What's Your Greatest Weakness? Answer the Most Irritating Job Interview Question and Get it Right

"What's your greatest weakness?" is one of thoseweaknesses like organization that would be critical to
typical but tough job interview questions. We all hateyour success on the job. That's not the best idea.
this question, but it comes up all the time, and yourWhat about a weakness like impatience? (That's one
answer is critical. You know you're going to get asked,of mine.) I'm impatient to get going on projects, to get
so be prepared. It's trickier than it seems on thethem done, and to generally succeed faster. It's a real
surface, and there's an art to answering it well. Do youweakness, but it also drives my success.
give your real weakness and how you've overcomeTry to think of a weakness that's real-a real one
it? Or do you pinpoint a quality that contributes to youryou've got, but one that will contribute to your success
success? How do you answer it truthfully (becauseon the job. (Although I would tell you to try to stay
they can see through a snow job) but still presentaway from clichéd weaknesses like "perfectionism."
yourself as the best candidate for the job?There's a red flag for the interviewer.) You know the
Some people will tell you to actually come up with aquestion is coming, so don't act like you're stumped.
real weakness, like, say, lack of organization, and thanYou have to answer the question before you're going
talk about what you've done to overcome it. I'm notto be able to move forward in the interview process.
sure that's a good idea. I don't want to hear about