Preparing for some of the most challenging interview questions
Continuing from last week’s column, you may remember Robert, who wrote:
Dear Sam: I was wondering if you could provide some general information to orient me to interviews. I have not interviewed in more than 20 years, so I feel a little lost about what to expect. — Robert
Last week, we covered how to answer the “Tell me about yourself” question. This week, let’s look at what some consider to be another challenging request: “Tell me about one of your weaknesses.”
Most candidates struggle when asked to identify one of their weaknesses. After all, aren’t we trying to appear as perfect as possible, with no apparent weaknesses? The point of this question is to see if you can identify an area in yourself that requires improvement and learn whether you have taken steps to overcome this weakness.
Some hiring managers want to see if you are as in tune with your shortcomings as you are with your strengths. So the answer doesn’t have to present a glaring weakness and a reason not to hire you, but should provide insight into your ability to initiate corrective actions or continued professional development.
Let’s look at an example: “I realized I needed extra help in organizing and planning my schedule, so I purchased a detailed planner and have started setting a few minutes aside each day to review my schedule, priorities and deadlines. Doing so has allowed me to maintain a clear view of what I have scheduled and has helped me optimize my time.”
You can also choose to highlight areas of weakness that have little to no impact on the position for which you are applying. Let’s say you are an accountant; a weakness in the area of public speaking may not pose any threat to diminishing the strength of your candidacy.
For example: “I’ve always been a little nervous speaking in front of large groups of people, but I recently joined Toastmasters, as although I have not needed to deliver presentations in past positions, I believe I could learn more about selecting and delivering messages to secure support and promote a cohesive environment.”
Regardless of how you answer, be sure to prove how you are taking steps to overcome the weakness so it doesn’t pose a threat to securing the job.
Be ready for different interview formats — when scheduling your interview, asking about the structure of your interview will help you prepare for it. Interviews come in many shapes and sizes, including one-onone, group, panel and technical. While you won’t anticipate every question, knowing whether you will face a group of six on a panel versus an informal interview with the hiring manager can help you prepare mentally to handle the situation.
Interviewing can be a stressful experience, but being prepared, practicing and knowing how your strengths and experiences relate to your prospective employer’s needs can reduce anxiety and improve the success of your job search.
— Samantha Nolan is an advanced personal-branding strategist and career expert and is the founder and CEO of Nolan Branding. Do you have a resume, career or job-search question for Dear Sam? Reach Samantha at dearsam@nolanbranding.com. For more information about Nolan Branding’s services, visit www.nolanbranding.com, or call 888-9-MY-BRAND or 614-570-3442.