As a twin to the ‘Things I suck at…’ thread.
I am filling in a self assessment form for work, question 4 is ‘I believe my strengths are’ - well, no trouble filling that in, question 5 is the thread title. How on earth do they expect someone to respond? I am in the world of Dilbert. What should I write? What would you write?
I believe my weaknesses are:
::deep breath::
No fashion sense - no time for stupid people - a short fuse - minimal people skills - unambitious - no interest in interior decorating - a whole load of other stuff that I sure as hell aren’t going to own up to here (but for those following other theads I do not pee in the shower)
I was thinking “tall blonds with washboard abs,” but that’s just me.
Serious answer: do the old job-interview switcheroo – a “negative” that’s actually a positive, like “I’m a perfectionist, so I have a hard time letting a project go when it’s only `good enough’ and not the best it can be.”
How about: “Finishing stupid sentences”, or “completing useless paragraphs with complete bullshit because if I even had weaknesses, who the hell are you to know them, I don’t even know who the fuck the reader is!”
Mine are the following:[ul]
[li]Confrontational situations[/li][li]1920’s Style Death Rays (Hey… somone had to have them as a weakness, right? :D)[/li][/ul]
I don’t handle criticism at all. If anyone calls attention to any work or characteristic of mine they think is poorly or badly done and is especially brutal about it I’ll fly into a fiery hateful rage against that person and turn into a monster. I’m extrmely sensitive when it comes to criticism, especially when such remarks are delivered unsolicited.
Erm… yair, I’m not so sure about that. It’s become a real cliche, and I think all interviewers are wise to it.
I forget if it was on these boards, or if it was a comedy routine, but I did hear a funny thing: when the interviewer asks, “What are your weaknesses?”, you look serious and give the “I’m a perfectionist” answer, then you break into a broad grin, slap the interviewer on the back rather too hard in a totally insincere and inappropriate manner, and grin “I bet you’ve never heard THAT one before!!”, and then laugh yourself silly before resuming your seat and your serious look.
Not in the sense of not willing to work on a job, but in the ‘too easy going’ sense. I’m too lazy to work on relationships. Whether they concern partners, friends or family.
I think it would have been better if I had just refused hard labor and sat on the couch all day.
At least that wouldn’t make me feel so darn guilty.
[ul]
[li]Good gravy is there no escape?[/li][li]BTW I think it should be “Death Rays” with the quotes.[/li][li]Lists should have at least three items even if you have to make up the last one.[/li][/ul]
Too freaking right. It feels like one of those competition things, in twenty words or less please complete this sentence: Small Clanger is a tool and a buffoon because:
4.)Some would argue that I have a propensity to “telling like it is” with little regard for other peoples feelings. (personally, I think this is a strength, but the majority seems to think otherwise. go figure.) This atribute is especialy prominent when I encounter weakness number one.
5.) poor writing skills. but ya’ll already know that.
Noticing when other’s feeling are hurt. I have gotten to a point where I really don’t care.
Laziness. I have no self determination for anything to make me get active, because I see no real point, and fast result in it.
Talking too little I have a light stutter, so I only like to talk when nessisary around people that I don’t really know, i.e. during class. People have classified me as a loner, but I just don’t want to talk. Also, I’m worried I will say something mean. Not that I will offened them (see above) but that I will get in trouble.
Please allow me to correct my previous post…
[ul]
[li]Confrontational situations[/li][li]1920’s Style “Death Rays” (Happy now?)[/li][li] Hi, Small Clanger!!![/li][/ul](You know, it just doesn’t have the same ring to it as, “Hi, Opal”, does it? Besides, why change a classic?)
You might want to consider pointing out a gap in knowledge, rather than a character flaw. For example, a weakness could be “lack of experience with the budgeting process” or “limited experience teaming with colleagues purchasing.”
Try to pick something that is a bit of a stretch from the confines of satisfactory completion of your duties, so they don’t have to mark you down for it. If you manufacture widgets, don’t say “lack of knowledge about widget making.” But maybe “lack of knowledge of how our new customers in the transportation industry use widgets.”
If your manager is so inclined to address your weakness, maybe you read a book or take a class or participate on a team. Hopefully nothing too painful. With luck and skill, you can use this gambit to do something you consider more enjoyable than your regular work.
Wow! That’s a good one, I really didn’t expect to get any useful replies to the OP (I was only really expecting sarky support/comiserations like FordPrefect’s comments)
And Dragwyr that’s much better, ‘Hi, Opal’ is fine.
