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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. [↩]

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. [↩]