No matter how many times you’ve been through it, interviews can be nerve-wracking. And when the stakes are high (like trying to land your dream job as an orthopedic surgeon) performance anxiety will likely accompany you. However, with just a bit of time spent preparing answers to common discussion questions, you can confidently enter your next interview feeling much more at ease and able to demonstrate your expertise.
Physician Interview Questions
Use these common physician interview questions to help you prepare for your next interview.
Why are you interested in this position?
Being well-prepared to answer this question sets a strong foundation for the remainder of your interview. Focus on the main details you want to share about your professional and personal interests in this opportunity.
Most practice managers or physician owners want to hear about your…
- Training experience
- Career background
- Career goals
- Personal interests (location, family ties to the area, etc.)
You may also mention any specific qualities of the opportunity you find attractive—for example, having the chance to work alongside a small team in a collegial clinic culture.
Why did you go into medicine?
This is not the time to position yourself as someone devoted to making the big bucks. Instead, offer an emotion-based testimony such as wanting to help people or contribute to the advancement of the field for the greater good.
How well do you work with others when under pressure?
As an orthopedic surgeon, you have likely developed a strong, steady hand in stressful situations. However, the interviewer might be attempting to gauge your interpersonal skills when day-to-day problems arise in the office. This is a fantastic opportunity to provide an example of how you interact with others when things get hectic.
Describe your skills and experience.
Recognizable names of educational institutions on your CV or resume are great. However, what’s more likely to help you land your dream job is having the skills to confidently communicate what you enjoyed most about your training and past positions as an orthopedic surgeon.
Instead of rattling off a list of credentials, answer this question as if you were asked, “how well equipped do you feel to step into this position tomorrow?”
What are your goals and objectives?
Craft the answer to this question around the context of the position you are interviewing for. Make sure your response aligns with the practice setting and outcomes that you could achieve if you were chosen for the job.
For example, you might say, “I want to build a thriving, highly reputable practice, where I can deliver consistent quality care for my patients while being a collaborative member of a successful team.”
What are your strengths?
Some crucial points to touch on include…
- Work ethic
- Honesty
- Compassion
- Ability to work well with other
This is also a great time to share what you are passionate about regarding patient care.
What are your weaknesses?
Try to answer this in a way that suggests weaknesses that may not be negative to your employer. Some ideas include…
- Perfectionist
- Workaholic
- Overachiever
It’s best to keep this short and sweet but definitely have an answer ready
What other practices are you investigating?
Our best advice here is, to be honest without being specific. Something like, “I’ve been looking at a few other practices locally and a few back in New York, where I am from. But, I’m extremely interested in this area.”
Don’t be afraid to let them know you are interviewing at several places. You’re taking the time to meet with them in person, which should show them you are serious about their opportunity.
The key is to prepare and rehearse brief statements that cover the main points you want to make during the interview. Be ready but flexible in letting the conversation flow into unrehearsed areas, too.
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