Interview tips: What's your weakness?

If an employer asks about your weaknesses, what should you say?

Some experts suggest trying a fault-as-virtue approach: "I'm a perfectionist," say. Or "I'm a workaholic." I think most interviewers have heard this tired tactic before and will be turned off by it.

While the question about weakness invites self-evaluation, resist any urge to treat an interview as a therapy session. Jobseekers should never lose sight of the object of the interview: landing a job.

Score points by focusing on ways you reversed a difficult situation. Identify a problem and show how you solved it. "I had a problem getting a job because of a lack of confidence. I took a Dale Carnegie course and came to feel much better about myself. I have been gainfully employed ever since." Interviewers love turnaround stories.

Learn to shift gears. Have you ever watched a politician do this? They may respond to a direct question for a sentence or two but they digress to their message. Answer the question objectively, but then return to your theme: your skills and your enthusiasm for the job.

Learn to shadow box. Mock interviews with a friend and practicing difficult questions will prepare you to handle questions about problems in a confident manner. Have your friend ask you these "weakness" questions so you will be confident when you face them in real life.