What is your biggest weakness?

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gsquared

gsquared

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I've always had trouble answering this question. I usually say that I am not the most intelligent person for a given position, but I am extremely driven and persistent.

What is your biggest weakness?
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I work way too hard, and I'm way too much of a perfectionist. Also, my intelligence makes it hard to talk to average people and not feel completely superior.
 
One of my biggest weaknesses for medicine is that I'm pretty quick to believe people. I think I give them the benefit of the doubt a little too often. It always catches me off guard when I hear someone talking bad about someone I know or work with, since I usually have nothing but good thoughts about them. Being a doctor takes some discernment, especially when considering prescribing pain medication, so I'm going to have to work on that I suppose.
 
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gsquared said:
I've always had trouble answering this question. I usually say that I am not the most intelligent person for a given position, but I am extremely driven and persistent.

What is your biggest weakness?
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SDN :laugh:
 
My usual answer to this question for purposes of interviews is that I have the tendency to spread myself too thin because have a hard time saying no when people ask me to help them. But I have many other weaknesses that I have a harder time putting a positive spin on, so I don't mention them.
 
I'm not as assertive as I should be. I also care too much about what people think, which makes me a little shy and also reluctant to step up and face a challenge, especially when an authority figure is involved, even if I really want something.

As an example, I quit playing soccer in high school because I changed schools and the soccer coach was kinda negative about me joining the team. Instead of having him mad at me or disliking me, I just decided not to play at all.
 
Whenever they ask me this, I take off my shades (because I'm cool like that), stare deep into their eyes and say "You" with a suggestive 'come hither' look. Works every single time! 😉
 
armybound said:
I'm not as assertive as I should be. I also care too much about what people think, which makes me a little shy and also reluctant to step up and face a challenge, especially when an authority figure is involved, even if I really want something.

As an example, I quit playing soccer in high school because I changed schools and the soccer coach was kinda negative about me joining the team. Instead of having him mad at me or disliking me, I just decided not to play at all.
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Same here, except it was volleyball for me.
 
gsquared said:
I've always had trouble answering this question. I usually say that I am not the most intelligent person for a given position, but I am extremely driven and persistent.

What is your biggest weakness?
Click to expand...

mmm no...do not say this. perhaps your biggest weakness is your lack of self confidence? 😉 but that you are sure that medical school will help change and grow into a very confident physician blah blah. always but a positive spin on the "weakness" question
 
I had a friend who was interviewing at a top 10 brokerage house. The guy asked him "what is your biggest weakness" and he quickly answered back "chocolate". The guy didn't even crack a smile. Although my friend quickly said that he was joking and then went on that his biggest weaknesses were "working too hard, blah blah blah" he didn't end up with the job.

So even though this wasn't a med school interview, the moral of this story is...i dont know that interviewers are dicks i guess
 
I'm much much more in the camp of NOT putting a "positive spin" on this question.

I think that became a very in vogue thing to do a decade or so ago...there was some Office episode where Andrew was being interviewed and they said "What are your greatest strengths?" and he said something along the lines of "I work too hard I'm too much of a perfectionist and I spread myself way too thin." The guy looked at him and said "I said strengths... those are weaknesses." (Pause) Andrew (looking both confused and as if he's being very clever): Well...my weaknesses...are...my strengths."

Do a little introspection to come up with a good answer with this question. To quote from "Hitch", they might not want to see it all at once, but they do want to see the real you." So you might not want to say something like "terrible terrible gas", but avoid answers like "I spread myself out too thin because I can't say no." or "I'm too much of a perfectionist" (though I can definitely think of a few people I know where these things ARE a weakness, they're cliche answers).

I think they're just looking to see that you've grown to know yourself over college (a very important aspect of college). They want to see if you know where you're strong, where you're always working to improve as I think these are signs of maturity. If it helps, mine is that I tend to take constructive criticism personally--knowing this, I try to focus on not doing so when I start feeling that way.
 
definitely chocolate. oh, and necrophilia.😀
 
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This may be a bit too personal, but would a really screwed up personal life count as a significant weakness? I'm going through a very rough patch after a breakup at the moment (basically chose academics+sports+ecs+friends over my now ex). I could see this potentially developing into a trend, but I don't know if this this something I should really comment on.
 
gsquared said:
This may be a bit too personal, but would a really screwed up personal life count as a significant weakness? I'm going through a very rough patch after a breakup at the moment (basically chose academics+sports+ecs+friends over my now ex). I could see this potentially developing into a trend, but I don't know if this this something I should really comment on.
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that definitely sounds to me like it's TMI. You're looking to talk about personality quirks and foibles...not talking to them like a therapist.
 
i get anxious and overly worried about things. it's the truth and i've said it, just like that, without much of a positive spin, at every interview i've had where it's come up. i tend to do pretty well in interviews. i also have a good answer to the "how do you handle that?" potential follow-up question.
 
Nataliemay24 said:
i get anxious and overly worried about things. it's the truth and i've said it, just like that, without much of a positive spin, at every interview i've had where it's come up. i tend to do pretty well in interviews. i also have a good answer to the "how do you handle that?" potential follow-up question.
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Same here....🙁 worry myself to death if I want to put it more accurately:scared:. I also know how to get out of it. But I don't know if it will sound logical to the interviewer....well there I go again...worrying🙄
 
So how do you answer the follow up question? How do you get over that anxiety? I tend to do this a lot as well, and I'm not really sure if I know how to get over it (other than making threads on SDN about how I'm worried).
 
How would you put a positive spin on this:

My biggest weakness is that I often put myself or downplay my strengths in an effort to make others like me....

especially w/ other girls... they can't handle it if i'm too much of a threat.
 
After thinking long and hard about my biggest weakness, I realized I was just kind of expanding on an issue that I had already discussed in my personal statement. Would you guys advise thinking of another weakness to discuss, or is it ok to expand on this previously-mentioned issue in greater depth? Basically, I just don't want the interviewer to think I have nothing to add aside from what is already in my application. Am I worried for nothing? Thanks for the advice!
 
My biggest weakness is kryptonite.
 
I am like the biggest procrastinator ever. For example I have a biology test this Wednesday and I just started studying for it like an hour ago, and one hour later I am here on SDN 🙂
I have about 3 chapters from book and 20 pages of notes to go over and since its biology one its pure memorization.
 
my current weakness is being lazy. I know its gonna be super hard to get into med school but I'm changing myself slowly.
 
Triceps. I really need to hit the bench and pump out some push-ups.
 
It would be unfair to my smaller weaknesses to sate what my biggest weakness is.
 
I'd say my biggest weakness is alcohol. For some reason, my clothes always seem to come off when I start drinking... (which seems to scare everyone away for some reason).

When I first started trying to answer this question, I had a good long talk with my superiors, who did the hiring for the fire department. They told me that it isn't necessarily what the weakness is, but the fact that you recognize that it is only a weakness if you let it become one, and how you keep it from becoming your greatest weakness.

For example, I'd say that one of my biggest weaknesses is that when I get stressed out, my performance suffers. I recognize this as being a weakness, and have found ways of dealing with the stress before it takes over (blah blah blah).

I should note, though, that a weakness like "I work too hard" is looked down upon, since that really isn't a weakness.
 
I plan things out wayyyy in advance which can cause me a lot of extra stress that I wouldn't have if I just let things happen
 
How would it sound if I said that my weakness is that I'm too blunt and possibly hurtful to the people I love most, and who love me most.

Like calling my younger brother an absolute idiot when he fails a midterm, but gently encouraging my friends to get help and offer to help them, even when they fail multiple classes.

Or being much more tolerant of my friends shortcomings than my parents', and giving them hell when they aren't being their best. Like if they say "that kids kinda fat", I'll be like how dare you say something like that! but if my friends say "what a porker", I'll laugh.

Know what I mean. It's a real weakness, and I guess what I'd wrap it up by is saying how I deal with it:
-be more aware of my behaviour
-always take lessons and reminders from my past behaviour
-remember that some people deserve my best conduct etc.

TMI? Lame weakness? All feedback welcome please. thanks.
 
My unbelievable number of strengths...haha

I'm not very good at delegating responsibility in leadership situations...maybe it's a trust issue.
 
Jess8000 said:
How would it sound if I said that my weakness is that I'm too blunt and possibly hurtful to the people I love most, and who love me most.

Like calling my younger brother an absolute idiot when he fails a midterm, but gently encouraging my friends to get help and offer to help them, even when they fail multiple classes.

Or being much more tolerant of my friends shortcomings than my parents', and giving them hell when they aren't being their best. Like if they say "that kids kinda fat", I'll be like how dare you say something like that! but if my friends say "what a porker", I'll laugh.

Know what I mean. It's a real weakness, and I guess what I'd wrap it up by is saying how I deal with it:
-be more aware of my behaviour
-always take lessons and reminders from my past behaviour
-remember that some people deserve my best conduct etc.

TMI? Lame weakness? All feedback welcome please. thanks.
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SO true...I do this too. I treat my family so bad at times without even knowing it. And its only after treating my friends/acquaintances so nicely on the same issues that you realize how mean you are to your own family...but realizing it is half the battle right so I think we can change. And I'm not sure....maybe you could mention this as a weakness during interviews, but try to come up with something better first. G'luck man.
 
I have big feet, and they get in the way sometimes. I think thats what Imma tell Adcoms my biggest weakness is.
 
pakbabydoll said:
I am like the biggest procrastinator ever. For example I have a biology test this Wednesday and I just started studying for it like an hour ago, and one hour later I am here on SDN 🙂
I have about 3 chapters from book and 20 pages of notes to go over and since its biology one its pure memorization.
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I wish my first biology class was going to be like that.
 
I would have to go with excessive humility.
 
MDHopeful08 said:
SO true...I do this too. I treat my family so bad at times without even knowing it. And its only after treating my friends/acquaintances so nicely on the same issues that you realize how mean you are to your own family...but realizing it is half the battle right so I think we can change. And I'm not sure....maybe you could mention this as a weakness during interviews, but try to come up with something better first. G'luck man.
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Thanks for getting back to me.

So, do you mean I should mention two weaknesses (!!). Like, first mention something strong as a weakness, then add that I mash my family?

I guess I could think of a better weakness... but this is in my opinion the biggest in my life and stopping me from uh... "levelling up", to put it shortly.
 
I would say my biggest weakness is my avoidance of confrontation. I pretty much like to go with the flow and usually am willing to sacrifice myself to avoid conflicts, even if the conflict won't involve me. This is a good and bad thing, especially when other people start to pick up on it and try to take advantage of you. 😀
 
Chocolate and smutty new york city based novels about people with no real problems. But don't tell anybody...Also, I am a night sweets-eater. Somehow I am able to resist temptation all day long and eat granola, salads and other healthy foods, but in the middle of the night if you place babka or cookies in front of me, I can't say no. AND....

Drum roll please...

I actually used to watch/enjoy 7th Heaven. I am a truly pathetic person, but very nice.
 
Zendoc said:
Chocolate and smutty new york city based novels about people with no real problems. But don't tell anybody...Also, I am a night sweets-eater. Somehow I am able to resist temptation all day long and eat granola, salads and other healthy foods, but in the middle of the night if you place babka or cookies in front of me, I can't say no. AND....

Drum roll please...

I actually used to watch/enjoy 7th Heaven. I am a truly pathetic person, but very nice.
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7th Heaven, that show was quality! 👍

That's no weakness. That's good taste.
 
so what would you say if you were asked this question at a med school interview?
 
I would say ... personally ... that I expect far too much of myself and that I expect myself to do things perfectly on teh first try and when I do make a mistake I come down harder on myself than anyone else would. I think despite that weakness its something that pushes me to become a better person.

I would probably leave out the part about me being a narcissistic egomaniac...you cant really put a positive spin on that. :laugh:
 
futuredrcrawfor said:
I plan things out wayyyy in advance which can cause me a lot of extra stress that I wouldn't have if I just let things happen
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I do this too. I always think that having my life completely planned out will make me less stressed, but this has not proven to be the case.
 
gsquared said:
I've always had trouble answering this question. I usually say that I am not the most intelligent person for a given position, but I am extremely driven and persistent.

What is your biggest weakness?
Click to expand...


I hate that question. If I could, I would respond like Dundler-Mifflin Regional Manager Michael Scott:

[SIZE=-1]"I work too hard. I care too much. And sometimes I can be too invested in my job."[/SIZE]

BUT if you're going to answer it, be pretty honest (unless you're a serial killer) and thoughtful. When I was on the trail, I provided a legitimate answer to this question by reciting things I was actively working on improving, such as not spreading myself too thin or being less of a procrastinator. Never got around to that last one...
 
my personal weakness: children. I noticed I tend to treat pts (not literally, I just work in MRI) with more favoritism than adults or even teenagers.

I really notice it when small children come in here with some type of injury. If they're sick they're sick, but most injuries can be prevented given they have parents/caretakers with brains that work. Maybe I could turn that into a postive thing by saying that is why I want to sub-specialize in pediatric anesthesiology.
 
gsquared said:
so what would you say if you were asked this question at a med school interview?
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I'd vehemently disagree with most of the posters on here, and WOULD NOT try to "put a positive spin" on a weakness in the classical sense. This "I try too hard to be a perfectionist" stuff sets off BS detectors a mile away. If I was an adcom member interviewing someone, and they tried this (or the same tactic with any "weakness") I'd probably just tell them to leave.

The best way to approach this question is to have thought very hard about your weaknesses and your strengths, and be able to state confidently that _______ is your greatest weakness. And it should be a true weakness. Too impulsive. Too indecisive. Too afraid of speaking in public. Too whatever. Then explain how you have taken or how you will take steps to improve this.

Doing the Andy from The Office thing, even if not as blatantly, is just awful.
 
Relationships. I either don't fall for the girl I'm dating (while she starts to for me, and I have to break it off because I don't like stringing people on), or I fall head-over-heels for the girl and get subsequently dumped.

I suck at relationships.
 
Okay...so be terribly honest and don't put a positive spin on it. Well, I'd say that some of my biggest weaknesses are second-guessing myself, planning too far into the future (can anyone say 36 month calendar?) and making time to take care off myself (I tend to over-commit because I hate disappointing people).

Are any of these reasonable answers, or do they sound clichéd?
 
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