#jobseekers: What are employers looking for when they ask "what is your biggest weakness?" during a job interview?

By Barry Walker Jackson, studied at University of Reading

Until recently, I was mystified by that question because I could see no reason why anybody would hire a candidate based on what their weaknesses were! So I decided to ask employers why they ask this question. The answer was not what I expected.

What they told me is that many candidates give really ridiculous answers like, “I’m almost always late for work.” Unbelievably stupid answer, right? The main reason the question is asked is to weed out candidates who are totally lacking in common sense.

You will read that the best way to answer the question is to give an answer that turns the weakness into a strength: “I’m totally dedicated to my work but at times I guess I can be too much of a perfectionist.” OR “Whenever I become aware of a weakness I work on it until it’s not a weakness any longer. The one I’m working on right now is…” These answers are fine, by the way, but they are formulas and employers have heard them hundreds of times before.

You could of course be a bit outrageous and say, “My weaknesses? I don’t know where to start. I have so many.” The interviewer will not be expecting a response like this and it will probably get a laugh. It also demonstrates that you’re a person who doesn’t take yourself too seriously and you can follow-up with the formulaic answer. But don’t try it if the interviewer shows no sign of having a sense of humour!

In summary, what the interviewer is looking for is evidence of common sense

For more #tips and #advice email to [email protected] or WhatsApp +20964452044 and follow the #makeadifference, and #onenation hashtag and also register with #freejobsupport.