Associate Dean for Law Career Services
Several years ago, I started receiving “The Etiquette Tip of the Week,” offered by the Culture and Manners Institute. Over the years, I have received valuable, bite-sized advice which has helped me avoid countless faux pas in social and professional settings. (Email Certified Etiquette Instructor Callista Gould at cgould@cultureandmanners.com to sign up for the Etiquette Tip of the Week.)
This week’s missive highlights a topic that is the frequent focus of my interview prep sessions: how to handle it when an interviewer asks you about your weaknesses.
“The great thing about interviewing is it is the one time you can tell people how wonderful you are and they are actually willing to listen.I couldn’t agree more. Showing a prospective employer how you learned from your mistake or overcame a challenge gives you an opportunity to demonstrate humility, highlight your newly developed skill set, and present yourself as someone who is constantly sharpening your abilities.
Be honest about your qualifications and experience. If an interviewer asks, "What is your biggest weakness?" Do not try to disguise a positive as a negative with a canned baloney answer like, "I work too hard" or "I am a perfectionist."
Instead, give an honest answer about a time that you really goofed and put it in the context of what you learned from the experience. A wise CEO once told me that a person who learns from mistakes is more valuable than a replacement employee.”
Coffee Card Raffle Question: Have you ever been asked to share a weakness on a job interview? What did you say? Email us at lawcareer@ggu.edu to share your answer. A $10 Peet's Coffee & Tea gift card will go to one of our responders via raffle.
