what would someone who doesn't like you say about you?

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Youknowgo

Youknowgo

Full Member
10+ Year Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2012
Messages
92
Reaction score
38
How do you approach/answer this question?
Members don't see this ad.
 
I imagine this is a variation on the "what's your greatest weakness" theme. I would mention what I felt my greatest weakness would be in the context of interacting with others. Then I would comment on how I've worked on improving this fault/how it has helped me mature as an adult.

The take home message should always be self-improvement. Everyone has faults. You need to show that you are constantly developing and haven't hit a point of static improvement.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
funknewbious said:
I imagine this is a variation on the "what's your greatest weakness" theme. I would mention what I felt my greatest weakness would be in the context of interacting with others. Then I would comment on how I've worked on improving this fault/how it has helped me mature as an adult.

The take home message should always be self-improvement. Everyone has faults. You need to show that you are constantly developing and haven't hit a point of static improvement.
Click to expand...
Telling an Adcom that your greatest weakness is interacting with others? I would advise against this as you might sink your chances with that line alone.
 
"Oh, my, god, Becky, look at his butt. It is so big. He looks like one of those sexy, fit, premeds. Who understands those premeds anyways. They only talk to him because he looks like a total goldmine. I mean, his butt, is just so big, I can't believe it's just so round, it's like, out there. I mean - gross - Look! He's just so.. jacked"
 
thegypsyqueen said:
Telling an Adcom that your greatest weakness is interacting with others? I would advise against this as you might sink your chances with that line alone.
Click to expand...

I'm not suggesting this at all. I'm saying, in the context of communicating with others, try to identify your major weakness and expand on how you are working to improve on that skill. I was assuming that this question was designed to look at this applicant's own social awareness, rather than weakness in general.

Sorry if my original post was unclear.
 
"Noone hates me cause I'm just THAT awesome!"
 
Youknowgo said:
How do you approach/answer this question?
Click to expand...

Is this a real life interview question?

Answer: "Nothing I'd want you to hear"

Seriously though this is a ridiculous question. Maybe there is a good answer somewhere out there that isn't occurring to me but practically any way I can think off the top of my head to address this question would somehow reflect poorly on the candidate. The "greatest weakness" angle could work, I suppose. All in all I think it's just a bad question.
 
Just speak from the heart. I would go with "I'm sorry that people are so jealous of me... but I can't help it that I'm so popular."
 
Members don't see this ad :)
I'd say moreso than self improvement, the main thing is not to shoot yourself in the foot.

I have a nasty temper, I don't play well with others, etc could be a red flag that you tell them yourself. Don't.
 
I think people are overthinking this too much. If they want a "What's your biggest weakness?" answer, they'd ask the question. Maybe this is just an interesting question to ask to them.

"He gets excited way too much. It's so annoying."
 
thegypsyqueen said:
Telling an Adcom that your greatest weakness is interacting with others? I would advise against this as you might sink your chances with that line alone.
Click to expand...

I've done this a couple times while also saying how I've worked on it, complete with the "STAR" technique and it's earned me acceptances. Just be honest- if you're genuine about it, it'll work out ok.
 
I disagree that this is a "greatest weakness" question. It could be approached another way.... "they'd say I'm up-tight because I don't smoke pot (or insert other behavior here legal or illegal) which is pretty common in some social circles on my campus." or "they'd say I'm going to hell because I've not accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. It is tough being a ethical humanist in the Bible Belt <smile>."
 
Personally, I think this question falls into the 'evil genius' category and plan to use it in future interviews I conduct.

As an unprepared recipient, I think I would have answered something to the effect of "She's stuck up -- but that's only because I tend to be more reserved in social situations until I know the people a little bit. But people who know me would never agree." In my case, that's a useful insight -- not exactly a weakness.
 
LizzyM said:
I disagree that this is a "greatest weakness" question. It could be approached another way.... "they'd say I'm up-tight because I don't smoke pot (or insert other behavior here legal or illegal) which is pretty common in some social circles on my campus." or "they'd say I'm going to hell because I've not accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. It is tough being a ethical humanist in the Bible Belt <smile>."
Click to expand...

Fair enough.
 
also struggling with this question, anyone else want to chime in?

what about being seen as uptight because you wanted to do homework the old fashioned way and not just use the answer solutions that were floating around? is "opportunity to cheat but didn't" too cliche?
 
yoyohomieg5432 said:
also struggling with this question, anyone else want to chime in?

what about being seen as uptight because you wanted to do homework the old fashioned way and not just use the answer solutions that were floating around? is "opportunity to cheat but didn't" too cliche?
Click to expand...


I agree with one of the posters above about this question being a variation of "What is your weakness?" It can be also about "What was your ethical dilemma and how did you overcome?" if you talk about sharing your work with others but you didn't, so your friend dislikes you. I am uncertain whether being uptight and not cheating would work well here. Some people might consider them as cliché.
 
This question is really difficult. I hope no one asks me this.

Well, I know what the truth would be: control freak, micromanager, holds others to a ridiculously high standard at times. I actively try to address these issues. Somehow I think that answer would not go over well, lol.

Basically this question asks you to fabricate a BS answer in order to paint yourself in the most positive light. Not a fan of this question at all.
 
I don't think it is a weakness question. I think they are poking around for insecurities. Thinking about what other people might negatively say about them can really get under some people's skin. A truly evil question indeed. I like it.
 
I would go with honesty here. I can think of an example of someone who had an open distaste for me as a person.

This person disliked me in high school because I was full of myself and very willing to brag about my accomplishments, while belittling the accomplishments of others.
I was accused of being a jerk, and honestly, the accusation had some merit.

I would then go on to talk about how I have grown to learn the error of my ways and develop some humility.
 
jetsfan1234 said:
This question is really difficult. I hope no one asks me this.

Well, I know what the truth would be: control freak, micromanager, holds others to a ridiculously high standard at times. I actively try to address these issues. Somehow I think that answer would not go over well, lol.

Basically this question asks you to fabricate a BS answer in order to paint yourself in the most positive light. Not a fan of this question at all.
Click to expand...
I always find it odd that people go out of their way to make up BS answers for interviews. Interviewers can see right through that, and it won't really help you, they'll just write off the answer, and possibly you, as phony. I poured my heart out to my interviewers and answered everything honestly and it worked out quite well, because when I said X is my biggest weakness, they knew I was not BSing them. The people I met on the interview circuit who you could just tell were obviously fakes did not do well at all.
 
Mad Jack said:
I always find it odd that people go out of their way to make up BS answers for interviews. Interviewers can see right through that, and it won't really help you, they'll just write off the answer, and possibly you, as phony. I poured my heart out to my interviewers and answered everything honestly and it worked out quite well, because when I said X is my biggest weakness, they knew I was not BSing them. The people I met on the interview circuit who you could just tell were obviously fakes did not do well at all.
Click to expand...

Curious -- what is "X"?
 
When threads like this come up, why does nobody ever just suggest asking the interviewer to clarify? I feel like the easiest response here would be, "Stated alternatively, do you mean, 'What sort of criticism do I receive from others?' or 'How do I identify my biggest weaknesses?'"
 
It bothers some people that I don't ever "let loose" the way they do and I think it can be misinterpreted as me thinking I'm "too good" for some activities. In all honesty though, I just don't enjoy being loud and drunk. Not judging those who do, as I'm sure sitting at home in sweatpants watching Dexter and playing with my doggie sounds boring to them. To each their own! 🙂
 
PreMedMaverick said:
I would go with honesty here. I can think of an example of someone who had an open distaste for me as a person.

This person disliked me in high school because I was full of myself and very willing to brag about my accomplishments, while belittling the accomplishments of others.
I was accused of being a jerk, and honestly, the accusation had some merit.

I would then go on to talk about how I have grown to learn the error of my ways and develop some humility.
Click to expand...
was it dexter?
 
What if you have never met anyone that didn't like you?
 
Ashley1989 said:
What if you have never met anyone that didn't like you?
Click to expand...

then you haven't done enough out there. Go join a competitive ____ club/sport & try your hardest to be the best at something--guaranteed you will make 1 or 2 enemies who won't like you for various reasons....perhaps jealousy or perhaps you rubbed them the wrong way w/out meaning it
 
bear2roo said:
then you haven't done enough out there. Go join a competitive ____ club/sport & try your hardest to be the best at something--guaranteed you will make 1 or 2 enemies who won't like you for various reasons....perhaps jealousy or perhaps you rubbed them the wrong way w/out meaning it
Click to expand...
Lol trust me I've done A LOT, significantly more than the average person.. But I am an excessively nice person, so when I excel people usually are extremely happy for me.
 
RogueUnicorn said:
People who dislike you will say you have a delusional narcissism about yourself.
Click to expand...
Or that people who dislike me are fake to my face

And what I meant with the significantly more than the average person is because I'm constantly doing so much to boost my resume for medical school admissions, more than I would if I wasn't premed. To say that I have to get out there and do more and be the best at whatever team or club might not be the problem.
 
Usually when people don't like you it's because you DID something to them. If you're kind to everyone and are friendly, people generally are going to like you, even if you do well.

I just think that's a bad question. If someone said what are your weaknesses, what don't you like about yourself, what do you find personally difficult etc then I can list for ages. Ask me what someone who doesn't like me would say? Well... I don't know. Either people like me, people are fake, or this is just a very weird question.
 
Last edited:
I don't think that's necessarily true. Some people find excessive niceness annoying. A friend of mine moved here (Nebraska) from New York and she's always saying how fake everyone seems. I think she's just not used to people being so overtly friendly and helpful - lol.
 
Zelda840 said:
I don't think that's necessarily true. Some people find excessive niceness annoying. A friend of mine moved here (Nebraska) from New York and she's always saying how fake everyone seems. I think she's just not used to people being so overtly friendly and helpful - lol.
Click to expand...
This is a good point lol. But is that a reason to dislike/hate/be the enemy of someone or just find them annoying? I do know a couple of people who find my over niceness to be a bit much.
 
Ashley1989 said:
This is a good point lol. But is that a reason to dislike/hate/be the enemy of someone or just find them annoying? I do know a couple of people who find my over niceness to be a bit much.
Click to expand...

Here in the South, there's a certain (IMO, fake) 'sweetness' that's expected of young women - especially pretty ones. Behind that sweetness often lies all manner of claws and vicious nastiness, all delivered candy-coated. It's something I've grown to appreciate to some extent, having finally learned the art of it, but ugh! Definitely an acquired taste. To me, sweetness is suspicious. Anything can be candy-coated.
 
DokterMom said:
Here in the South, there's a certain (IMO, fake) 'sweetness' that's expected of young women - especially pretty ones. Behind that sweetness often lies all manner of claws and vicious nastiness, all delivered candy-coated. It's something I've grown to appreciate to some extent, having finally learned the art of it, but ugh! Definitely an acquired taste. To me, sweetness is suspicious. Anything can be candy-coated.
Click to expand...
Eeeeek that sounds scary. That would be so stressful to be around all the time because you would never know who to trust! I don't know how anyone could get used to that :-/
 
Ashley1989 said:
What if you have never met anyone that didn't like you?
Click to expand...
Then you're not very observant. No one gets along with everyone. There's got to be one person out there that is kind of a jerk that just doesn't like anyone. What did that person not like about you? The other option is that you just never go outside.
 
DokterMom said:
Here in the South, there's a certain (IMO, fake) 'sweetness' that's expected of young women - especially pretty ones. Behind that sweetness often lies all manner of claws and vicious nastiness, all delivered candy-coated. It's something I've grown to appreciate to some extent, having finally learned the art of it, but ugh! Definitely an acquired taste. To me, sweetness is suspicious. Anything can be candy-coated.
Click to expand...
Bless your heart, honey.

Hahaha I grew up in the suburbs of Atlanta, so this is something I've known my whole life. You just gotta get used to it. Southern people ARE vicious... we're just not vicious to your face.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
Adcoms, what percentage of interviewees would you say can't hold a conversation?
Replies
35
Views
4K
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
C
"What would you like the committee to know about you that wasn't in your application?"
Replies
12
Views
3K
SCG3212
SCG3212
Liam K
Need Advise for experts like you
Replies
17
Views
973
eigen
eigen
Lunar_Cr3m3Puff
  • Locked
What made YOU choose your medical school?
Replies
15
Views
2K
GoSpursGo
GoSpursGo
M
AMCAS FAP Question/What do you miss out on when you don’t apply traditionally through AMCAS?
Replies
3
Views
211
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
Top