5 Common Interview Questions You Need to Anticipate

You got the certifications, you have your CV all figured out, and you think you’re ready to get that med career job you’ve been eyeing for the past few months. However, you have to be aware that plenty of other applicants are vying for the same position with very similar qualifications as you have. With all other things considered equal, getting the job can (and usually does) boil down to which one fared the best during the interview.

Being good at the interview requires more than dressing sharply and having a nice smile. You need to be able to give them the right answers. You’ve probably heard many common questions in different job interviews, but that’s what makes these questions difficult to answer. You can’t risk sounding like the other job candidates.   You have to answer in a way that will make you stand out among the rest.

To help you get that job, we came up with a list of the most common interview questions that you have to anticipate and how to answer them.

Question: Why should we hire you?

This question is usually the first to come up, and this is where many job candidates blow their chances of standing out. You’d probably try to answer it by giving a quick summary of your previous work, but that’s no good – they can get the same info just by looking at your CV! Instead, focus on highlighting what you are as a professional, as well as your strengths. For example, answer by how you’re enthusiastic about your job, how you developed your strengths, and how these strengths were able to cause an impact in your previous jobs.

Question: Why did you apply for this job?

For employers, this question will give them an idea of how invested you are in the job. The employers have already heard the whole “opportunity for improving myself” response countless times so avoid that too. Make your response more personal: let them know that you see the job as a rewarding experience or use a personal anecdote telling them how you were motivated to apply in the first place.

Question: What’s your biggest weakness?

Employers have more than enough of people citing their strengths as a weakness in an attempt to sound humble but humble-bragging won’t get you any edge over the other job candidates. On the other hand, just telling them your weakness may discourage the employer from hiring you. Instead, talk about one of your weaker points that you already covered and how you’re doing now that you have curbed that weakness. For example, if you have work-stress issues back then, tell them that you took stress management classes and can now handle yourself better.

Question: What’s your favorite part about your last job?

Naturally, people would say their favorite part is that they get rewards for doing good work, so avoid that cliché response. Answer in a way that relates specifically to your last job that you particularly like such as interacting with patients or that you enjoyed working with people in your last job. This doubles as highlighting your strengths, specifically your communication and leadership skills. Of course, you can also tell them other good parts about the job like if your previous workplace was just a few minutes away or if you were comfortable with the schedule.

Question: How much do you expect to get paid for this job?

You probably already checked salaries of other jobs similar to what you’re gunning for and already have a rough idea of a good estimate but try to avoid mentioning any specific figure. A better response would be something that focuses more on what you’re willing to commit to the job.  Then telling them that you expect something appropriate given your willingness and your previous work experiences.

How you handle yourself when being interviewed for a job in the healthcare industry can be the difference between being hired and the employer picking a different job candidate. Don’t let the opportunity pass by and be prepared for the most popular interview questions.