If I asked your friends, what would they say are your strengths and weaknesses?
You will likely talk about your strengths and weaknesses throughout your Cardiology Fellowship interview. This question is unique because they request that you answer from the perspective of your friends, rather than your current resident colleagues or the attending physicians you've worked with in the past.
"If you were to ask my core group of close friends, they would tell you that my strengths are my communication and motivational skills. I have an infectious spirit that is able to connect with any type of personality and help me work well as a team. They would also tell you that my weakness is self-criticism. I frequently reflect on my words and actions and wonder if I should have said or done something different. I have learned to call my patients to provide new information about important issues that I may have neglected to discuss during their appointment."
Give a strength that is unique to you and applies to the field of medicine. It is a common strategy to offer a weakness that is actually a strength (e.g., "My weakness is that I work too hard"). The interviewers will recognize this as a transparent tactic. For this reason, you must provide an example of a legitimate weakness that you have worked to improve. You should not offer more weaknesses than strengths in your answer.
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
I have a unique ability to bring people together. Socially, I seamlessly integrate friends from different parts of my life and help them find common ground with each other. This is useful in the hospital, where having friendly relationships with patients, doctors, nurses, and ancillary staff is key to having a successful team dynamic. In terms of weaknesses, I have a tendency to overcommit. I get excited about new research projects, or teaching opportunities that seem "up my alley" and take them on even when I have a very full plate. I am learning that less can be more. Recently, I decreased my involvement with a research project in the ED so I could focus on my cardiology research more. The result was that I could devote more of my protected research time to the cards project and ended up making enough progress that I was able to submit an abstract to PAS and present a poster at the conference this spring.
Jaymie's Feedback
Great job! Your strengths are all ones the interviewer will find valuable in a candidate. Your weakness is a common one in the workplace, and would not be a deal breaker. You did a great job sharing ways you are growing in this area and gave specific examples!
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