What's your weakness.. psychology behind this question..?

[TriggerHippy]

I was asked this question for a large client co. a while back.

I sat there for a minute or so pondering my response and answered "I don't have one."

Was offered job on the spot.

That's 4 times longer than I got ... I still don't see what relevance this type of questioning is. The whole point of the interview is to see if you have the skill needed to sort a short-term problem ... not to achieve some sort of harmonious working environment - if you're that anti-social, they can shoot you on the spot for next to no reason.
If I was a client, I'd consider a pact with the devil if it got me out of a sticky situation.

[Darren_Test]

Thanks Guys for excellent response ..

61 replies & 1800 views, definitely shows how bad is the IT market now & how many are out of contract...(like me..)..

But still no conclusion on..

- What type of answer is good for this question..?
- Whats the Psychology behind this question..??

Any way let it be inconclusive..!
But good to see responses from different quarters on this..

Thanks..

[RichardCranium]

- What type of answer is good for this question..?

Whatever answer the questioner is looking for.

- What's the Psychology behind this question..??

"I have never received training in interviewing, so I'll do the cliché things that I assume others do, despite it being very poor practice but I wouldn't know that as it would never dawn on me - despite me being a manager on £30k+ per year - to bother to get a book from the library on interview techniques and skim it for half an hour one day."


There is no 'psychology' behind this question. It is incompetence.

[Turion]

They don't really care what the answer is, it's the manner with which you answer that counts. Being humourous helps. Bit like the customs guy who asks what town you've been and how long for. If you stutter or stumble saying P-p-p-aris you're toasted, but if you say for example Penisville in a normal way, will let you go on your way.

So for this, a good answer would be to nonchalantly mention that you need to w@nk off 8 times a day to keep on top of things