Sample Interview Questions
The following sample questions may assist you in preparing for residency interviews:
- Tell me about yourself.
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- Why are you interested in this specialty?
- Why are you interested in this program?
- What are you looking for in a program?
- Where else have you interviewed?
- What can you contribute to our program?
- How prepared are you to begin as an intern?
- Tell me about… you may be asked about something specific on your CV, such as research, time off, travel. Refresh your memory about what you included on your CV.
- Which types of patients do you work with most effectively?
- Describe how you make important decisions.
- If you could no longer be a physician, what career would you choose?
- How do you handle conflict? Pressure? Problems?
- What do you think about what is happening in… (non-medical current event question)?
- Teach me something medical in five minutes.
- Tell me a joke (keep it simple and tasteful).
- Can you think of anything I haven't asked you about that you want me to know?
- Why do you want to relocate to this part of the country?
- Why should we select you for our program?
- How do you think future changes in healthcare will affect this specialty in the future?
- Talk about a situation that has changed quickly and how did you respond? Would you respond the same way now? Differently?
Questions you might want to ask faculty/program directors:
- What contact will I have with clinical faculty?
- What are the clinical responsibilities of residents? What are the non-clinical, administrative responsibilities of residents?
- Are there opportunities for research?
- Have any residents left the program?
- What is the accreditation status?
- How are residents evaluated?
- How do your residents do on their written/oral board certifications?
- What is the financial status of the program?
- How is faculty turnover?
- What fellowships are available?
- What percentage of residents pursue fellowships upon graduating?
- How much elective time is available to pursue individual interests?
- Are away rotations available for residents?
- How is the didactic program coordinated? Are lectures given by residents or attendings?
- Of the faculty, what percentage are clinicians/academicians?
- Have residents left the program in the last two years?
- What are the teaching opportunities for residents?
- Do you foresee any changes in the program in the next three to five years?
- What makes your program unique?
- Are residents allowed to seek out "moonlighting" opportunities?
- Are educational and/or food stipends available in the program?
- What research opportunities are available?
Questions you should not ask or be asked (but probably will be asked):
- Explain your benefits/stipend/vacation/maternity leave policies/arrangements.
- What are your plans for a family? Are you married?
- How old are you?
- If you we offered you a position today, would you accept?