Everything is going well. You arrived on time, you're making excellent eye contact and you're acing every question that's being thrown at you. You've got this job in the bag, until you hear the interviewer utter, “What’s your biggest weakness?” You know you shouldn't answer too quickly, so you take your time and then suddenly realize you're not sure how to answer. You may be tempted to blurt out, “I have no weaknesses,” and hope to illustrate your confidence in your abilities, but we all know (and your soon-to-be boss will too) that's a lie. Since you can't opt for a pass as you would in a game show, here are five strong techniques to answer the popular interview question, "What's your biggest weakness?"

"I tend to talk too much."

Certainly, this answer is not to give the impression that you prefer to spend half of your day in idle chitchat with your coworkers. Illustrate how, in a world of e-mailing, being able to effectively communicate in person is a huge plus. Additionally, this can flow over into being able to get on the phone and talk with prospective partners or clients -- a skill that employees lack more and more in business today. In group activities, note how your verbal communication skills allow you to quickly convey the message and encourage discussion. In some cases, you may be classified as being too talkative and state that you are aware of that, but this approach gives you confidence that the message is being delivered appropriately. Of course, use this answer in the correct setting. For example, it likely applies more to a communications or sales position than to a number-crunching job.

Have you ever brought work with you on vacation or pulled double shifts without extra pay? Workaholic habits can be tough to break because they’re viewed as virtues in many circles. However, they can put a strain on your relationships, damage your health and even blemish your career by causing you to burn out. Follow, in no particular order, these 12 steps for recovering workaholics to improve your overall quality of life.

STEP 1
Have a talk with your boss
The first of our 12 steps for recovering workaholics is to discuss a more manageable schedule with your supervisor. Don’t mention that you consider yourself a workaholic or that you want to shift your priorities away from work, as your boss may view those points as signs of weakness. Instead, explain that you need a bit more time to address matters in your personal life. This subtle difference could save your job.
STEP 2
Focus on your long-term goals
Through the years, you may have lost touch with your true aspirations. This is why it’s important, as you attempt our 12 steps for recovering workaholics, to take the time to re-evaluate what matters most to you, both personally and professionally. Is this the type of work that you want to be doing for the rest of your days? Do your objectives include a home, a family and other specific experiences? Base your decisions on the kind of life you want years from now, not the nearest deadline.