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

Life in academia
16 Mar 202207:02

Summary

TLDRThis 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.

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相关标签
Interview TipsSelf-ReflectionStrengthsWeaknessesPreparationCareer AdviceHiring DecisionsProfessional GrowthTeam PlayerSkill Development
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