Residency Interview Prep

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All Adaptability Advocacy Behavioral Burnout Career Career Goals Challenges Clinical Scenarios Communication Conflict Conflict Resolution Core Decision-Making Diversity & Inclusion Equity Ethical Ethics Experience Feedback Hypothetical scenarios Interprofessional Collaboration Introduction Leadership Miscellaneous Motivation Patient Encounter Patient Safety Personal Personal Attributes Professional Growth Professionalism Program Fit Quality Improvement Research Residency CV Resilience Resource Stewardship Self-Reflection Specialty Specialty-Specific Systems-Based Practice Teaching Teamwork Telemedicine Time Management Top Wellness
Showing 157–168 of 482

What’s your approach to respond to constructive feedback?

Behavioral Professionalism Core
Why this question?
This question checks if you're professional, humble, and open to growth. Residency is all about learning, so they want to see if you take feedback as a chance to improve, not as a personal attack.
Best practices
  • Show that you welcome feedback and see it as a tool for improvement.
  • Mention that you stay calm and don't take feedback personally.
  • Give a specific example of how you used feedback to make a positive change.
What to avoid
  • Don't get defensive or dismissive about feedback.
  • Avoid justifying your actions instead of listening to the feedback.
  • Don't forget to mention how you plan to implement the feedback.

What strategies will you employ to enhance your exam performance given the rising difficulty of in-service exams and board tests?

Behavioral Challenges
Why this question?
They want to see if you have a plan for tackling tough exams during residency. It's about showing you're proactive, can manage your time well, and are committed to continuous learning.
Best practices
  • Share specific study strategies like using question banks or practice exams.
  • Mention how you'll fit study time into your busy schedule, like using commute time or setting weekly goals.
  • Talk about using feedback to focus on weak areas and seeking help from mentors or study groups.
What to avoid
  • Don't just say you'll study more hours without a plan.
  • Avoid vague answers like 'I'll study when I can' with no details.
  • Don't ignore the importance of balancing study with self-care like sleep and exercise.

What will you do if you did not match into a residency program?

Behavioral Resilience Core
Why this question?
This question checks how you'd handle a tough situation like not matching. They want to see if you have a backup plan and can bounce back from setbacks.
Best practices
  • Show resilience and a positive attitude. Talk about how you'd use the time to improve.
  • Mention specific steps like seeking feedback, gaining more experience, or improving your application.
  • Highlight your commitment to medicine and how you'd stay engaged in the field.
What to avoid
  • Don't say you'd quit medicine or seem defeated.
  • Avoid vague plans. Be specific about what you'd do to improve.
  • Don't ignore the emotional aspect. Show how you'd cope and stay motivated.

What alternative plans do you have if you do not secure a residency position this year?

Behavioral Resilience
Why this question?
This question checks if you've thought about a Plan B and how you handle setbacks. They want to see your resilience, planning skills, and commitment to your career.
Best practices
  • Show resilience and a proactive attitude. Talk about how you'd use the year to improve your application.
  • Mention specific steps like gaining more research experience, improving scores, or seeking feedback.
  • Highlight your commitment to medicine by planning to reapply and staying engaged in the field.
What to avoid
  • Don't say you'd quit medicine or seem defeated.
  • Avoid vague plans like 'I'll just try again next year' without specifics.
  • Don't ignore the emotional aspect; show how you'd cope and stay motivated.

Manage a situation in which an error on your part caused significant patient harm?

Behavioral Resilience Hypothetical scenarios Core
Why this question?
This question checks if you can handle mistakes responsibly, prioritize patient safety, and act ethically under pressure. They want to see if you'll own up to errors and take the right steps to fix them.
Best practices
  • First, ensure the patient's safety by stopping any harmful treatment and stabilizing them.
  • Be honest and transparent with the patient and their family about the mistake. Apologize sincerely.
  • Inform your attending and the healthcare team immediately to manage the situation together.
  • Take responsibility for the error and follow through with any necessary reports or protocols.
  • Reflect on what caused the mistake and think of ways to prevent it in the future, like using checklists.
What to avoid
  • Don't prioritize your own interests over patient safety by hiding the error.
  • Avoid being vague or mechanical in your response; show empathy and sincerity.
  • Don't skip notifying your team or following hospital protocols.
  • Avoid being dismissive or confrontational in your communication.
  • Don't forget to reflect on the mistake and plan for prevention in the future.

Do you believe it is ever justified to break rules in order to help a patient, such as stealing medication for someone who cannot afford it?

Behavioral Ethical Core
Why this question?
This question tests your ethical compass and problem-solving skills in tough situations. They want to see if you can balance compassion with professional integrity and find creative solutions without crossing ethical lines.
Best practices
  • Show empathy for the patient's situation but emphasize that breaking the law isn't the solution.
  • Discuss legal alternatives like patient assistance programs, social services, or charity care.
  • Highlight the importance of maintaining trust and integrity as a physician.
What to avoid
  • Saying it's okay to break rules like stealing medication.
  • Ignoring legal and ethical consequences of actions.
  • Failing to mention alternative solutions or resources available to help the patient.

What superpower would you choose to have?

Miscellaneous
Why this question?
This fun question lets interviewers see your personality and how you think on your feet. They want to know your creativity, problem-solving skills, and the traits you value.
Best practices
  • Pick a superpower that reflects positive qualities relevant to being a doctor.
  • Explain why you chose that superpower to show your thought process and values.
  • Feel free to be a bit creative or humorous, but tie it to a positive trait or skill.
What to avoid
  • Don't choose a superpower that's too outlandish or irrelevant.
  • Avoid giving no explanation; just naming a superpower without context is a missed opportunity.
  • Don't pick a power with a negative or superficial rationale, like sneaking around.

What’s your approach to unwind after a long day?

Miscellaneous
Why this question?
Interviewers want to see if you have healthy ways to manage stress and maintain work-life balance. They’re checking if you can handle residency pressures without burning out.
Best practices
  • Share one or two healthy activities you do to relax, like exercise, hobbies, or spending time with loved ones.
  • Explain how these activities help you decompress and maintain balance.
  • Keep a positive tone and show genuine enjoyment in your relaxation routine.
What to avoid
  • Avoid mentioning unhealthy coping methods like excessive drinking.
  • Don’t say you have no time to unwind or just keep working.
  • Steer clear of passive activities like endless social media scrolling.

Which subject did you enjoy the most during medical school?

Miscellaneous
Why this question?
Interviewers want to see what excites you in medicine and if your interests align with your specialty. It also shows your enthusiasm and communication skills.
Best practices
  • Pick a subject you truly loved and speak with enthusiasm about it.
  • If it ties into your specialty, highlight how it fueled your interest in that field.
  • Be specific about why you enjoyed it – was it the challenge, the teaching, or the connection to patient care?
What to avoid
  • Don't say you liked a subject just because it was easy.
  • Avoid disparaging other subjects in comparison.
  • Don't sound unenthusiastic or give flippant reasons like 'we got out early on Fridays.'

Which subject in medical school did you find most challenging?

Miscellaneous
Why this question?
This question checks if you can recognize your academic weaknesses and how you handle challenges. They want to see if you have humility, resilience, and a growth mindset.
Best practices
  • Be honest but strategic. Pick a challenging subject, but not one central to your specialty.
  • Explain why it was tough and focus on how you coped or what you learned.
  • Show you took action to improve, like changing study methods or seeking help.
What to avoid
  • Don't say nothing was challenging – it sounds arrogant or dishonest.
  • Avoid blaming others, like saying the professor was terrible.
  • Don't just say you struggled without mentioning any resolution or effort to improve.

Which rotation did you enjoy the most during medical school?

Miscellaneous
Why this question?
This question is all about discovering what truly excites you in medicine. Interviewers want to see your passion and if your interests align with your chosen specialty. It's also a chance to show your enthusiasm and communication skills.
Best practices
  • Pick a rotation you genuinely loved and speak with enthusiasm about it.
  • If it ties into your specialty, highlight how it fueled your interest in that field.
  • Be specific about why you enjoyed it – was it the challenge, the teaching, or the connection to patient care?
What to avoid
  • Don't say you liked a rotation just because it was easy.
  • Avoid comparing and putting down other rotations.
  • Don't sound unenthusiastic or give flippant reasons like 'we got out early on Fridays.'

Which clinical rotation was your favorite in medical school, and what made it stand out?

Miscellaneous
Why this question?
Interviewers want to see where you thrived in a hands-on setting and what aspects of patient care you find most rewarding. It reveals your clinical interests and shows what environment or patient population you connect with.
Best practices
  • Pick a rotation you genuinely loved and explain why it was great.
  • If it aligns with your specialty, use it to reinforce your commitment.
  • If it's a different field, share what you learned that applies to your future career.
What to avoid
  • Don't focus on a rotation just because it was 'easy' or 'laid-back.'
  • Avoid negative comparisons with other rotations.
  • Don't give generic reasons like 'it was nice' without explaining why it mattered to you.
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