what kind of answer are prospective employers looking for when during an interview they ask ..?

Yes, they do expect you to answer that question and when faced with that, my answers have been:

I pride myself in taking charge of my responsibilites/duties and that I have a hard time asking others for help. But I'm working on that.

I tend to take on too much due to my professional work ethic and feel I should not ask others for help because I take my responsibilites seriously. But I'm working on that.

"But I'm working on that" after each statement shows that you acknowledge your weaknesses but are willing to take on the challenge of overcoming them. Hope this helps and good luck!

They're looking to see if you will admit to some reason that they should not hire you. Obviously you would be a fool to say something damaging about yourself. The way I would approach that question is to pretend they asked "What areas do you most want to improve upon professionally and how do you plan on doing that?"

Then you can give an answer that makes it sound like you the kind of person that strives for excellence. For example, "It's been challenging to stay on track when there are new things constantly coming in that need attention, so to deal with that I've found it helpful to take some time at the beginning of each day to figure out what are the top three things I want to get done that day and keep them in sight throughout the day so that I don't get sidetracked."

A lot of questions to consider. Whatever computer skills you are good at. Do you know your typing seed? You can check your WPM (words per minute) through some keyboarding quizzes online. Also have you operated any office equipment or technology? What kind of software programs are you proficient in? Can you operate multiple phone lines? Are you good at multi-tasking? Quick learner, able to troubleshoot problems, good customer service skills Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Fax Machine, Data-entry, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Visio Look up some resumes online to see what kind of skills are commonly required for certain jobs. Especially the job you are intersted in. If you are interested in more than one type of job, then you may need to make more than one resume and put the honest qualifying skills that you possess on it. Are you part of Phi Theta Kappa, the Dean's list...etc...? Something that shows you are a hard-worker? Can you work for your parents for a little while, filing papers or something? You can work for anyone and get some skills developed. Do you do volunteer work anywhere? Does the college have any jobs available for students?

I was always advised to say something like I don't like to stop working on a project until it's finished or something stupid like that. Turn a positive into a negative if you will. They don't expect you to be real honest and if you are, you might not get the job. One of my bosses interviewed a lady who was great and she asked her about her weakness, she honestly answered with sometimes she could be intimidated by people. The boss chose another candidate....

We use that question when interviewing and what we look for is for you to just say something... everyone has weaknesses and usually the people who say they have none don't respond well when they do something wrong and we have to correct them. They act as though they are a gift to the world and everything they do it right... and they are difficult to deal with. We just want to know that you realize you are aware of your weaknesses and they don't overcome you. We also ask what your strengths are so make sure that what you say are your weaknesses you offset them with great strengths :-)

It's a "stress question" to see how you react to pressure. Like Stella pointed out, always offer a remedy for whatever weakness you're willing to share. That will demonstrate problem solving skills, and even better if it's something not directly related to the position you're applying for. I can't always remember things, so I take lots of notes.

Now where did I put that stupid notepad?

You have to walk a fine line on this one. You don't want to give them anything too serious, like "I'm addicted to videogames and will piss away most of my day online." On the other hand, employers hate made up answers like, "I just care too much about my job!" or "I work too many hours!"

Try for something in the middle, but qualify it. And always mention that this is something you are working to improve on. Example: "Once in awhile, I find myself getting flustered when I have too many things thrown at me all at once. But I've been working on this, and the more experience I have the easier I am finding it to handle those types of situations."

I asked that question once to my current boss (after I'd been employed by him for several years). He said his response was "I'm told that I work too much".

That's a great response.

I hate that question.

I try to spin it so that my "weaknesses" are things like working *too* hard. haha

**Good answer, Sugaree!!!!!

You work very well under pressure and you are proactive (meaning that you can get your work done without supervision).