Inteview question: "what are your weaknesses"

[osli]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I'm sure this is going to be asked by at least one interviewer during at least one interview, and it wouldn't surprise me if it was asked every single time.

Just how would/will you respond? I think the universal "safe" and canned response is "I'm a perfectionist, and sometimes that makes things difficult for me blah blah blah..."

Personally, if I am being completely honest, it is a predisposition towards procrastination. I tend to be "comfortable" waiting until rather late to get something done. Sometimes, when I think it really counts, I'm a go-getter. Sometimes, when I think it doesn't matter as much, I just make sure I get the job done by the deadline and that it gets done well.

I can be a perfectionist when needed, but that's not really my personality. And though I have a tendancy to procrastinate, I wouldn't classify myself as lazy. I get bored when I'm doing absolutely nothing, but I do know how to enjoy time off so I'm not one of those people who always has to be doing something productive. The upside is that this makes me very laid back. I don't get stressed about much of anything... except perhaps finances, but who doesn't? I'm easy going, flexible when dealing with others, can accomodate radical changes in my schedule or plans without being flustered, and still get done everything that needs to be done.

Perhaps this comes from a record of always "pulling it off" and thinking that I always will in the future. I know it has helped me to remain focused and efficient in those last important minutes/hours/days when others are flipping out and saying "it can't be done!" I think this is a great asset... but seeing as how it drives my "have to do it now!" wife insane sometimes I recognize that it isn't all gravy.



So... how honest would you be during interviews for this type of question? Go with the safe? Tell them the above? What if you honestly thought you had a hard time just "getting" concepts and had to study diligently to compensate... would you tell them that? Or the opposite, if you "got" things easily and tended to be slack in studying and fulfilling your potential, would you tell them that? What if you were OCD? What if....

I'm not really looking for specific advice to my situation here... just curious how others approach this question. It is an interesting one. How much honesty and how much calculated strategy does your answer rely on?

 

[jbrice1639]

I think the universal "safe" and canned response is "I'm a perfectionist, and sometimes that makes things difficult for me blah blah blah..."

that is definitely NOT a safe answer because everyone knows it's the fake bs answer everyone gives. be honest...showing that you know what your weaknesses are, that you're aware of them, and that you're working to correct them is the only safe answer to that question.

 

[RayhanS1282]

This questions was actually addressed a few weeks back at:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=230262&highlight=weakness

Personally, I want to be honest but then this question seems like something interviewers only pay lip service to and I am afraid that if I am too honest it'll hurt my chances in the long run. I still haven't totally worked out a valid explanation for myself but then again it seems I don't have much chance to be asked this question anytime soon.

 

[Kimka83]

Try honestly giving a weakness but in a positive way. Like, sometimes I haven't studied far in advance, but now I am working on improving my prioritizing. Or sometimes I get my feelings hurt easily, but I am working on being tougher. You get the idea.

 

[little_late_MD]

It has been my experience that when interviewers ask this question (and I'm talking about regular interviews, not med-school interviews) they don't really want to hear your true weaknesses; they want to hear what you are least strong in, as long as it's a positive.
As in, they don't want to hear, "When I get stressed out at work I tend to have a short fuse, and I have reduced coworkers to tears."
They really want to hear, "Sometimes, I just try too hard. I often sacrifice my own free time in order to get a project done on time, and to the best of my abilities. I really need to learn to devote time to myself."

I know some people are going to say that they really want to get to know you as a person, but that's just not the case. It's all a big game, and it's all about who can play it best.

 

[osli]

that is definitely NOT a safe answer because everyone knows it's the fake bs answer everyone gives. be honest...showing that you know what your weaknesses are, that you're aware of them, and that you're working to correct them is the only safe answer to that question.

Point well taken. I guess most people assume it to be a relatively safe answer, but you may be correct that it isn't.

 

[oldboy]

Blondes

 

[DeadorAlive]

I haven't interviewed folks for med school, but have for various other things. When I've asked the "strengths and weakness" question, I'm either buying for time or, more likely, looking to see that the person understands himself/herself as a person. I want to work with people who can understand how they come across to others, and who have a grasp of their own personality, goals, ideals....etc. Canned answers tend to strike me as a person who follows the pack and unique/honest ones shine in my book.

If your weakness is totally bizarre, then that could hurt. But my guess would be that it's best to be honest and have your response be unique to you. You should be able to provide an example both of when this weakness hurt you and when you've overcome it and/or used it to your advantage, but don't immediately launch into "but it's really a strength because...."

When you spin it too quickly, I just ask for another weakness! Showing that you're aware and working on it is enough. Plenty, actually.

 

[RayhanS1282]

Blondes

Sweet Moses, that's a disgusting avatar.

 

[RustNeverSleeps]

It has been my experience that when interviewers ask this question (and I'm talking about regular interviews, not med-school interviews) they don't really want to hear your true weaknesses; they want to hear what you are least strong in, as long as it's a positive.
As in, they don't want to hear, "When I get stressed out at work I tend to have a short fuse, and I have reduced coworkers to tears."
They really want to hear, "Sometimes, I just try too hard. I often sacrifice my own free time in order to get a project done on time, and to the best of my abilities. I really need to learn to devote time to myself."

I know some people are going to say that they really want to get to know you as a person, but that's just not the case. It's all a big game, and it's all about who can play it best.

Interviewers are different, but when I interview medical students I ALWAYS ask about weaknesses. Partly to hear about what people think their weak areas are, but also to assess the applicant's sincerity. Aside from saying that your weakness is killing people when you have a bad day, the worst thing you can tell me is one of those ridiculous non-weakness responses. I take off the most points when someone gives me a strength disguised as a weakness. It demonstrates insincerity and/or poor self awareness. I much prefer a thoughtful, honest answer that reveals a true weakness (gasp!).

 

[45408]

They really want to hear, "Sometimes, I just try too hard. I often sacrifice my own free time in order to get a project done on time, and to the best of my abilities. I really need to learn to devote time to myself."

Um, that's certainly not something that you'd be "least strong in". That's a BS answer as well. "I try too hard"? "I sacrifice my own time"? Please. That might be a weakness on Mars, but here on Planet Earth, that's a strength.

I haven't been asked that, but I'd tell them that I can be easily distracted (hence, SDN).

 

[themadchemist]

One I give often is regarding my overcommitment. I'm interested in so many different things and I get involved with so many different things, that I always struggle with the balancing act. So one of my big weaknesses is effective time management.

 

[Flopotomist]

I totally picture that old SNL character that says "sometimes, when I stick my hands in my armpits and sniff them."

 

[DarkFark]

I know my weakness, and I dont try to sugar coat it, but I do try to phrase it delicately. I have a tendency to exhibit a 'one-track mind'. In interviews, I say: "Sometimes I have a tendency to really focus on what I'm most concerned with at the expense of other things. This can be really useful when I need to study for a big test or get a project done, but I've been working on improving my multi-tasking."

 

[RayhanS1282]

I know my weakness, and I dont try to sugar coat it, but I do try to phrase it delicately. I have a tendency to exhibit a 'one-track mind'. In interviews, I say: "Sometimes I have a tendency to really focus on what I'm most concerned with at the expense of other things. This can be really useful when I need to study for a big test or get a project done, but I've been working on improving my multi-tasking."

👍 Very, very eloquent.

Is there any nice way to put that you have trouble amongst large groups of people..like you don't prefer large crowds and noise...you know slightly introverted?

 

[little_late_MD]

👍 Very, very eloquent.

Is there any nice way to put that you have trouble amongst large groups of people..like you don't prefer large crowds and noise...you know slightly introverted?

You prefer the interactions you experience in intimate settings. However, you realize that often times that isn't a possibility, and you are working on your ability to bring small-group dynamics to larger groups.



Seriously, this question (what are your weaknesses) provokes nothing but BS. No one ever gives a straight-forward answer, and if they do, chances are it isn't helping their application. I wish all prospecitve employers/schools/etc would stop asking it.

 

[RayhanS1282]

You prefer the interactions you experience in intimate settings. However, you realize that often times that isn't a possibility, and you are working on your ability to bring small-group dynamics to larger groups.

Good **** man. How would like to join the gloriously world of being an unemployed part-time writer?

 

[pseudoknot]

I was only asked this on one interview, where it was part of a list of questions the student interviewer was required to ask. I said I've been too honest in the past, to the point of being overly blunt and undiplomatic. Who knows what they thought of that. I hate that question and would never ask it in an interview. The only answer I could respect is "I refuse to answer that question," but I don't quite have the balls to say that myself.

 

[Iwy Em Hotep]

"I often get nervous during interviews."

Best answer I ever gave. 🙂

 

[LowlyPremed]

Kryptonite

 

[Dave_D]

I wonder how they'd react to my main weakness, I'm sort of like a freight train. When I start something new I'm a bit slow but then I pick up speed and just chug along, largely unstoppable.(It's weird since when I take a class often my worst grade is the first test.) Guess when it comes to it I'm not a hare, I'm a turtle.

 

[OwnageMobile]

It's not that I'm lazy, Bob. It's just that I don't care.

This thread topic has been on my mind for a while now. osli, you and me both seem to have the same weaknesses.
I read a book on interviewing whilst at barnes and noble, which said to give a weakness that wont interfere with the job, and how you are working on correcting it. I like the idea of being honest, but like osli, I have a gift for procrastination. More like a gift to know when the latest I can start something is. I think this could be bad to bring up, for it could show "lack of responsibility/organization." I also can have my feelings hurt under certian instances of criticism- which is a definite no-no. And I tend to snap when treated unfairly- I was suspended for calling my teacher a chauvinist pig in middle school (yea, I've worked on this one a bit).

so, I'm still chewing on just what to say when the time comes around. I took the briggs myers personality test, my major required it???, and I'm an ESTP. It's a great way to find the words to describe your idiosyncrasies and I suggest you take it if you can.

sorry if this comes off as rambling... (weakness???) I'm drinking my coffee.