Module 4 - Read, Research, & Submit: What Is Your Biggest Weakness?

   Read, Research, & Submit: What Is Your Biggest Weakness?

Overview

One common question that applicants often struggle with is the question, “What is your biggest weakness”? This question could be asked in a few different ways such as “What is an attribute you possess that your co-workers would dislike” or “How are you working to improve yourself personally and professionally?” There are any number of iterations to the question, but the goal of the interviewer is the same. As a recruiter, I want to hear an HONEST ASSESSMENT of yourself and hear what you are DOING ABOUT IT. We all have characteristics that need improvement, are you self-aware enough to know what those are and honest enough to admit one? Do you care enough about personal improvement that you are doing something about it? Persistent personal development and continual education is a mark of a usually well-rounded individual and self-actualization is a desirable trait in most employees.

This question was one of the most enlightening questions I asked in interviews as well as being one of the most frustrating. As a recruiter, I enjoyed listening to applicants who had well thought out and honest answers. I learned a lot about the people. I strongly disliked other applicants attempts to follow some random web-sites advice for picking a trait and an answer that I knew were neither genuine nor sincere. The common advice for this question is to choose a trait that is actually positive, turn it into a negative, and then make sure to turn it back into a positive for the interviewer. The technique only comes across insincere and dishonest. It is easy to decipher whether I am being told a truthful answer or one that is deceitful. In fact, after hearing hundreds of answers, I got to the point where I could tell what web-site the applicant had retrieved their answer from since many of them picked the same source.

To answer this question effectively, you should find a trait about yourself that is something you are working to change. Of course, the trait should be appropriate for the situation and should not be something egregious enough to cause the interviewer concern. I would not answer the question by saying “My greatest weakness is I can’t stand a certain political party”, or “My biggest weakness is continual weekend benders”. Instead, the weakness should focus on something that would simply make you a better person to work with.

As you read that list, you can assume that most applicants will use one of these just because it showed up at the top of an internet search. I heard these all the time. Do any of them seem like sincere and genuine traits? Of course not. These awful suggestions are just a cover rather than actually opening up to an interviewer and helping them see the real you. They are very poor suggestions.

 As you research this topic, try to stay away from copying suggested answers and instead, focus on intent of the advice offered. Then, perform a self-assessment to come up with your biggest weakness that you could talk about in an interview.

This answer should follow the TBC structure. When asked “What is your biggest weakness”, offer the recruiter a:

Thesis: tell them the “weakness you are most aware of”, which of course is the one you have prepared.

Body: Do not stop at the thesis. Offer a quick story on how you discovered this about yourself or why you chose this particular weakness. Keep it appropriate.

Conclusion:  Make certain to tell the recruiter how you are working to make the weakness a strength and leave the answer on a positive note.

As you prepare for this question, it is a wise idea to run your thoughts past a few friends or family members to make sure that your answer is suitable for a interview.

Instructions

For this assignment, you will need to research at least three sources that discuss the topic of how to answer when a recruiter asks, "What is your biggest weakness"? As you do this, you will find many similarities in advice that is given, as well as some differences of opinion. During your research, it may be wise to take notes on the techniques that are presented and begin formulating an answer that you would give in an interview.

Once you have concluded your research and formulated ideas of your own, you should write an interview response to two of the questions below. This assignment does not need to be in APA format. The answers you give should be well thought out and follow a TBC format. No references are required. 

1. What is your biggest weakness?
2. What is a trait that your current manager would say could use improvement?
3. What is a character or skill deficiency that you have discovered about yourself? 

Grading

See the rubric below for how this assignment will be graded. 

Submit

Your paper should be submitted as a Word Doc or PDF. The paper should be uploaded by the due date. Late assignments will not be accepted!