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9Yally  
#1 Posted : 31 March 2014 15:28:43(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
9Yally


Good Afternoon,

After a bit of interview advice.

Two question that I am never sure if I answered correctly is 'What are your weaknesses?' and 'What is one regret in your H&S career?'

These two always throw me a bit as I never sure on what a good answer would be from an employers point of view?
simplesafety  
#2 Posted : 31 March 2014 16:13:05(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
simplesafety

Hi 9Yally

You could try:

Weaknesses ā€“ Impatience (also a motivator to get things done quickly though i.e also a strength)

Regrets ā€“ Not achieving Grad/CMIOSH , Bsc, NVQ sooner in my career as this gave me greater depth and breadth of knowledge.

Its tricky because it all depends who interviews you, some people want brutally honest weaknesses, but this may scare others away who prefer the typical buzz word answers. In my opinion, its best play it safe and turn your answers into positive comments about yourself as above. We all have weaknesses its nothing to be ashamed of.

Google search typical interview questions and have some answers prepped next time you have a interview.

Out of interest, how did you answer these questions?

best of luck, Adam
Jake  
#3 Posted : 03 April 2014 09:43:03(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Jake

General rule of thumb is always to find the positive in a negative :-)

Impatient, too hard on your self, over commitment, too serious etc. etc. are all potential examples where you can frame the positive aspect "cause I'm amazing etc."

Start the answer with the negative (frame it via STAR/CAR approach) then flip it and explain the positive reason for this (e.g. passionate about getting things done ahead of schedule, deeply care about my actions etc. etc.) then to close explain what you are doing to address this "weakness".

NB: rarely have I come across (through my own or others) an interview panel wanting you to just blurt out your weakness and not saying anything positive about it - organisations like positivity!

Biggest regret? Could be anything, but again frame as a positive. E.g. challenge myself more in early career as I now realise my full potential, not moving into the career soon enough (2nd career people), not having the confidence to jump ship / go for promotion X years ago (but now you know this is the right thing to do etc.).

Happy to discuss via PM if you like.
rockybalboa  
#4 Posted : 04 April 2014 09:04:47(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
rockybalboa

pff negative to a positive, how cliche, this'd get you the job:

1. Kryptonite
2. Not stopping emperor zod wreck half of Metropolis in man of steel, should have took the scrap to the moon!

Say it straight faced and bang, hello new job!
David Bannister  
#5 Posted : 09 April 2014 16:14:31(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
David Bannister

I have always considered the "weakness" question a sign that the interview process is flawed and the interviewers are blindly following a HR script.

Beware if they ask it. Do they really want the best person or are they looking for a clone to fit in to their slot?
S Gibson  
#6 Posted : 30 April 2014 11:23:15(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
S Gibson

my weakness is not knowing my weakness
hilary  
#7 Posted : 30 April 2014 12:13:10(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
hilary

I would be inclined to tell them that I have no weaknesses, just opportunities (they like "buzz") and that I have no regrets - life is too short to wish you had done something, you prefer to live in the here and now and plan for the future rather than mourning the past.
Zimmy  
#8 Posted : 01 May 2014 20:13:12(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Zimmy

Be open, be honest, be willing to take the blame. 'I'm only looking for a job in H&S as it seems you don't need to know much about the real world.com'

'I know how to talk rubbish and make it seems intelligent'
' know nothing at all about electricity but willing to tell electricians about safe isolation and Portable Appliance Testing'

Zimmy  
#9 Posted : 02 May 2014 18:27:45(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Zimmy

The truth cannot be printed here. Would spoil it for you all
Mr.Flibble  
#10 Posted : 14 May 2014 16:15:23(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Mr.Flibble

1. Pick a weakness that has nothing to do with the job you are going for I. going for a safety role; I'm not very good with my hands when it comes to making things (chuck in a DIY joke) as this is a skill you do not need for the job and its not the cheesy turning a negative into a positive.

2. Well my biggest regret is getting into H&S in the first place, but best not to go with that (unless you can pull it off as a joke!), I would just go with what Hilary has said that you have no regrets or that you wish you knew back then what you know now; life experience etc.
walker  
#11 Posted : 15 May 2014 09:27:54(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
walker

I used to be conceited but Iā€™m perfect now.
Stedman  
#12 Posted : 19 May 2014 09:41:08(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Stedman

David Bannister wrote:
I have always considered the "weakness" question a sign that the interview process is flawed and the interviewers are blindly following a HR script.

Beware if they ask it. Do they really want the best person or are they looking for a clone to fit in to their slot?

I also agree for two reasons:

It is a bad interview question as it indicates that either the interview has not been adequately researched planned by the interviewer and from an HR point of view, it also arguably is not a good question from an equal opportunities point of view.

It is almost a so-what question which which invites wasted answers and is a destroyer of many good interview!
gordon j  
#13 Posted : 12 June 2014 14:10:05(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
gordon j

Weaknesses is that sometimes I am over confident which could lead to some errors. But as a result I have always learnt from my errors which in turn leads me to being a more knowledgeable practitioner
jodieclark1510  
#14 Posted : 02 July 2014 15:16:06(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
jodieclark1510

the one that clinche my current job was I said i didn't feel I had weaknesses, but rather areas of development that I was working on. could give that a go?
jwk  
#15 Posted : 03 July 2014 11:29:23(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
jwk

Very much in agreement with Stedman on this; if they really want to know where you might be weak they should identify something challenging (but essential) about the post and ask specific probing questions. For example, at my most recent (successful) interview I was asked 'How will you cope with the extra workload' when we were talking about the relative sizes of the two organisations, the one I wanted to leave and the one I wanted to join. This is a good question, made me think, forced me to be honest and indicated that the questioner had at least a passing acquaintance of what the job involved,

John
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