What is one of your weaknesses?
The candidate gave one weakness. He was prepared for that question.
The interviewer paused and frowned. He couldn’t remember what he had planned for the next question.
The candidate got nervous. Why did the interviewer pause? He blurted out another weakness. This one was a little more serious. He hadn’t prepared to offer more than one weakness.
This so caught the interviewer off guard that he blinked a couple of times and furrowed his brow.
The candidate couldn’t hold back. There was another weakness.
The candidate fell apart. He added three more weaknesses. He talked himself out of a job.
Be prepared to talk about one weakness. For good measure, make it something that could be a strength, but that you take too far. It could be working late or being a perfectionist. Tell how you correct the weakness.
Then shut up.
We confess our little faults to persuade people that we have not larger ones. (Francois de La Rochefoucauld)
Never give more than one weakness. Staple your lips shut if you have to.
Something to do today
Prepare for the question, “What is one of your weaknesses.” Make sure you also include in your answer how you compensate for that weakness..
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Later: The millionaire mind
But this isn’t an interview
Whistle while you work
Hustle while you wait
The $5 call girl
Where to fish