One important part of getting ready for a physician interview is thinking about and practicing answers to questions that a potential medical employer might ask. Also, coming up with your own thought-provoking questions is very important and will help you stand out from your peers. That being said, some of these questions are good for both private and hospital jobs, while others are only good for one or the other. Keep a list of questions like these with you along with a copy of your CV to show off at the end of the interview:
Interviewing for a physician role can feel intimidating. You’ve worked really hard to get to this point in your career. Your dream job could be nearby now. The key is proper preparation. We will look at some of the most common general physician interview questions, give you some sample answers, and give you some tips on how to prepare so that you do great on the interview.
Why Prepare?
It’s understandable to feel nervous before a big interview, but proper preparation can help you manage those nerves When you know what to expect, you feel more confident and in control Preparing also shows the interviewer that you are serious about the role. It demonstrates responsibility, dedication, and organization – all traits that would make you an excellent physician.
Research the Organization
Before your interview, learn as much as you can about the organization or hospital where you’re interviewing Understanding their mission, values, and patient population will help you answer interview questions thoughtfully For example, you may be asked
- What do you know about our organization and the patients in our care?
If you’ve researched the organization, you can speak knowledgeably about the types of patients they serve, the reputation of the hospital, any awards or recognitions, the kinds of procedures performed there, etc. This shows the interviewer that you did your homework.
Know Your Resume
Physician interviews often touch on your background and experience. Be prepared to expand on anything mentioned in your resume or CV. For example:
- Tell me about your medical experience.
- Why did you choose your medical specialty?
- I see you did research on X disease. Can you tell me about that project?
Review all of your experiences so that you can give details and stories if they are asked. Refresh your memory on papers or presentations you’ve given as well.
Practice Talking About Yourself
A lot of the questions asked in a general doctor interview are meant to find out more about you and your personality. Be ready to speak about your background, strengths, weaknesses, interests, and motivations. For example:
- Why did you become a doctor?
- If you were to describe yourself in three words, what would they be and why?
- What do you consider your greatest strengths?
- What interests you about working here?
Practice talking about yourself until you can articulate answers smoothly and confidently. Use real-life examples to illustrate your strengths whenever possible.
Know How to Address Weaknesses
Talking about weaknesses can feel awkward, but interviewers often ask questions like:
- What would you say is your greatest weakness?
The key is being honest while positioning your weakness positively. For example, you could say your greatest weakness is needing to be well organized and dislike last minute schedule changes. This frames your weakness as coming from a desire to be prepared rather than being inflexible.
Have an example ready that shows self-awareness and how you actively work to improve on your weak areas.
Prepare for Scenario Questions
Many physician interviews include scenario-based questions to assess your critical thinking and judgment. For example:
- A patient insists on a treatment you know is inappropriate. How would you handle this situation?
- You disagree with a colleague’s proposed treatment plan for a patient. What would you do?
Develop strategies for dealing diplomatically with conflict and upholding proper care. Use examples from your past experience when possible. Knowing how to think on your feet is key.
Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, you will usually be given a chance to ask questions. Prepare at least 2-3 thoughtful questions ahead of time. For example:
- What qualities do you look for in physicians at this organization?
- How would you describe the work culture here?
- How is success measured for physicians in this role?
Asking intelligent, researched questions demonstrates your interest and enthusiasm for the role.
Practice Interviewing
There is no substitute for practice when it comes to acing an interview. Set up mock interviews with colleagues and ask for candid feedback. Tape record your answers so you can critique your own delivery. The more you practice, the more natural interviewing will become.
Review Common Questions
Here are some of the most frequently asked general physician interview questions to practice for:
- Why did you become a doctor?
- Why did you choose your medical specialty?
- What interests you about this role/organization?
- What do you consider your greatest strengths?
- What is your greatest weakness?
- Tell me about yourself and your background.
- Why should we hire you?
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
- How do you handle conflict or disagreement with colleagues?
- How do you handle a patient insisting on inappropriate care?
- Do you have any questions for me about the role or organization?
Conclusion
Thorough preparation is key to excelling at your physician interview. Research the facility, review your experience, and practice talking about yourself and fielding common questions. Mock interviews can help polish your responses so you come across confidently. If you put in the work beforehand, you will be ready to impress interviewers and land the job. With the right preparation, you’ve got this!
Frequency of Entities:
- If you were to describe yourself in three words, what would they be and why?: 2
- What do you know about our organization and the patients in our care?: 1
- What interests you in working as a physician here?: 1
- What are your greatest strengths?: 2
- https://bemoacademicconsulting.com/blog/physician-interview-questions: 1
- https://comphealth.com/resources/physician-interview-questions-and-answers: 1
Questions to Ask Regarding the Position During Your Physician Interview
- Why is this doctor’s job open? (Hopefully because of growth and retirements instead of frequent turnover.) ).
- What does a typical day look like for this position?
- Are there parts of the job that aren’t related to clinical medicine?
- How many patients do you see on average every day, and how long do you spend with each one?
- How is productivity measured?
- Is there a formal physician performance evaluation process?
- Is there a referral system in place?
- Is there a restrictive covenant or non-compete clause?
Inquiring How Management/Partners Lead the Practice
- Tell me about the governance structure of the practice.
- Who is managing the practice?
- How is it being done?
- If a private practice group, who are the partners?
- What is the mechanism for becoming a partner?
- What does it mean to become a partner in terms of changed roles, responsibilities, voting, or money?
- How many of the physicians are partners?
- What is the buy-in to become a partner?
- What are the biggest challenges you’re currently facing?
