5 Most Common Healthcare Interview Questions
So you’ve submitted your cover letter and CV for that healthcare job you want, and landed the interview. Congratulations! In order to make sure you’re ultra-prepared for your interview, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with and prepare answers for these five common healthcare interview questions.
Healthcare Interview Question 1–Why Do You Want the Job?
The key to answering this successfully is to incorporate your own career goals into the facility’s purpose and mission. An appropriate answer might sound like this–I am impressed by Dr. Smith’s work in the cardiology field; I have a strong interest in pediatric cardiology and wish to use my experience to mentor others by accepting a leadership position.
Healthcare Interview Question 2–How Do You Handle Stressful Situations?
Since working in healthcare can be stressful, it’s important to prove to the interviewer that you can handle stressful situations. The best way to answer this question is to give examples from a previous job where you handled a stressful situation well. In addition, you might want to mention ways you cope with stress in your everyday life. For instance, maybe you practice yoga, meditate, or lift weights.
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Healthcare Interview Question 3–What Is Your Biggest Weakness?
This is a tricky question to answer because you don’t want to present yourself negatively. If possible, try to make a weakness sound like a strength. A good answer might sound like this– My biggest weakness is being a perfectionist. I work hard to give patients exceptional care and can feel let down when a prescribed treatment isn’t effective or doesn’t pan out the way I had planned. However, I realize that there are some things I can’t control even when I have done my best.
Healthcare Interview Question 4–Why Should We Hire You?
There’s bound to be a lot of competition for the healthcare positions you’re applying for, so take some time to think about specific assets you have that can set you apart from other applicants. Share any awards or achievements, your future goals, and how you would be a positive addition to the facility. The main idea here is to point out your best qualities and job-related experiences in such a way that you’ll stand out from the crowd.
Healthcare Interview Question 5–What Are Your Salary Requirements?
Discussing money is always a bit tough. Be sure to do some research before you walk into the interview, and have some idea of the kind of salaries people with your level of education and experience typically make. Also, consider quoting a salary range instead of a set amount. That way, you will present yourself as having some flexibility and a willingness to negotiate. A sample answer may look like this–As a LPN for 5 years, I feel my salary should be in the $40,000-50,000 range.
Sure it’s exciting to land the interview, but it’s also natural to feel some butterflies as the day of your interview approaches. But remember: the more prepared you are, the more relaxed and confident you’ll be.