Interviews: what is your greatest strength and weakness. #phd #postdoc #interview #jobinterview

Summary

This video script delves into the common interview question of identifying one's greatest strength and weakness. It advises against generic answers and encourages self-reflection to stand out. The speaker suggests considering a lack of specific skills as a weakness, aligning strengths with the job, and backing up claims with evidence. The goal is to impress interviewers with honesty and ambition, while avoiding revealing genuine flaws.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ Interviewers commonly ask about candidates' greatest strengths and weaknesses.
• 📝 Candidates often have memorized answers or are completely surprised by the question.
• 🎨 Being creative and self-reflective in your answer can help you stand out from the crowd.
• 🤔 It's important to think about these questions ahead of time to avoid being caught off-guard.
• 💡 Honest and self-critical answers can leave a strong impression and influence hiring decisions.
• 🚀 Acknowledging a lack of certain skills or techniques can show a willingness to grow and improve.
• 📊 Avoid stating weaknesses that directly conflict with the job requirements.
• 🏆 Sharing professional achievements can demonstrate ambition and a clear career direction.
• 🌟 Personal traits like shyness can be framed as a strength when they contribute positively to a team.
• 🔒 Align your strengths with the job position to ensure relevance and effectiveness.
• 📈 Back up your strengths with concrete examples or achievements to avoid empty claims.
• 💼 Prepare to discuss both strengths and weaknesses thoughtfully to excel in job interviews.

Q & A

What is the common question in interviews that the speaker discusses?

The common interview question discussed is 'What is your greatest strength and what is your greatest weakness?'

What are the two categories of answers that people typically give to the interview question about strengths and weaknesses?

The two categories are those who have memorized a boilerplate answer and those who are completely stumped and surprised by the question.

Why might a boilerplate answer be acceptable according to the speaker?

A boilerplate answer is acceptable because it is fine to have a prepared response, but the speaker suggests being more creative to stand out.

What does the speaker suggest as an alternative to a boilerplate answer?

The speaker suggests being more self-reflective and honest in the answer, which can leave a good impression and potentially influence the hiring decision.

What is the importance of thinking about the question of strengths and weaknesses before an interview?

It's important to avoid being completely exposed or caught off guard during the interview, and to be prepared with a thoughtful and impressive answer.

What kind of weakness should one avoid mentioning in an interview?

One should avoid mentioning a weakness that is a critical requirement for the position they are applying for.

Why is it beneficial to mention a lack of a specific skill or technique as a weakness?

It shows that the candidate is critically evaluating their abilities and skills, and is willing to grow and become a more valuable addition to the team.

What is a potential way to discuss one's professional ambition in relation to their weaknesses?

Discussing a professional achievement or goal can demonstrate ambition and show that the candidate is working towards a specific objective.

How should a personality trait be approached as a weakness in an interview?

It should be presented in a way that shows self-awareness and how it can be managed or turned into a positive contribution once integrated into a team.

Why is it crucial to align the strengths mentioned with the job position during an interview?

Aligning strengths with the job position ensures that the strengths are relevant and can contribute to the role, rather than being counterproductive.

What should one do to back up a claim of strength during an interview?

One should provide evidence or examples, such as specific projects, publications, or contributions that demonstrate the strength in action.

How can mentioning being a good team player be substantiated in an interview?

By providing examples of team contributions, such as organizing workshops or improving team dynamics, which show tangible evidence of being a good team player.