How To Answer Interview Questions About Your Weaknesses

Who else hates interview questions about your greatest weaknesses? We all know not to say anything bad about ourselves in job interviews, so many job seekers answer this question in a way that’s obviously fake…have you ever said, “I’m a perfectionist,” or “I work too hard?” Interviewers will see right through this and probably come back to ask it in another way later (if they don’t lose interest in you immediately from that answer).

So, why would interviewers ask any job seeker about their greatest weakness?

Hiring managers don’t expect you to really say anything bad about yourself (although some candidates are not as thoughtful or as strategic in the interview as they should be, so they do). However, it does say a lot about you…

Best Answers For “What Is Your Greatest Weakness?”

Use an actual weakness that is also a strength for this job.

For instance, when I interviewed for sales jobs, I always gave impatience as my biggest weakness. In my personal life, impatience is a true weakness that has caused me problems with my friends and family who don’t appreciate it. In my job, however, impatience caused me to be a better sales rep. It drove me to achieve faster than others, because I couldn’t stand to wait for the sale—I was always pushing to see if I could ring that cash register a little faster.

Another idea: You could say that you get frustrated with people who don’t work as fast as you do. This is also a quality that isn’t very endearing to your friends and family, but it also says that you work fast and are dedicated to getting things done.

Use a weakness that you have found a way to manage.

Another weakness of mine is that I’m not very detail-oriented. In an interview, I would say that “I’m not naturally detail-oriented, so I take the extra steps of X, Y, and Z so I don’t miss anything.” X, Y, and Z could be a software program, reminders, or some kind of checks-and-balances system that catches any issues. I personally think this is a better answer than a weakness that you’ve already overcome (“I used to be X, but not anymore”). If you’ve already overcome it, it’s not your greatest weakness anymore, is it? But one that you manage with tools or creative solutions tells them that you are self-aware, proactive, and willing to address a problem.

Don’t use a weakness you have overcome and don’t have an issue with anymore.

Giving a weakness you have already overcome seems a little dishonest—because it’s not your greatest weakness anymore, is it?

What’s The Hidden Job Market And How Do I Access It?

You may be surprised to hear that approximately 85% of jobs are never advertised. And the higher the position, the less likely it is to be posted.

According to the website Examiner.com, only 11% of jobs paying over $200,000 per annum are advertised, and only 13% of executives find jobs by responding to job postings.

Why Are Jobs Hidden?

Jobs can be “invisible” for several reasons. One reason is that it takes time and costs money to advertise a position. If an employer knows that the job can be filled from a pool of candidates already on file, by headhunting, or via word of mouth, they’re not likely to advertise. I know some companies that don’t post open positions because of the deluge of applicants they receive. It’s impossible for them to wade through the 700+ candidates that apply. Another reason why a position might not be advertised is that the employer is looking to replace the person currently in the position.

Should You Look For Hidden Jobs?

If you don’t take the time to look for hidden jobs, you’re only touching the tip of the iceberg—the 15% of jobs that are actually advertised. There will be a great deal of competition for those jobs, and because of that, your chances of securing an interview will be dramatically reduced. If employers have work available, but haven’t yet advertised, the pool of potential candidates narrows to your advantage.

How Can I Find Hidden Jobs?

The more people who know that you’re looking for work, the more likely someone will have information about a job that isn’t advertised yet, or that may become available in the near future. You might be able to get the name of a good contact, or even a recommendation.

Direct Mail

Send your resume and cover letter or a value proposition letter to a list of target employers. You’ll be surprised at how many opportunities and phone calls for interviews this method alone will generate. Even better, do some cold calling and meet a potential employer in person.

Social Media

Take advantage of social media sites to promote your brand. LinkedIn is, of course, the most commonly used professional networking site. In fact, your chances of getting a job without having a LinkedIn profile are fairly slim. Set up a branded, professional profile on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ as well. Be aware that whatever you share on social media is in no way private, and potential employers can access it. So be smart about your social networking.

Information Interviews

Another way to access hidden jobs is to set up informational interviews with companies you’re interested in. Find someone who currently does what you want to do and ask to set up a time to have a quick chat to learn more. This is something that’s often done by people just starting out in a particular field, but it can actually be helpful at all stages of your career. I’ll elaborate more on this in upcoming articles.

Consider Contract Work Or Consulting

If you’re in a career slump, you might consider taking temporary, contract, or consulting positions. Many contract jobs have led to full-time employment, and if nothing else, they create more opportunities for you to network.

Career Fairs

Career fairs can also be great networking opportunities. You might not get an immediate job offer, but in this job market, it isn’t really the goal either. I would go with value proposition letter and business card in hand and do something different.

Go Find Those Hidden Jobs

Hopefully, now you can see why employers don’t always advertise or post to job boards (especially at the executive level). Over the next few weeks, we’ll expand on some of the techniques we just mentioned for finding hidden jobs. It’s going to be easier than you think!

One of the most valuable tools when tapping into the hidden job market is a Value Proposition Letter. It is tremendously successful at grabbing the hiring manager’s attention and showing them the value you offer as a candidate. Studies have shown direct mailing a Value Proposition Letter to a decision maker results in an 85% success rate securing EMPLOYMENT within 90 days. That’s pretty substantial.

How To Answer Interview Questions About Salary

Two job interview questions that cause job seekers a lot of anxiety are:

1. How much money did you make in your last job? (Or, How much are you currently making?)

2. What are your salary expectations for this role?

You know that any money-focused questions (past or present) are a gauge for employers to know if they can afford you and how much they can get you for. You’re afraid that if you say a number too low, you’ll leave money on the table; but if you say a number too high, you may lose this opportunity.

Goal #1 – Deflect

Your biggest goal with either question is to avoid giving any answer at all. Throughout the interview process, try to avoid any discussion of money or salary for as long as you can—and never, ever bring up the money issue by asking about the salary for this job. The ideal scenario involves getting them to love you and want you for the job before any salary discussion because then, your bargaining position is stronger.

How To Answer “How Much Do/Did You Make?”

Answer #1:

‘My previous position is different than this one, so I don’t see that my past salary is relevant to this one. But I really want to answer all your questions about my skills and qualifications to see if you agree that I’m the right person for the job. I’m sure that if I’m a good fit, we can come to an agreement on compensation. I’m very excited about the possibility of working here.’

Answer #2:

‘What is the salary range you have budgeted for this position?’ When they tell you, say “I’m comfortable with that. If I’m offered a salary within that range, I won’t turn the offer down over the money.’

Answer #3:

Go ahead and tell them how much you made at your past/current job. In most cases, they really do just want to know if they can afford you. If you’ve done your homework and know what a reasonable offer is for this role in this geographic location, you’ll know if they offer you a salary that’s too low. You can always negotiate for a higher salary (based on your research) after you have the offer in hand.

How To Answer “What Salary Would You Expect?”

The good news is that if they ask you this question, they are thinking about offering you the job.

Answer #1:

Smile and ask, ‘Does this mean you’d like to offer me the job?’

Answer #2:

Ask, ‘What is the salary range for this position?’ When they tell you, say, ‘I’m comfortable with that. If we both decide that I’m a good fit for this job, I will be fine with discussing a salary in that range.’

Answer #3:

‘I’m more interested in finding out if this job is a great fit. I’m sure that you’ll offer a salary that’s appropriate for the responsibilities of the job.’

Keep your focus on selling yourself for the job. If they don’t want to hire you, you really have nothing to discuss.

Here is your caveat for any salary discussion: Every interview situation is different. That’s why there are several different options for each question. You have to decide what your situation calls for, and what you are comfortable with. The more you research the company and appropriate salary levels ahead of time, the easier it will be for you to answer these questions.

Reasons Why Your Resume Isn’t Getting You That Interview

The job market is fiercely competitive, and it’s a tricky business to make your resume stand out from the crowd. While you certainly shouldn’t expect to be asked for an interview for every job you apply for, if you’re not getting invited at all, this is a clear sign that something is wrong.

If all employers are rejecting your application before you’ve even sat in the interview room, it indicates that the problem lies with your resume. Here’s some key reasons why it might not be making the grade… and how to improve things today!

Reasons Why Your Resume Isn’t Getting You Interviews

1. You’ve got gaps in your employment history.

When it comes to resumes, employers like to see a smooth employment history. If there are any gaps, they’ll want to know why. Don’t be afraid to explain that you took a year out to go traveling or that you had three years out to look after your child. Instead, turn it into a positive. Highlight what valuable skills you developed during this time, and how they have made you even more suitable for the role you’re applying for.

2. You’re over-exaggerating.

Yes, your resume is the place to outline your greatest achievements and sell yourself to your future employers. However, it’s most emphatically not a place to brag openly about yourself, and it’s certainly not appropriate to exaggerate your achievements. Remember, if your resume statements cannot be 100% backed up at an interview, you may end up making yourself look foolish.

3. Your layout or presentation isn’t good.

Resumes need to convey information quickly and efficiently. Your prospective employer probably has hundreds of resumes to crawl through, and they don’t want to try to read a document that is impossible to understand. Keep your layout simple, use sub-titles and bullet-points where appropriate and avoid needless waffle!

4. Avoid clichés.

In the world of resumes, clichés seem to occur all the time. Try to avoid wherever possible. Assume that your future employer knows you’re “passionate about the industry” or that you’re “dedicated to getting great results.” Keep it fresh and original, and you’ll stand out a lot more.

5. You don’t detail the good stuff.

Worse than bragging is underselling yourself. Your resume should be seen as a chance to showcase your achievements and experience. Don’t shy away from highlighting the awards you’ve won, the courses you’ve completed or the qualifications you’ve achieved. These will all help to secure you the interview.

Polishing Your Online Reputation

Remember that in addition to your resume, your future employers will be looking at your online presence – your social media pages, any shared content on Google and anything else of a similar nature. If you have photos online of you staggering out of a bar at 2 a.m. looking a little bit worse for wear, get rid of them quickly. It doesn’t create a great impression.

If you’re really worried about your resume, ask friends and family to check it over for you – or hire the help of a professional to tidy it up for you. It’ll be worth it when you finally manage to secure the job!