10/04/2008 07:39:05 AM EST
So, What's Your Achilles Heel?
posted by Average Jill
"What is your Achilles heel?", and it's variant, "What is your greatest weakness?" are two of the most asked questions during job interviews. The employer is considering investing thousands of dollars in you, and is trying to determine the risk he/she is taking.
Books and articles on job interviews recommend answering this question by saying you have too much of a good trait, ala Hillary Clinton, "I'm just too passionate about my beliefs."
But how do you answer this question?
I honestly think a good trait taken to the extreme is a very dangerous thing. Using those instructions, here's how I would answer the question:
"I take the time to do things right."
Why would I rate that as a bad thing? Well, when business is fairly slow, it's a great thing, but if you can't turn that trait off when things get busy, things get disorganized, behind, you become stressed, you work way too many hours and end up burnt out.
Next applicant, please!
Alright, how about answering the question totally honestly?
"On the weekends, I'm an unbathed couch potato who is way behind on her housework."
I don't think that would work, either.
People have been saying that Palin's answer to this question shows that she did not understand the question. We need to consider that she understood, but was too chicken to answer. Even Biden kept his answer very short before diverting to his own talking points.
So, how would you answer this question? How do you think the four major candidates should answer this question?
If you guys are honest, this ought to be fun.
