If they ask about your weaknesses or growth areas, I’ve said something like this: “I like to ask questions about how my work fits into the bigger picture. Sometimes this can seem like I don’t want to do the work, but I just want to make sure I understand it first.” It’s a strength disguised as a weakness and I think I’ve gotten a good response to it.
The “weakness” question is nothing more than an opportunity to see that you have humility and introspection. Pick anecdotes that show off those traits.
Yeah, the “weakness” question is crappy. “Growth Area” is a better phrasing. People start to say things like “I talk too much” “I have poor communication” or try to spin it; “I’m so attentive to details, sometimes I have trouble with time management”. None of that is helping you.
The best way to answer is talk about something job related you’re looking to improve at the job.
Maybe you’re interviewing at a bakery. Pick something off the “menu” and say something like I’ve never had the opportunity to learn how to make a traditional baguette or something. You want it to be specific enough to not look stupid, you don’t want to apply to a bakery and say I’ve never baked cookies from skratch (unless its as an entry level assistant or something)
If I were asking the question, I’d simply say “what are you looking forward to learning at the job?”
It accomplishes a few things A) tells the applicant the company is probably invested in their growth B) If the applicant is selected, it gives some insight into where to start the applicants training C) if the applicant says “I dunno I know the job already” it shows the applicant isn’t interested in learning.
If they ask about your weaknesses or growth areas, I’ve said something like this: “I like to ask questions about how my work fits into the bigger picture. Sometimes this can seem like I don’t want to do the work, but I just want to make sure I understand it first.” It’s a strength disguised as a weakness and I think I’ve gotten a good response to it.
The “weakness” question is nothing more than an opportunity to see that you have humility and introspection. Pick anecdotes that show off those traits.
Yeah, the “weakness” question is crappy. “Growth Area” is a better phrasing. People start to say things like “I talk too much” “I have poor communication” or try to spin it; “I’m so attentive to details, sometimes I have trouble with time management”. None of that is helping you.
The best way to answer is talk about something job related you’re looking to improve at the job.
Maybe you’re interviewing at a bakery. Pick something off the “menu” and say something like I’ve never had the opportunity to learn how to make a traditional baguette or something. You want it to be specific enough to not look stupid, you don’t want to apply to a bakery and say I’ve never baked cookies from skratch (unless its as an entry level assistant or something)
If I were asking the question, I’d simply say “what are you looking forward to learning at the job?” It accomplishes a few things A) tells the applicant the company is probably invested in their growth B) If the applicant is selected, it gives some insight into where to start the applicants training C) if the applicant says “I dunno I know the job already” it shows the applicant isn’t interested in learning.
Thank you! I’m going to start using growth area, or a variation of it.