What is the Best Way to Prepare for a Medical Interview?
- Jonathan Forero
- Apr 25, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 13, 2023
Are you ready for your new role in the medical world? Regardless of whether you are freshly graduated or have a wealth of experience, medical job interviews are a crucial aspect of your career, so it is important that you know how to prepare for them. This blog will provide insights on successful strategies to ace your medical job interview and secure your desired position.
1: Research the Company and the Job Position
Before your interview, it's essential to research the company and the job position. This will help you to understand the company's mission, values, and culture. It will also help you tailor your answers to the job requirements and demonstrate your interest and commitment to the position. Researching the company and the job position will also help you ask informed questions during the interview, which will show your enthusiasm and curiosity.
2: Prepare for Medical Questions
During your interview, you may be asked medical questions related to your specialty or the position you're applying for. It's essential to prepare for these questions by reviewing medical concepts, procedures, and protocols. You can also practice answering medical questions with a colleague or mentor who can give you feedback on your delivery and content.
A lot of companies, such as the NHS, will list their interview questions online so that you can plan your answers prior to arriving. It is important that you structure your answers, there are several acronyms out there to help you to do this, one being: CAMP (clinical, academic, management, personal). So, when answering a question you will give a clinical example, academic reasoning, how you managed the situation, and then a soft skill (personal skill) that you have demonstrated.
3: Dress Professionally
As a medical professional, your appearance plays a significant role in how you're perceived during the interview. Dress professionally, and make sure your outfit is appropriate for the company's dress code. If you're unsure about the dress code, don't hesitate to ask the interviewer beforehand. Make sure your clothes are clean, pressed, and fit well.
4: Arrive Early
Arriving early to your interview is essential, it shows your punctuality and responsibility. Plan to arrive at least 10-15 minutes early to give yourself enough time to navigate traffic, find parking, or locate the building. Arriving early will also give you time to calm your nerves and review your notes.
If your interview is online, make sure that you log in early to check your internet connection works, and that both your microphone and camera are fully functional. Log in from a backup device, if possible, to make sure you are fully prepared if something was to go wrong.
5: Demonstrate Your Enthusiasm and Confidence
During the interview, it's essential to demonstrate your enthusiasm and confidence. Smile, make eye contact, and greet your interviewer with a firm handshake. Speak clearly and concisely, making sure that you are conveying your answers in a way that is easy to understand. Show your passion for the job by discussing your relevant experience and skills, and how they make you an ideal candidate for the position.
6: Give Concise Answers: This is especially important when working within the medical industry. A candidate may have a lot of experience which makes giving a concise answer difficult, it is more efficient to choose the most relatable example and relay this to the interviewer. This also ensures that the actual question is answered, and the interviewee is prevented from losing themselves in a tangent.
7: Connect With The Interviewer: When interviewing it may prove beneficial to connect with the interviewer. This is especially important when interviewing remotely; if the interview is a video call, turn on the camera so that the interviewer can identify your face to your name. Make sure you smile and make eye contact; you want the interviewer to believe that you are happy to be there! There may be a great number of other applicants, you want to stand out and be memorable.
8: Stories and Examples: When preparing for your interview, choose examples of different situations that you are going to use. For example: challenges you have encountered and how you overcame them, delivering bad news to patients, successes you may have had, working cross-functionally, etc. How you relay these stories is really important; you need to be to the point and easy to follow to ensure the interviewer remains engaged in the conversation.
9: Highlight Your Soft Skills
As a doctor, you have a unique set of soft skills that make you an excellent candidate for the job. Highlight these soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and empathy, and how they have helped you in your previous roles. These skills are essential for building strong relationships with patients, colleagues, and staff members.
10: Follow Up with a Thank-You Note
After the interview, it's a good idea to follow up with a thank-you note. This can be a handwritten note or an email and should express your gratitude for the interviewer's time and consideration. Reiterate your interest in the position and highlight any key points from the interview that showcase your qualifications.
Conclusion:
So, are you ready to start preparing for your interview?
Medical interviews can be stressful, but with the right tips and strategies you can stand out as a top candidate and land your dream job. If you're looking for recruitment services to help you land your dream medical position, contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you achieve your career goals. We are here to help!
Did you like this blog? Click here for more posts like this
Want more information about our Online English Classes? Click here
Visit our online shop here
Comments