How to Answer Questions About Your Weaknesses

Every successful executive has weaknesses as well as strengths. The key is ensuring that your weaknesses don’t become career-enders. Potential employers will try to discern your shortcomings to ensure they don’t hamstring their company. Your challenge is to convince them that you don’t bring lethal liabilities.

One way to learn a candidate’s weaknesses is simply to ask directly during interviews, "What are your weaknesses?" While job hunters lament this question, employers are determined to continue asking it because the responses typically are so illuminating.

Seven Response Strategies

To make sure this question doesn’t trip you up, here are possible strategies that you — as an interviewee — can use to frame an effective response. Remember that context is as important as content. Whenever you cite a weakness, be sure to remind employers of your strengths. Be honest about your shortcomings, but never cite anything that might genuinely interfere with your ability to do the available job — and do it well. The key is to present your weaknesses in a way that demonstrates your real strengths and character.

By Arlene S. Hirsch

Full Story: http://www.careerjournal.com/jobhunting/interviewing/20041006-hirsch.html?cjcontent=mail