Ask Vicki: Should I answer, "What's your biggest weakness?" with a humble brag?
Each week, Monster’s career expert Vicki Salemi—a former recruiter who makes use of 15-plus years of enjoy in recruiting and human resources to empower job seekers—answers person questions about Quora. We’ll be republishing the answers right here. If you've got a query for Vicki, ship it to socialmedia@monster.Com.
Q. In a task interview, ought to I solution, “What’s your largest weakness?” with a humble brag?
A. I advocate towards turning the weak spot question right into a humble-brag opportunity. Hiring managers don’t want to listen, “Oh, I am a stickler for info! I am militant about being element-orientated because I need to make certain the entirety is executed nicely.”
When I recruited applicants and was given the standard-brag solution, I would reply with, “That’s sounds greater like a strength! I want to hear approximately a weak spot. What’s some thing that’s a real weak spot you want to enhance upon?”
Don’t be afraid to go there. You can offer something like, “I depend too much on electronic mail. A boss lately informed me I need to lay off on all of the emails I send, and that I need to select up the cellphone and talk to customers at once. So I’m steering away from regular emails and accomplishing out to customers over the cellphone.” Boom.
Note that the weak spot question can be disguised as some thing like this (that's awesome): “On your remaining performance review, what’s one vicinity that your boss instructed you which you need to improve?” You’re not going to mention “not anything” due to the fact good day, no one’s best, so that you’ll want to give you a real, great topic.
I’ve visible plenty of candidates get employed who were frank approximately sharing a true weaknesses in a activity interview. There’s a certain vulnerability round it that can be appealing to employers.
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While it sounds counterproductive to admit to a hiring supervisor which you have weaknesses, they're expecting you to answer absolutely. After all, no person is best! Think of every interview query as an opportunity to show off what makes you an excellent lease. Could you use some help getting ready your answers? Join Monster these days. As a member, you will get interview insights, career recommendation, and job search hints sent immediately to your inbox. You'll analyze what to mention and how to mention it in order that capability employers walk away with a first rate impression of you. Let Monster train you for your manner to a superb new process!
Read Vicki Salemi's answer to "In a activity interview, ought to I solution, 'What's your largest weak spot?' with a humble brag?" on Quora.
