So I've been googling for this question and searching WSO as I have an interview tomorrow, and everyone says the same thing: "Give a real weakness that isn't fundamental to doing the job, and talk about how you've improved upon it." Then they hardly if ever offer examples. Every weakness I think of seems to be a deal killer for IB Analyst/Associate recruiting (except public speaking) because it requires pretty much all kinds of skills - social, analytical, working in teams, meeting tight deadlines, etc. What are some actual examples that you know work well for this question?
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Why not be honest and tell them a story of something you actually struggled with in high school. These pseudo weakness answers are bland and no one can relate to that shit. It doesn't matter what it is, the weakness itself is irrelevant, they are interested in you introspection, empathy, and how you took initiative to improve yourself.
I'm recruiting for post-MBA roles so highschool is pretty far back haha. And the weakness answers I can think of all sound like deal breakers. For example, I'm a very open person. I don't hide my emotions necessarily. The advantage of this is that I openly speak my mind and actively contribute my thoughts. The disadvantage is that if I'm stressed or frustrated I show it. That sounds like a deal breaker to me in an interview setting.
No. You don't want to talk about your characteristics. Talk about something specific to the job, like learning how to use some VBA code and how or why it frustrated you, as an example. Don't talk about something so personal to you. Everything you say in an interview should be relatable to your interviewers. For weaknesses it should be something that they can walk you through or agree on it being something they hate too. Once or if they open it up, try to get the last word in about how you have looked over it overtime and improved on it. That way they can relate and feel they will be able to rely on you to find solutions to something challenging.
weakness is a good thing from time to time
'If you want a more thorough answer, you should ask my wife. She'll have a laundry list for you.'
Otherwise, why not something like:
Foreign language Budgeting time off (it's important, but if I don't block it off, it just never seems to happen) Finding time to work out Long distance running C++ 'My biggest weakness is having an answer to the 'biggest weakness' question'
Whatever. There are a million things that don't matter much to the job.
My original answer to "Give me your three biggest weaknesses" was originally "Lying, being too honest, and contradicting myself" but I don't think they would appreciate that.
"Give me your three biggest weaknesses" - "Maths, and public speaking"
lol sb'ed
calves
The weakness interview question is for lames, if they can't interview you without asking that then they probably suck. So many other things to talk about during an interview...
Yeah, if that question comes up, they're reaching for something to talk about and you're probably getting dinged.
Not exactly. Maybe the interview is going well ... too well. Nobody's perfect and they want to see how self-aware you are, and also that you're human.
I give 2 understandable weaknesses & then I reframe the weakness question with an obstacle that I had a lot of trouble with & the steps I took to overcome it.
I haven't heard this question in years. But when I did hear it, my go-to was saying that I can sometimes be stubborn.
Tell them that sometimes you make decisions too quickly because you have a bias for action. You don't make poor decisions but they could be a bit sharper if you waited a little longer to gather additional information and mature your decision.
I always went with some version of pedigree (non-target state school, non-finance major). Something along the lines of, "I know the preferred candidate for mostly all open finance careers is a H/S/W finance major with 2-3 internships.... blah blah blah," to which i would then say how my "atypical path allows me a greater appreciation/respect for the work that is involved in turning over a deal/underwriting/trading/etc., then go on to highlight how everything i know i had to teach myself in my spare time (dedication/hustle). This probably wont apply in your position since you're post-grad and probably have ironed out all of your Undergrad shortcomings, but it worked for me back when i was out there looking.
All in all the question sucks, a better question from a better interviewer is gonna read more along the lines of "tell me about a specific time when you failed or didn't complete a task correctly/on time." Harder to bs that one.
"I don't know how to say no when someone asks for help" has worked for me in the past. Definitely my go-to
What's your greatest weakness?
"My meat rocket blasts off when I find the perfect transaction comparable."
who the hell are you
An analyst has no name
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