tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29876314.post2840883044622277209..comments2023-11-02T08:08:07.673-04:00Comments on Rippling Brainwaves: the worst interview questionArt Vandalayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08432367996173233599noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29876314.post-4421070958762081092007-11-05T08:38:00.000-05:002007-11-05T08:38:00.000-05:00Closing comments on this post because of the persi...Closing comments on this post because of the persistent spam. I don't want comment spam to detract from the real, good comments, but I also don't want to spend my life as a spam filter.<BR/><BR/>Way to go, asshats and jerkfaces of the Web.Art Vandalayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08432367996173233599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29876314.post-18237606297096945902007-09-30T09:06:00.000-04:002007-09-30T09:06:00.000-04:00i am about to possibly get asked that question ver...i am about to possibly get asked that question very soon. Nice topic. I would love to answer: "Women" :D Ohh, there are so many funny answers to this questions.... "I kill people"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29876314.post-69390216309319542812007-03-01T18:15:00.000-05:002007-03-01T18:15:00.000-05:00As Jeremy said, most people focus too much on the ...As Jeremy said, most people focus too much on the answer and not enough on the interviewee's ability to respond to being put on the spot.<BR/><BR/>High achievers are NEVER happy with their excellent performance,but mediocre achievers are often happy with their mediocre performance.<BR/><BR/>Your record of achievement should speak for itself. If an interviewer fails to hire you because you've identified a weakness despite your stellar record, you don't want to work for her, anyway. She doesn't understand what it takes to succeed. And if your performance history is not good enough to tolerate your verbalizing a weakness - well, that's sort of the point of the question and the solution is tougher than finding a pithy answer.<BR/><BR/>But even if your record is not good, at least you can demonstrate grace under pressure, which is also the point of the question. Trust me, your answer is less important than your demeanor.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29876314.post-91486305815796846372007-02-09T10:42:00.000-05:002007-02-09T10:42:00.000-05:00I'm not a big fan of this question either!Even off...I'm not a big fan of this question either!<BR/><BR/>Even offering the "Can't bring myself to leave after putting in three hours of overtime" response sounds canned and insincere.<BR/><BR/>Haven't tried this yet, but I might try turning it around by asking the interviewer, "Do you really want someone working for your firm who has weaknesses? I'm seeking an employer who hires employers who have strengths. Sure I'm not perfect but what I can bring to this organization are my skills in ____ and ____."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29876314.post-40210986090381392412007-02-08T20:10:00.000-05:002007-02-08T20:10:00.000-05:00"my biggest weakness is not being able to handle s..."my biggest weakness is not being able to handle stupid interview questions."<BR/><BR/>period. it's a paradox and can't be argued about.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29876314.post-81969435242977324012007-02-08T18:08:00.000-05:002007-02-08T18:08:00.000-05:00Alas... I am mortal.Alas... I am mortal.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29876314.post-21480764433797533322007-02-08T17:57:00.000-05:002007-02-08T17:57:00.000-05:00With a perfectly straight face, I always answer......With a perfectly straight face, I always answer....<BR/><BR/>"Kryptonite."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29876314.post-89905718462774812472007-02-08T16:46:00.000-05:002007-02-08T16:46:00.000-05:00the question is a GREAT question. it tests the ca...the question is a GREAT question. it tests the candidate for honesty. they're not looking for polished crap. respond by pointing out a minor weakness: i have procrastination issues i'm working on.Natehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09258352899766533810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29876314.post-84572775035128575412007-02-08T15:44:00.000-05:002007-02-08T15:44:00.000-05:00I've had this before -- I've responded with "Expre...I've had this before -- I've responded with "Expressing positive traits as if they were a weaknesses doesn't come off terribly smoothly."<BR/><BR/>A lot of times it's a throwaway question from people who aren't sure how to interview -- but I don't work suit jobs, either.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01688383790615334719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29876314.post-40362348485195675952007-02-08T15:21:00.000-05:002007-02-08T15:21:00.000-05:00I would answer "my biggest weakness is answering t...I would answer "my biggest weakness is answering this question"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29876314.post-49668772082591578432007-02-08T14:50:00.000-05:002007-02-08T14:50:00.000-05:00"O wad some Power the giftie gie usTo see oursels ..."O wad some Power the giftie gie us<BR/>To see oursels as ithers see us!"<BR/><BR/>What does it matter? The interviewer makes up his/her mind in the first 10 seconds.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29876314.post-44142146976775252862007-02-08T14:35:00.000-05:002007-02-08T14:35:00.000-05:00The best answer to this question is one where you ...The best answer to this question is one where you admit and then overcome the weakness. Here are some examples:<BR/><BR/>"I am a poor speller. I know how important correct spelling is, so I always use spell check software. I also keep a list of frequently confused words - I review it regularly to avoid making non-spelling usage errors such as confusing effect and affect." <BR/><BR/>"Despite taking classes in public speaking, I am still not very good at speaking in front of large groups. I went into a career where I work alone writing code and only need to speak in small groups with other programmers."spotthebloggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02155034944327981450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29876314.post-2519801377793724732007-02-08T14:08:00.000-05:002007-02-08T14:08:00.000-05:00Tell them that your weakness is finding words to a...Tell them that your weakness is finding words to answer questions involving topics that are design to see how to respond in stressful situations...Juan Gonzalezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14228327160202679632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29876314.post-60393539273580979842007-02-08T13:30:00.000-05:002007-02-08T13:30:00.000-05:00-sigh- This comment will get posted on the bottom ...-sigh- This comment will get posted on the bottom of a long list, so it will probably never be read, but oh well.<br /><br />Here's the advice I was given by the HR director of a large company (who also hated the question, but understood that it came up a lot).<br /><br />Answer with a story of a weakness that you once had, and how you overcame that weakness. This tells the interviewer that you can recognize your weaknesses, as well as showing how you work to overcome them.CK Rockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15890166614212256385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29876314.post-15904843567934078472007-02-08T12:59:00.000-05:002007-02-08T12:59:00.000-05:00What's my biggest weakness?I suck at interviews.What's my biggest weakness?<BR/>I suck at interviews.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29876314.post-27273113945804686432007-02-08T12:24:00.000-05:002007-02-08T12:24:00.000-05:00It's one of the best interview questions there is....It's one of the best interview questions there is. Companies fail because of employees weakness's or more to the point .. gaps within their strengths.<BR/><BR/>If you have the same weakness as everyone else at the company (the cliche 'perfectionalism'), then the company is in trouble. A few weak pragmatists would be beneficial.<BR/><BR/>As someone else said it also allows the interviewer to put the interviewee in the introspective hot seat (yes, an interviewer will know when it's a canned response, when it's BS, when it's a creative on the spot admission, etc).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29876314.post-71379366752158976052007-02-08T11:59:00.000-05:002007-02-08T11:59:00.000-05:00<Keanu> Whoa. </Keanu>I'm on reddit an...<Keanu> Whoa. </Keanu><BR/><BR/>I'm on reddit and there's more than 20 comments here! <BR/><BR/><Zoolander> That is a bit above average. </Zoolander>Art Vandalayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08432367996173233599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29876314.post-1474920213404990882007-02-08T11:56:00.000-05:002007-02-08T11:56:00.000-05:00The phrasing of the question is not so hot. Both "...The phrasing of the question is not so hot. Both "What are you strongest and weakest at?" and "What was a memorable failure or bad decision?" are excellent questions, and favorites of mine. Ever person who avoided sincerely and candidly tackling the questions, and who we unfortunately wound up hiring, have proved to be arrogant and difficult to work with. Failure is often more valuable and educational than success. People who do not recognize this are middling.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29876314.post-87004007554811284102007-02-08T11:53:00.000-05:002007-02-08T11:53:00.000-05:00You guys have it all wrong. This is a good questio...You guys have it all wrong. This is a good question to be asked but your answer needs to be much more clever than what is posted here. <BR/><BR/>Here's how you do it.<BR/>1. Understand the key skills needed in the position for which you're applying. <BR/>2. Mentally ensure that you have all those skills down tight (with examples and references.)<BR/>3. Take a skill that is NOT relevant to the position for which you are applying. List it as a weakness and then quickly add: "But I wouldn't be applying for this position if I felt that was a critical skillset for this role."<BR/><BR/>There is no reason to get confrontational or to turn the question around. Use this answer to demonstrate that you know exactly what the role requires to be successful and that you know you are not the "other" type of person that wouldn't be a good fit for the job. <BR/><BR/>The interviewer will appreciate your honesty and the thought process that went into this answer.<BR/><BR/>P.S. the toughest question I ever heard was: List your 5 biggest flaws. (Ouch!)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29876314.post-10104982262146354042007-02-08T11:33:00.000-05:002007-02-08T11:33:00.000-05:00I used to answer along the lines of having too hig...I used to answer along the lines of having too high personal performance standards, working toward perfection, riding staff too hard, etc.<BR/><BR/>But for a number of years I've subscribed to the notion of NEVER acknowledging weakness or deficiency in any area. So my answer is, "None that would affect my being successful in this position." That always ends that line of questioning. Impossible to know if that answer contributed in any way to my being hired or not.BudKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01584608668753166690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29876314.post-36946146455770005982007-02-08T10:50:00.000-05:002007-02-08T10:50:00.000-05:00Can one plead the fifth in these situations??Can one plead the fifth in these situations??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29876314.post-20328777282392235892007-02-08T10:43:00.000-05:002007-02-08T10:43:00.000-05:00chocolatechocolateLozhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00652456150481784816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29876314.post-47384709722538532392007-02-08T10:26:00.000-05:002007-02-08T10:26:00.000-05:00In response to angrygreg, well, you can ask about ...In response to angrygreg, well, you can ask about a candidate's weaknesses, but the point was that an evasive answer is the best strategy. Your question will tend to make the honest people look bad and the dishonest ones look good. Surely that's not what you wanted.<BR/><BR/>IMO, a better question is one that offers a dilemma. For example, what do you think is a better programming methodology -- having all the facts and all the requirements figured out before you start coding, or starting with a skeleton of the requirements and improving the program iteratively?<BR/><BR/>Who wouldn't want "all the facts" before starting? It's not clear which approach the questioner prefers. A clever answer would be that they are both appropriate at different times -- complete documentation if you're making a space shuttle, and skeleton/iterative if you're making a small web site.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29876314.post-63819617839518723402007-02-08T10:19:00.000-05:002007-02-08T10:19:00.000-05:00i recommend reading this article: http://www.damni...i recommend reading this article: <BR/>http://www.damninteresting.com/?p=406<BR/>honesty is an important thing that every employer should seek in a job interview and since everyone has weakness a man who avoids from the question or pretends he doesn't have any is a liar or a fool.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29876314.post-24167209359964224582007-02-08T10:16:00.000-05:002007-02-08T10:16:00.000-05:00Back when I was 16 I interviewed at Target. They ...Back when I was 16 I interviewed at Target. They asked a variation of this comment: "If was asked your teachers at school, what would they say your biggest weakness would be." So I answered truthfully: "I have trouble with spelling."<BR/><BR/>My poor spelling did not keep me from getting a job as at the garden center.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com