Driven


Weaknesses;
Perfectionist
??
??

 

[posol]

stand up, shake hands, and thank them for their time.

if I haven't expressed my personality to them enough for them to have to ask, they are going to be a pain in the ass to work for, and i'm not wasting my time with the rest of the interview.

my last interview, i was introduced to what the comapny was/what they did, and what the position entails. following that were a couple of tech questions about what i would do in X situation. From those, it spawned into more of a casual conversation about 'the life of web developers'. I had an offer within 24 hours and took the job.

 

[E_SolSi]

my biggest weakness is that i am no good at masturbating with my left hand

 

[BigJ]

Turn your weaknesses into strengths.

Like.... I try so hard I have little patience for people that do not push themselves like I do myself.
....

etc.

 

[jamesA]

my biggest weakness is that i am no good at masturbating with my left hand

I'm that way with my right hand...

 

[B16]

stand up, shake hands, and thank them for their time.

if I haven't expressed my personality to them enough for them to have to ask, they are going to be a pain in the ass to work for, and i'm not wasting my time with the rest of the interview.

my last interview, i was introduced to what the comapny was/what they did, and what the position entails. following that were a couple of tech questions about what i would do in X situation. From those, it spawned into more of a casual conversation about 'the life of web developers'. I had an offer within 24 hours and took the job.

+1

 

[phunky.buddha]

If you're interviewing well, then you shouldn't be asked those questions- but if those questions are on the normal interview list, then turn your weaknesses into strengths. I know that I normally don't ask those questions of people if I'm actually thinking of hiring them, but that's me.

 

[Celerity]

Bullshit. You're interviewing fine.

So many companies have to go through this because of HR Policy, if they are caught not using a script and giving everyone a fair shot, they are really put in hot water.

I get asked this all the time. Slammed has it right - Phrase your weaknesses as a good thing.

"I project my dedication onto others, and the small things I deliver I may not be able to get from others"
"I rely on my team without second thought, and sometimes get caught holding the ball"
and if they are in a good mood, I'll throw something stupid-funny in.. not too intimidating. like "I drink too much coffee"

The things you're good at - answer them quickly and confidently. You can't say "uh ... i uh... ummm... I'm confident?" Instead get used to them in front of the mirror: "I can adapt to new situations, I understand fully what a team is, and I have no qualms assisting those around me and sharing my experience"

Don't parrot any word on your resume. Fresh fresh fresh.

 

[Celerity]

And lately I've been seeing a lot of "I'm too good to be interviewed like that" and that's complete horseshit. Cut it out.

"I'm too perfect to have to ask for dates" "I always get what I want" "I am so good at what I do that I don't even have to try"


You all drive Hondas for gods sake. Like we won the fucking lotto or something.

 

[BigJ]

Sounds like someone does a bit of HR.



I'm lucky. My step sister majored in it at the University of Washington and is a HR broker. Like she runs a team that does the hiring and firing for 70 different companies on the east side(rich washington). She used to be the team head at Seatac as well, so we got free shit all the time if we saw her there when were at the airport.

 

[posol]

because of HR Policy,

and with it, comes corporate bullshit.

unless you're homeless, or about to be, i still stand firm in passing it up because it will be a hellhole of a job.

 

[phunky.buddha]

Always answer the questions, and never burn bridges- even in an interview.

And like I said- -I- don't ask that question unless I'm running out and have to prod a candidate to speak... but some companies mandate it as a standard interview question.

 

[801CRX]

stand up, shake hands, and thank them for their time.

if I haven't expressed my personality to them enough for them to have to ask, they are going to be a pain in the ass to work for, and i'm not wasting my time with the rest of the interview.

my last interview, i was introduced to what the comapny was/what they did, and what the position entails. following that were a couple of tech questions about what i would do in X situation. From those, it spawned into more of a casual conversation about 'the life of web developers'. I had an offer within 24 hours and took the job.

Hahahahaha, yes i like it

 

[Celerity]

No, I'm not in HR. I hate HR, but "Know your Enemy"

 

[TurboMirage]

i was never formally interviewed for any of my tech positions.

 

[get_nick]

use the words, "I"/"me" as little as possible. they don't really care about you, just about what you can do for them.

and about the weakness thing, don't be cliche'd with what you say. DO NOT SAY YOU ARE A PERFECTIONIST. Its bullshit and everybody says it. they might interview 80 people for a job and 75 will say the same thing. come up with something original, and definitely turn it into a positive. or say something about something you can't control.

examples:
I came from a "such and such" background and i've had to work at adapting to the culture of this industry. but i've overcome that and i'm happy to be able to succeed.
Also, consider using a weakness that isnt' job related. i.e. "i spend a lot of time working at home so it causes an imbalance in my life. but me and my girlfriend are working on it"

and don't bullshit, the interviewer will see right through it.

 

[Celerity]

i was never formally interviewed for any of my tech positions.

Kinda figured