BIOBASED JOBS

© Waller Jamison 2005

What, would you say, is your greatest weakness?

1. No one likes admitting to weaknesses, but this is a favourite interview question, and one you need to be prepared for.
2. This is not the time to confess your deepest secrets or expose embarrassing mistakes you have made in previous jobs. You should choose an area in which you don't have quite as much experience or confidence as you'd like - something which you will have the opportunity to work on in the job for which you are applying. It should not be something which you are expected to have already mastered, but something which will be useful for the post and can be developed over time. If you will be expected to give regular presentations, for example, saying that you find this difficult won't go down well. However, if this isn't expected at your level, but would be once you've moved up the ladder, you might say that you find it a bit nerve wracking and could do with more practice.

Check the job description and person specification for essential and desirable skills and be sure to choose something which is non-essential. It could be that you are unfamiliar with a particular software package which only plays a small part in the job. Once you have decided on your weakness, be sure to emphasize your willingness to improve and your awareness that you will have the opportunity to do so in the job.

And your greatest strength?

Many people have much more difficulty finding a strength than admitting to a weakness, but if you are asked to supply the latter, there is a good chance you’ll be asked for a strength as well. So be sure to prepare something.