How to answer "What's your biggest weakness?" during an interview?

I wonder if an answer such as the following is acceptable:
“I’m kind of introverted when I meet someone for the first time but it doesn’t take me long before I get comfortable around new people”.
 
That works, but don’t say it if you are applying to a sales job.
 
former trader wrote:
“I’m kind of introverted when I meet someone for the first time but it doesn’t take me long before I get comfortable around new people”.
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To me, this sounds like the classic cop-out of: “This is my weakness. But I overcome my weakness quickly. So it’s really not a weakness.” Sounds like BS to me. And if I hear it, I know it’s BS. Of course, I don’t think I’d ever ask the question.
In interviews, I have found that it’s usually best to answer honestly. If you answer honestly and they like you, then chances are that you will get along there. And if they don’t like you, you probably wouldn’t have succeeded there in the long term.
 
former trader wrote:
^ As you are one of the few here that sits on the other side of the table, what’s the best answer you have heard?
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Personally, I hate the question myself and also find it BS, so I don’t ask it.
I have been asked it myself several times though. I think bchad was kidding with this original reply. If you literally said that to someone, you’ll likely get dinged.
 
I’m not kidding, but if you deliver it the right way, people generally don’t notice what you’ve done, and even those who notice understand that that’s the game about how you field that question. They see that you’ve identified a problem and are aware of it, and taken steps to correct it. The little assurance that it won’t be a problem in your employment with the interviewer is what they are hoping to hear anyway, and so if you deliver the statement the right way, it goes down smooth. Even if you haven’t confessed that you turn into an axe murderer if repeatedly asked hackneyed questions from people who ought to know better, they’ve heard you do some self analysis and learned that you do work to overcome your limitations.
It’s not so different from what others have been suggesting.
 
Yeah, this question is just an interview game. No rational person will expect an honest answer. If you truly had a weakness, like “I am a raging alcoholic”, you’re not going to tell the interviewer that. The goal of the question should just be to get some insight into the candidate’s personality, and maybe to measure their ability to bullshit people, because face it - that is important in most jobs. Of course, you would still be a douche for asking that question.
 
bchadwick wrote:
iteracom wrote:
bchadwick wrote:
Say something that used to be a weakness and then describe what you do now that makes it not a problem anymore and then say “actually, it’s not such an issue anymore “
Done.
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If I heard that, I would say, that’s not a weakness. Give me another that is a weakness.
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“I get irritated by people who are unimaginative.”
“I like to play with people who ask stupid questions, the way a cat plays with a mouse before he eats it.”
“I like directness. Tell me what you really want to know.”
…the possibilities are endless…
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bchad I was referring to these. If you literally said that 2nd line, you’ll get dinged.
 
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