What's your biggest weakness?

No one's perfect. Take a long hard look at yourself and think of something you could improve. I for example tended to be a bit stubborn when it came to asking for help with a project; I'd rather struggle with it on my own until I get it. That works in a slow paced environment but in trading/banking, not so. As a result, I've become much more open to accepting help when needed and that has definitly helped improve my efficiency and made me more knowledgable at the same time.

Sounds lame but are there really any answers to these questions that aren't? At least this one's true and not just something that is intended to please the interviewer. Of course you don't want to say something that is a complete turn off; try to think of something that isn't terrible but something you are actively working to improve upon.

I usually would say something like, "I'm a terrible singer" just to be funny, then I would actually talk about something I'm working on, like WxOnWallStreet said. You just need to think about what kinds of things are hard for you, then how you're dealing with it. The worst thing you could do on this question is come off fake.

for the advice. I usually like bkm's method and come off with a joke, and then think of something.

Would saying something along the lines of being "too ambitious" turn them off?

I'm pretty much interviewing for Ops/Finance ... but eventually want to move into S&T.

Sometimes I just work too hard, they'll love that

jk

It doesn't matter what you say, as long as it won't affect your job performance (i.e. don't say "I hate and suck at doing DCFs"). just say something muted but true and sound genuine about it and relay how your improving and how you can succeed despite this weakness. If you have to ask other people on a msg board what their weaknesses are so that you can reuse them in your interview, I guarantee that you won't sound geniune and I guarantee that you'll fail.

I think that it if you say something a little more meaningful/genuine like I get angry at times you'll be fine don't something cliched it'll make you look stupid and fake.

when i'm focused on something, i can loose track of everything around me, including the time. i am working on it by using my phone alarm to set time limits for things.

this one helped me get the job. it was honest in the sense that it really is a weakness, but it is fairly easy to fix with the alarm. i still actually do it to make sure i don't spend too much time on shit.