How to Answer: Tell me about a time when you made an error during surgery.
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Surgical Technologist job interview.
23. Tell me about a time when you made an error during surgery.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer asks about a time you made an error during surgery to evaluate your ability to handle stressful situations and your capacity for problem-solving. They are also interested in your ability to take responsibility for your actions, communicate effectively with your team, and learn from your mistakes. Remember, it's important to be honest about any errors you may have made, but also to emphasize the steps you took to correct the situation and prevent similar errors from occurring in the future.
Tell the hiring manager about an error you have made, how you repaired that error, and what the outcome was. Be sure to end your answer on a positive note while describing what you learned from your mistake.
Written by Krista Wenz on October 13th, 2023
Answer Example
"When I was first beginning my career as a surgical technologist, I missed one of the steps required in testing the equipment prior to the surgery beginning. The particular piece of equipment was malfunctioning, and we needed to quickly locate another one that was working properly. The situation turned out well in the end, thank goodness, and I have never missed a part of my pre-op checklist again."
Written by Krista Wenz on October 13th, 2023