The standard advice during interviews when this question comes up is to pick a mild fault and put a positive spin about how you are dealing with it successfully. I suspect interviewers foolish enough to ask this question hear a lot about perfectionism and workaholic behaviors.
For fun I thought about what I would say if I had to speak the real truth with no softening or anything else.
Would I really say that I am generally unassertive and conflict avoidant.? There is a lazy streak present where I am always tempted to take the easy way out. I work part-time because I can and would rather not deal with all the stress of full-time work; it also lets me avoid staff meetings and nursing committee requirements. Hire me and you can be sure I will never be voted nurse of the year.
What would you never say for that interview question?
