Need help wording weaknesses for interview

[meddit01]

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I have an interview at my top choice school coming up, and I've been thinking about the "weaknesses" question quite a bit. I'm still not sure how I would answer it and was wondering if anyone can give me some guidance.

Honestly, I think two of my biggest weaknesses are physical. I have Duane's Syndrome (my right eye doesn't move to the right), and it's had a considerable impact on my everyday living my entire life, especially on my interactions with people. I've also had a stammering problem for several years. No matter how relaxed I feel (or think I feel at least), it just always happens--with strangers, friends, and even family. Both of these issues sometimes make conversing with people more difficult and uncomfortable for me and also lower my self-confidence a little.

So the question is: Is it a good idea to mention these "weaknesses" in my interview? Or would it make it seem like I don't think I have any other flaws that are worth mentioning? I often times have a hard time saying "no" to people and am told by my friends that I don't care about myself enough, but I'm not really sure if that would classify as a "weakness," not to mention, I don't want to come across as a saint or anything...So other than that, I really do think that my two physical disorders are my biggest weaknesses. Any advice on what I should do/say?

Thanks so much.

 

[Mavii]

Start off the question with..."Well I'd have to say one of my weaknesses is that I'm blind in one eye and can't see out the other"...badum tiss.

Then go on to talk about the problem with your eye very briefly, but then expand on how you're adapting or have already adapted to it and give examples where you seem super human. Or for your other weakness, just use the word "selfless". And if you do, make sure you describe it in a way that you really do put others first (to a limit). Don't make it seem like you're oblivious to your own needs or that you can easily be taken advantage of, but just more along the lines of you're very willing to help others, sometimes overly willing (if the cause is just).

Whatever you do, don't say anything such as "I don't have anything worth mentioning", because that's probably the last thing they want to hear.

👍

 

[meddit01]

Thanks so much for the advice!

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Lady Netter]

I used public speaking as my weakness - it's a safe weakness. It's not totally essential to be good with public speaking as a physician. I also happened to take a public speaking class around my application time, so I was able to say "yeah, it's a weakness, but I'm working on it."

I would choose a weakness that doesn't play that much of a role in being a physician and something that's fixable. Unfortunately, what you have mentioned is certainly a weakness but is also something that's hard to fix. Interpersonal communication is extremely important for being a physician, and it may not be something you want to say is your weakness.

I wouldn't choose not being able to say no or caring too much or being a perfectionist. That's like a false weakness. "I'm sorry, I'm just so selfless and altruistic and I just want everything to be perfect!" Mmhm. Right.

 

[NickNaylor]

With some exceptions, the more important thing to discuss in these kinds of questions is how you dealt with the situation. What kinds of insights did you have? What have you come to accept? And, perhaps most importantly, how do you think these things will help you treat patients as a medical student/physician?

If you can provide good answers to these questions, then whatever example you're using is a good one.