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See http://vinceprep.com for information about Vince's services.

I provide the most intensive, effective MBA interview preparation service in the world. My interview coaching clients get results because I help them figure out what to say (logical content), and how to say it (impressive delivery).

LOGICAL CONTENT
I teach some of the world's top engineers and scientists at The University of Tokyo how to present their ideas on paper and in person.

IMPRESSIVE DELIVERY
I am a professional stage actor who has performed with The American Shakespeare Center.
At Stanford, I studied improv theatre with Patricia Ryan Madson, who has taught everyone from college students to Silicon Valley executives from companies like Google how to tell believable stories.

I provide one-hour mock interview sessions with feedback. I also provide extended multi-hour training. We begin with an initial diagnostic mock interview, which helps me determine your strengths and weaknesses. In subsequent sessions, we can work on strategy, answer modeling, and mock interviewing.

For Vince's latest tips, plus service details, please go here. Then, please contact Vince when you are ready to start your preparation.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Strengths and weaknesses

Common Questions Interviews Ask to Elicit Your Strengths and Weaknesses
  • What are your three greatest strengths and three greatest weaknesses?
  • What are your greatest management strengths?
  • What are your greatest management weaknesses?
  • In what ways could your performance improve?
  • If managers were describing you, what would they say?
  • How would your colleagues describe you? What would you add to their description? In other words, what is something that others are surprised to learn about you?
  • What are your personal strengths?
  • What are your personal weaknesses?
  • What is the weakness of your application?
  • What will the admissions committee perceive to be your greatest weakness as an applicant?
  • What areas do you need to develop?
  • What are your development needs?
  • What personality trait would you most like to improve?
  • What is one thing you would like to change about yourself?
  • Tell me about a team experience that was a failure for you.
  • Tell me about a time when you failed to persuade someone of your view.
  • Tell me about a time when you failed to resolve a conflict.
  • Describe a significant failure in your life and what you learned from it.
When brainstorming weakness, consider your:
  • weaknesses as a leader
  • weaknesses as a team member
  • weaknesses working cross-functionally
  • weaknesses working cross-culturally
  • weaknesses managing time
  • weaknesses managing details
  • weaknesses thinking about big picture / abstract issues
  • weaknesses conveying bad news
  • weaknesses confronting others
  • weaknesses beginning new tasks
  • weaknesses maintaining energy mid-project
  • weaknesses being patient
  • weaknesses persuading subordinates
  • weaknesses influencing seniors
  • weaknesses closing projects
Examples from Stanford LoR Rubric:
  • Displays limited range of influence techniques
  • Builds bonds with team members in immediate area of organization
  • Completes assigned tasks; frequently misses opportunities if not identified by others
  • Sometimes lets distractions or setbacks reduce effectiveness
  • Sometimes underestimates or overestimates own capabilities
  • Generally paces work though occasionally must rush to meet deadlines


ADAM's ADVICE and METHOD (use it!)


Strategies for talking about your strengths and weaknesses:
 Advice from Adam's blog:


HAVE AS MANY WEAKNESSES AS POSSIBLE, NOT JUST ONE OR TWO. TRY FOR THREE TO FIVE. Here you be preparing answers to the very common questions that are asked about weakness, but in addition you will need to think about how the MBA program and/or some other aspect of yourself will make it possible for you to overcome this weakness. Weaknesses should be real and not abstract.


You should have clear stories that demonstrate your weaknesses, something many applicants initially have a problem with. Additionally knowing how a program will help you overcome your weakness will explain why you want to attend that school. Finally, SOME, BUT NOT All weaknesses make for great failure stories, another very common topic for interviews.


Strengths/Contributions/Future Potential/Personality
  1. One of my key strengths is X. A story that demonstrates this strength is... Another story that does is... This strength will be a contribution at your school because... This strength will contribute to my future goals because...
  2. Another of my key strengths is Y. A story that demonstrates this strength is... Another story that does is... This strength will be a contribution at your school because... This strength will contribute to my future goals because...
  3. Another of my key strengths is Z. A story that demonstrates this strength is... Another story that does is.. This strength will be a contribution at your school because... This strength will contribute to my future goals because...
For each X, Y, Z insert a keyword describing your strength. Connect keywords to specific stories. If possible, find more than one story that demonstrates the keyword. Next think how this strength could be a contribution when you are student. Next think how this strength will contribute to your goals. By using this method, you will have prepared answers to such common questions as "What are your strengths" and "How will you contribute to our school." Additionally you will be ready to show how your past experience will help you achieve your goals. Additionally when asked questions which are less direct about your strengths, you will already have keywords and stories ready for those questions you can't predict. Keep in mind that your strengths might include particular skills as well as personality characteristics. You should think about strengths in the widest sense. Try to develop about 6-12(or more) keywords and 12-20 (or more) stories that relate to your strengths, contributions, personality, and future potential.


IS IT A GOOD STRENGTH OR WEAKNESS?
Some questions to ask yourself:
1. Does the strength demonstrate one's potential for future academic and/or professional success? If so, it is a probably a good topic. If not, why does your interviewer need to know about it?
2. Is a weakness fixable? If you are writing about a weakness that cannot be improved upon through your program at school X, why does your interviewer need to know about it?

source: http://adam-markus.blogspot.com/2007/11/mba-application-interview-strategy.html

HERE IS A SAMPLE ANSWER I LIKE
  1. What is your greatest weakness? 
    Some advisors will tell you to select a strength and present it as a weakness. Such as: I work too much. I just work and work and work. Wrong. First of all, using a strength and presenting it as a weakness is deceiving. Second, it misses the point of the question.

    You should select a weakness that you have been actively working to overcome. For example: I have had trouble in the past with planning and prioritization. However, Im now taking steps to correct this. I just started using a pocket planner . . . then show them your planner and how you are using it.

    Talk about a true weakness and show what you are doing to overcome it.
source:
http://www.collegegrad.com/jobsearch/Mastering-the-Interview/Ten-Tough-Interview-Questions-and-Ten-Great-Answers/

Please fill out this chart: Strengths (+) and Weaknesses (-)

Keyword
Professional Example 1
Professional Example 2
Personal Example 1
Apply to MBA Life
Apply to Future Career
Strength 1
analytical (mind)




how strength helps you contribute to classmates

Strength 2
technical (hands)




Strength 3
interpersonal (heart)




Strength 4




Strength 5




Weakness 1


 		⇒ failure?
how improve through MBA experience?
n/a
Weakness 2



n/a
Weakness 3
as a leader
e.g. delegation
 		⇒ setback?

n/a
Weakness 4
as a team member
e.g. time management
 		⇒ interpersonal conflict?

n/a
Weakness 5
as a professional
e.g. overspecialized





n/a


Tools for brainstorming your strengths and weaknesses
http://delicious.com/admissions/bundle:Brainstorming
Good luck with your self-study and practice!

--END

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-Updated by Vince on 14 March 2012

  • I am a graduate admissions consultant who works with clients worldwide
  • If you want my help preparing for your interview, please email interviews@vinceprep.com
  • Let me know when you plan to interview and when you want to practice with me
  • I will confirm if I have the capacity to help you
  • My interview service details and fees are here
  • Please note that initial consultations are not offered for interview training

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