When you apply for a Locum Tenens position, each employer is going to be looking for something specific. Interviewers in any field will have a tailored interview process they adhere to. This means specific questions, activities, and maybe even practical displays of your abilities. Especially in the healthcare industry, they are going to be looking for highly skilled professionals.
Interacting with healthcare interviewers is completely different from most other professions. As a candidate, you will definitely be required to have the proper technical skills. You will also need to fit hospital culture, have a proper bedside manner with patients, and get along with other physicians. Interviewers are going to have their own sets of healthcare interview questions and guidelines when they examine you for the job. We have compiled a helpful list of healthcare interview questions!
healthcare interview questions
Popular Physician Interview Questions
You will have to be on your game when looking for a job you like. Being a travel physician isn’t easy, and neither is the interview process. But hopefully, with practice and determination, you will do well in your interview. Find a fellow physician to practice these interview questions with!
“Tell me about yourself.”
While it sounds simple, this is one of the most difficult healthcare interview questions to answer. You want to describe yourself thoroughly, but you don’t want to sound self-centered. Your answer should also be no more than a few sentences. Interviewers ask this question to get a feel for your experience and your dreams for the future. When answering, let them know about your goals and your abilities.
“What will you bring to the practice?”
Again, this is more of an experience question, but don’t be afraid to talk about your personality. Yes, the interviewer wants to know you will be competent in treating patients, but they also want you to be personable. Show off your personality! Let the interviewer know you can work well with others. You can highlight your abilities, experiences, personal motivations, and work mentality.
“How do you fair when under pressure?”
As a physician, you will be in a hectic environment with many changing variables. Interviewers are looking for an answer that shows you understand the importance of balance. Be honest, but also show them that you can ask for help if you need to.
“Describe a time when…”, “Give me an example of…”, “How have you handled…?”
Questions that begin with these phrases are considered behavioral and situational questions. If an interviewer asks, “Give me an example of when you had to interact with a difficult patient/coworker,” they are not looking for a hypothetical answer. Instead, they want concrete examples of real situations you have faced. Make sure to prepare a few anecdotes that you could apply to different behavioral questions.
Tips for Getting Hired
There are a lot of other ways to prepare for an interview besides going over the healthcare interview questions. You’ll want to follow these tips to give yourself the extra boost on your job hunt:
- Be prepared: Know where and when your interview is and be on time.
- Dress the part: An interview is like a business meeting. Wear appropriate business attire. According to Mr. Allan Kram, a board member of the Association of Physician Staff Recruiters (ASPR), “Dress is unequivocally important. Men should wear a clean, pressed dress shirt and jacket, and women, the corollary to that. That’s the standard of etiquette for an onsite interview.” If you are unsure of what “business attire” means, you can learn more from AskTheGentleman.com.
- Have a sense of humor: Remain relaxed and comfortable during your interview. Having high spirits shows a high level of confidence and optimism about your abilities and fit for the role.
- Do your research: Interviewers like it when you reference the company’s accomplishments. Don’t be afraid to relate answers to the material you found about them through research.
Now that you are able to nail your interview, you can browse our job listings to find your perfect locum tenens position!
