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What Are Your Greatest Strengths and Weaknesses?
By Carole Martin, Monster Contributing Writer Marie is about to interview two candidates for the customer service manager position. Her candidates are Francine and William. As always, she plans to ask about their strengths andweaknesses.Francine answers the question, "What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?" with, "Mystrength is that I'm a hard worker. My weakness is that I get stressed when I miss a deadline because someone else dropped the ball."This answer is unimaginative. Most people think of themselves as hard workers.William has difficulty with the question. "I really can't think of a weakness," he begins. "Maybe Icould be more focused. My strength is probably my ability to deal with people. I am prettyeasygoing. I usually don't get upset easily."This answer leads with a negative, and then moves to vague words: maybe, probably, pretty andusually.So what is the best way to answer this question?
Assessing Your Strengths
 Assess your skills, and you will identify your strengths. This is an exercise worth doing beforeany interview. Make a list of your skills, dividing them into three categories:
1. Knowledge-based skills:
Acquired from education and experience (e.g., computer skills,languages, degrees, training and technical ability).
2. Transferable skills:
Your portable skills that you take from job to job (e.g., communicationand people skills, analytical problem solving and planning skills).
3. Personal traits:
Your unique qualities (e.g., dependable, flexible, friendly, hard working,expressive, formal, punctual and being a team player).When you complete this list, choose three to five of those strengths that match what theemployer is seeking in the job posting. Make sure you can give specific examples to demonstratewhy you say that is your strength if probed further.
Assessing Your Weaknesses
 This is probably the most dreaded part of the question. Everyone has weaknesses, but who wantsto admit to them, especially in an interview?The best way to handle this question is to minimize the trait and emphasize the positive. Select atrait and come up with a solution to overcome your weakness. Stay away from personal qualitiesand concentrate more on professional traits. For example:"I pride myself on being a 'big picture' guy. I have to admit I sometimes miss small details, but Ialways make sure I have someone who is detail-oriented on my team."
 
Scripting Your Answers
 Write a positive statement you can say with confidence:"My strength is my flexibility to handle change. As customer service manager at my last job, Iwas able to turn around a negative working environment and develop a very supportive team. Asfar as weaknesses, I feel that my management skills could be stronger, and I am constantlyworking to improve them."When confronted with this question, remember the interviewer is looking for a fit. She isforming a picture of you based on your answers. A single answer will probably not keep youfrom getting the job, unless, of course, it is something blatant. Put your energy into your strengths statement -- what you have to offer. Then let the interviewer know that although youmay not be perfect, you are working on any shortcomings you have.
Prep for the Top 10 Interview Questions
By Carole Martin, Monster Contributing Writer Too many job seekers stumble through interviews as if the questions are coming out of left field.But many interview questions are to be expected. Study this list and plan your answers ahead of time so you'll be ready to deliver them with confidence.
What Are Your Weaknesses?
 This is the most dreaded question of all. Handle it byminimizing your weaknessandemphasizing your strengths. Stay away from personal qualities and concentrate on professionaltraits: "I am always working on improving my communication skills to be a more effective presenter. I recently joined Toastmasters, which I find very helpful."
Why Should We Hire You?
 Summarize your experiences: "With five years' experience working in the financial industry andmy proven record of saving the company money, I could make a big difference in your company.I'm confident I would be a great addition to your team."
Why Do You Want to Work Here?
 The interviewer is listening for ananswer that indicates you've given this some thought and arenot sending out resumes just because there is an opening. For example, "I've selected keycompanies whose mission statements are in line with my values, where I know I could be excitedabout what the company does, and this company is very high on my list of desirable choices."
What Are Your Goals?
 Sometimes it's best to talk about short-term and intermediate goals rather than locking yourself into the distant future. For example, "My immediate goal is to get a job in a growth-orientedcompany. My long-term goal will depend on where the company goes. I hope to eventually growinto a position of responsibility."
Why Did You Leave (Or Why Are You Leaving) Your Job?
 If you're unemployed, state your reason for leaving in a positive context: "I managed to survivetwo rounds of corporate downsizing, but the third round was a 20 percent reduction in theworkforce, which included me."
 
If you are employed, focus on what you want in your next job: "After two years, I made thedecision to look for a company that is team-focused, where I can add my experience."
When Were You Most Satisfied in Your Job?
 The interviewer wants to know what motivates you.If you can relate an example of a job or   project when you were excited, the interviewer will get an idea of your preferences. "I was verysatisfied in my last job, because I worked directly with the customers and their problems; that isan important part of the job for me."
What Can You Do for Us That Other Candidates Can't?
 What makes you unique? This will take an assessment of your experiences, skills and traits.Summarize concisely: "I have a unique combination of strong technical skills, and the ability to build strong customer relationships. This allows me to use my knowledge and break downinformation to be more user-friendly."
What Are Three Positive Things Your Last Boss Would Say About You?
 It's time to pull out your old performance appraisals and boss's quotes. This is a great way to bragabout yourself through someone else's words: "My boss has told me that I am the best designer he has ever had. He knows he can rely on me, and he likes my sense of humor."
What Salary Are You Seeking?
 It is to your advantage if the employer tells you the range first. Prepare by knowing the goingrate in your area, and your bottom line or walk-away point. One possible answer would be: "I amsure when the time comes, we can agree on a reasonable amount. In what range do you typically pay someone with my background?"
If You Were an Animal, Which One Would You Want to Be?
 Interviewers use this type of psychological question to see if you can think quickly. If youanswer "a bunny," you will make a soft, passive impression. If you answer "a lion," you will beseen as aggressive. What type of personality would it take to get the job done? What impressiondo you want to make?
What Motivates You?
By Carole Martin, Monster Contributing Writer "What motivates you?" is another one of those soul-searching interview questions where your answer will depend on your background and experiences. It can really catch you off guard unlessyou've thought about it before the interview. Contemplating when you have been most satisfiedin your career will not only help you answer this question, but it will also help you focus on whatyou want in your next job.Two candidates answer the motivation question, reflecting their values and what is important tothem.The first one says, "In my previous job, I worked directly with customers and their problems.What I liked was solving problems and helping people. Sometimes it took a lot of effort on my part, but it was very rewarding when the customer appreciated the service."This answer reflects the candidate's interest in helping people and the satisfaction he gets infinding solutions.
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