How to Answer: A Healthcare Project Manager must be an agile problem solver. In your opinion, what does it take to be a great problem solver?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Kaiser Permanente job interview.
2. A Healthcare Project Manager must be an agile problem solver. In your opinion, what does it take to be a great problem solver?
How to Answer
As a project manager in the healthcare sector, you often take on projects without knowing the historical lineage. Kaiser interviewers are assessing you to see if you can employ a systematic approach to problem-solving. Additionally, they are value-checking to ensure that the qualities you find valuable in a problem solver are aligned with theirs.
Some relevant qualities of a skilled problem solver are:
- Thinking in terms of automation versus behavior
- Big picture thinking (if I change x, then y is impacted)
- Autonomy
- Unorthodox ways of educating yourself
- Creativity in solutions
- Focus on root cause solutions versus band-aid fixes
- Scalable solutions
To best answer this question, ensure that your example aligns with specific values, missions, or visions of Kaiser to demonstrate alignment of core beliefs.
Answer Example
"While there are many characteristics that make a great problem solver, I find one of the most essential is creativity in solutions. Business owners are already experts in their scope of work which means they have already thought of immediate fixes and need a solid partner to help them solve creatively. I know that Kaiser's mission is to improve the health of its members, and in being creative solvers, we're better prepared to do that."