Second Post

And no, you can't say Single Malt Whisky...! ;0

But seriously, this question always comes up and it's a pain in the ****. How do you answer it without neatly scuppering your chances of getting the job?

Some recruiters even ask for 3 weaknesses, the evil sods!

Apparently lame answers which get you off the hook without making you sound like you actually have any real weaknesses, like "I'm a perfectionist", or "I hate failure", don't cut it, recruiters have heard them all before.

So, any tips? How do +you+ answer this perennial nasty question?

I often just give a weakness which is real and not "lame" but give an example of how im trying to combat it and say a scenario where i realised i need to address that weakness.

for example you could say time keeping is a weak point, and once i turned up for an interview late, and didnt get the job and so realised i needed to change my ways. i now make a conscious effort to be on time, and even set my watch 10 mins fast. just make sure u dont turn up late for the interview ur at!

my fave is:

'I have extremely high standards for myself and my work so can feel disappointed if a project that I'm working on doesn't meet those high standards, this then motivates me to do whatever is necessary to bring things up to that level.'

or something along those lines, you get the idea!  Good Luck

My weakness is chocolate. And gin.

Gin..What are you 50?  I guess alcohol is alcohol!

Gin and lemondae is very nice and was my staple drink at uni!

Tia Maria and Pineapple

I guess this is a hard one to answer, with this question I think employers want a candidate to realise that they are not perfect in all aspects and it is possibility an admission of a real weakness they are seeking.  The weakness has to have a resolution, a goal for which you are striving.  I would suggest keeping the weakness work related and ensuring it is not something that will deter them from employing you.  For example, if you are applying for a PA's position, do not admit to a flaw in your organisational skills.  Keeping it generic would be a good way to go. 

As ever it will depend on individual, circumstance etc. But it could be that you are too aggressive, or not aggressive enough - not forward thinking, do not plan, spontanious etc. Within the interview you need to accept that you need to change, recognise the 'fault' and prove willing to learn and adapt.  That is the advice I have been given and hope it helps you out.