Virtually, all of us are familiar with situations like this from job interviews; but only very few are prepared for it. There is an effective strategy for mastering your fear: getting to know the “other side” – that is, the head physician and his intentions during the medical interview.
In the following, head physician, medicine interview tutor, and communication trainer Professor Wolfgang Kepler reveals a selection of the toughest questions and the right answers in the interview. At the same time, you will learn why you should take the initiative yourself and ask specific questions. Do not worry: With this contribution you are well prepared for your medical interview.
1. “Why did you apply to medical university specifically?”
You must have heard this question already; because it is admittedly a classic among the questions of the medical interview in the hospital. At the same time, it is amazing that few medical professionals are really prepared for it. “Sometimes you hear exciting answers,” reports Professor Kepler.
The head physician uses the question in the job interview to check to what extent you have informed yourself about the clinic and its focus. Have you applied to a select selection of specialized houses or sent random applications? Your answer also reveals whether you know your own goals and can imagine how they will be achieved in your new workplace. A candidate who does not know where he wants to go professionally carries the great risk for hospitals of being quickly gone.
But what could a good answer be? Explain what professional goals you are pursuing. Explain why this clinic is a perfect match for you and your desired career.
2. “When are you available?”
Unfilled doctor positions cost hospitals money – a lot of money. For this reason, the chief physician tries to fill a vacant position as quickly as possible. Despite the acute shortage of doctors, he can often still choose between several candidates in metropolitan areas. “If the waiting time is too long for us – for example half a year – then that is an exclusion criterion,” points out Professor Kepler. The applicant who is available more quickly would then receive the bid.
So when you apply as a doctor, make sure that your notice period is not too long. If necessary, only apply for positions that give you enough time to give notice of termination. Alternatively, you can try to come to an early termination of the employment contract with your old employer. In any case, you should be able to give the head physician a clear answer to his question during the interview at the hospital.
3. “Why did you choose this region?”
If you apply for positions at a greater distance, this could result in a move. Chief physicians know that a doctor’s satisfaction is not only related to the clinic; The spatial environment also plays a role. If this does not suit the applicant, he or she threatens to be gone again soon. Therefore, the head physician tries to find out your selection criteria for the region with this question and to compare them with reality.
At this point it depends on your very personal answer. At the same time, a sure instinct is required. Head physician and communication trainer Professor Kepler shows this with an example: “If someone from Bavaria is looking for the center of his life in Düsseldorf because of love, I find that plausible. But if he gives the reason that he has always wanted to celebrate Carnival, then I’m skeptical. “So first be sincere; and, secondly, give well-founded, understandable reasons.
4. Case studies: “Imagine you …”
Case studies are particularly popular among chief physicians. You should use a mind game to prove how you would behave in a specific situation. Professor Kepler gives an example: “It’s Friday. The colleague who was supposed to be doing the night shift has dropped out. The senior physician in charge approaches you and asks you to take over the shift. How do you behave; and what are your thoughts on it? “In addition, you will often be asked to state your motivation for your actions.
Head physicians like Professor Kepler can read a lot from your behavior: “One of them answers, for example, that he is just starting out and wants to get involved. For this reason, he takes on a lot of services, especially at the beginning. After all, he wanted to be quickly accepted by the team. Here I suspect a strong performance and team orientation. Another would like to call a conference first and see exactly who did how many services and when. As the chief physician, I am concerned with this candidate that there will be quarrels later.”
This is where it pays off that you imagine typical cases in your department. In each case, think about how you would react – and why; because occasionally your motivation and your living conditions make the difference. For example – to stay with the example outlined above – a father could relatively easily refuse the shift with reference to caring for his children.
5. “What is most important to you in your job?”
With this typical interview question, the chief doctor aims at your inner drive again. What fulfills you in a job? What shouldn’t be missing? What do you dislike at all? It saves everyone involved a lot of time and possibly annoyance if you and the chief physician compare your expectations with everyday clinical practice. In the event that the deviations are too great, Professor Kepler makes it clear: “In case of doubt, I would do without someone – even if they are technically good.”
Last Words
One of the central tasks of the head physician includes the personnel policy. Professor Kepler emphasizes the pressure that he is under as head physician and asks for understanding: ” If I pull a plum ashore, it immediately falls back on me: ‘What were you doing there?’ Nowadays, as a chief physician, you have an extremely high level of responsibility, as there are no longer 100 applicants available. In some areas I am happy to even receive an application.”