this is a question i have been asked on a few job interviews in my life, and I am sure others on here have as well..

but,

does anyone else have a really hard time answering this question? I do, and not because i think I am perfect or something (far from it), but its the "greatest" part.. I have alot of weaknesses, just like I have alot of strengths. but trying to sit there, sorting through those weaknesses in my mind trying to think of what the greatest must be, I sometimes end up locking up, staring into space as a result trying to think of what it may be..


anyone else always have issues with this particular question?

If someone asked me that question during a job interview, I would just leave.
Obviously the person has no idea what they are doing, and I wouldn't want to work for them.

I've never been asked that question in a job interview. But I think if they did my reaction would be the same as Pluto's: I would get up and leave.

EDIT: Now that I think of it, I don't recall anyone ever asking me that question under any circumstances.

I was asked that several times in my job search, and I think I may have been asked it in the interview for the job I currently hold. A lot of times the person has a list of approved questions they can ask, other times it is their choice. I think you aren't giving the question enough credit. It's a fairly standard question that you can easily prepare for and you get to see the persons reaction.

I feel like walking out based on a single question is very narrow minded, and it's up there with refusing to apply for a job where you have to do online applications. You can, but you are limiting yourself greatly and it may be a long time before you get an offer.

Though I guess it does depend on your industry...

To the OP: The biggest thing with this question is you know it is a possibility, there is no excuse for freezing up to it. Your weakness should be one that doesn't directly impact the job (IE if you are applying for a secretary position you shouldn't say your greatest weakness is typing) and one where you can mention how you are working to improve it.

When I was job hunting I would go on GlassDoor and find all the reviews for the position I was being interviewed for and then formulate answers to all the questions that are going to be asked, as well as a few 'classic' questions. That isn't to say I would memorize the answers, but I would have a general idea of what I wanted to say.

I may have been asked this once. But I don't think it was for an interview. Regardless, I think turning your greatest weakness into a double-edged sword is beneficial. For instance, I told my friend that I care way too much about what others think of me. On one hand, that's bad because it can lead to a lot of stress,anxiety, tension etc.. but on the other hand it means that I'm always prepared, presentable and polite.

See if you can double-edge it.

"I'm always late, I had affairs with my last three bosses and I have a drink problem."

Seriously, what they're looking for is examples of problems you've had in the past and how you've overcome them. I usually answer that stupid question with, "I like to ask for feedback from my colleagues, and where any weakness is identified, I work on fixing it. For example, my timekeeping used to be a little off, but then I realised that my calendar was confusing me, so I colour-coded all the entries and set reminders, and that really helped."
"I'm not really used to working in teams and balancing the different priorities of a lot of people, but I'm taking a free online course in emotional intelligence and I can definitely sense an improvement."
"I used to find it really hard to get the most important things done in a day, but now I use Outlook as a project management tool and my productivity's really gone up."
"Brown eyes. Say, are you busy later?" (OK, don't use this one.)

Mine is easy: Bakeries. I can not resist donuts, fresh baked bread, cakes, pies, muffins, rolls of all kinds, fruit-filled turnovers, baklava. If it is baked, I love it!

My mom used to work at a bakery when I was little and she used to take me with her in the early morning when she opened up. It was a fun experience! All those tasty smells.

On topic, pretty much this. I don't recall any interviewers asking me that question.

I run away from everything and everyone.

Wait, that probably wouldn't look good during a job interview.

Michael Scott has a great https://youtu.be/Qw10TdvjL9Y?t=24s to that question (even if that wasn't exactly what was asked). You see, his weaknesses are also his strengths.

Questions like that can themselves be a warning sign, or at least, they have been in my experience. If you're dealing with a HR rep or interviewing for a job that's pretty cut-and-dry, that's one thing. But if your would-be supervisor is asking that sort of question for a job where regular communication with said supervisor will be necessary, then that sort of question is kind of a warning flag. Especially if the whole interview is nothing but those questions.

When I interview, I want to walk away knowing two things; what the employer's expectations will be (and along with that, what the job will really entail), and whether the employer knows significantly more about me as a potential employee after the interview. If all I get are off-the-shelf interview questions, I won't get a sense of either one. What's more, if the questions are coming from my would-be supervisor, then I will get the sense that communication is going to be a regular problem. That's burned me often enough to where I just might walk out...

Yep, as you and others have said, pick a flaw you're willing to "own" and how you overcome it. Everyone has flaws, and good employers want to see at least a couple of things. First, they'll want to know if your flaw is something that can be managed if you look like a good match otherwise, and second, how you yourself react to the flaw.

To give you a personal example (that people are free to rip apart and jump all over), one of my flaws is a tendency to procrastinate. However, recognizing that tendency and being able to spot it when it happens actually helps me to get off my duff and get the job done. I told one person (who later hired me) that laziness is a great motivator; I'd rather get things done so I can be lazy in peace, than be lazy with a dozen things bugging me for attention.

My weakness are:

Carl Jr's Double Western Bacon Cheeseburger with Sweet Potato Fries and large Cherry Coke---.

Hooter's medium spicy chicken wings.

I'm also limited physically as my lower back tends to give out on me.

My answer to them: My inability to answer dumb questions like this?

Then I'd leave.

I agree with you funnybunny in that I have have many strengths, but also weaknesses. Since getting my addictions under control I have been doing a lot of self anolyzation and trying to work on the weaknesses. We are all flawed in some way. I'd rather concentrate on the strengths in these situations.

Buffalo chicken wings, or hot and fresh glazed krispy kreme donuts... irresistible.