"Safe" Weaknesses

[titoincali]

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work too much/can't say no is another "standard" answer, right behind, "I'm a perfectionist."

It might be standard but it is also absolutely true. When I answer I also tie it in with my personal history and development and have never been told that it sounds like a standard answer. You have to go with what is honest and what is sincere. If being a "perfectionist" is really your weakness and you can discuss how it effected your work, life, relationships or even discuss how you've worked to overcome it then more power to you. As someone who has frequently interviewed someone for jobs, I can say that if someone told me that their weakness is being a perfectionist and stops there. THEN I would consider their answer trite. But if an applicant discussed how this trait manifested itself in their life, affected their work their work and relationships then it would show insight and maturity. I guess what I am trying to say is that sometimes it's more how you explain something and tie it in to your personal development than making sure you have the most unique answer in the world. Just my opinion.

 

[Law2Doc]

"incontenance... Sorry about the chair".

 

[Pkboi24]

Would "being too creative" be a canned answer?

 

[BAM!]

This question is super easy.

Say: I am disorganized.

This leads you right into the next question, "How will you fix this?"

Then you can show them your notebook broken into sections or how you've outlined your day.

This question is a gimme, and anyone can answer this way.

Another good answer is the, "I care too much," answer. It sounds very cheezy at first, and a lot of people can't pull it off (mostly guys). But if you can, you're golden.

 

[liverotcod]

I can't seem to get my golf handicap below 10.

 

[Trail Boss]

I told them that I feared my weakness would be that I would care too much for my patients and never want to go home 😎 Seemed to go over well.

 

[PomPom]

I told them that I feared my weakness would be that I would care too much for my patients and never want to go home 😎 Seemed to go over well.

a spin-off of the "I'm a perfectionist" gimmick.

 

[silas2642]

One of the most popular questions asked during an interview is "What are three of your strengths and three of your weaknesses?" or "What would your friends say are your three strengths/weaknesses?" Strengths are easy, I mean, for that you could say something even if it's not completely accurate- positive traits are easy to give in a subjective question. It's the weaknesses that get me. When I was asked that question I didn't have an answer. I explained that I feel one cannot overcome their weaknesses unless they know what they are, however, if one knows of a weakness and does not overcome it, then that is simply a failure. If one can regularly overcome a weakness, then it is longer a weakness to such a person. Thus, although I have weaknesses, if I were to actually be able to say "this is my weakness" then it would necessarily imply that I cannot in any significant way overcome it (else, it would not be a weakness anymore). The problem with picking something specific is that you also don't want to make yourself look bad. For instance, the closest "safe weakness" I can think of would be to say that I am anti-social, and so anti-social tendencies are a weakness to me. However, do I really want to tell a medical school interviewer that I'm a loner? Somehow that seems self-defeating. While loners can certainly be good doctors, it seems counter-intuitive that an introvert would want to work with people for a living. Thus you see my bind. So what have some of you given as your "weaknesses" when asked during an interview? Don't get me wrong here, I'm an extremely honest person and I would never lie (which is why coming up with a true but "safe" answer is so difficult), but I think seeing some examples may give me ideas for weaknesses in myself that would be safe to point out in that singular moment so important in determining my very future. Thanks!

Allright, so you didn't make it in this year. Could it be because your interviewers knew you were trying to bull**** them? They're pretty bright people, and maybe this time around you should try being honest with them.

 

[oneaat]

i used to interview people, and my rule of thumb was: if you remove the word "too" from your weakness and it becomes a strength, it's not a weakness and you're full of ****. end of story. those were always the last place finishers.

 

[jmnykrkts]

Tell 'em your weakness is that you fart when you're nervous. Then proceed to honk out a loud one for emphasis, without ever breaking eye contact with the interviewer.

 

[kirexhana]

Tell 'em your weakness is that you fart when you're nervous. Then proceed to honk out a loud one for emphasis, without ever breaking eye contact with the interviewer.

 

[schatzie81]

a spin-off of the "I'm a perfectionist" gimmick.

Hey, that actually happens! Imagine, someone who cares enough to stay late, make sure the job is done right and the patient is cared for properly.....

I think the best "weaknesses" to share are the ones that really are weaknesses, but you can give concrete examples of how you're working on eradicating them.

 

[DarkFark]

Whatever weakness you end up talking about, I definitely think you need to try to put a positive spin on it. You might have an interviewer who is looking to expose you (most of the time, no, but sometimes), and if that's the case, you dont want to give them a bunch of ammunition.

I always answered it "I have a tendancy to focus too much on whatever task concerns me the most, sometimes at the expense of my other responsibilities. My ability to focus comes in handy when solving difficult problems but sometimes it can be a hinderance".

Which is basically a nicer way of saying I have a one-track-mind.

 

[JDWflash44]

Let me preface this with the fact that I only read the first post, but I've been on 10 interviews in the last 2 years (2 last year, 8 this year) and was never asked a question like this. Just an FYI.

Jim

 

[MollyMalone]

I did get asked this question at one interview and I was honest. I'm a procrastinator. A terrible one.

I followed up by saying that my academic record as well as my work history clearly indicated that I was able to manage the tendency effectively. This satisfied the interviewer.

 

[LabMonster]

I can't seem to get my golf handicap below 10.

Oh now you're just bragging.

 

[ND2005]

Oh now you're just bragging.

I can't seem to get my handicap back to scratch...

 

[KAI1927]

...and you want to become a doctor to take these ppl out of their misery, right? lol

Exactly, the way I see it, its the most humane thing to do.

 

[Psycho Doctor]

During one of my interviews I responded to this question by saying I am, at times, overly compassionate and too sensitive. I explained this through experiences in my clinical work and gave examples of specific situations. My interviewer had an interesting reponse, saying that he did not believe that was a weakness and we need more people like me, more compassionate people, in this world and the in medical field. I think he was satisfied and impressed with my answer. He didn't ask for any other weaknesses or anything....he just left it at that. I see it as a weakness because I think it could interfere with my work, causing undue stress, etc...but he seemed to regard it as a strength!

Hope that helps....good luck!!!

I had a similar experience. For most, if it's true, that would be a "safe weakness"; however there are some (many here on sdn) that see that as a real weakness that can truly hinder medical practice.

 

[Psycho Doctor]

Now picking something that has to do with substance abuse or a clear lack of ethics... mebe not the best weakness.

"Well, I sell drugs to inner city youth. I see it as building bridges and developing my buisness sense."

^might leave that out

 

[Psycho Doctor]

You're defensive about yoru shortcomings? That sounds like it could be a weaness.

Seriously, DON'T try to come up with something clever. I've interviewed lots of people in a professional setting and when that question comes up, it's always entertaining to distinguish between those who answer it honestly and those who come up with canned answers obviously designed to impress. If I hear "Sometimes I get very focused on the task at hand and find it hard to leave work without finishing it", "Sometimes I'm too much of a perfectionist" or any of that drivel again...

I was told by folks who do interviews that this is the absolute worst answer, because it's too transparently a strength.

i actually think being too much of a perfectionist can be a weakness and it can hinder you in some positions. I don't necessarily think it's a canned response and if it's true and you can show examples it will work.

 

[Psycho Doctor]

i avoided spinning it as being "overly compassionate" , no offense to an above poster, but it sounds as though you KNOW you don't want to make them dislike you so you take something like caring for patients and pretned that caring too much is just such a burden. and the truth is, i understand it can be, however, it just doesn't ring true to me, at least using those words.

i am not the "above poster" but I agreed with him/her. However I didn't phrase it as "being overly compassionate". I said I get too involved with my patients and care too much." I gave them an example of visitng my patients and playing games with the kids on my days off, lunch breaks, or afte rhours; and whenone of my patients died (a kid) i pretty much flipped out and had to get help...ok I didn't quite paint it that bad, but pretty close. and incidently i got into every school i mentioned that to. 😱

 

[str8flexed]

What do you guys think if I said I used to procrastinate, and thus I got those C's in orgo and Calc. 3? I can then mention that I've been improving, such as with my MCAT studying (started in December), and that I have been using a planner and have stuck with it most of the time. I also use sticky notes a lot now and write down important things as a reminder. Also, my girlfriend keeps me very on track because she pushes me and is very organized (should I include this? Because when I attend medical school, she may not be there, and the adcoms may think I may start procrastinating again...).

Also, what do you think about my saying that "I'm too nice."--? I honestly think this is true. It is a weakness because I have a hard time saying no even if I do not have the time to accomodate someone else. If someone else asks me for a favor, I will most likely do it. I almost never talk about anyone behind his back. But how do I turn this one around and say that I am improving?

 

[Psycho Doctor]

What do you guys think if I said I used to procrastinate, and thus I got those C's in orgo and Calc. 3? I can then mention that I've been improving, such as with my MCAT studying (started in December), and that I have been using a planner and have stuck with it most of the time. I also use sticky notes a lot now and write down important things as a reminder. Also, my girlfriend keeps me very on track because she pushes me and is very organized (should I include this? Because when I attend medical school, she may not be there, and the adcoms may think I may start procrastinating again...).

Also, what do you think about my saying that "I'm too nice."--? I honestly think this is true. It is a weakness because I have a hard time saying no even if I do not have the time to accomodate someone else. If someone else asks me for a favor, I will most likely do it. I almost never talk about anyone behind his back. But how do I turn this one around and say that I am improving?

don't say "I'm too nice. Say "I have a hard time saying no". That is a weakness that can be a more positive answer without sounding cocky. Whereas procrastination is a true weakness (I had that too); it can be a bad thing in medicine. You could use it and show how you're improving, but leave your gf out of it; she's not interviewing, you are. FYI sticky notes are a "no no" in medicine as everything has to be permanently written in the chart so I wouldn't evne throw that in.

 

[Psycho Doctor]

What about mentioning anger issues? I've got the classic Irish anger syndrome, very close to the surface. What I mean is that a lot of things touch my nerves, but I'll bottle them up. I broke my hand that one when I was younger. Would this be a red flag? It seems to me like they would want someone would is in better control of there emotions.

 

[str8flexed]

Thanks for your response. I do agree the g/f thing should be left out. Sticky notes can be left out as well.

I think I can mention procrastination--but would possibly need 1-2 more reasons on how it has gotten better or how I am improving it, since it really IS deterimental to a career as a doctor..

 

[Psycho Doctor]

Thanks for your response. I do agree the g/f thing should be left out. Sticky notes can be left out as well.

I think I can mention procrastination--but would possibly need 1-2 more reasons on how it has gotten better or how I am improving it, since it really IS deterimental to a career as a doctor..

talk about how as you are maturing and as you are embarking in the professional field you realize the importance of prioritizing and time management. talk about setting small goals as part of larger goals, making schedules and sticking to it. talk about some personal experience: shadowing while going to school, a research project, your applications or something of how when you had limited time you were able to get organized and manage your time appropriately

 

[Law2Doc]

Thanks for your response. I do agree the g/f thing should be left out. Sticky notes can be left out as well.

I think I can mention procrastination--but would possibly need 1-2 more reasons on how it has gotten better or how I am improving it, since it really IS deterimental to a career as a doctor..

Again, if procrastination is truly your weakness, the 1-2 reasons are things you would try and think about the morning of the interview.

 

[Jacks Mannequin]

How about lack of self-confidence? For example, whenever I hear about how hard a class is, I always tend to initially think I'll do bad in it. Also, I never feel that confident when coming out of most of my tests. My transcript shows I'm doing pretty well in all of my classes so should this shouldn't be too 'bad' of a weakness, right?

 

[Rafa]

How about lack of self-confidence? For example, whenever I hear about how hard a class is, I always tend to initially think I'll do bad in it. Also, I never feel that confident when coming out of most of my tests. My transcript shows I'm doing pretty well in all of my classes so should this shouldn't be too 'bad' of a weakness, right?

I think the three (or four, or five) things you don't want to come off as in an interview are psychotic, arrogant, insecure, phony, and apathetic. In your case, listing something as a weakness when your transcript suggests otherwise could make you come off as (2) or (3) or (4). Outright painting a target on yourself as having a lack of sc adds emphasis to (3). In other words, no, I wouldn't mention this one.

 

[Law2Doc]

How about lack of self-confidence? For example, whenever I hear about how hard a class is, I always tend to initially think I'll do bad in it. Also, I never feel that confident when coming out of most of my tests. My transcript shows I'm doing pretty well in all of my classes so should this shouldn't be too 'bad' of a weakness, right?

Except that the logical response by the interviewer will then be that "med school is going to be harder than any class you have taken before --So does that worry you and doesn't that mean you think you are going to have trouble in med school?"
There may be a way to spin this, but I don't like the idea of mentioning a fear of hard classes. Not a good idea.

 

[45408]

Except that the logical response by the interviewer will then be that "med school is going to be harder than any class you have taken before --So does that worry you and doesn't that mean you think you are going to have trouble in med school?"
There may be a way to spin this, but I don't like the idea of mentioning a fear of hard classes. Not a good idea.

If his transcript shows that he still rocks them, I don't see how it'd be that big of a concern.

 

[lilmissangel]

I knew this question was bound to come up at one interview or another, yet I didnt prepare for it. I guess that was a good thing, since if I had I would have provided a canned/insincere answer. And I am NOT a perfectionist, so it would have been an outright lie.
I was caught a little off guard when the question did come up so I just gave an honest answer: I have a problem with punctuality. I'm always about 5 mins late to work.
I went on to say how I've gotten much better and that I havent been late to work this year since I made it my new yrs resolution (interview was at the end of FEB) - totally broken that resolution by now!!
I got into the school even tho it was such a late interview and all.

I wouldnt categorize this as a 'safe' weakness tho.

 

[kypdurron5]

Except that the logical response by the interviewer will then be that "med school is going to be harder than any class you have taken before --So does that worry you and doesn't that mean you think you are going to have trouble in med school?"
There may be a way to spin this, but I don't like the idea of mentioning a fear of hard classes. Not a good idea.

I'm grateful for responses like this. At least most in the studentdoctor world understand that there is a difference between being intelligently honest and being foolishly honest. It makes me wonder why people even bother to waste their time posting responses like "Just tell the whole truth about your weaknesses, and if you can't then you shouldn't be a doctor." Why is it that people are so quick to jump on the "medicine is not for you" soap box? I mean, while one person may say you shouldn't be a doctor if you can't be foolishly honest about your weakness, there's another person who will tell you that you shouldn't be a doctor BECAUSE of a particular weakness. Such people bother me beyond description. Perhaps that is my weakness 😉. Thanks everyone for your responses.

 

[MirrorTodd]

Good answer, but does that make me a psychotic, cuz when I let loose, I usually end up hurting myself, although it does make me good in a fight. Looks like we got something in common Psycho Doctor.

 

[Doglover4fever]

I always hated this question!!! It is almost impossible not to give an answer that sounds totally canned, and rehearsed. What do they expect us to say...I occasionally think about killing people, I am disorganized and careless, I mean come on!!! We all give weaknesses that sound tame, innocuous, and then we turn them into positives...I think they should do away with this dumb question.

 

[Jacks Mannequin]

Except that the logical response by the interviewer will then be that "med school is going to be harder than any class you have taken before --So does that worry you and doesn't that mean you think you are going to have trouble in med school?"
There may be a way to spin this, but I don't like the idea of mentioning a fear of hard classes. Not a good idea.

I can respond by saying I've learned that I can handle the hard classes despite being scared initially. (My transcript can back this up.)

 

[notdeadyet]

Whatever you do, DONT SAY REAL WEAKNESSES. This question is all about spin.

Actually, approach it as spin and you'll sound like every other tom, dick and harry. People who interview have heard them a million times before. Give an honest answer and you'll go up in their eyes.

You have to say bs stuff that really isn't a weakness and how your fixing it, such as, I don't speak a foriegn language, so that could hurt me in dealing with a large segment of the population.

Wrong on two counts: one, it's a predictable boring answer that will work against you. Two, don't mention a perceived weakness and talk about what you WILL do but what you HAVE done.

 

[liverotcod]

I can't believe no one has suggested the most obvious, most correct response: I have none.

 

[autoimmunity]

Laughing at really awkward moments

 

[Law2Doc]

I can't believe no one has suggested the most obvious, most correct response: I have none.

If you say that, they just write down "narcissism" on the form.

 

[autoimmunity]

I think you should say, with your hands shifting around in your pockets, that you masturbate chronically when stressed.

 

[liverotcod]

I think you should say, with your hands shifting around in your pockets, that you masturbate chronically when stressed.

That one's a hoot. Thanks! 😀

 

[asunshine]

I can respond by saying I've learned that I can handle the hard classes despite being scared initially. (My transcript can back this up.)

I said something similar, but a little more veiled. as in, i can be very self-critical, and i worry a lot about my patients. while it's not good for my own stress, it is good that i am so detail-oriented and focused on making myself and my accomplishments even better.

i don't know if this is the best answer; i definitely see the hint of lack of self-esteem, although i don't think that's true about me. did that make sense?

 

[kypdurron5]

Laughing at really awkward moments

I second that one, it totally applies to me. More specifically, uncontrollable laughing in serious situations.

 

[PariPari]

There is nothing positive about my weaknesses

i want everyone to think highly of me- ie if they need something i'm the first they'd ask (omg i have such a complex), teachers think i'm intelligent/hard worker/etc

i'm afraid to miss out on an experience so i tend to micromanage my life
can also be really really really bad, like if the interviewer says, so if you were finished an overnight & a unusual case presented itself, would you stay to work it up (my gut said no way anybody's making me go, my brain told my mouth, that no, but i could do followup in the next rounds/research the condition during my time off)

i procrastinate