Internal Medicine Doctor Interview Questions: A Comprehensive Guide

The physician interview is very different from interviews for other professions. Recruiters for doctors want to hire people who fit in well with the community, can connect with patients, and has a good manner at the bedside. You can stand out from other doctors applying for the same job by preparing ahead of time for the most common interview questions for doctors. We asked several physician recruiters for the ideal answers to their top physician interview questions. Here’s what we found.

Recruiters are looking for emotional IQ

Companies want to hire doctors who are good at their jobs and also have a lot of emotional intelligence so they can get along with their patients and coworkers. To have an emotional IQ, you need to be able to understand your own feelings and the feelings of others, and then use that knowledge to guide your actions and thoughts.

A good candidate for the job should have a good bedside manner and be able to talk to patients and staff clearly and understand their feelings. So, be ready for questions at the doctor interview that will show how you handle tough conversations with patients and how well you work with others.

Ideal answers to frequently asked physician interview questions

• “Tell me about yourself. This is the first question a doctor will often hear. We learned that healthcare facilities want to know about your training, your background (does it come from well-known or highly accredited groups?), and your goals (do they fit with the job you are interviewing for?) Write a few short sentences that are both unique and easy to remember as your answer.
• “Why did you become a doctor?” asked Steven Jacobs, group director of physician “What drew you to medicine?” He likes this question because it helps him figure out what’s most important to you in your job. Without a doubt, our experts were disappointed with doctors who said they went into medicine for the money. No employer wants to hire a money-hungry physician. Be honest about why you want to become a doctor, but try to connect it to more good reasons. “I want to help people and give them the best medical care I can” is one answer. ”.

• What do you like about our organization or location?” asks Mark Douyard, a physician recruiter at BayHealth. “I want to know why a candidate wants to come here.” I need to know “why you want to be here and what interests you.” Tell me about any family or personal ties you have to the area. Explain why you want to live there (is it the size of the city, the cost of living, the people, or good schools for your kids?) and why you want to work at that particular facility (is it the size, the culture, or the well-known doctors?) No right or wrong answer, but try to be brief and get to the point quickly.
• “What could you bring to the practice?” The interviewer won’t be impressed if you make empty claims. Highlight what you are good at without sounding overly boastful. Possible answer: “I would bring a strong work ethic, a desire to work as part of a team, and the skills to provide excellent care to the practice.” ”.
• People have different ideas about how to answer the question “Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?” because it is subjective. We recommend that you answer honestly. You should tell the interviewer right away if you plan to retire in the next five to ten years. It is the fairest to both parties. It’s even okay to say “I don’t know” sometimes.
• It’s very important to answer the question “How do you handle stress?” Most types of medicine need doctors to be very smart in stressful situations. Draw attention to your ability to step up when needed, and be ready to give specific examples of times when you had to work under harsh conditions.
• “Describe your experience and skills. Companies that have names that people know are more likely to impress them. You should talk about the praise the school or facility has gotten as well as the reasons you chose to get your training there if you finished your training at one they may not be as familiar with.
• “What are your plans and goals?” This question lets you know what the interviewer wants to hear. Try to make sure that the way you write your goals and objectives fits with the job for which you are applying. “I want to build a strong practice, give my patients consistent high-quality care, and be a part of the team.” ”.

• “What salary do you want?” At CompHealth, we tell our job applicants not to talk about salary in the first interview. What if you give a number that the hospital can’t handle? You could lose the chance to win. You are either leaving money on the table or giving the interviewer the impression that you are worth less than the next person if you give them a low number. Later on in the process, there will be a chance to talk numbers and work out pay. “I’m looking for a competitive salary; I definitely want to be paid enough for what I bring to the job.” ”.
• Another subjective question is “What are your strengths?” Try to talk about skills that the interviewer will see as strengths. You will stand out in the interview process if you have a strong work ethic, are honest, caring, have good training, and can work well with others.
• “What are your weaknesses?” Like the last question, try to answer this one in a way that shows weaknesses that might not be a bad thing for the employer. The interviewer will know you work hard if you say you are a workaholic or an overachiever. Or, telling patients that you spend too much time with them sometimes will show them that you care about them and are kind.
• One of the last questions you might hear in the interview is, “Why should I hire you?” If you do hear it, you are probably doing well. When you answer this question, it’s important not to make yourself sound too good. Instead, you should try to show why you are the best person for the job.
• “What other practice opportunities are you looking into?” Be honest in your answer, but stress that the facility you are interviewing with is the most important the one. “There are none that are better than this clinic because it is _____ and _____.” ”.

Find your dream job: Why you should use CompHealth to find a healthcare job

Many healthcare facilities now conduct initial screenings and even second-round interviews virtually. The questions asked will be the same, but you should treat it just like it’s an in-person interview. Here are five tips that can help optimize a virtual interview experience.

• Before the event, make sure your equipment works well so you don’t have to deal with technical issues that can be stressful and hurt your performance.
• Pick a place that is quiet and has a nice background that won’t take the interviewer’s attention away from your answers.
• Dress the part. You should look like someone they would want to hire.
• Make sure the picture shows your head and shoulders, and look the interviewer in the eye the whole time.
• You should let the interviewer know if you are taking notes so you don’t look like you are not paying attention.

Put your best foot forward: Virtual interview tips for physicians

Why Internal Medicine? – Top Answers to Residency Interview Questions

FAQ

What is the most challenging part of internal medicine?

Why did you choose internal medicine interview answers?

How do you answer a medical interview question?

Your answer to this question can give the interviewer insight into how you communicate with your patients to help them understand complex medical information. Use examples from your previous practice to describe how you discuss diagnoses, talk about treatment options and describe overall medical conditions with patients.

What questions do Physicians ask during an interview?

Here are some standard interview questions for physicians and advice on how to explain them with sample answers: Can you tell me about changes you’ve made to your past practice that improved patient safety? The interviewer will want to know how you initiate changes that improve overall outcomes and the care level for patients.

How do you answer a patient care interview question?

The interviewer will likely want to get a sense of how you manage your time without taking away from patient care. In your answer, describe any of your past experiences that you’ve had dealing with emergencies while managing your patients and transitioning between duties in a fast-paced environment.

What do interviewers want from a doctor?

Interviewers want to know that you, as a doctor, possess the necessary skills to address non-compliant patients and encourage them to follow their treatment plans. This showcases your ability to communicate effectively, empathize with patients, and adapt your approach to ensure the best possible outcome for their health.