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[CaptainStrong]

Whats a good answer to the question...

What is your greatest fault / what is something you need to work on?


Obviously you cant say something BAD because that will hurt you. I really dont want to say I pay too much attention to detail, but that's all I can think of right now.

 

[NLB2]

How about you write "Instead of answering questions honestly, I go to internet message boards and ask people what I should write that would sound the best to the interviewer"?

 

[CaptainStrong]

I assume you would answer that question with something like this...

"I'm a sarcastic dickbag with very little patience for anyone who is not a full fledged member on GA Forums."

 

[Lazy]

Answer with a weakness thats unrelated to job you're applying for, and don't forget to turn it into a positive near the end of your reply.

i.e.
If you're asked "what's your greatest fault" for a programming position, answer with something like "I have trouble delegating -- I don't rely teammates as much as I should. Instead, I tend to complete tasks on my own. I'm working on this, however. For example, for last programming assignment, we were required to work in teams of two. At the start of the project I sat down with my partner and we decided who would do what. I kept in contact with my partner to make sure that both of us were on the same page and that we were getting closer and closer to our goals, but I had faith and trust in my partner, and everything worked out well."

Something like that.

The keen interviewer, however, will ask you "what do you feel you need to work on the most if you were to get this job."

Probably the best way to answer this is to be honest, as long as its not something absolutely necessary for the job. You can say something like "I'm a little shy in new environments. It's a weakness in that it might take me a week or two before I can make the type of contribution I know I'm capable of. So definitely I'm going to work on being more relaxed and comfortable right when I start work, if I were to get the job."

 

[Burger]

I hate wankers that ask that question. There is no answer to that, it's a stupid stupid question that is just asked for the sake of it, or to trip up the interviewee.

I wouldn't work for any douche that asked that.

 

[Boogie]

I hate wankers that ask that question. There is no answer to that, it's a stupid stupid question that is just asked for the sake of it, or to trip up the interviewee.

I Strongly Agree With This Post.


I dread the day when I have to attempt to join the workforce.

 

[Lazy]

I don't think it's a pointless question. It shows how much self-reflection you do. It asks: How humble are you? Can you admit weakness? What have you done to improve yourself?

An interview is a test of character, as well as test of skill. The interviewer WANTS to hire you (the sooner they find someone the easier their lives become), and they don't expect you to be perfect. Everyone has weaknesses and I think they want to see that you can admit that you're not perfect and that you've taken steps to improve yourself.

 

[Manabanana]

If they ask you that in person, say you need to work on answering that question. *interviewer laughs heartily* Then you answer the question. Man, they eat that shit up.

 

[BigJonsson]

Last time I was asked that in an interview for a promotion I said safety, cause we can never be too safe

 

[Celicar]

I've been going to a lot of interviews lately and I've been asked that question quite a few times. I just say I need to be more organized. Then I say I'm working on that by doing such and such. All lies of course.

 

[Dilbert]

You ought to answer it with the truth, and also address how you are working to improve it. Neither part of your answer should be "faked," since you ought to be working on improving your weaknesses REGARDLESS of hunting for a job.

The best way to screw up the answer to that question is to answer with a cliché or sound like you're gaming the interview.

 

[NLB2]

I assume you would answer that question with something like this...

"I'm a sarcastic dickbag with very little patience for anyone who is not a full fledged member on GA Forums."

Nope, didn't even notice you were a junior member. I just have very little patience for people who resort to cheating in order to get a job.

 

[Nerevar]

Nope, didn't even notice you were a junior member. I just have very little patience for people who resort to cheating in order to get a job.

What the hell? So asking for advice now qualifies as cheating?

 

[fart]

"i'm a total asshole, and i'm not too bright."

 

[Raxel]

.

 

[Wellington]

I actually have a foible that would be a good answer. I get seriously depressed if I'm not the best at whatever it is I'm doing at the job. Yesterday I got mired into some issues at work that I have not been able to dig my way out of yet, and though they do encourage teamwork, I refuse to ask for any help. I've been in this business for what, almost 5 months now, it is incredibly irritating and frustrating that I don't know everything. My boss tells me not to worry, that he doesn't know everything, and neither does his boss, but I don't give a fuck. Never in my life have I been so frustrated in a situation like this.

 

[Drey1082]

I always answer that one with....

"I would have to say one weakness that I'm working on is my neatness. I have a problem with my work area being messy, which I'm trying to work on. It doesn't affect my work, however, and I would say I'm very organized. For example, I am often writing notes and scheduling things in writing to keep myself on top of things. I have never had any problems with people or supervisors from other jobs about neatness, and no one has ever had a problem with my work, but it is something that i'm aware of, and am working on."

I have a job, so it can't be a horrible answer.

 

[levious]

I have to admit it: I'm a bit of a perfectionist. For me, it's the best or nothing at all. If things go badly, I can't be bothered, but I have a good feeling about this interview. Seems to me like it's gone pretty well. We've touched on a lot of subjects, a lot of things to think about, for all of us.

 

[NLB2]

What the hell? So asking for advice now qualifies as cheating?

Yeah, when its a question so personal that only an individual can answer it for himself, going to a message board asking people what answer would help him get the job is cheating.

 

[Dilbert]

Yeah, when its a question so personal that only an individual can answer it for himself, going to a message board asking people what answer would help him get the job is cheating.

You have a funny definition of "cheating." The clear intent of his question was, "How do I handle that question?" That isn't cheating in my book.