Mayo Clinic Behavioral Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Mayo Clinic interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view six answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
Behavioral
1. Tell me about a time you had to adapt to an unpredictable situation in the workplace setting.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
One of the Mayo Clinic's job requirements to work in behavioral health is the ability to adapt to unpredictable situations in the workplace setting. The interviewer asks this question to gauge how well you respond to change and how you utilize your problem-solving skills.
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Focus Your Answer On
Working in healthcare is always unpredictable, so you should have a good example to give based on past experiences. Focus on providing a short example of how you adapted to an unexpected situation at work.
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Answer Example
"Last week at my current job, a pipe burst and flooded the room we use for group counseling. Everyone was in a panic and didn't know what to do. I found the main water shut off and stopped the water flow while my colleagues called the fire department. The fire department responded and started cleaning up the mess, but I still had a group counseling session to conduct. I decided to move folding chairs and the group participants outside to a shady area. The group was more involved outdoors than indoors, and we decided to continue holding group sessions outside when the weather allows."
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Behavioral
2. Have you ever had an aggressive patient attack you at work? If so, how did you handle the situation?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Working in behavioral health, you may encounter patients who become aggressive. The interviewer wants to hear if you were ever attacked at work and, if so, how you handled the situation. They want to understand how you deal with conflict and use your communication skills to diffuse the situation. Of course, you want to follow company protocols while doing so.
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Focus Your Answer On
If you have encountered a situation with an aggressive patient, describe what happened and how you successfully handled the patient while protecting yourself and others. If a patient has not attacked you, focus on explaining what you would do based on your training and experience. The main goal is to show that you can remain calm and professional when encountering an aggressive situation.
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Answer Example
"Yes, I had an aggressive patient attack me from behind when I entered her room to check on her. I was working in a locked psychiatric facility with many aggressive patients. Our protocol was to protect ourselves while keeping the patient from being harmed. We had a call button we pushed to alert staff that there was a situation. I was able to restrain the patient's hands until help arrived, so she did not hurt either one of us. After that incident, the protocols changed, and we only entered a patient's room with two or more staff members present."
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Behavioral
3. Working in behavioral health can be a stressful career. How do you handle stress on the job?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer asks this question to determine if you are someone who can handle the pressures of the job. Working in behavioral health can be stressful and fast-paced, and the interviewer wants to determine if you will be a good fit for the team if hired. Talk to the interviewer about your ability to handle pressure in the workplace and techniques you use to minimize job stressors.
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Focus Your Answer On
Focus on letting the interviewer know you understand how to decompress away from work so you are ready to mentally handle the pressures of your job. When healthcare professionals understand the stress factor of their job and have healthy ways to relieve stress, they are less apt to burn out or become sick or injured from stress. Describe how you take care of yourself mentally and physically on and off the job, showing you will be a level-headed employee if hired.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Answer Example
"I have worked in behavioral health for fifteen years and understand this job is stressful. To combat the stressors of my job, I eat a healthy, balanced diet, exercise, and spend time with my friends and family on my days off. If I feel particularly stressed at work, I will take a few minutes to get some fresh air or discuss how I feel with a coworker or supervisor. Taking care of myself mentally and physically at work and home prepares me to handle stressful situations."
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Behavioral
4. Tell me about your greatest accomplishment in healthcare.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
You do not want to be humble when answering this question. Show that you are proud of yourself and your career accomplishments within the healthcare industry. You have worked hard to accomplish what you have, and it is acceptable to acknowledge your successes. Talking about your most significant achievement will give the interviewer an idea of where you place your values. It will also show the interviewer more about your personality, how you like to be motivated, and how to coach you in the future.
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Focus Your Answer On
Focus on describing your most significant accomplishment as it relates to your career. Think of any awards or promotions you have achieved or a challenging patient you were able to help. The interviewer is not asking for a personal achievement but a professional one.
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Answer Example
"My greatest accomplishment in my career was receiving the National Distinguished Direct Patient Care Award. I was nominated for the award by my colleagues. It was an honor to be recognized for the exemplary care I provide my patients and my leadership and mentorship skills. I was truly humbled to be nominated for the award, and even more so to receive it."
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Behavioral
5. Think about a difficult boss, professor, or coworker. What made them difficult? How did you successfully interact with this person?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Show the interviewer that you work well with most personalities even though you recognize some can be difficult to please. The interviewer wants to hear that you are easy to get along with and possess patience and conflict-resolution skills.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Think about that one person at work who is hard to please. Perhaps there is someone at work who tries to intimidate others. Talk to the interviewer about what made this person challenging and their relationship with you. Avoid speaking poorly of anyone, and focus on ending your response positively.
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Answer Example
"I once worked for a pediatrician's office where the primary physician was very demanding. When she walked into the office, the staff would quietly announce that she was in the building so that everyone was prepared for her arrival. This physician had great intentions; however, her interpersonal skills were abrasive. I could see that she meant well, and I recognized that she wanted to do many great things. When we interacted, I always took her feedback with the understanding that she wanted her employees to achieve the excellence she strove for."
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Communication
6. This position requires excellent communication and documentation skills. How would you rate your skills from 1-10, with 10 being the best?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Working as a healthcare professional requires excellent verbal and written communication skills and impeccable documentation. The interviewer asks this question to determine if you have the excellent communication and documentation skills they seek.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus on assuring the interviewer you have top-notch documentation and communication skills. You do not necessarily want to rate yourself a 10, as there is always room for improvement. However, the interviewer is looking for team members who would rate themselves on the higher end. If you have taken a communication or documentation course to improve your skills, highlight that in your response.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Answer Example
"I would like to rate myself a 10, but I know there is always room for improvement. So, I would rate myself a solid 9 in my documentation and communication skills. I took a medical documentation course and two semesters of communications in college. Those courses set me up for excellence and taught me how to speak to diverse groups, communicate through written means, and document patient findings to ensure accuracy. I have never had a complaint about my communication and documentation skills and have been commended in past employee performance reviews for these skills."
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7. The Mayo Clinic requires pre-employment drug screening, credit checks, and an extensive background investigation. Do you have an issue complying with our requirements?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The Mayo Clinic needs to be very cautious about who they hire. All of the information you will access is confidential and must be protected. You will be working with the personal information of employees, patients, and the company and must maintain confidentiality. Depending on your role, you may also be working around medications and controlled narcotics. Assure the interviewer that you are willing to comply with any background check, credit check, and drug test they require.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
As with any interview question, you want to focus on being completely honest in your response. As embarrassing as it may be, if you do not think you will pass the drug test, have poor credit, or have a criminal background, you need to let the interviewer know that now. If passing the drug test will not be an issue, your credit history is acceptable, and you do not have a criminal history, assure the interviewer that you will have no problem passing any test or investigation.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Answer Example
"I am happy to comply with any background check required. My criminal record is clean, but I did have poor credit four years ago. I went through a nasty divorce, and our house went into foreclosure. I have been slowly building my credit and recently qualified for a mortgage to purchase another home. I do not participate in drug use, and I can assure you that I will maintain a clean record if you hire me for this role."
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8. Besides vacation and holiday time, how many days were you absent from work last year?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The Mayo Clinic wants to hire a responsible, dependable healthcare professional who shows up to work when scheduled. The interviewer asks this question to evaluate your work attendance in the past year. If you called off work several times in the past year, they might hesitate to offer you the position unless your reasons were excusable.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus on the exact number of days you missed work and why. If the interviewer deems your absence from work an excused and unavoidable reason to miss work, it will likely not be an issue. If you have several unexcused absences, they may disqualify you as a viable candidate.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Answer Example
"I was not absent from work at all last year. I pride myself on staying healthy and rarely miss work because of an illness. I was not absent from work for the two years prior, as well."
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9. What certifications or professional licenses do you have that are relevant for this position?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The Mayo Clinic will list the required education, certifications, and licensure needed for the position on the job description. If you made it to the interview, you meet their requirements. The interviewer wants to ensure that you have the qualifications needed for the job.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus on describing all certifications and licensure related to the position. You may have more credentials than are required for the role, so be sure to highlight all in your response. If you have copies of your certifications and licenses, you can offer them to the interviewer for their candidate file.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Answer Example
"I have my BLS for Healthcare Providers certification through the American Heart Association that is good for another two years. I am a licensed Registered Nurse, licensed to practice in Maryland. I have copies of my CPR certificate and professional license if you would like them for your file."
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Management Accelerator Certification from McKinsey"
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Direct
10. The Mayo Clinic invests a lot of time and money in hiring and training our employees. Do you see yourself with our organization for the long-term?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer asks this question to ensure their investment with you will be well-spent if hired. As the interviewer mentioned, the Mayo clinic invests a lot of time and money in hiring and training their employees, and they want to see that you plan on working for them long-term.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus on explaining your long-term goals with the Mayo Clinic so the interviewer can see that you plan on being a dedicated employee if hired for the position. If circumstances keep you from committing long-term, such as a military spouse that often moves you and your family, be honest with the interviewer. It is best to be up-front and describe your situation, showing the interviewer you have morals and integrity.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Answer Example
"Yes, I see myself retiring with your organization many years down the road. Since nursing school, I have only wanted to work for the Mayo Clinic. My husband and I recently bought a house nearby and plan to stay here to raise our kids. We have no plans on moving, and I see myself having a long career with the Mayo Clinic."
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11. Can you tell me what the Mayo Clinic's mission statement is?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer asks this question to see if you have done your research on the Mayo Clinic before your interview. Be prepared to answer any questions the interviewer will have, such as the company's mission statement, its core values, its vision, the CEO of the company, and the year it was founded. Do your homework before your interview and learn all you can about the company and the culture.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
The Mayo Clinic's mission is 'inspiring hope and promoting health through integrated clinical practice, education, and research.' Focus on memorizing the mission so you can respond to this question.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Answer Example
"Yes, I can. The Mayo Clinic's mission is inspiring hope and promoting health through integrated clinical practice, education, and research."
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Our Mission
To inspire hope, and contribute to health and well-being by providing the best care to every patient through integrated clinical practice, education, and research."
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Direct
12. We require all employees to maintain a current BLS for Health Care Providers certification through the American Heart Association or American Red Cross. Do you have a current certificate from either of these organizations?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
If the interviewer asks this question, the job description should list this requirement. They want to see that you are currently certified through one of their two acceptable organizations and that you know it is one of the job requirements to work for the Mayo Clinic.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
If you are currently certified through the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross, focus on having a copy of your certificate or have it with you to show the interviewer if needed. The interviewer may want a copy of your card for their file. Describe who you received your certification from and when you are up for renewal. If you are not currently certified, explain how you understand BLS for Healthcare Providers certification is required, and you are working on signing up for a class.
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Answer Example
"Yes, I have a current BLS for Healthcare Providers card from the American Heart Association. I have been certified for ten years and renewed my card last month. I have a copy of my card if you need it for your files."
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13. Are you available to work nights, weekends, and holidays when needed?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
As a healthcare professional, you will need to work an odd schedule to fill the needs of the Mayo Clinic. The interviewer wants to know that you understand that your schedule includes working nights, weekends, and holidays and that you are flexible with the hours assigned.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus on assuring the interviewer that you are a team player and can work whatever schedule they assign you. When you show you are flexible and available to work when needed, the interviewer will place you high on the candidate list.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Answer Example
"Yes, I am available to work whatever schedule you need. I have worked in this industry for five years and understand the schedule. I have worked a rotating schedule for the past five years and prefer it to a traditional one."
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Discovery
14. Out of all the hospitals you could work for, why did you choose the Mayo Clinic?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants to hear that you have researched the Mayo Clinic and have solid reasons for choosing their organization over others. When responding to this question, highlight unique aspects of the Mayo Clinic that stand out from others. You may want to work for their clinic because of their stellar reputation, their opportunity for professional growth and advancement, or their cutting-edge technology and healthcare staff.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Interviewers like to hear positive things about the company they represent. Focus on showing the interviewer you thoroughly researched the Mayo Clinic before your interview. Highlight their organization's unique aspects that make them stand out from other hospitals.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Answer Example
"I chose to apply to the Mayo Clinic because of your stellar reputation and consistent ranking as #1 in the world of best hospitals. I want to work for an organization recognized for consistent excellence, distinguished physicians, top-notch nursing staff, and state-of-the-art technology. I have set my sights on the Mayo Clinic from my first day in nursing school and have not applied anywhere else. The Mayo Clinic is the only place I want to work in healthcare."
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Discovery
15. After reading the job description, what responsibilities do you look forward to the most, and why?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer asks this question to see that you have read the job description in its entirety and determine what aspect of the role you like the most. Most healthcare professional job postings have many job duties you will be asked to perform. The interviewer wants to know what you like the most to see where your strengths lie and how you will benefit the Mayo Clinic if hired.
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Focus Your Answer On
Focus on describing what you like most about the job and provide your reason. For example, you might like that you will be responsible for developing and conducting group counseling sessions. Tell the interviewer why this particular job duty excites you.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Answer Example
"There are many aspects of the job description that are appealing. What I like most about this position is developing and conducting group counseling sessions. I have over six years of experience creating and leading group sessions, and I feel this is one of my stronger suits."
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Discovery
16. Why did you choose a career in behavioral health?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer is interested in why you chose a career in behavioral health to see what inspires and motivates you in your job. People often choose a specific career because they have friends or family in the profession or have direct knowledge of the industry. The interviewer wants to gain insight into your personality and what drove you to pursue a career in behavioral health.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus on providing your motivation for pursuing this career. You may have family or friends who have behavioral health issues and were inspired by the care they received, or you might have had a guidance counselor or mentor who suggested you pursue this profession. Whatever your reason may be, the interviewer wants to hear.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Answer Example
"I chose to pursue a career in behavioral health after growing up with a bi-polar mother. I saw the daily struggles she encountered, which affected my entire family. My mother became much better after receiving care in a hospital that addressed her behavioral health issues. I decided at a young age that I wanted to help patients and their families who experienced the same struggles as my mother."
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17. We have a lot of qualified candidates applying for this position. What makes you the best candidate?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer asks this question to hear what qualities you will bring to the Mayo Clinic and how you will benefit them if hired. Now is your chance to highlight your best characteristics and experience, showing the interviewer you have all the qualifications and expertise they require.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Review the job description before your interview and highlight the characteristics, expertise, and education the Mayo Clinic seeks in an employee. Then, focus on using those keywords in your response. When describing how you meet their job requirements, the interviewer will see that you are a highly qualified candidate and will benefit the organization if hired.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Answer Example
"I am the best candidate for the position because I meet and exceed your job qualifications. I have over seventeen years of experience working in healthcare with an emphasis on behavioral health, working with diverse groups and cultures. I am empathetic, compassionate, honest, and work well under pressure. I have exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, and I look forward to bringing my skills and expertise to your esteemed organization."
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Here's what I bring:
A drive for excellence
A coach's mentality and heart for people
A strategic mind for complex challenges
Flexibility
Humor
Inclusion"
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Experience
18. What experience do you have working in this field?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer asks this question to determine if you have the required experience to work in behavioral health. The job description will state what the Mayo Clinic requires for the position.
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Focus Your Answer On
Focus on your years of experience working in behavioral health and what capacity. Explain who you have worked for and your job duties in your previous employment.
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Answer Example
"I have over twelve years of experience working in behavioral health. I started as a mental health counselor, leading group discussions and one-on-one patient care. I decided to pursue higher education, received my nursing degree, and worked for the past eight years at Regional Hospital. My job duties included initiating and developing the plan of care, patient and family education, utilization management, and discharge planning."
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General
19. If you could improve a skill, what would it be?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This question is another way to ask about your greatest weakness and how you plan to improve it. Some interviewers do not like the word weakness, but they want to see that you are self-aware and can identify areas that need improvement.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus on describing a skill you would like to improve that is related to your job but is not an essential skill for the position. For example, you would not want to say you would like to improve your verbal communication skills, as that is a vital skill to possess in behavioral health positions.
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Answer Example
"I would like to improve my Spanish speaking skills. I took two years of Spanish in high school and a semester of medical Spanish in college. I feel comfortable speaking with my Spanish-speaking patients, but I would like to be more fluent and comfortable with my skills. To improve this skill, I am doing daily lessons with the app Duolingo and have signed up for weekly tutoring lessons with an instructor a friend recommended. My goal is to be fluent in Spanish in the next six months."
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General
20. Tell me something about yourself that is not found on your resume.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer asks this question to go beyond your resume. While your resume is a timeline of your work history and educational achievements, the interviewer wants to learn more about you as a person. This information can help the interviewer decide if you will be a good fit for the team and the company culture.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus on describing a skill that is not on your resume but related to the position you are interviewing for. Or, describe an activity or hobby you enjoy related to the job. For example, if the job calls for you to manage or lead small groups of people, you can describe a volunteer experience where you led small groups of people to achieve the desired goal.
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Answer Example
"Something not found on my resume is how I have worked as a volunteer for the past six years with Doctors Without Borders. I manage a team of nurses while offering vaccinations, health exams, and clean water demonstrations to impoverished villages. It has been a rewarding and enlightening experience, and I plan to continue volunteering as long as possible."
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21. What professional goals do you have for the next five years?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer asks this question for two reasons. They want to see if you have professional goals and a plan to achieve them. Setting goals to improve and grow professionally shows you are motivated and dedicated to your profession. The interviewer also wants to see if your plans include working for the Mayo Clinic in the long term. Companies invest a lot of money and time hiring and training their staff, and the interviewer wants to know that you will be a long-term employee if hired.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus on the professional goals you have planned for the next five years and how you will achieve them. If you are new to healthcare, you might want to concentrate on gaining experience and take continuing education courses. If you have been working in behavioral health for some time, you may plan on pursuing higher education or an administrative role. Highlight that you see yourself with the Mayo Clinic in five years.
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Answer Example
"I am interested in receiving my Master's Degree in Healthcare Management and am researching online programs to see what best suits my needs while working full-time. In the next five years, I will have obtained my degree and see myself working for the Mayo Clinic as a Nursing Administrator. I appreciate that your organization encourages and supports professional growth from within."
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General
22. What three words would your former coworkers use to describe you?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants to know how others perceive you. Naming three words your coworkers would use to describe you shows that you are introspective and concerned with how others see you.
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Focus Your Answer On
Focus on using three words that accurately describe your personality. Even though the interviewer will not call your coworkers for a reference, but rather your employer or supervisor, how your references describe you should match what your colleagues would say. After explaining how your coworkers would describe you, offer an example for each word.
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Answer Example
"My former coworkers would describe me as reliable, compassionate, and patient. They would say I am reliable because I always show up early for my shift and never call in sick. If they ask me to cover a shift for them, they know they can count on me to show up. I show patience and compassion to my patients, family members, and team and genuinely care about others."
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23. Working in behavioral health requires empathy and compassion. Do you consider yourself an empathetic and compassionate person?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Working in any healthcare position requires empathy and compassion. The Mayo Clinic wants team members who possess these qualities to provide exceptional customer service to all patients. Assure the interviewer that you will be a good fit for the team if hired.
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Focus Your Answer On
Focus on ensuring the hiring manager understands you are a compassionate person. You can say you are compassionate and empathetic, but describing a time you helped others is a better way to let the interviewer know. For example, you can mention your volunteer experience, how you took care of an elderly relative, helped your neighbors, or took someone in who was down on their luck. Give an example that shows you have compassion for others.
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Answer Example
"Yes, I am a very compassionate person and have been my entire life. I was always the one to stick up for kids being bullied at school and give my lunch money to those less fortunate than me. I believe you need to be compassionate and empathetic to work in this field and feel honored to have the opportunity to provide compassion to my patients and their family members."
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24. What is your greatest strength?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants to hear about your greatest strength as a healthcare professional to determine if you have the qualities the Mayo Clinic is looking for. Review the job description before your interview and look for keywords they used to describe their ideal candidate. Then, use one of those keywords as your greatest strength, showing the interviewer you have the characteristics they are looking for.
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Focus Your Answer On
Suppose the job description says the Mayo Clinic seeks an experienced healthcare professional with strong communication and problem-solving skills to work in a leadership position. In that case, name your experience or communication, problem-solving, or leadership skills as your greatest strength. Focus on using a keyword in the job description so the interviewer can see that you have one of the qualities they are looking for in their ideal candidate.
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Answer Example
"My greatest strength is my communication skills. I excel in verbal, non-verbal, and written communication. I can take complex medical terminology and explain it to my patients and family members in a way they can understand. I pick up on non-verbal cues from patients and colleagues and know how to proceed based on these clues. I developed my written documentation skills in a medical documentation course, and supervisors have complimented me in the past on how well I recorded my patient files."
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25. Would you describe yourself as a detail-oriented person?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
As a healthcare professional, you must be detail-oriented. You will be responsible for conducting interviews with patients and their family members, writing reports, analyzing data, and interacting with other healthcare professionals. The interviewer wants to hear that you pay attention to detail to see that you will be an excellent addition to their team.
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Focus Your Answer On
If you have a letter of recommendation or performance review from a previous employer that describes your attention to detail, let the interviewer know when responding to this question. When a former employer or supervisor comments on your attention to detail, it carries more weight than when you describe yourself. If you do not have a letter or performance review, give an example of why you consider yourself a detail-oriented person.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Answer Example
"Yes, I consider myself very detail-oriented. I have always had jobs that required paying attention to the smallest details, which even carries over into my personal life. I have caught errors in reports and patient files that other respectable healthcare professionals overlooked. I look forward to bringing this skill to the Mayo Clinic."
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
I am a process-oriented person and for that, I am very interested in the details of each step being executed correctly.
In data or budget, I am detailed in that I want to ensure we are getting the learnings needed or staying within the budget, but I don't worry too much about the details as long as the big picture is achieved."
Jaymie's Feedback
Anonymous Answer
I am a process-oriented person and for that, I am very interested in the details of each step being executed correctly.
In data or budget, I am detailed in that I want to ensure we are getting the learnings needed or staying within the budget, but I don't worry too much about the details as long as the big picture is achieved."
Jaymie's Feedback
General
26. What do you like most about working in behavioral health?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer asks this question to see what aspect of the job you enjoy the most. When you respond, the interviewer can gain insight into what drives and motivates you in your profession and determine if your passion aligns with the Mayo Clinic's mission and culture.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus your answer on showing the interviewer you genuinely care about helping your patients or working with like-minded individuals to achieve a common goal. You might enjoy working with patients and their families to make a difference in their mental health, mentoring new healthcare professionals, or seeing a patient overcome an illness and enjoy their life to the fullest. Whatever you enjoy the most, the interviewer wants to hear!
Avoid saying like the salary or benefits package most. If the interviewer doesn't feel that your heart is in the job and you are only concerned about money, they will look for a candidate in the profession for the right reasons.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Answer Example
"What I like most about my job is helping patients and their family members understand their medical condition and developing treatment plans to improve their condition. It brings me great joy to see my patients' health improve and see them enjoy their lives to the fullest."
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
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Jaymie's Feedback
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Jaymie's Feedback
General
27. The Mayo Clinic takes prides in offering inclusive, non-discriminatory care, regardless of sex, race, religion, or socio-economic status. Do you agree with our approach?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer asks this question to ensure that you understand the Mayo Clinic's approach to care. They want to ensure that you agree with their vision and that your beliefs align with their organization. If you disagree that everyone should be included and not discriminated against, the interviewer will determine you may not be a good fit for the team.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus on ensuring the interviewer that you accept all cultures and beliefs, even if they may not align with yours. The interviewer wants to hire an open-minded and inclusive healthcare professional.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Answer Example
"Yes, I agree with your approach. I do not believe there should be discrimination in healthcare or anywhere else, regardless of one's beliefs, sex, race, or cultural differences. That is one of the reasons I want to work for the Mayo Clinic; your core values align with mine."
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
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General
28. What do you like least about your current or former job?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer asks this question to determine why you are looking for a new place of employment. When the interviewer understands why you are leaving your current position, they can see if the company can provide you with what you seek.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus on being positive in your response. Even though the interviewer wants to hear what you like least about your current job, they do not want you to speak poorly about your coworkers, patients, or management. When you respond, highlight the opportunities you can receive with the Mayo Clinic. For example, you may not like your current job because there is no opportunity for growth or it is a part-time position. In that case, point out that the Mayo Clinic offers opportunities for professional development or a full-time schedule.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Answer Example
"I enjoyed working for my former employer and got along well with everyone. What I liked least about that job was the commute. When I started with the clinic, they were ten minutes from my home, and the commute was manageable. However, the clinic lost its lease and moved to another building 45 minutes from my home. The commute turned into almost two hours every day, and it impacted my family life tremendously. I left on good terms and still communicate with most of my colleagues and supervisor."
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
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Leadership
29. Do you have experience teaching and mentoring others?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer will ask this question if one of the job duties is to train and mentor others. It could be that your job would be to train coworkers, teach patients and family members about the patient's illness, or mentor healthcare students. The interviewer wants to determine your experience and qualifications in a teaching capacity to see if you will be a good fit for the Mayo Clinic.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus on describing your years of experience training and mentoring others and in what capacity. Explain if you have trained and mentored healthcare students or new hires, provided continuing education training, or trained patients and family members to manage their illness.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Answer Example
"I have worked as a Registered Nurse for the past ten years and have mentored newly hired employees and nursing students at a community college and provided continuing education courses to team members at various hospitals. I am confident in my teaching capabilities and look forward to bringing those skills to the Mayo Clinic."
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
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Teamwork
30. How well do you work on a team?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
While some of your job duties as a healthcare professional in behavioral health will be working independently, most of the time, you will be collaborating with other members of the team. The interviewer wants to hear that you are a team player and can work well with diverse groups.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
If you have experience working in behavioral health or other healthcare positions, describe how well you have worked on a team in the past. If you are new to this field, use an experience from a former job, sports team, or school to describe how you work well with others.
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
Answer Example
"I enjoy working with others and do so very well. I like taking a team approach to healthcare and involving family members, caregivers, and other healthcare professionals to develop the best treatment plan for each patient. I believe a team approach accomplishes greater things than working alone, as we can all learn from each other's experiences."
Written by Krista Wenz on June 13th, 2022
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