What is, "I'm a perfectionist," Alex? 5

[proletariat]

A little homage to Jeopardy...

When asked what your greatest weakness is, during an interview, do you give the patent "I'm a perfectionist" answer or something truthful and original?

My real greatest weakness is getting careless because of monotony or boredom due to repetitive work. I'm razor-sharp when it's something exciting or new and challenging. The mind starts to wander when I get bored though.

 

[VisiGoth]

While this is an honest answer and may even be useful to an employer, I would not suggest using it. Not to be dishonest, but that it is a general trait and you are telling your prospective new employer what you will and will not stand for. That is bad idea and is not straightforward, I think it is underhanded.

Instead, state that you like new and different challenges. For a weakness you should either not answer the question, or give a weakness that is unique to you and that matters to the employer and does not give some sort of veiled threat.

For instance, you are working on getting better at estimating the time it takes to complete a project. Maybe you always underestimate, or maybe you are like Scotty on Star Trek, and chronically overestimate a project must to hear those words from the captain that you are a miracle worker.

You can word a weakness in terms o what you are activly doing to improve that trait.

 

[TheTick]

"I'm a perfectionist" can be a death knell for job prospects in some cases. Engineering is about compromise (i.e. "cheap-fast-good: pick 2"). Do some sincere self-examination, then formulate an answer that shows you have done some sincere self-examination.

My real greatest weakness is getting careless because of monotony or boredom due to repetitive work. I'm razor-sharp when it's something exciting or new and challenging. The mind starts to wander when I get bored though.

Hardly unique. Still, it has possibilities. Start with that, and segue into how you've trained yourself to work through this shortcoming.

I could be the world's greatest underachiever, if I could just learn to apply myself.

http://www.EsoxRepublic.com

-SolidWorks API VB programming help

 

[GregLocock]

One of the rules of spacecraft design:

'Better' is the enemy of 'good enough'.

A few times in 20 years I have been able to deliver the perfect spec for a part, but I'd say 90% or more of the time 'good enough', today, is far more useful to everyone else than 'slightly better' tomorrow.



Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[AngeloPapadakis]

I personally hate these types of interviews. Stupid questions that are conidered to be intelectual. Find out what the person is capable of in the line of work...period!

 

[HVAC68]

Well, I don't think the question is to find out the actual weakness of the candidate. It's more of trying to find out more about the person being interviewed. You need to be honest enough - i.e. don't tell such a fantastic lie that somebody can easily find out, nor tell a weakness which can hamper your getting in. I'm sure everybody has more than one weakness. Let them know one of the weaknesses and how you have identified and have overcome the same or it could even be how you are trying to overcome the same.

HVAC68

 

[GregLocock]

So Angelo, if someone said they showered once a week and changed thair clothes once a month you'd consider that irrelevant?


Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[MikeyP]

I had an interview once where this question came up. My first response was to say, "Is this where I am supposed to say 'Sometimes I work too hard and I am a bit of a perfectionist.'?". OK, so they didn't laugh out loud, but it gave the interviewer confidence that the "real" answer that follows is genuine.

My answer was

"Sometimes I find a solution to a problem which works, but I then realise that there is a better or more efficient way of doing it. I am then tempted to try the 'better' way of doing it when the original way worked fine thus potentially wasting time and effort. I have to force myself stop and think, 'Is it worth it?'."

While on the face of it this may look like "I am a perfectionist", what it really says is "I am always looking for a better way of doing things." Which is pretty much always a good thing from the employer's point of view. Additionally it shows that you are aware that in business, being good enough is sometimes just that - good enough. The final senetence says that you recognise the potential conflict and you are able to control it.

I got the job.

M

--
Dr Michael F Platten

 

[epoisses]

Mike,
If your weakness is wasting precious time on trying to improve something that works fine rather than doing something more useful (OK, _even_ more useful), that would not be a good thing from the employer's point of view.
If you spent some time to improve something and made millions of dollars with it, that would be a good thing, but then it wouldn't be much of a weakness, would it?
Why shouldn't one simply answer the question honestly and be done with it? I am tempted to think that an experienced interviewer has heard your version a dozen times before.

Being a perfectionist is a beautiful thing. Being a perfectionist and having a three pages long job list that keeps growing longer and longer while deadlines are passed and insufficient results are obtained is disastrous.

 

[MikeyP]

I thought I was being honest! The good thing is to be always striving to find something better. The bad thing is it not being appropriate in some situations. The compromise of being able to recognise "when to do what" is what really matters most to the employer and is perhaps the biggest positive.

It is a genuine weakness but it is one that you are able to control.

M

--
Dr Michael F Platten

 

[SomptingGuy]

What MikeyP is trying to say is that he has a weakness for "turd polishing".

 

[MikeyP]

Only if it is an interesting turd. A boring turd can be left with a matt finish as far as I am concerned

M

--
Dr Michael F Platten

 

[epoisses]

My wiseass posting obviously does not mean that I would not be tempted to polish an interested turd myself from time to time
;-)

 

[Maui]

Try this: "My greatest weakness is that I have a very low tolerance for incompetence."

Maui

 

[IRstuff]

reminds me of Grouchos's "I wouldn't be a member of any country club that would accept me as a member."

TTFN

 

[rmw]

And having a low tolerance for incompetence is a weakness??

rmw

PS Maui, I thought it was a great answer. I gave you a star. I just had to make the wisecrack.

 

[proletariat]

The answer I have used in practice is:

"I pay too much attention to detail, so I have to self-check sometimes to keep the big picture in sight."

 

[HgTX]

thread731-101460

 

[bradpa77]

I hate that interview question. I was asked it once. I answered very honestly. I said that I get in a slump from time to time. I didn't get a job offer. Of course the whole interview was a big mess anyways so I don't think its fair to blame it on my answer to that one question.

I haven't been asked the question since, but I often wonder how I'd answer it next time. I really would like to stick with the honest answer because that's what I believe in. I want an employer who is realistic. Someone who realizes that everyone has weaknesses. Someone who will not "punish" you for giving an honest answer and instead reward you for it.

I once had the opportunity to interview draftsmen for a new opening in my company and I actually thought of using that question simply to weed out the bull sh*ters. I was going to ask it to see who would have the guts to give an honest answer and who would try to weasel out of it by giving the text book bs answer. I didn't ask the question though. I guess I'm too nice of a guy. I hate being asked that question so I decided to leave it out.

 

[Ashereng]

Good on ya bradpa77.

I agree with you. If you don't value the question, why ask it?