The fear is always if you answer in any way that's non conforming you get rejected. Apparently those quizzes are designed as personality quizzes so that managers can get a quick summary of how an employee is going to act. As told by my manager once about how "accurate" those quizzes were. Now I'm not sure if she was BSing me but that's what I was told.
I was having a conversation with my sister yesterday, she used to hire for her company.
Questions such as "What's your biggest weakness" or even "What's something that didn't quite work out the way you expected?" are largely personality questions.
She actually had a person that said they had no weaknesses and never made mistakes...
“My biggest mistake is not buying Google stock when it was cheap and my biggest weakness is that I work too hard and am currently trying out techniques to find a better life/work balance while meeting my own high standards for productivity.” I’ve used it- and worse- and got the jobs. But really- what this stuff is- is a test- intentional or not. We all have strengths and smarts. Being successful at just about anything in life is about figuring out what you are good at and using that in a way that gets you what you want.
Most hiring staff (the person and organization control the balance) want to get an idea how good you are, if your skills and personality fit the job; and if you can fit in and work well in their company. Straight talkers don’t like bullshit and most bullshitters are not won over with straight talk- to a degree. There are other things they MAY weigh like if you’ll make them look good (follower) or be a threat. Most people don’t want to hire a replacement by mistake. It usually isn’t enough to be liked or to be good at a task/job. They’re looking for the combo and fishing to see how much you lied on your resume of your words don’t match your paperwork.
This is what’s called a life skill. “Be yourself” is great advice- but truncated. “Be the best version of yourself (for the situation.)” Lie is an ugly word- you need to create the perception that “work you” is who they want and need- avoid lying by working to be as good at your job as you said you’d be. Adults are all pretending. The buzz words and mannerisms- it’s all a show because deep down 99% of people with careers aren’t so much more together or smart than anyone else. They just know how to make it look like they are. If you say you can do it, look like you can do it- and somehow manage to do it- people will believe you know what you are doing.
Experience does have actual benefits- but it is also short hand for knowing how much you can stretch when you bite off more than you can chew. Am experienced person promises a task that takes an hour will take 45 minutes and stretches to make it happen. An inexperienced person promises the same task will take 10 minutes. If you’re good- you can underpromise and over deliver. If you aren’t- get good.
Questions such as "What's your biggest weakness" or even "What's something that didn't quite work out the way you expected?" are largely personality questions.
She actually had a person that said they had no weaknesses and never made mistakes...