The Keys to Successful Emergency Medicine Physician Interviewing | Pre-Interview Preparation
Last month EMrecruits discussed the importance of Self Assessment through the creation of a personal and professional profile. Now we take a look at the next step in our 7-Step Guide to Successful Interviewing: Pre-Interview Preparation.
Step 2 | Pre-Interview Preparation: Frequently Asked Questions
The job interview is a strategic conversation with a purpose. Each party has a goal, and yours is to demonstrate to the interviewer that you have the necessary skills, background, and ability to do the job and that you can successfully fit into the group/its culture.
After your Curriculum Vitae (CV), the interview is your best opportunity to impress the group/organization. This is your first and best opportunity to make a lasting impression, so we suggest the following strategy:
- Prepare a selective presentation of your background
- Develop thoughtful answers to potential interview questions
- Create well-researched questions about the group
- Consider your career goals in relation to what the job offers to be able to discuss both of these topics.
Background and Motivation
- Tell me about yourself.
- Why did you choose to go into medicine?
- Why did you choose the medical school you attended?
- Why are you changing jobs, or why are you interested in this job?
- Why did you choose our practice location?
- What are your long-term goals?
- Why do you want to work with us?
- Why should we hire you?
- What do you feel you can bring to the group?
Clinical Strengths and Weaknesses
- Describe your strong points.
- Describe your weaknesses.
- Describe your abilities as a team player.
- How do you describe your clinical judgment?
- What are your strongest clinical areas? What makes you say that?
- Describe one of your most recent clinical triumphs.
- Describe a clinical scenario that did not go well.
Quality of Service and Patient Relationships
- How did you resolve a major conflict with a patient?
- How well do you work with the nursing staff?
- What do your patients like best about you?
- What do your patients like least about you?
Personal Attributes
- Describe your personality (initiative, enthusiasm, stability and consistency).
- Describe your work habits (difficulty reaching, timely reports, patient interaction, etc.).
- How well do you communicate by phone when describing patient situations?
- With what volume of work are you comfortable?
Contributions
- What do you feel are the most important contributions you have made to your practice, community, and hospital?
Risk Factors
- Have you ever come before any committee of a hospital or peer review group for review or had privileges revoked or suspended?
- Have you ever had any disciplinary actions or problems of professional competence?
- Are you aware of any claims or investigations against you (past or present)?
- Have you had any malpractice suits?
Next Steps
- After what you have seen and heard are you interested in the position?
- What level of compensation do you require?
- Do you have outstanding school loans?
- Do you have a “tail” upon leaving your current location?
- When can you relocate?
Next Time - Telephone Interviewing: Your First Impression
