Our top tips for Doctor job interview success

Taking a new step in your medical career is exciting. Whether you’re moving to a new practice or health service, a different speciality, or aiming for a leadership position, the interview is your chance to shine and secure that role!

At Elective Recruitment, we know what works. We’ve put together our top 5 tips for how you can best prepare and master your next medical interview.

1. Research

Thorough research is the foundation of a successful interview.

• Know the Health Service: Go beyond the home page. Explore the health service’s size, key medical specialties, recent achievements, and reputation. Look at their annual reports, news mentions, and even their social media to understand their culture and strategic goals. Where appropriate, arrange an initial chat with the Clinical Director or hiring manager for insights in the team, culture and key challenges in the role ahead of the interview.
• Align Your Values: Employers are looking for doctors who are a good team fit and whose goals align with the organisation’s. Understanding the health service you’re applying to will help you articulate exactly how your skills and experiences are a valuable asset.
• Location, Location, Location: Be familiar with the hospital and its surrounding area. When you are asked, “What attracted you to this position?” you will be able to confidently answer and connect your professional and personal goals with the opportunity.

2. Practice 

During an interview, employers will often use a mixture of general questions, behavioural questions, situational questions and clinical questions to assess your fit for the role. The panel will be looking for specific, work-related examples that demonstrate your skills.

• Prepare Your Answers: Read the position description thoroughly and prepare examples that align with the selection criteria. Don’t just prepare what to say—prepare how to structure your answers. Consider using useful frameworks:

• Practice Out Loud: Think of questions that you are likely to be asked in the interview and practise your responses out loud. Practice makes your answers sound smooth and natural. Be ready for classics like “Why do you want to work here/why did you apply for this position?”,“What are your biggest strengths and weaknesses?” and“Can you give an example of workplace conflict?”
• Prepare Your Questions: The interview is a two-way street. Prepare a list of thoughtful questions to ask the panel. This shows engagement and helps you determine if the organisation is the right professional and cultural fit for you.

3. Be Ready

Don’t let logistics derail you on the day.

• In-Person Interviews: Plan your route, travel time, and parking in advance. Have the hospital’s and your Elective Recruiter’s contact details handy. Arriving stress-free allows you to focus purely on the interview.
• Online Interviews: Test your tech! Confirm your camera, microphone, internet, and the link are working. Check your background for professionalism and ensure good lighting.
• Dress the Part: Smart and neat attire is recommended. Looking professional can not only impact how you’re perceived but also how confident you feel.

4. During the Interview: 

Showcase your passion and professionalism.

• Smile: Greet all panel members and start with a smile! It conveys confidence and can help everyone feel more relaxed.
• Listen Actively: Pay close attention to the questions. If you need clarification, don’t hesitate to ask. Take a brief moment to think before you answer instead of rushing. 
• Be Compelling but Concise: Direct your responses to the person who asked the question, but make eye contact with the entire panel throughout your answer.
• Sell Yourself, Thoughtfully: Highlight your achievements, skills, and enthusiasm for the role. While selling your strengths, remember to also give credit to others you’ve worked with. This demonstrates excellent teamwork and humility, showing you can work well both independently and collaboratively.

5. Finish Strong

The end of the interview is as important as the start.

• Seek Feedback: The best time to ask for feedback is at the end of the interview. Consider asking if there was anything you could have elaborated on. This demonstrates a valuable characteristic: a commitment to improvement and openness to feedback.
• Say Thank You: Sincerely thank all panel members for their time.
• Connect with Elective: Reach out to your Elective Recruiter immediately afterward to provide your feedback and thoughts on how the interview went. Your insights are valuable!

Need More Interview Preparation?

If you’re a doctor looking for more ways to sharpen your interview skills, we highly recommend checking out the Question Bank from our partner, AdvanceMed. AdvanceMed is led by Dr. Anthony Llewellyn, a respected doctor and career coach who is dedicated to helping medical professionals succeed in their careers The Question Bank is a free resource offering a massive collection of 1,076 real doctor job interview questions submitted by doctor colleagues from across Australia – an invaluable tool for practice and preparation. To access the question bank, visit https://questionbank.advancemed.com.au/.

About the Author 

Hayley has over a decade of experience in medical recruitment, where she has developed a deep expertise and understanding of the unique challenges and complexities that doctors face when relocating to Australia. Assisting in permanent, fixed-term, and locum placements across all medical specialties, she guides doctors through the complex journey of regulatory and migration processes, ensuring each candidate has a smooth transition into their new role.