List 3 things about yourself...

[bugjuice]

so i'm starting to look for alternative employment (long story, can't be arsed why, those who know me, please don't tell my boss yet (saving that for a big moment, but you can watch if you like)) and something that's come up in a few interviews is this question:

list 3 good points, and 3 bad, about yourself.

Now, I'm far from perfect (I guess I have to admit), so to list 3 good points isn't too hard, but to list 3 bad points...??
I have flaws. I know that. But to point them out? And have to be work/career related (so 'I can only satisfy 4 chicks at once', doesn't qualify apparently)..?? And, still keep yourself in the running for the job..?

Just thought that's actually a bit tougher than it sounds!
And not that I want to poach yours, but whatcha got? Why are you good for 3 points, and why are you crap/need to improve - and be work related?

[madboy]

You can be a perfectionist at times, which makes it difficult to just do a mediocre job. Means you need to work extra hard to meet the deadlines because you take a little too much pride in your work and don't want to do anything less than a proper job.

Make it sound like you really believe that, and in turn really think it's a bad thing.

[James Deuce]

Errr, I'm crap at everything apparently. I couldn't find 3 good points about my self with a searchlight and a jackboot up my arse.

My $200 CV sucks as well. So much for "professional" CV consultants.

[kickingzebra]

Showing improvement opportunity can allow the workplace to contribute to you, meaning you might be more loyal. Its all very fashionable in employment circles.
Try and positively wriite the negative, to show room for growth.
Mine are easy,
I find it hard to stay on task (I need multiple stimuli/challenges in work)
There is room for improvement on my follow through ability (I am an ideas man, an initiator)
I don't work well in fixed hours situations (I am flexible about hours)
and so on.

[Darryboy]

[edit] Kicking Zebra said what I was trying to... and better.

[bugjuice]

MB, I used that one, but I can't only put it 2 ways.. so need a 3rd way of putting it..
and one of the 'pros' was 'efficient worker' (excluding KB time). So they kinda clash..

[Motu]

Not career motivated - so those above me are safe in their jobs.

I have no life - therefore I take no sickies,and will even work through my holidays with no pay.

I always put the toilet seat down.

Are they good or bad things?

[The_Dover]

I don't shave everyday.

I sometimes exceed the speed limit by a few km/h

My bike is scratched.

[kickingzebra]

Haiku... Dovers a poet!!! A japanese poet none the less!!

[bugjuice]

and this is career related, how?

[Colapop]

In the same boat BJ - just worried about the economy. If I change jobs now (construction/engineering consultancy) and it all turns to shit I could be right up poo creek with a boat let alone a paddle. My CV is crap but get me in front of someone and like as not they'll hire me. It's just getting there in the first instance. What do ya say, if all your qualifications are life experience?

[inlinefour]

good things;
I like collecting bikes, so have a wee collection thats slowly getting bigger.
I collect motorcycle paraphenalia(sp), so have a wee collection of that stuff.
I talk alot about motorcycles and often arrange my days around them.

bad things;
Because of the stuff I collect and the shyte I talk and do, I am constantly broke and everyone thinks I'm nuts.:Oops:

Reckon if people can't accept you the way that you are, then they ain't worth worrying about and its time to move on...

[skelstar]

Buggy, youre probably staisfying an office full of chicks by leaving your current job..

1. When I loose motivation for what Im working on Im not very good at staying 'on-task'.
2. I work to live, not the other way around.
3. Easily distracted (by KB for a start).
4. F-ing hate Windows machines.

Trick is to turn a bad point around, but I struggle to make any of those positive.

[MidnightMike]

Bad things.

Dont have a bike.
Im a whorum whore.
Swear alot.
Lazy.
Easily distracted.

Good things. ( In someways )

Perfectionist.

Cant think of anything else right now. :scratch:

[bugjuice]

you have good points Skel, but

1) the chicks all left the company. They stuck it out as long as they could, but they were all sorry to me. (boy, was that a hard week)

2) I work to live too, but I also have a high satisfaction rate for my work. If it bores me, then why bother?

3) easily distracted by KB, cos I've got no fucking work on! note how I don't post hardly, during holidays, weeknights and weekends?

4) me too, that's why I use a mac ;)

[klingon]

It's all a trick, bugjuice. The thing is to tell them SIX good things about you, and no bad ones.

eg:
Good things about me
- loyal
- hard working
- versatile

Bad things about me
- perfectionist
- over-achiever
- too kind to people

This is a job interview after all... there's no need to confuse them with the truth! :D

[The_Dover]

I think the best approach is to honest and not bullshit them. A good interviewer will smell bullshit a mile off.

And if you do bullshit your way in and get found out then chances are you'll sink like constipation released anyway.

Just focus on what your strengths and weaknesses really are and tell them. If this really is a career thing, as opposed to a "job" thing, they will recognise potential and be keen to develop it.

Unless you really are a fuckwit and need to lie.

[Hitcher]

list 3 good points, and 3 bad, about yourself.
Trust me, you don't want to work for these people. Sounds to me like this dude has just bought a copy of "Trick questions interviewers ask" and hasn't yet got to the end of page 2.

I would answer the question "And how will the information I provide let you determine whether or not I would be a valued employee?"

Otherwise for your "failings" list some positives. e.g.

"I'm a bit of a perfectionist. I am often conflicted about having to deliver inferior products just to meet deadlines."

"I'm too honest. I am often conflicted between a desire to tell the truth and to maintain ongoing relationships."

"I value highly personal integrity, both from myself and others. I find it hard to respect the opinions of others who want to indulge in game-playing rather than ask direct questions."

[BuFfY]

One way of doing it is to state your cons but say how you will/are working to fix them. For example.. I get distracted easily... I try to break tasks into small sections so that each part is achieved.
I am pedantic (sp?)... I like things to be done a certain way but this is because I have seen the sucess of these ways.
I'm a push over... you can make me do almost anything!

As has already been said... be honest! They will find out in the end what you are really like and if you have to spend all your energy trying to be someone you are not then work will suck even more!

[Skyryder]

Three good things. I'm perfect, perfect and still perfect.

Three bad things. I'm thinking.......................:zzzz:


Skyryder

[myvice]

Job No1; Was told to drop in one Friday for a beer, after talking shit for an hour or two was told "There’s a job here for you if you want it" Didn’t know I was applying for one, but it’s a really good job!
Job No2; (Weekend work) Friends mate rang me and asked, "You free this weekend?"
Life can be so easy sometimes...

[Lazy7]

i am

straight.
wealthy.
fantastic in the sack.

i am not

bad looking
attached
interested in long term relationship.

anybody? :msn-wink:

[Maha]

3 good things......... ask Anne, ask Anne, ask Anne.
3 bad things........... ask Anne, ask Anne, ask Anne.

[WINJA]

i hate hr people they are a waste of fucken space with their bullshit questions , i consider them to be nothing more than leeches on the companys finances , one of the highlights of my life was telling some hr bitch the above and i told her to ram the job up her pussy she was asking me those stupid questions and as long as i have options i wont be answering them

[Maha]

i hate hr people they are a waste of fucken space with their bullshit questions , i consider them to be nothing more than leeches on the companys finances , one of the highlights of my life was telling some hr bitch the above and i told her to ram the job up her pussy she was asking me those stupid questions and as long as i have options i wont be answering them
Yes but when becoming a male prostitue/stripper you need more than that charm or yours WINJA......................:rofl:

[Big Dave]

So the editor is addressing the entire staff of the Kitchener St publishing house - 50 or more people in a motivational and at times very funny address in the board room and balcony.

Half way through he asks the deputy editor a question. Dep steps beautifully into line for 2 minutes and then throws the ball straight to me - completely unprepared or without warning says:
'And what have you learned in your time here, Dave?'

'Fuck All, actually, I've taught you dicks plenty', was the first ticket rejected, followed by:
'I've picked up exactly how a publisher can over extend his credit and turn a cool business into a slow motion train wreck', but that didn't make first cut either, so after an almost embarrasing pause and gears grinding sound effect that old 'Value of teamwork' chestnut popped up and sprouted forth.

The 3 things is natural selection. If you are dumb enough to tell them - yer too stupid for the job.

Tell them that you don't have 3 faults worthy of listing and that you are the ideal candidate thend list 3 more positives in the space.

If they can't see the value in that - you don't want to work there.

[WINJA]

Yes but when becoming a male prostitue/stripper you need more than that charm or yours WINJA......................:rofl:
BEST JOB I EVER HAD THE MANAGING DIRECTOR WAS DRUNK AT THE INTERVIEW , WE SHOOK HANDS AND HAD A GENTLEMANS AGREEMENT FOR 5 YEARS ,NO CONTRACTS NO BULLSHIT QUESTIONS , 5 GREAT YEARS , I ONLY LEFT CAUSE I WAS LEAVING TOWN

[El Dopa]

so i'm starting to look for alternative employment (long story, can't be arsed why, those who know me, please don't tell my boss yet (saving that for a big moment, but you can watch if you like)) and something that's come up in a few interviews is this question:

list 3 good points, and 3 bad, about yourself.

Now, I'm far from perfect (I guess I have to admit), so to list 3 good points isn't too hard, but to list 3 bad points...??
I have flaws. I know that. But to point them out? And have to be work/career related (so 'I can only satisfy 4 chicks at once', doesn't qualify apparently)..?? And, still keep yourself in the running for the job..?

Just thought that's actually a bit tougher than it sounds!
And not that I want to poach yours, but whatcha got? Why are you good for 3 points, and why are you crap/need to improve - and be work related?

It's one of those shitty HR-type questions that's thought up by some shithead consultant and which means 9/10's of fuck all.

It's a typical favourite interview-style question. You're lucky because you have the luxury of answering it in your own time. Supposedly they want to see if you can turn a potential negative into a positive.

So, for example, as someone else has already posted: "My weakness is that I can't stand to see a job half-done, so I'll work as hard and as long as it takes to finish it properly (once I've managed to remove my tongue from your arse)"

Unfortunately, that one is so old it's growing hairs, so it'll cut no ice.

Any book that has a title 'how to suceed in interviews', or similar, will give you a few examples and pointers on how to answer these types of questions. Check out your local library, or there's probably something on the web if you have a search.

Lots of luck

[oldguy]

Three good things
1. tall
2. dark
3. and , oh well 2 out of 3 ain't bad,
guess i will just have to stay were I am :weep:

[cowpoos]

I'm single....like pinacolada's and getting caught in the rain....

[hXc]

I'm a drummer
I'm a motorcyclist
I'm sexy


I'm 15
I'm 'too mature'
I'm too immature

You guys pick which is which

[Motu]

One job I applied for I really tried hard - had a bath and clean jeans and T shirt,and put a work shirt over that,not done up with rolled up sleeves to cover the holes in my T shirt.Sort had a go at the knots in my hair,and didn't wear my dirty hat.I borrowed a mates car so I didn't have to ride my Triumph to the interview.

The woman in the front office buzzed me through to the workshop manager - ''there's a guy here about the job,he says he's a mechanic...but he looks like a pest exterminator!'' Not a word of a lie - they called me the Rat Catcher at that place because everyone knew what she had said.

[boomer]

These questions are

To see if you have/recognise self perception. Do you know who you are and what others percieve you as ( your ego's and external faces )
To marry your behavioural traits (good and bad) with what they, teh employer, requires or doesn't..will you fit in with the rest of the team, will your personality get on well with others you need to work with.. will your working style suit the business / function and role..
To gain an insight into YOU
Can/do you tell the truth
Do you know what this job requires (Technically & Personally)..have you done your homework .. do you know what this job requires
Are you able to think on your feet; Always take your time and think.. best to be quiet for a moment than to immediately start Blabbering



The way i would prepare for this question is to understand what the job requires technically and behaviourally and pick something that will be seen as needing development but not directly impacting your ability to do THIS job. Also making it personal enough to display you know who you are and at the same time exhibiting that others may/do see this trait.. self awareness.

Also, be prepared to give examples of why you think they're bad and what you've done/doing to address .. if you think they need addressing :blip:

One i use regular is... "If i was to ask a colleague of yours your major a)strength b)Weakness what would they say?"

If you answer by recognising its a percieved strength/weakness then you get a pass, then i look to see if the strength/weakness compliments/hinders the traits i'm looking for or not as the case may be!

Ring up before hand, either HR or someone else in teh business and ask them lots of questions, tell them your interested in a career with them and would like to know more about the business.. working environment, history of the business.. type of jobs, culture of the business..working styles.. blah blah.. show an interset pre interview and it gets you a big tick in the box ( brown nosing )
Have fun :shutup:

[bugjuice]

some good stories and a read ;)
i think BD's it tops so far (personally)

[boomer]

One of my answers would be

My weaknesses can actually be construed as strengths, dependant on teh situation;
I set high expectations, sometimes too high and can get frustrated when i or others don't deliver; I usually manage these frustrations by setting and agreeing on the benchmark/standard upfront.

it's all Bollox :doobey:

[Winston001]

NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition! Our chief weapon is surprise...surprise and fear...fear and surprise....

Our two weapons are fear and surprise...and ruthless efficiency....


Our *three* weapons are fear, surprise, and ruthless efficiency...and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope....

Our *four*...no... *Amongst* our weapons....

Amongst our weaponry...are such elements as fear, surprise....

I'll come in again................

[kickingzebra]

You an hitcher are in an evil genius league aren't you??

[skelstar]

Nope, he's Hitcher and Limbimtimwim's love-child.