When asked in an interview what your worst qualities are...

babyno9 · Dec 15th, 2010, 06:42 AM

or what your weaknesses are, what do you say?

I never know what to say and how to turn it into a positive.

Samemka · Dec 15th, 2010, 07:27 AM

I'd say something along the lines of you like being a 'bit' of a perfectionist (you don't want to say you are a perfectionist or they might think you're a bit of a control freak...could be good though, depends on the job)

Good luck - I'm sure someone will have better suggestions than me but that's what sprung to mind!

NewMummyx · Dec 15th, 2010, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saml1

I'd say something along the lines of you like being a 'bit' of a perfectionist (you don't want to say you are a perfectionist or they might think you're a bit of a control freak...could be good though, depends on the job)

Good luck - I'm sure someone will have better suggestions than me but that's what sprung to mind!

Ditto, tell em you like to see things done right which is why you are such a hard worker

babyno9 · Dec 15th, 2010, 08:26 AM

Thank you!

I have an interview tomorrow to get into University to study Social Work and i know it is probably a question they will ask me.

littleblonde · Dec 15th, 2010, 12:07 PM

I say the same. I hate to leave any job unfinished and feel frustrated at myself if i ever have to leave something till tommrrow. But im great at prioritsing.

babyno9 · Dec 15th, 2010, 13:23 PM

Thank you!

andbabymakes3 · Dec 15th, 2010, 16:04 PM

I used to always say my stubbornness was my weakness - which you can easily turn around to a positive, means you wont let tasks slide by, will always complete projects, etc etc.

I interview quite a lot of people in my business and I always admire when people are upfront about their failings. Nobody expects perfection, and most interviewers can tell when people are just saying what they think they want to hear.

I would imagine for something like social work, they want real people who can be open and honest. Just be yourself, I'm sure you'll be fine! Lots of luck xx

SarahJane · Dec 17th, 2010, 07:15 AM

Sorry I have seen this a bit late. I conduct recruitment interviews a lot so I know what I am looking for and if anyone else needs to know, the answer is DON'T MAKE IT UP!

Be honest! Tell them something which you aren't good at but very importantly tell them what you do to help to prevent this being a problem

examples
"I tend to be a bit disorganised so what I do is start every day with a to-do list so I know I can get the job done"
"I tend to be shy around new people so what I do is before a new meeting I imagine what the worse thing to happen could be and then it is never as bad as it seems"

Personally I see the perfectionist one a lot and usually can spot it as just a fib as they have turned up without a pen or without clean shoes or something which equally proves they aren't a perfectionist.

Don't ever try to make things up in interview. It is obvious is is fibs from the other side of the table.

SarahJane · Dec 17th, 2010, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andbabymakes3

I used to always say my stubbornness was my weakness - which you can easily turn around to a positive, means you wont let tasks slide by, will always complete projects, etc etc.

I interview quite a lot of people in my business and I always admire when people are upfront about their failings. Nobody expects perfection, and most interviewers can tell when people are just saying what they think they want to hear.

I would imagine for something like social work, they want real people who can be open and honest. Just be yourself, I'm sure you'll be fine! Lots of luck xx

totally agree - I'd employ someone who said stubborn too!

Wirral_Kitty · Dec 23rd, 2010, 01:26 AM

erm...I remember that once upon a time in an interview I was asked what my weaknesses are...I replied 'chocolate'.....I wonder why I didnt get the job

I'm not joking either!

Dec 15th, 2010, 06:42 AM	#1
babyno9 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: In my own world Posts: 1,023	When asked in an interview what your worst qualities are... or what your weaknesses are, what do you say? I never know what to say and how to turn it into a positive.

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Dec 15th, 2010, 07:27 AM	#2
Samemka Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cheshire, UK Posts: 5,048	I'd say something along the lines of you like being a 'bit' of a perfectionist (you don't want to say you are a perfectionist or they might think you're a bit of a control freak...could be good though, depends on the job) Good luck - I'm sure someone will have better suggestions than me but that's what sprung to mind!

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Dec 15th, 2010, 08:26 AM	#4
babyno9 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: In my own world Posts: 1,023	Thank you! I have an interview tomorrow to get into University to study Social Work and i know it is probably a question they will ask me.

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Dec 15th, 2010, 12:07 PM	#5
littleblonde Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: shropshire Posts: 7,230	I say the same. I hate to leave any job unfinished and feel frustrated at myself if i ever have to leave something till tommrrow. But im great at prioritsing.

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Dec 15th, 2010, 13:23 PM	#6
babyno9 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: In my own world Posts: 1,023	Thank you!

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Dec 15th, 2010, 16:04 PM	#7
andbabymakes3 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southsea Posts: 1,681	I used to always say my stubbornness was my weakness - which you can easily turn around to a positive, means you wont let tasks slide by, will always complete projects, etc etc. I interview quite a lot of people in my business and I always admire when people are upfront about their failings. Nobody expects perfection, and most interviewers can tell when people are just saying what they think they want to hear. I would imagine for something like social work, they want real people who can be open and honest. Just be yourself, I'm sure you'll be fine! Lots of luck xx

Status: Offline

Dec 17th, 2010, 07:15 AM	#8
SarahJane On a break (TTC) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 2,193	Sorry I have seen this a bit late. I conduct recruitment interviews a lot so I know what I am looking for and if anyone else needs to know, the answer is DON'T MAKE IT UP! Be honest! Tell them something which you aren't good at but very importantly tell them what you do to help to prevent this being a problem examples "I tend to be a bit disorganised so what I do is start every day with a to-do list so I know I can get the job done" "I tend to be shy around new people so what I do is before a new meeting I imagine what the worse thing to happen could be and then it is never as bad as it seems" Personally I see the perfectionist one a lot and usually can spot it as just a fib as they have turned up without a pen or without clean shoes or something which equally proves they aren't a perfectionist. Don't ever try to make things up in interview. It is obvious is is fibs from the other side of the table.

Status: Offline

Dec 23rd, 2010, 01:26 AM	#10
Wirral_Kitty Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: UK Posts: 480	erm...I remember that once upon a time in an interview I was asked what my weaknesses are...I replied 'chocolate'.....I wonder why I didnt get the job I'm not joking either!

Status: Offline

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