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Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation, so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government : of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

An interview can be a stressful ordeal; or an opportunity to impress your future employer. A great way to reduce the stress of an interview is to be prepared. My favorite periodical posted an article today regarding what is described as “the most common and most stressful” questions asked in interviews: “What is your greatest weakness?”

Achilles was not prepared to face his greatest weakness.¹

Some wrong answers include, “I have no weaknesses,” “I work too hard,” “Kryptonite,” and “I’m a perfectionist.” A good answer must of course be honest, but it’s important that the weakness you discuss not impede your ability to perform the job, that your example demonstrates that you know yourself, and highlights how you’ve worked to overcome this weakness.

The question is popular because, like all good interview questions, it can reveal a lot about a candidate. If the interviewee replies that they have no weaknesses, it might suggest they are overconfident and won’t take feedback well. If they do not have an answer, they might not know themselves very well. If they make something up, interviewers have a keen ability to spot that, and honesty issues surface.

The current economic crisis will end, but perhaps not for another year or two. Employers are going to be much more selective during this time. Of course you need to be well qualified and provide strong answers to other questions, but in today’s tough economic climate, your greatest weakness could be the difference between you and the next best candidate.

1. Achilles dying in the gardens of the Achilleion in Corfu. [↩]