Comments on: The Scariest Interview Question–”What Are Your Weaknesses?” http://djester.wordpress.com/2009/02/10/the-scariest-interview-question-what-are-your-weaknesses/ A journey into the world of social media and public relations by Dara Jester Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:53:36 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: melissaspragmaticblog http://djester.wordpress.com/2009/02/10/the-scariest-interview-question-what-are-your-weaknesses/#comment-11 melissaspragmaticblog Thu, 12 Mar 2009 05:21:28 +0000 http://djester.wordpress.com/?p=50#comment-11 This was a great post, Dara. I HATE that question during interviews! I always find myself thinking the same thing. "What is my BEST weakness?" I found the comments from the Wall Street Journal were really helpful. I especially liked the one about current events. What a creative answer! Anyways, rockin' post. Thanks! This was a great post, Dara. I HATE that question during interviews! I always find myself thinking the same thing. “What is my BEST weakness?”

I found the comments from the Wall Street Journal were really helpful. I especially liked the one about current events. What a creative answer!

Anyways, rockin’ post. Thanks!

]]> By: djester http://djester.wordpress.com/2009/02/10/the-scariest-interview-question-what-are-your-weaknesses/#comment-6 djester Thu, 12 Feb 2009 06:44:00 +0000 http://djester.wordpress.com/?p=50#comment-6 Thank you for a great comment, Courtney! I am glad you added the part about mentioning a time in which you overcame a specific weakness--this is a really great idea. Also, non-verbal cues are essential to mastering a good interview, so thank you for bringing that up! -Dara Thank you for a great comment, Courtney! I am glad you added the part about mentioning a time in which you overcame a specific weakness–this is a really great idea. Also, non-verbal cues are essential to mastering a good interview, so thank you for bringing that up!

-Dara

]]> By: Courtney Smith http://djester.wordpress.com/2009/02/10/the-scariest-interview-question-what-are-your-weaknesses/#comment-5 Courtney Smith Wed, 11 Feb 2009 23:02:24 +0000 http://djester.wordpress.com/?p=50#comment-5 This is a great post! It's always great to know how professionals would answer this tough question. I'd like to share a few things I've learned from my experience training for pageant interviews. There are many similarities between pageant interviews and job interviews- after all, a pageant title is essentially a "job." A perfect "pageant" answer is never negative. Therefore, even though this question calls for negative answer, try to spin it as positively as possible toward the end. Mention a time in which you overcame the specific weakness or how you are turning it into a positive thing for personal growth, etc. Secondly, presentation is equally important as the content of your answer. Employers are also noticing how you handle this question and how you formulate your answer. It's never a good idea to show any signs of stress or uncertainty. Definitely do not begin the answer with something like, "That's a tough question" or "Ummm, well.." This is where, like you mentioned, practice is extremely important. We all have weaknesses, so make yourself stand out by handling this hard question with confidence and grace. Courtney Smith This is a great post! It’s always great to know how professionals would answer this tough question.

I’d like to share a few things I’ve learned from my experience training for pageant interviews. There are many similarities between pageant interviews and job interviews- after all, a pageant title is essentially a “job.”

A perfect “pageant” answer is never negative. Therefore, even though this question calls for negative answer, try to spin it as positively as possible toward the end. Mention a time in which you overcame the specific weakness or how you are turning it into a positive thing for personal growth, etc.

Secondly, presentation is equally important as the content of your answer. Employers are also noticing how you handle this question and how you formulate your answer. It’s never a good idea to show any signs of stress or uncertainty. Definitely do not begin the answer with something like, “That’s a tough question” or “Ummm, well..”

This is where, like you mentioned, practice is extremely important. We all have weaknesses, so make yourself stand out by handling this hard question with confidence and grace.

Courtney Smith

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