What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?

Business Insider has published an article called Questions for job interviews answered by Bill Gates. I was curious about what Bill Gates would say to the common interview questions, so I watched the video and summarized his answers. I hope this article can help you to prepare for your next interview!

Stephen Curry interviews Bill Gates

Question 1

How would you define your strengths and your weaknesses? How you can, you know, incorporate those into a team kind of aspect?

Analysis

This is a common question in interviews, where the interviewer asks about the candidate's strengths and weaknesses and how they could fit into a team. It's important to avoid the trap of giving humblebrag answers, and instead provide honest self-reflection. Let's see how Bill Gates would answer this question.

Bill Gates' Answer

I'm not somebody who knows a lot about marketing, you know, I wouldn't enjoy being a salesman. For a position where you're actually creating the products and thinking through what those features should be. I'm fascinated by that.

I followed the history of the industry, read about the mistakes that have been made. So product definition, product creation, very strong. If you have a team that understands the customers, the sales, the marketing, I'm not going to bring that but I would enjoy working with them.

Explanation

When asked about weaknesses, it's important to provide honest self-reflection and avoid humblebrags. Gates highlights that he's not skilled in marketing or sales, but he's very strong in product definition and creation. He also acknowledges that he would work well with a team that has expertise in areas he lacks.

Interview Tips

Show, don't tell: Use specific examples to showcase your strengths.
Earn the right: Make sure you have actions and experiences to back up your claims.
Practice: Practice sharing your strengths with others and ask for feedback on how well you're getting your point across.

Sentence Patterns

To express being deeply interested in something: "I'm fascinated by (something)."
To express knowledge of an industry: "I followed the history of the industry, and read about the mistakes that have been made."
To express a willingness to work with others with certain expertise: "I'm not going to bring that but I would enjoy working with them."

Question 2

Let's say you're interviewing for a junior engineer position at Microsoft sit in a boardroom or on a video call in 2020? Why should we hire you?

Analysis

In this question, Curry asks Gates to imagine he's interviewing for a junior engineer position at Microsoft and to explain why he should be hired. It's important to give specific examples to showcase your abilities and avoid empty claims. Let's see how Gates would answer this question.

Bill Gates' Answer

You should look at the code that I've written. You know, I'm kind of crazy. I write software programs way beyond any classes that I've taken. And I think I've gotten better over time. So take a look at how ambitious I've been there.

I do think I can work well with people, I might criticize their code a little harshly. But overall, I like to be on a team. I like ambitious goals. I like thinking through how we can anticipate the future. Software is cool, and I want to be involved.

Explanation

Gates provides specific examples of his abilities by pointing to his ambitious code writing skills and his ability to work well with others, even if he can be critical at times. He also highlights his interest in thinking ahead and achieving ambitious goals, showing that he would be a strong contributor to a team.

English Interview Tips

Show, don't tell: Use specific examples to showcase your abilities.
Earn the right: Make sure you have actions and experiences to back up your claims.
Be specific: Avoid vague or empty claims, and provide concrete details and examples.
Highlight team skills: Employers value team players who can work collaboratively towards ambitious