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Resume, Suggestions On How To Handle The "what's Your Greatest Weakness?" Question
by John Stronack
Interviews are about putting our best foot forward. Yet, why do interviewers come up with questions like that? (1) Because we are all humans and all have weaknesses; (2) because they want to put us to the test and see how we respond; and (3) because they want to know how we overcome difficulties.
A big part of the job application process is about “reading between the lines” and putting the emphasis at the right place. When a recruiter asks you what your weaknesses are, you can answer by stating your weaknesses or you can answer by “qualifying” your weaknesses. In other words, it’s all a matter of perspective.
Following are some suggestions: 1. Choose a weakness that does not go to the core competencies required for the position to which you are applying to (e.g. (1) If you are applying to become an analyst, don’t say that you are “disorganized.” (2) If you are applying to become a lawyer, don't hint that you have ethical issues or that you are a bad writer.).
2. Focus on how you have improved and mention the steps you have taken to change. This will show that you are pro-active.
3. Discuss how the job to which you are applying to will help you in building your skills set. Be careful here. Don't state it in a way that implies that you may become a burden. Instead, look forward to it as a "challenge." 4. Mention a valuable advice you received that is related to your weakness and elaborate on it.
5. See if there are “good sides” to your weakness (e.g. some strengths drawn to their extremes can become weaknesses, like being “too” perfectionist or “too” demanding — toned down, however, they are real strengths).
The basic idea is to make your weakness look like a “past” weakness or a “minor” weakness. By the way, the capacity to move forward and improve is actually a good thing.
About The Author: John Stronack is a writer for WorkBloom ( http://workbloom.com ), an online career resources website (Resume Tips, Cover Letter Tips, and Interview Tips).
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The information provided in this article is the express opinion of the author. Exchangenet is not responsible for the content!
Interviews are about putting our best foot forward. Yet, why do interviewers come up with questions like that? (1) Because we are all humans and all have weaknesses; (2) because they want to put us to the test and see how we respond; and (3) because they want to know how we overcome difficulties.
A big part of the job application process is about “reading between the lines” and putting the emphasis at the right place. When a recruiter asks you what your weaknesses are, you can answer by stating your weaknesses or you can answer by “qualifying” your weaknesses. In other words, it’s all a matter of perspective.
Following are some suggestions: 1. Choose a weakness that does not go to the core competencies required for the position to which you are applying to (e.g. (1) If you are applying to become an analyst, don’t say that you are “disorganized.” (2) If you are applying to become a lawyer, don't hint that you have ethical issues or that you are a bad writer.).
2. Focus on how you have improved and mention the steps you have taken to change. This will show that you are pro-active.
3. Discuss how the job to which you are applying to will help you in building your skills set. Be careful here. Don't state it in a way that implies that you may become a burden. Instead, look forward to it as a "challenge." 4. Mention a valuable advice you received that is related to your weakness and elaborate on it.
5. See if there are “good sides” to your weakness (e.g. some strengths drawn to their extremes can become weaknesses, like being “too” perfectionist or “too” demanding — toned down, however, they are real strengths).
The basic idea is to make your weakness look like a “past” weakness or a “minor” weakness. By the way, the capacity to move forward and improve is actually a good thing.
About The Author: John Stronack is a writer for WorkBloom ( http://workbloom.com ), an online career resources website (Resume Tips, Cover Letter Tips, and Interview Tips).
These articles on lifestyle and more
Reprint this article free of charge as long as you keep the author's resource box or bio intact and the links active. A copy of the ezine or URL of the page where the article was reprinted emailed to the author would be very much appreciated. resume
Return to the selection of resume
You may want to try these articles on resume
Resume, Resume- Your Ticket To An Interview by Madhurima Sil Approximately 862 Words
Resume, Finding Part-time Jobs by Shannon Columbo Approximately 1044 Words
Resume, I'm Begging You -- Don't Take This Job! by Thad Greer Approximately 960 Words
Resume, Remember: You're Hiring Them To Work For You, Not To Date You by Thad Greer Approximately 1154 Words
Resume, Red Flags Of Sales Recruiting: No Need To Take Action (don't Hire Them In The First Place!) by Thad Greer Approximately 1665 Words
Resume, Your Resume - What Employers Want To See by Thad Greer Approximately 815 Words
Resume, Cover Letter Writing And The Art Of Public Speech by John Stronack Approximately 363 Words
You may want to try these websites for additional information
http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Resumes/FastResume.asp
http://www.collegegrad.com/resumes/quickstart/agree.shtml
http://www.10minuteresume.com/
The information provided in this article is the express opinion of the author. Exchangenet is not responsible for the content!
