Currently, the healthcare system has unlimited opportunities for nursing jobs in a field that has long-term stability, benefits, and tremendous growth!
Today, there is a greater need for nurses, doctors, physical rehabilitation specialists, licensed practical nurses (LPNs), registered nurses (RNs), and nurses aides (CNAs).
There’s also a sense of gratification and a sense of purpose that comes when you care for others, making a career in healthcare deeply rewarding.
In this article, we will highlight the top 10 healthcare interview questions so you can ace your next interview to begin a career in the healthcare industry.
Tips to ace your healthcare interview
Passing a job interview in healthcare requires skills, expertise, and emotional intelligence to win over your interviewer and gain their confidence.
Working in healthcare is a unique role — it’s not for everyone and takes a special kind of person who exhibits compassion, patience, a spirit to serve, and a passion for excellence.
If you are considering a career in healthcare and are currently applying for jobs, follow these interview tips:
- Show up 10-15 minutes early.
- Dress professionally. If you are unsure of the dress code, reach out to the workplace before the interview or look around their social media pages to see what employees typically wear.
- Bring multiple copies of your resume.
- Stay positive and avoid talking negatively about former employers.
- Try to find out the name of your interviewer ahead of time.
- Send a follow-up email or preferably a handwritten note to thank them.
Kensington Park Senior Living’s Top Interview Questions from Team Members Services Manager, Jennine
Whether you are interviewing at a hospital, rehabilitation facility, or an assisted living community, the following are the top interview questions you may run into.
Remember, it’s not just the experience that employers are interested in hearing, but about learning about the caring heart of the individual and why they’re drawn to the healthcare field.
To view open career opportunities at Kensington Park Senior Living, visit our careers page here.
1. What made you want to pursue a career in healthcare?
This introductory question is about getting you to open up, and share your ambitions and motivations to become a healthcare professional.
Share your personal story of wanting to work in healthcare. Perhaps it is because your mother was a nurse and you wanted to be one too. Or perhaps earlier in life you experienced a medical emergency and were saved by a doctor and nurse, and you want to pay it forward.
Ideally, job employers want to know that you are a compassionate, empathetic, and caring person who is dedicated to the work and will continue working in healthcare throughout your career.
2. Tell me about your previous job in healthcare
If you have previous experience working in healthcare, your employer will want to hear about it to assess your current skill levels and training to see if you are the right match.
Keep your answers positive and avoid speaking ill about former employers. Focus on mentioning all of the good aspects of your previous jobs and explaining why this new job should be an even better fit than your previous roles.
If you are fresh out of school and do not have a previous healthcare job, consider any internships, residencies, or other relevant experiences.
3. Talk about a time when you went above and beyond for patients
At Kensington Park Senior Living, we treat our residents as we would treat our own families. That’s our Promise. This is why we seek out compassionate and outstanding care providers in our community.
When interviewing, please share an example of how you went above and beyond to help one of your patients in a time of need.
Perhaps there was a time when you went out of your way to help a particular resident who needed extra assistance or care, or a time when you noticed something wrong with a patient and acted quickly.
Employers want to make sure you are dedicated to your work and can rise to action to solve problems as they arise.
4. Why should we hire you specifically for this healthcare role?
Look over the job description of the role you are applying for, see what their requirements are, and assess if your skill sets match. Try to come up with detailed examples and stories that illustrate your ability to achieve those duties and responsibilities.
Besides being trained and certified, employers want to learn more about your character and personality. Working in healthcare requires endurance, compassion, empathy, strength, soft skills, and intelligence, among many other things.
Displaying these traits in your interview will go a long way in convincing employers that you are the right person for the job.
5. How do you handle problem solving in a stressful environment?
Healthcare professionals work in a demanding and unpredictable environment, and it is important that you are mentally equipped to handle the stress before getting hired.
Share stories about times you have been in a stressful situation and how you managed to successfully fix those situations.
Explain how you manage stressful situations, including stress management techniques or strategies that you have used to help you work through difficult situations.
6. Where do you see yourself working five years from now?
Job providers look for candidates who are focused on growing and bettering themselves in their careers.
Talk about your goals in a job and where you want your career as a whole to take you. This shows you are serious about your career and willing to work towards getting the most out of working in this industry.
7. What are your biggest strengths and weaknesses?
Sharing your biggest strengths is the easy part of answering this question. The more difficult part is sharing your weaknesses.
Share weaknesses that you could also attribute to strengths. For example, being a perfectionist can be seen as a weakness and a strength. It shows you are organized and pay attention to detail.
8. How do you communicate bad news to patients and their families?
An unfortunate part of the healthcare industry is dealing with death and grief, as well as sharing bad news with your patients’ families.
When answering this question, talk about the importance of showing compassion and sensitivity to patients and their families.
If you have previous experience with this already, share an example of a time when you gave bad news to family members and how you handled the situation with grace.
9. Why do you want to work here?
When finding work, it is normal for job candidates to submit applications to several employers — however, if you get a call back for an interview, familiarize yourself with the company before the interview.
Learn about the company’s history, culture, and values, and how you fit into it, so you can give a compelling reason why you want to work for that company.
By researching your company before your interview, you will be more prepared and seem more confident and thoughtful.
10. What do you look for in your employer?
Asking this question helps the employer understand the employee’s career goals so they can better support their team members.
If you’re looking for career advancement, benefits, and a workplace that makes you feel supported and listened to, then please let us know!
While it may be harder to find a greater employer than it is to find a job, Kensington Senior Living is different! We offer competitive benefits, ongoing training, and constant growth opportunities.
At Kensington Park, we not only make our residents feel like family but also include our team members and staff in our loving community.
Apply for a position at Kensington Park today
Kensington Park Senior Living is an independent living and assisted living community located in Kensington, Maryland.
Our community also specializes in memory care for residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia, featuring two distinct memory care neighborhoods on campus.
Are you interested in working with us? We are currently hiring for full-time and part-time career opportunities including nursing roles, certified medical technicians, activity coordinators, housekeeping, and more!
View our careers page for more job openings.
Want to learn more about working at Kensington Park? Contact us today.