(Please, I beg you, don’t say perfectionism.)

Let’s talk about one of the most dreaded MMI and panel interview questions:

"What is your greatest weakness?"

At first, this question used to stump me too. I thought, "How do I talk about a weakness without looking bad?" Eventually, I realized: they’re not really focused on the weakness itself. What they’re testing is:

1. Self-awareness – Can you honestly reflect on your areas for improvement?
2. Resilience – Are you actively working to grow?

Here’s how I learned to tackle it-

1. Pick a Real Weakness

Let me save you from the trap I’ve seen too many people fall into: saying perfectionism. Trust me, I’ve heard this in mock interviews, and it just feels overused, generic, and honestly… uninspired. Plus, it doesn’t really say much about you.

Instead, think about a real challenge you’ve faced. Something that’s:

• Authentic – A genuine area where you’ve struggled.
• Relevant – It shouldn’t make them doubt your ability to succeed in medicine.
• Fixable – You’re already working on improving it.

2. Frame It Right

When I was prepping, I found this formula super helpful:

Weakness → Action → Link

• Weakness: Be upfront about what you struggle with.
• Action: Showing what you’ve done to improve.
• Link: How this skill applies to medical school/your role as a doctor

This reframes your answer as a story of growth, not failure.

3. Example Answer

Here’s an example from one of my students:

"I’ve realized I sometimes overexplain things when answering questions because I want to be thorough, but it can make my answers less concise. To address this, I started practicing frameworks to structure my thoughts, and I’ve asked for feedback from colleagues and students when tutoring. More recently, they’ve noticed I’ve become much clearer and more concise, especially when explaining difficult topics. I think this is an important skill for doctors, like when explaining diagnoses or treatment plans to patients."

It’s a weakness I’ve genuinely worked on and continue to show progress.

4. Keep It Balanced

Avoid extremes (“I’m terrible at empathy”) or vague cop-outs (“I care too much”). The key is showing that you’re self-aware and proactive.

TLDR: Medical schools don’t expect perfection. They want reflective, proactive candidates. Skip clichés, choose a real weakness, and show how you’re growing. What’s worked for me is using Weakness → Action → Link to keep my answers structured and compelling.

After hours of writing, refinement and work, I’m putting the final touches on the Medical Interview Skill Builder, to be released in the next 7 days! This isn’t your typical prep—it’s actionable, with progressive skill tracking, a clear roadmap, and tools to help you ace your interviews with confidence! And it's discounted at £200!

Just kidding lmao, it's gonna be free! :D