How to Answer Healthcare Interview Questions

Many interviewees like to know what will be asked of them during an interview. When answering healthcare interview questions, you want to show the employer that you can handle the demands of the healthcare field but also that you are compassionate and will provide the best care. This article will review some of the questions asked during a healthcare interview and some of the best ways to answer them.

Healthcare interview questions and sample answers

Why did you choose this sector as a profession?

This is a very specific question that is targeting your intentions and motivations. The employer wants to know what brought you to this career path when you could have chosen any other profession. Employers know there is a driving force that led up to you choosing your profession, a pivotal moment that made you dream of working in the medical field. You can answer in a number of ways, but the best way is something healthcare-related.

Example: ‘When I was young, we found out my grandmother had cancer. I watched my family care for her day and night. I saw how exhausted they were waiting for answers and hoping she had the best care possible. I decided I wanted to be the doctor that gave families answers. I wanted to make a difference in a family’s life and reassure them that their loved one is receiving the best care possible.’

Why should we hire you?

This question is very common, but many people find it difficult to answer. Many times, people find it hard to talk about themselves. To answer this question, you should think about why you are a good fit for this position. Employers want to know you have the confidence to handle the job and that you feel confident in your abilities.

Example: ‘I would be a great asset to your hospital because I believe in your mission of treating the whole patient. I share this philosophy that patients should be cared for not only physically but also mentally and emotionally. People deserve to be treated with dignity and that what they are saying matters.’

What is your biggest professional mistake or failure?

Some people find this question to be a difficult one to answer. Not because we do not know the answer, but because we tend to want to look great in everything we do. Everyone makes mistakes, even the person interviewing you. This is because we are human and your interviewer wants to see the human side of you. In response to this question, you want to tell a story about a personal experience you have had. You should also talk about how you have learned from this or how you are working toward improvement.

Example: ‘One of the biggest failures I have had professionally is not taking the time to listen to my subordinates’ concerns. I was a strict manager who did not deviate from my own schedule. By not listening to concerns, I missed a huge and very obvious problem with a machine in a factory where I was working. This mistake ended up costing the company money. I have improved a great deal in listening to my team’s concerns and have in turn caught many things I would have otherwise missed out on.’

Tell me about a time when you disagreed with a coworker

Your answer could be a time when you disagreed with a coworker during a brainstorming meeting, for example, or even a disagreement with one of your peers about how to share a diagnosis with a patient and their family. The secret is to choose the experience that will give your potential employer the answer they are looking for. You are looking for a situation that you handled in the most professional manner.

Example: ‘At a former job, I was a desk manager. I had two workers get into an argument in the office. I approached them and spoke in a calm tone until they both settled down. I suggested for them to handle the conversation in one of the empty conference rooms. I offered my presence if they needed help to resolve the situation. In the end, a compromise was reached and things did not escalate any further since both parties took some time to understand the situation at hand.’

What do you see as the future of healthcare?

Your interviewer is checking to make sure you have a creative and open mind about the ever-changing healthcare field. You want to think of work you have done in the past and how you will contribute to your own lifelong learning.

Example: ‘I think we are seeing the future of healthcare happen every day. I do feel that in the future, people will be able to skip waiting rooms and will be able to check themselves into emergency rooms on their way to the hospital. I feel this will cut down on crammed emergency rooms as there will be a team ready to assess the patient when they walk in the door.’