Interview question when asked "What is your weakness?"…

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  • #1522789
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    What is your response?

    Also, does your response at all have any effect on how you are trained?

    For example, if you say your weakness is “communication”, do you think they will focus on training you on communication? If so, how do they accomplish this type of training?

    If your response is “I’m a perfectionist”, do you think this in any way may effect your on the job experience?

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 37 total)
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  • #1522798
    Missy
    Participant

    Whatever you say it is they're looking to see if you're doing anything about it. If you say it's communication but you recently started attending toastmasters to improve it that's good. Don't ever say your weakness is being a perfectionist, first it's not actually a weakness, second it's a totally BS response. I usually say my weakness is something technical but useful like hlookups but I'm practicing them and hope to master them in short time.

    Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

    Finance manager/HR manager

     

     

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    #1522815
    sweazy
    Participant

    “my weakness is keeping my cool when donkeys ask me template-level interview questions like ‘what is your biggest weakness'”

    If everyone asks it, it's easy to predict and prepare a canned response for. So what good is asking it in the first place?

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    #1522834
    Hosmer
    Participant

    My favorite response to that question:

    “Brevity.”

    Then just stare at them.

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    #1522882
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    But I'm interested if you have a genuine response, then do they take it into consideration for how you will be trained on the job?

    If you mention a weakness, do firms actually do anything proactive to help you overcome that weakness and make you a better professional?

    My question is not about getting a job, it's about how do you think mentioning a weakness during your interview effects your on the job experience/training? Perhaps it doesn't effect it at all? They just ask you during the interview and never bring it up again in an assessment or performance review, etc? That would be strange.

    #1522903
    Missy
    Participant

    In my experience which is not in public the only thing that question does is determine whether someone can acknowledge a legitimate weakness and self correct without too much hand holding.It doesn't become part of a personnel record and even interview notes are rarely kept on file. Even if it was nobody has the time or inclination to hire someone who has a deficiency that requires individualized training techniques.

    Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

    Finance manager/HR manager

     

     

    Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
    Finance/Admin/HR Manager

    #1522914
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Ok thanks MLA. I've mentioned communication in a few of my interviews in the past so I wonder if it has anything to do with why I seem to have been given a hard time at those positions.

    I don't necessarily have an issue with communication, but I generally use this response in the interview and mention that anyone can benefit from learning to become a better communicator.

    But I wonder if using this response is the reason why it seems like I get treated more harshly or trained more rigorously than others I've worked with. Is it possible they intentionally create the conflict so that I can “communicate” how to resolve issues in the workplace? Still trying to put my finger on why some employees get different treatment than others, especially knowing it's not necessarily accounting related since for me personally I am usually the one training others.

    #1522923
    Missy
    Participant

    I seriously doubt it but if communication is your issue it likely creates friction in practice to the point people seem to have less patience with you. In other words the fact you brought it up in an interview is not the problem, the fact it becomes apparent day to day is and if you had identified another weakness this would still haunt you.

    Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

    Finance manager/HR manager

     

     

    Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
    Finance/Admin/HR Manager

    #1522924
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Also I actually disagree with this “Even if it was nobody has the time or inclination to hire someone who has a deficiency that requires individualized training techniques.”

    Many firms large and small are familiar with personality assessment and building a working culture and functional team. Employees do tend to get individualized training or assigned tasks that are either more suitable for their personality or challenges it.

    But I'm very surprised it's so tough to find information/resources on this topic online. I would think it's a widely known and accepted part of working for highly selective CPA firms that they engage in interpersonal (soft skills) training and things of that nature. Very surprising when others are not familiar with this.

    #1522926
    Skynet
    Participant

    Megan Fox in a School Girl Outfit.

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    #1522936
    Missy
    Participant

    Employees get task specific individualized training not psychometric specific individualized training. You seem like a nice enough person but ask open ended questions when you're looking for a predetermined answer.

    Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

    Finance manager/HR manager

     

     

    Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
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    #1522941
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Why am I looking for a predetermined answer? Because I acknowledge your response, but disagree? Isn't that what a discussion is about? Yes, I'm looking to discuss how responses during an interview effect on the job training. You don't believe it does. So I provide an example to support my opinion. That is called a discussion. However, you are only one person and that is only your opinion when it is clear that many companies do in fact provide specific individualized training.

    I'm honestly not interested in your feedback any longer on my posts because you always seem to have such a narrow view on the industry. Unfortunately there isn't a block feature yet on this forum.

    #1522942
    Missy
    Participant

    That's cool I will continue to provide input where I choose and whether my input is considered or not is none of my concern. Just remember I'm the one happy with my career and not seeking advice on a very regular basis. There may be a lot of merit to what a much more seasoned professional has to say to someone else reading these discussions.

    Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

    Finance manager/HR manager

     

     

    Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
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    #1522945
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    You are happy with your career that's why you always come back to this forum on your high horse to inflate your ego by providing one dimensional feedback…to us “less experienced” folk? Lol please, that sounds more miserable than happy, but of course you can tell yourself anything that works. Whatever it takes right?

    #1522948
    Missy
    Participant

    No actually I stay because I'm a friend of Jeff's and a moderator here. But think what you want about me. I've seen people like you come and go in the seven years I've been here and never changed during that time.

    Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

    Finance manager/HR manager

     

     

    Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
    Finance/Admin/HR Manager

    #1522951
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    By people like me you mean people who have experience and curious to learn more about the accounting industry in depth than what's on the surface? Compared to someone like yourself who takes things at face value and only considers their one dimensional personal experience as the one and only way to success?

    PS you don't have to respond. I already know discussing anything with you is basically like talking to a wall.

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