The One Interview Question You Hate to Answer

 

It's the one interview question every engineer hates, the question that can make or break your well-prepared interview: “What's your greatest weakness?”

 

Hiring managers and HR pros expect you to be honest and forthright in your reply. On the other hand, you don't want to focus too keenly on the negative quality that can jeopardize your chances at the job. So how do you answer?

 

Spin your weakness into a strength. If handling mundane details is not your strongest asset, turn it around and extol the virtues of being a big picture thinker—with proof of how that has helped your previous employer. Use this to segue into your other "big picture" accomplishments. And don't forget to compliment the detail-oriented members of your team that helped you quarterback those exceptional results.

 

Give them your "Horatio Alger" story. Explain how you overcame the adversity of your weakness. How your presentation skills have vastly improved over the years. How you studied experts, took classes, seminars, etc. and are working to overcome that one weakness that has held you back.

 

Marginalize your weakness. Put your weakness in its proper perspective. Make it an irrelevant or insignificant part of your skill set, something you may never need in the position you're applying for. Based on the interviewer's reaction, you can end it there, or continue on by explaining how you expect to improve and overcome that particular weakness.

 

One final caveat. Don't avoid the question by saying you have no weakness. And avoid any mention of partying too much, chasing the opposite sex, or other personal vices. And don't denigrate co-workers or past employers in your answer.

 

For an additional perspective, check out this video, Toughest Job Interview Questions: #2 What Are Your Greatest Weaknesses?

 

For more information on Engineer jobs, check out:

http://www.engineer-jobs.com/

 

Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients.