![\"Tips](\"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/6-tips-for-talking-about-weaknesses.jpg\")
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How do you react when you read\/hear the weakness question? With this question, schools are assessing how well you self evaluate. Like a business problem, they want to hear your plan of action, your implementation, and your success rate.<\/p>\n
Here are some tips to help you a)<\/strong> think about and evaluate your weaknesses, and b)<\/strong> be prepared to write about them in an essay or discuss them in an interview<\/a>.<\/p>\n 1. Prepare answers in advance.<\/strong><\/p>\n When an interviewer asks, \u201cSo Natalie, tell me about your weaknesses and what you did to overcome them?\u201d you don\u2019t want to be left silent drawing a blank, or worse \u2013 caught off guard and say something crazy like, \u201cGosh, there are so many, I don\u2019t even know where to begin.\u201d Ding!<\/p>\n 2. Be honest.<\/strong><\/p>\n If you have been let go from a position, you need to discuss the lessons learned from this negative experience and how you overcame the situation. If you have a procrastination problem, you need to talk about ways in which you\u2019re working on boosting your time management skills.<\/p>\n 3. Remain professionally focused.<\/strong><\/p>\n Don\u2019t discuss your addiction to video games<\/a> or your weakness for chocolate. It\u2019s also certainly not the time to talk about anything inappropriate. We\u2019re talking about work-related, professional weaknesses.<\/p>\n 4. Focus on your own weaknesses.<\/strong><\/p>\n Don\u2019t talk about your cousin\u2019s attraction to arson or your mother-in-law\u2019s conspiratorial behavior. Don\u2019t discuss how your boss is a jerk or how you can\u2019t stand your coworker\u2019s habit of nail biting or how your desk is unorganized because the guy you share your cubicle with always throws his garbage your way. This question is about YOU and your weaknesses \u2013 don\u2019t shift the attention or blame onto someone else.<\/p>\n 5. Proactively address the issues.<\/strong><\/p>\n If you have a quantitative weakness<\/a>, take courses that address the weakness (accounting, statistics). Don\u2019t wait for the admissions committee to ask you to take a course. If you are uncomfortably shy, getting involved with an organization like Toastmasters can help you and show the committee that you\u2019re taking steps to overcome that challenge.<\/p>\n 6. Avoid clich\u00e9s.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cGee, I guess I just work too hard sometimes\u201d is a copout \u2013 the adcom\/interviewer will know that deep down you\u2019re proud of your intense work ethic. It is the life of a student to work hard \u2013 don\u2019t use that as your \u201cweakness.\u201d<\/p>\n If you need help drafting your essay<\/a> or framing your answer for your interview<\/a>, Accepted is here to help you. Contact us<\/a> for assistance.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Related Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 5 Fatal Flaws To Avoid In Your Grad School Statement of Purpose<\/a>, a free guide This article<\/a>\u00a0originally appeared on\u00a0<\/i>blog.accepted.com<\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n Applying to a top b-school? The talented folks at Accepted have helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to their dream programs. Whether you are figuring out where to apply, writing your application essays, or prepping for your interviews, we are just a call (or click) away.<\/p>\n![\"Get](\"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Interview-Prep.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Natalie](\"https:\/\/blog.accepted.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/natalie.jpg\" "\\"Natalie")
<\/a> By Natalie Grinblatt Epstein<\/a>, an accomplished Accepted consultant\/editor (since 2008) and entrepreneur. Natalie is a former MBA Admissions Dean and Director at Ross, Johnson, and Carey. Want Natalie to help you get accepted to business school? Click here to get in touch!<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u2022 5 A\u2019s for Your Low GPA<\/a>, a podcast episode
\n\u2022 How Personal is Too Personal?<\/a><\/p>\n