How to Answer the Whats Your Biggest Weakness Question in Interviews

How to Answer the Whats Your Biggest Weakness Question in InterviewsPeople typically have a really hard time answering the what is your biggest weakness? question. It goes against all of the self-promotion cramming people do when on the job market. How can I portray myself as the ideal candidate and then start talking about the ways in which Im elend ideal? googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) As it turns out, this is an important questionand one that most interviewees botch. Keep in mind that, first of all, there is no right answer. But you should have a good one all the same.Spin it as aGrowth ExperienceTry rethinking it as an opportunity for you to show how you have faced a particularly large obstacle in the past, and how you learned and grew from that experience. Reframe the question into showing how you deal with your flaws productively, rather than trying to humblebrag and pick a non-flaw (i.e. Im too much of a perfectionist hiring mana gers see right through this).Use it to Show Youre Not Perfect (Its Okay)Confidence is important, but humility is also. Hiring managers want to see a lot from column A, but also a healthy konserve of that little bit of honesty and willingness to confront ones weaknesses from column B.You know you have weaknesses. So try to figure out a way to A) be honest about them, and B) turn them somehow to your advantage. There are stories out there about candidates who open their cover letters by zeroing in on their potential weaknesses or holes in their resume, rather than trying to bury that lack of experience in their resumes. Think along the lines of At first glance, I know Im not the candidate youve envisioned. That sort of opening salvo of honesty will certainly grab a hiring managers attention, and it will give you a chance to frame your candidacy in the best possible light (i.e. But I am uniquely qualified because.).Explain That You Are Always Fine-TuningRemember that admitting your ina dequacies doesnt show that youre inadequate. Quite the contrary. It usually shows that you are self-aware, and that you take the time to examine the parts of your success-machine that are in need of tune-ups or replacements. That you are constantly trying to improve. Thats often the kind of quality that any employer would be very keen to have in an employee.So prepare. But dont go into an interview with a canned response. Come up with something that can segue into a story of overcoming obstacles, and keep it work related. Show youre human, but hardworking, and youll never be on the wrong end of this ubiquitous interview question again.

13 Questions to Ask that Will Make Your Interviewer Want to Hire You

13 Questions to Ask that Will Make Your Interviewer Want to Hire You Congrats. Youve made it this far.Your networking, company research, and targeted resume all paid off and here you sit, in the interviewees seat for a killer role that you really want. So far, the interview has gone well. Your story is tight, you nailed difficult questions for which you prepared, and youve articulated why youre a perfect fit. Yet, with a few minutes remaining, a final test awaits.Time to switch roles with your interviewer as she wraps up with one simple ask Do you have any questions?Now your questions, not answers, will provide clues about how youll perform as an employee.Both you and your interviewer know that job success isnt created from a list of rehearsed answers. On a daily basis, you must figure out how to drive results with uncertain and incomplete information. Asking strategic questions is the first step. So, this, too, is now your task.Below is a list of 13 questions, organized in five key areas, which will help you and your interviewer gather information and assess any outstanding concerns. One caveat be selective. You should aim to ask at least one not all of the questions in each areaDemonstrate that you do your homework. When you prepped for the interview, you researched everything you could about the company. This should have included tracking important business developments e.g. a new product launch, acquisition, market entry from niche data sources like an industry berichterstattung source or company annual report. Ask a question that demonstrates that youre serious about data and connect the dotsExample I read in x report, that women and millennial consumers are the largest growing customer segments in the industry. How do you target them?Focus on the big picture. Show that you can step away from day-to-day management tasks to deliver priorities aligned with the companys future. Frame a question that shows your strategic thinkingHow is this role key to the companys strategy? What are the companys long-term priorities for the next 3-5 years? Show you mean business. Starting day 1, you must know what success looks like. Confirm exactly what is expected of you. Ask a question that gives your anfhrer confidence that you will deliver resultsWhat must I deliver in my first 30 days? What are the critical KPIs for this year?How do you measure success for this role?What challenges do you anticipate with this role?Which colleagues are good mentors for me in this role and why? Build a relationship with your boss. Your boss needs to count on and also trust you. If you havent figured out your interviewers personality and whats most important to her, you wont ace your interview. Pause from work-related questions and probe into what makes your boss tickWhy did you choose to work here? (or What are your professional goals?) What should I know about your communication and/or leadership style? I saw on your LinkedIn profile that you previously x (m ention a fact that struck you). How did that influence your current role? (Note If you share something in common, emphasize a connection for example, if you both worked overseas or are alumni of the same school.)Focus on next steps. Your final goal is to reduce any uncertainty that you or your interviewer may have about your candidacy. Seal the deal by addressing doubts head-on Do you have any concerns about my fit for the role? (Be prepared to acknowledge them and reframe to your advantage) What are next steps and time line for your decision?Hopefully, next steps will lead to an offer. If you inquire with confidence, you stand a good chance of impressing your interviewer. No question about it.--Susan Margolin writes and conducts research for corporate clients. Previously, she worked in marketing and business development for mora than a decade in Asia. She holds degrees from Harvard (BA, MPA) and Northwestern University (MBA).