|
On April 04 2012 02:11 Cuh wrote: I always planned on saying something to this extent: "My worst quality is probably, I'm a product of my enviroment, when im surrounded by good workers, I excel, but when around bad ones, im dragged down." probably can be worded better but you get the idea
You should plan on saying something else, as this is actually quite a bad answer.
|
On April 04 2012 02:21 AllHailTheDead wrote: when im asked for a bad quality I usually say I work too hard or Im always early
you know turn it around so its not really a bad quality
hasnt failed me yet
Your potential employer will not consider working too hard as a negative, and the only negative that can come out of you always being early is if he is having an affair with his secretary and you showing up early would get in his way.
|
Cool places to work at do not ask you those questions. In cool places you are interviewed by programmers (your actual peers or boss) who ask you to write code and possibly previous to being accepted to the interview you were asked to work on a miniproject for a week. In fact the coolest places I've worked on there was no interview (small startup-like places), there was just me being introduced to the team and starting to work right away.
|
It depends on the company, but sometimes they're looking for honesty as well. For instance, I said that I'm bit unorganized at home, but it's something I focus on at work and I'm working to improve upon it.
This type of response is generally more well received, it shows that you not only are more self aware, but you're willing to make the effort to change for the better. If I heard someone tell me that their weakness was that they work too hard, I'd laugh in their face.
|
On April 04 2012 02:24 Kaitlin wrote:Show nested quote +On April 04 2012 02:11 Cuh wrote: I always planned on saying something to this extent: "My worst quality is probably, I'm a product of my enviroment, when im surrounded by good workers, I excel, but when around bad ones, im dragged down." probably can be worded better but you get the idea
You should plan on saying something else, as this is actually quite a bad answer. It's not just a bad answer, it's a fucking terrible answer. No matter how good the interview was going up until this point if someone said that I would already be thinking about the next candidate.
|
On April 04 2012 00:19 LaSt)ChAnCe wrote:you need to give them something that is a weakness but doesn't affect your ability to perform or be a team player a common example is "my biggest weakness is that my professional network in the area is small" for example if you just moved to the city, or haven't moved there yet Show nested quote +On April 04 2012 00:18 BlueBoxSC wrote: I don't know, try turning the question around into something that reflects how great of a team player you are.
Like...
"Yes, like everyone, I feel that I have a few unfavorable qualities, but in the professional workplace, I feel like I can put them aside for the sake of the company and I will hopefully be in an environment where my coworkers can support me just as I will support them." don't do this, people hate when you avoid answering their question
That is actually really well said, I've also been searching for what to say about that. Awesome idea thanks mate.
|
On April 04 2012 02:24 Kaitlin wrote:Show nested quote +On April 04 2012 02:11 Cuh wrote: I always planned on saying something to this extent: "My worst quality is probably, I'm a product of my enviroment, when im surrounded by good workers, I excel, but when around bad ones, im dragged down." probably can be worded better but you get the idea
You should plan on saying something else, as this is actually quite a bad answer.
You could make a little more effort in helping him, lol. There's actually a great quality in there -- the quality of being drawn to other productive people and feeding off of it, thereby improving one's own productivity. He just needs to make that the focal point, rather than this "I'm a product of the environment" thing which I agree, is awk.
Here: "One of my qualities is that while working in settings with others, I'm able to communicate clearly and assimilate the insightful ideas of those around me, thereby improving my own perspective, output, and quality of work. I thrive when placed in settings with other driven people."
|
On April 04 2012 00:18 BlueBoxSC wrote: I don't know, try turning the question around into something that reflects how great of a team player you are.
Like...
"Yes, like everyone, I feel that I have a few unfavorable qualities, but in the professional workplace, I feel like I can put them aside for the sake of the company and I will hopefully be in an environment where my coworkers can support me just as I will support them."
This is a bad Idea, this answer sounds "canned" or rehearsed, and the interviewer will not get the feeling that they are getting to know the applicant. You want to say something that sounds honest but innocuous. Something like "I have struggled with being a little too slow to ask for help". This is undoubtedly a flaw, but also hints towards being independent and self sufficient. This is a more more positive way to say that you prefer to work alone, which hints towards an anti-social personality.
|
On April 04 2012 02:39 FallDownMarigold wrote:Show nested quote +On April 04 2012 02:24 Kaitlin wrote:On April 04 2012 02:11 Cuh wrote: I always planned on saying something to this extent: "My worst quality is probably, I'm a product of my enviroment, when im surrounded by good workers, I excel, but when around bad ones, im dragged down." probably can be worded better but you get the idea
You should plan on saying something else, as this is actually quite a bad answer. You could make a little more effort in helping him, lol. There's actually a great quality in there -- the quality of being drawn to other productive people and feeding off of it, thereby improving one's own productivity. He just needs to make that the focal point, rather than this "I'm a product of the environment" thing which I agree, is awk. Here: "One of my qualities is that while working in settings with others, I'm able to communicate clearly and assimilate the insightful ideas of those around me, thereby improving my own perspective, output, and quality of work. I thrive when placed in settings with other driven people."
I had started writing more detail but erased it before posting. I had difficulty putting into words why it was bad. Basically, it's saying I am a spineless jellyfish with no moral compass, no sense of who I am, and can be manipulated easily. Also, it's not merely a bad 'quality', but more a complete lack of identity of yourself, whatsoever. Your tip is good as far as putting a positive like on the thought, but you've completely taken out the tie to 'bad quality' which results in basically ignoring the question.
Basically, I would suggest coming up with something that can be considered a weakness in general, but actually is a good thing, when considered from the potential employer's perspective. Perhaps something like a difficulty in maintaining balance in your life during periods where you're focused on something important to you. Such examples might be some projects you were involved in during college that you were extremely focused on, to the detriment of social relationships. This is a true 'bad' quality, but yet, appealing to an employer since they can expect you to really get into your work, care deeply about it, and do a good job.
|
Vatican City State732 Posts
On April 04 2012 00:53 paralleluniverse wrote:Show nested quote +On April 04 2012 00:37 RDaneelOlivaw wrote:On April 04 2012 00:26 paralleluniverse wrote:On April 04 2012 00:22 Keitzer wrote: Wait... are you asking for a lie to tell?
Or are you asking for advice on how to cover for you flaws?
Because obviously it's a plus to be able to work in a team, but if you can't do it, and really want the job, then I guess the only thing left to do is lie about it.
Edit: er... maybe LIE isn't the right word... maybe... extend the truth .. like... say you PREFER to work alone, although you are able to work in a team (implying you can do both, but you've also stated your preferences) You speak as if "working in a team" is impossible for someone who studies alone. Or that "working in a team" is a hard thing to do, and a rare quality amongst the general population. A buffoon can work in a team. I've never met or known anyone who cannot work in a team. For comp sci, working in a team actually presents a unique set of challenges. As a fellow comp sci major, I've run into it a lot. Group coding with bad people can be rather difficult. As a result, companies look for people they think can handle group work well. You never want to answer an interview question with a response that makes it seem like you can't handle a group in an IT interview Your completely mixing the issue of working in a team to writing readable code. a skill which is actually quite highly emphasized at university. Your argument still hinges on the fact that some people cannot work in a team, and that it can be hard for the employer to find someone who can work in a team. This is completely contrary to experience. You also make it seem like working in a team is a very difficult thing to learn. How fucking hard can it be to work in a team? No, I am not. That is just one example of ways in which teamwork is important. I'm not saying it's the hardest skill to learn, but it's an important one. Most grads will be able to work in a team. However, there are those who slip through the cracks with poor accountability, poor communication skills, and an inability to compromise. Those are the ones they are trying to screen..
|
Sometimes I ask too many questions/don't ask enough questions because I like to understand things rather than just doing them.
If "don't ask enough" -> because I want to try and figure things out without bothering other people too much If "ask too many" -> but I try not to ask things all the time, and listen carefully so that I understand what they have said.
Or something. Tailor to your weakness.
|
On April 04 2012 02:47 Kaitlin wrote:Show nested quote +On April 04 2012 02:39 FallDownMarigold wrote:On April 04 2012 02:24 Kaitlin wrote:On April 04 2012 02:11 Cuh wrote: I always planned on saying something to this extent: "My worst quality is probably, I'm a product of my enviroment, when im surrounded by good workers, I excel, but when around bad ones, im dragged down." probably can be worded better but you get the idea
You should plan on saying something else, as this is actually quite a bad answer. You could make a little more effort in helping him, lol. There's actually a great quality in there -- the quality of being drawn to other productive people and feeding off of it, thereby improving one's own productivity. He just needs to make that the focal point, rather than this "I'm a product of the environment" thing which I agree, is awk. Here: "One of my qualities is that while working in settings with others, I'm able to communicate clearly and assimilate the insightful ideas of those around me, thereby improving my own perspective, output, and quality of work. I thrive when placed in settings with other driven people." I had started writing more detail but erased it before posting. I had difficulty putting into words why it was bad. Basically, it's saying I am a spineless jellyfish with no moral compass, no sense of who I am, and can be manipulated easily. Also, it's not merely a bad 'quality', but more a complete lack of identity of yourself, whatsoever. Your tip is good as far as putting a positive like on the thought, but you've completely taken out the tie to 'bad quality' which results in basically ignoring the question. Basically, I would suggest coming up with something that can be considered a weakness in general, but actually is a good thing, when considered from the potential employer's perspective. Perhaps something like a difficulty in maintaining balance in your life during periods where you're focused on something important to you. Such examples might be some projects you were involved in during college that you were extremely focused on, to the detriment of social relationships. This is a true 'bad' quality, but yet, appealing to an employer since they can expect you to really get into your work, care deeply about it, and do a good job.
Doh, oops. I sort of wasn't staying on topic, and had totally forgotten it was supposed to still communicate a negative flaw. Maybe he could use that as an example of a good quality, and immediately contrast it by saying something along the lines of: "In contrast, when I'm on my own, I find that I'm less creative and have a narrower perspective than the collective culmination of those qualities in a driven team setting." The 'weakness' is really just an obvious derivative from the fact that more smart heads in one place are should have more creative/productive potential than one smart head (you get the idea, though exceptions exist). I agree though, and it makes me realize how difficult it is to come up with well articulated 'weakness', which shouldn't actually be all that pathetic, as you say, from the employer's perspective.
|
You are reluctant to give up or something like that, like overly determined?
|
Haven't read all the replies yet so I'm not sure if this has been mentioned but what I have always understood to be the answer to this question is to name a flaw that you have and how you have worked/are working on minimizing it or turning it into a strength.
There is no bullshit answer that everyone can use, just gotta be honest and convince the interviewer that your weaknesses wont be an issue.
|
make it specific to your interview and make it something you clearly have spent a lot of time deliberating. In my CS interview, I talked about how I had a bad habit of forcing abstraction on things that often were more different in behavior than intended. Part of being successful is knowing when you need to put together a hack job and when you need to put together a solid, extensible design. Knowing these parts of your personality is more than just what you say to your interviewer, and you should let it influence what kind of job you end up choosing.
|
This type of question can also be encountered in other areas, perhaps you are on a first date with a hot girl, and she wants to know something bad about you - 'So, why are you still single?'. One might respond that you lack confidence due to an inability to articulate your feelings caused by an enlarged tongue that has a tendency to vibrate uncontrollably. Again, a negative that your interviewer might not find so bad ...
|
What I think I actually said in my previous job interview (and got the job) was that:
"My biggest weakness I think is that I am a terrible procrastinator - I always put off housework, chores etc, and through university I would often put off courseworks until the last minute. If I had to choose between work, and play, I would always go with play. However, I've not really found this to be a problem in a professional environment because I don't get to make that choice - I am at work, so I HAVE to work, so I don't have the opportunity to procrastinate!"
|
On April 04 2012 03:01 Kaitlin wrote: This type of question can also be encountered in other areas, perhaps you are on a first date with a hot girl, and she wants to know something bad about you - 'So, why are you still single?'. One might respond that you lack confidence due to an inability to articulate your feelings caused by an enlarged tongue that has a tendency to vibrate uncontrollably. Again, a negative that your interviewer might not find so bad ...
If she's smart too, though, this idea could backfire. She might be too keen and read into it and decide youre supercreepy
|
On April 04 2012 03:29 Hairy wrote: What I think I actually said in my previous job interview (and got the job) was that:
"My biggest weakness I think is that I am a terrible procrastinator - I always put off housework, chores etc, and through university I would often put off courseworks until the last minute. If I had to choose between work, and play, I would always go with play. However, I've not really found this to be a problem in a professional environment because I don't get to make that choice - I am at work, so I HAVE to work, so I don't have the opportunity to procrastinate!"
This answer will be a no go in most of companies where they ask you these questions, because you will have to take lot of your work home.
I said the complaint I hear the most about myself is my overconfidence. What do you think about that?
|
Honestly in a job interview it's how you carry yourself from beginning to end. You can say some seriously dumb shit and still get the job if you show confidence and sincerity in what you are saying.
I know if I was interviewing someone I'd see how they can handle themselves in front of me. Definitely watch their body language... that's a HUGE component of a job interview. Just watch how they sit down. Are they slouching? Are they fiddling with their hands? Are their eyes shifting around the room, as if something bad is about to happen? Do they have confidence in their voice? Are they monotone? Do they look like they are really HUNGRY for the job?
I understand that the question, "What are your bad qualities?" Might frighten people to answer in a certain way, but a big portion of your answer is HOW you deliver that answer. You can say something completely stupid, but if the job interviewer thinks you said it with finesse he or she may just try to ignore your answer and continue on with the interview because they like your composure/personality.
Don't let the interviewer feel like you are hiding something from them or make the interview uncomfortable for both of you. The more comfortable the interviewer is with you; obviously the better your chances are of getting the job. The interviewer is going to remember the people that stood out... who were standing straight, proud, and showed that charisma that will be able to merge with whatever team you are joining.
|
|
|
|