Residency Interview Prep

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Showing 121–132 of 482

Can you describe an experience with an attending physician you found challenging?

Experience Challenges
Why this question?
This question checks how you handle authority and tough situations. They want to see if you stay professional, adapt, and learn from challenging experiences.
Best practices
  • Share a story where you faced a challenge but learned something valuable.
  • Focus on how you responded positively, like seeking feedback or adjusting your approach.
  • Use the STAR-L method: Situation, Task, Action, Result, Lessons Learned.
What to avoid
  • Don't badmouth the attending or be overly negative.
  • Avoid saying you just 'endured' the situation without learning anything.
  • Don't claim you 'challenged them back' in a confrontational way.
Background
Use STAR-L to structure responses to questions about your experiences:
-Situation: Briefly set the scene - where/when and what was going on?
-Task: What was your specific role or challenge in that situation?
-Action: What you did - focus on your steps, decisions, and contributions.
-Result: Share the outcome - ideally positive or meaningful.
-Lessons Learned: Reflect on what you took away and how you’ve grown.

Can you describe an experience with an outstanding attending physician?

Experience Professional Growth
Why this question?
This question is all about seeing what qualities you admire in mentors, which often reflect what you value or aspire to. It also shows what kind of environment you thrive in and how you might mentor others in the future.
Best practices
  • Pick a specific attending and describe what made them outstanding.
  • Share specific examples of their teaching style, patient care, or team interactions.
  • Reflect on what you learned from them and how it impacted you.
What to avoid
  • Avoid vague praise like 'they were nice' without specifics.
  • Don't focus on how they made things easy for you; highlight their positive traits.
  • Steer clear of negativity or faint praise; this is a chance to be positive and appreciative.

What valuable lesson have you learned from a mentor or senior colleague?

Experience Professional Growth
Why this question?
This question checks if you're open to guidance and how mentorship has shaped you. It also gives insight into what you value and if you're likely to be receptive to mentorship during residency.
Best practices
  • Share a specific lesson and the context or story behind it.
  • Explain why the lesson is valuable and how you apply it in your life.
  • Show appreciation for your mentor and demonstrate how you've internalized the lesson.
What to avoid
  • Saying you can't recall any specific lessons – it shows a lack of reflection.
  • Focusing on minor or trivial lessons that don't highlight growth or professionalism.
  • Being vague or not showing how the lesson has impacted your behavior or thinking.

Could you talk about a mentor who has significantly influenced your career?

Experience Professional Growth
Why this question?
This question helps interviewers see how you reflect on mentorship and guidance. It shows your support system, values, and ability to form meaningful professional relationships.
Best practices
  • Pick a specific mentor and explain how they influenced your career.
  • Share a story that shows their impact on your career path or philosophy.
  • Highlight what you learned from them and how it shaped your decisions.
What to avoid
  • Don't be vague or overly hero-worshipping without personal connection.
  • Avoid saying you had no mentor; it might suggest you don't value guidance.
  • Don't just list qualities; share a story that shows their influence on you.

The most crucial lesson you learned from your mentor.?

Experience Professional Growth
Why this question?
This question checks if you're open to guidance and how mentorship has shaped you. It shows if you value others' wisdom and if you're likely to be receptive to mentorship during residency.
Best practices
  • Pick a specific lesson and share the story behind it.
  • Explain why the lesson is valuable and how you apply it.
  • Show appreciation for your mentor and demonstrate how you've internalized the lesson.
What to avoid
  • Don't say you can't recall any lessons; it shows a lack of reflection.
  • Avoid taking all the credit or deflecting all blame in your story.
  • Don't choose a trivial example; make sure it's significant and relevant.

A time when you taught or mentored a medical student.?

Experience Teaching Core
Why this question?
Residency isn't just about learning; it's also about teaching. This question checks if you can step into a mentor role, showing your mastery and communication skills. It also hints at your leadership potential and how you support your team.
Best practices
  • Share a specific story where you took the initiative to teach or mentor.
  • Use the STAR-L method: Situation, Task, Action, Result, Lessons Learned.
  • Highlight how you understood the learner's needs and adapted your approach.
  • Reflect on what you learned from the experience and how it helped you grow.
What to avoid
  • Don't say you haven't mentored anyone yet. Even informal examples count!
  • Avoid sounding like teaching was a burden or being condescending.
  • Don't forget to mention the outcome and what you learned from the experience.
Background
Use STAR-L to structure responses to questions about your experiences:
-Situation: Briefly set the scene - where/when and what was going on?
-Task: What was your specific role or challenge in that situation?
-Action: What you did - focus on your steps, decisions, and contributions.
-Result: Share the outcome - ideally positive or meaningful.
-Lessons Learned: Reflect on what you took away and how you’ve grown.

A error you made in clinical care and the steps you took to correct it.?

Experience Professionalism
Why this question?
This question is all about seeing how you handle mistakes and learn from them. Interviewers want to know if you can own up to errors, reflect on them, and grow from the experience.
Best practices
  • Pick a real example where you made a mistake, but nothing too extreme.
  • Focus on what you learned and how you corrected the mistake.
  • End on a positive note, showing growth and what you’d do differently next time.
What to avoid
  • Don’t blame others or make excuses for your mistake.
  • Avoid picking a trivial example that doesn’t really show growth.
  • Don’t forget to reflect on the lesson learned and how it changed you.

Can you share a error you made in your life and the lessons you derived from it?

Experience Professionalism Core
Why this question?
This question is all about digging into your personal ethics and self-reflection. Interviewers want to see if you can acknowledge your imperfections and what you learned from them. It's a chance to show your honesty, humility, and growth.
Best practices
  • Pick a core value you hold dear, like honesty or empathy.
  • Share a specific incident where you didn't live up to that value.
  • Reflect on what you learned and how you corrected it. End on a positive note!
What to avoid
  • Don't pick a trivial example that doesn't really relate to a core value.
  • Avoid blaming others or circumstances for your mistake.
  • Steer clear of huge ethical breaches unless you can show significant learning and change.

One of your core values and a time you went against it.?

Experience Ethical
Why this question?
This question digs into your personal ethics and self-reflection. Interviewers want to see if you can acknowledge imperfections and what you learned from them. It also reveals what values you hold dear, which speaks to your character.
Best practices
  • Start by clearly stating a core value like honesty, empathy, or teamwork.
  • Share a specific incident where you didn't live up to that value, even in a small way.
  • Reflect on the consequences and how you corrected it or would act differently now. End on a positive note with a lesson learned.
What to avoid
  • Don't pick a trivial example that doesn't seem value-related.
  • Avoid huge ethical breaches unless you can show significant learning and change.
  • Don't blame circumstances or others. Take accountability and show remorse.

An instance when you witnessed injustice and took action to address it.?

Experience Ethical
Why this question?
This question checks if you'll stand up against wrongs and contribute to fairness. It's about showing your ethical courage and willingness to act, not just observe.
Best practices
  • Use the STAR-L method: Situation, Task, Action, Result, Lessons Learned.
  • Pick a story where you took constructive action, even if the issue wasn't fully resolved.
  • Show empathy and teamwork, and highlight any positive outcomes or lessons learned.
What to avoid
  • Don't say you did nothing or that it wasn't your business.
  • Avoid making yourself the hero in a bragging way.
  • Don't forget to reflect on what you learned from the experience.
Background
Use STAR-L to structure responses to questions about your experiences:
-Situation: Briefly set the scene - where/when and what was going on?
-Task: What was your specific role or challenge in that situation?
-Action: What you did - focus on your steps, decisions, and contributions.
-Result: Share the outcome - ideally positive or meaningful.
-Lessons Learned: Reflect on what you took away and how you’ve grown.

Can you describe an instance when you felt you were treated unfairly?

Experience Ethical
Why this question?
This question is all about seeing how you handle tough situations, like feeling wronged or facing bias. They want to know if you can keep your cool, stay professional, and learn from the experience.
Best practices
  • Pick a story where you genuinely felt something was unfair, but make sure it's significant enough to matter.
  • Use the STAR-L method: Situation, Task, Action, Result, Lessons Learned.
  • Focus on how you handled the situation. Did you talk it out with the person involved or seek advice? Show your problem-solving skills.
  • End with what you learned from the experience. Did it teach you to communicate better or stand up for yourself?
What to avoid
  • Don't just vent or blame others. Keep it professional and focus on your actions.
  • Avoid sounding bitter or negative. It's okay to feel upset, but show how you moved past it.
  • Don't skip the lesson learned. Highlight how the experience helped you grow.
Background
Use STAR-L to structure responses to questions about your experiences:
-Situation: Briefly set the scene - where/when and what was going on?
-Task: What was your specific role or challenge in that situation?
-Action: What you did - focus on your steps, decisions, and contributions.
-Result: Share the outcome - ideally positive or meaningful.
-Lessons Learned: Reflect on what you took away and how you’ve grown.

Can you recount a time when you had to deliver bad news to a patient or their family?

Experience Professionalism
Why this question?
Delivering bad news is a delicate and inevitable part of being a physician. This question checks your communication skills, empathy, and ability to handle tough situations. They want to see how you manage these conversations and your approach to patient-centered communication.
Best practices
  • Use the STAR-L method: Situation, Task, Action, Result, Lessons Learned.
  • Describe the scenario clearly and focus on your role in delivering the news.
  • Highlight your empathy and communication skills, like using simple language and allowing silence.
What to avoid
  • Don't say you've never been involved in delivering bad news. Even observing counts!
  • Avoid being vague or cold. Show sensitivity and understanding.
  • Don't forget to reflect on what you learned from the experience.
Background
Use STAR-L to structure responses to questions about your experiences:
-Situation: Briefly set the scene - where/when and what was going on?
-Task: What was your specific role or challenge in that situation?
-Action: What you did - focus on your steps, decisions, and contributions.
-Result: Share the outcome - ideally positive or meaningful.
-Lessons Learned: Reflect on what you took away and how you’ve grown.
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