The Middle (part 2)

You also need to be prepared to deal with negative aspects of your background (such as poor marks in first year). It is up to you to turn these negatives into positives!

For example, in response to a question like “What are your weaknesses?”, you might say:

I’ve always been very nervous about speaking in public, but I realise that it’s something I’m going to have to do in my working life. So, I’ve taken every opportunity to make presentations in class and in my extracurricular activities, and I’m beginning to feel more confident about it now.

It is important to answer every question honestly. Avoid the temptation to over-exaggerate your experience, qualifications and abilities. On the other hand, try to avoid giving "yes" or "no" answers. They reveal almost nothing, and prevent you from highlighting your strengths and skills. For example, if you are asked a closed question like “Do you perform well under pressure?", you could take the opportunity to relate your skills to those required by the position by saying:

Yes, it gets the adrenalin going and I get a real sense of achievement. But I also like to plan and manage my time so I can avoid crises when possible.

You might also be asked questions about skills and experiences that you don’t have. The best approach is to answer honestly but try to offer some additional information about the skills that you do possess. For example, perhaps you haven't had any experience writing funding submissions. An honest response might be:

No, unfortunately, I’ve never been in a position where I have needed those skills. I do, however, understand some of the complexities of funding submission writing and feel confident that my attention to detail, analytical skills and strong writing would make submission writing an exciting challenge in a new job. I think that I could develop the necessary skills quickly.

Activity
What do you consider to be your greatest strength? What do you consider to be your greatest weakness or your most significant skill deficit? How might you positively rephrase a weakness or skill deficit if asked about it in an interview?