CONTENTS

Types of interview Interview formats Key areas to focus Common question patterns Mock interviews Questions for interviewer Final preparation tips

CONTENTS

Types of interview Interview formats Key areas to focus Common question patterns Mock interviews Questions for interviewer Final preparation tips

PREPARING FOR INTERVIEWS

Having applied for jobs, you will need to take some time to prepare for interviews to increase your chances of landing your desired job. After applications have been submitted candidates will be selected to go on to the interview round. At this level, you will be asked a series of questions to test your clinical experience and knowledge. They may also ask general questions around your lifestyle like your hobbies, interests outside work and aspirations for the future.

It is important to appear as confident as possible without seeming arrogant. You need to remind yourself that you have earned a medical degree and now acquired a medical license in a second country other than your country of origin; a feat that can only be born of hard work and diligence. It is very important to sell yourself to the interviewers as much as possible. Do not see this as being boastful, speak freely about your achievements, skills and values you will be bringing to the team.

TYPES OF INTERVIEW

Basically there are three common types of interviews with respect to how it is conducted. They include:

It is becoming increasingly more common to have virtual interviews these days. When invited for an interview, you can request a virtual interview if you are not in the UK at the time of the interview.

COMMON INTERVIEW FORMATS

Common interview formats typically include but are not limited to the following:

The interviewer's goals are essentially to:

Bearing the above stated in mind, you need to attend the interview prepared to convince your interviewers of your ability to work in and with teams, good communication skills and magnetic personality. Seeing as they would also be assessing your values and how they relate to the organisation’s, it would be helpful to have done a bit of research on the organisation beforehand to familiarise yourself with their core values and mission.

KEY AREAS OF FOCUS

  1. Medical Knowledge:
    • Be prepared to answer clinical scenarios and case-based questions
    • Stay up-to-date with the current medical guidelines
  2. Communication Skills:
    • Show empathy, active listening, and clear communication
    • Practice explaining medical terms to patients
  3. Behavioral Competencies:
    • Demonstrate teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving
    • Reflect on your past experiences to showcase your skills. You can mention actual similar scenarios you have handled in the past.
  4. Ethical Scenarios:
    • You may be tested on dilemmas related to patient care, confidentiality, and decision-making

COMMON QUESTION PATTERNS

  1. Clinical Knowledge & Problem-Solving:
    • “How would you handle a patient with a challenging diagnosis?”. As expected, you may also be asked questions related to the specialty you are applying for.
    • “Describe a difficult case and how you managed it.”
  2. Behavioral Questions:
    • “Tell me about a time when you worked as part of a team.”
    • “How do you manage stress in high-pressure situations?”
    • “What do you do to relax?”
  3. Ethical Questions:
    • “What would you do if you disagreed with a senior colleague about patient care?”
    • “How would you handle a situation where a patient refuses treatment?”
  4. Empathy and Compassion:
    • How do you show understanding and care for your patients?
  5. Teamwork:
    • Examples of collaboration with colleagues, nurses, or other healthcare staff
  6. Leadership Potential:
    • Instances where you led a project, team, or initiative in clinical or academic settings

MOCK INTERVIEWS

You can hold mock interviews to prepare yourself well in advance. Below are ways in which mock interviews can help:

How to Find Mock Interview Opportunities:

QUESTIONS FOR THE INTERVIEWER

You will be given an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the interview. Its not the end of the world if you have no questions but asking a few questions makes you appear more interested in the role and shows some degree of preparedness for the interview.

Below are examples of good questions to ask:

FINAL PREPARATION TIPS

  1. Before the Interview:
    • Review your CV and personal statement
    • Prepare professional attire, ensuring it's comfortable
    • Get plenty of rest and stay hydrated
    • Be familiar with the interview format (e.g., virtual or in-person) If in person, take some time to plan your travel to ensure you arrive on time.
  2. During the Interview:

    3. First Impressions Matter:

    • Be punctual and polite
    • Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake or a warm confident smile if its a virtual

    Stay calm and collected:

    • Take a moment to gather your thoughts before answering, take your time.
    • Be concise but thorough in your responses
    • Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification if needed. It is better to seek clarification than answer incorrectly

    Show Enthusiasm:

    • Express your genuine interest in the position and the organisation
    • Smile and engage with the interviewer
  3. Post-Interview:

    4. Follow-Up:

    • You can send a thank-you email within 24 hours, expressing gratitude for the opportunity.

    Self-Reflection:

    • Assess how the interview went and note areas for improvement for future interviews. Try not to be too hard on yourself but note things that you could have done better.