Tell me about a time you had to adapt to an unpredictable situation in the workplace setting.

"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."

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.

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.

"When the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, I was the global demand generation lead for the healthcare segment in the Personal Safety Division at 3M, so I was put on the emergency response team to lead the development of messaging and integrated marketing assets during that time. We had a war room and every day we had to meet and problem-solve as the pandemic unfolded. In that role, I was able to set up a global repository for all internal and external communications and assets, develop videos for proper product usage, stand up new webpages for fraud identification and respirator selection from those being imported from overseas, and provide approved photography and social media response content for all countries to use. The result was that the company responded in a unified way providing a great customer experience, given the circumstances, and also was protected by having every message approved by technical and legal before it was shared."

Have you ever had an aggressive patient attack you at work? If so, how did you handle the situation?

"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."

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.

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.

"I haven't had that experience of a physical attack, but a professional one with an emotional outburst or demeaning language is something I've experienced. How I've handled this in the past, has been to stay very calm, use pauses before responding to accentuate the fact that I feel their comment is unprofessional or uncalled for, and then respond with how we are all aiming for the best possible outcome, we're all on the same side, etc. Afterward, I will discuss the best path forward with my manager and potentially the other person's manager as well."

Working in behavioral health can be a stressful career. How do you handle stress on the job?

"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."

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.

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.

"I manage stress by focusing on my family, friendships, and travel! When there are many pressures to deliver on a short deadline, or big company changes such as layoffs or executive discretions in the news, I support my team members to focus and do their best despite the circumstance, call some work friends to commiserate, and then just close the laptop for the day and focus on my own life!"

Tell me about your greatest accomplishment in healthcare.

"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."

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.

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.

"Supporting the frontline healthcare workers through the Covid-19 pandemic through information and PPE resources to help them stay safe."

Think about a difficult boss, professor, or coworker. What made them difficult? How did you successfully interact with this person?

"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."

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.

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.

"One of my most difficult bosses was also one of my best bosses. They were difficult because if/when I made any error they would hyper-focus on it and bring it up often. It made me very frustrated but also taught me to learn quickly from mistakes, be honest about them, and look for solutions instead of hiding any errors. I grew very much under her leadership."

This position requires excellent communication and documentation skills. How would you rate your skills from 1-10, with 10 being the best?

"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."

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.

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.

"9, only because I believe there's always room for growth! I studied communication in undergraduate school and my career has been built on message development, copywriting, and persuasive argument so I feel confident in this space."

"I am confident in my communication skills, I would rate my skill a 9 out of 10, when I was working at _________ I could effectively communicate with nurses regarding arterial blood gases as well with doctors in regard to patient’s conditions, I always read patients charts and documented correctly. I never had any issues."

The Mayo Clinic requires pre-employment drug screening, credit checks, and an extensive background investigation. Do you have an issue complying with our requirements?

"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."

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.

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.

Besides vacation and holiday time, how many days were you absent from work last year?

"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."

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.

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.

"Almost none. I'm pretty healthy and don't think I even took a sick day last year. I used my vacation time in full and was present on the other work days."

What certifications or professional licenses do you have that are relevant for this position?

"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."

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.

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.

"Masters of Science in Integrated Marketing Management Accelerator Certification from McKinsey"

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?

"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."

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.

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.

"Yes, I see myself with Mayo for many years. My husband and I own a house here in Red Wing and my adult children live close. I enjoy my work with Mayo because I enjoy our patients and my coworkers."

"Yes, I do! I'm looking for my next great employer where I can make an impact and grow my career for the next 10-20 years."

Can you tell me what the Mayo Clinic's mission statement is?

"Yes, I can. The Mayo Clinic's mission is inspiring hope and promoting health through integrated clinical practice, education, and research."

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.

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.

"Inspiring hope and improving health through integrated practice, education and reasearch."

"The patient, the patient, the patient!Our MissionTo inspire hope, and contribute to health and well-being by providing the best care to every patient through integrated clinical practice, education, and research."

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?

"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."

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.

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.

"No I do not. In the positions I have been in it has never been required. Of course I am willing to obtain this certificate."

Are you available to work nights, weekends, and holidays when needed?

"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."

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.

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.

"Yes, I am. My schedule is open to all hours and days."

"I always say "protect the deadline," so whatever the team needs to complete the project on time and in full is what I will do."

Out of all the hospitals you could work for, why did you choose the Mayo Clinic?

"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."

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.

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.

"This opportunity was shared with me by a trusted friend in my field with a glowing review of her experience working here. I was immediately compelled by the mission and her experience to apply for the role. Outside of that, Mayo is the world's leading brand in healthcare and I'm here to do great work in my career so it's the place to be."

After reading the job description, what responsibilities do you look forward to the most, and why?

"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."

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.

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.

"Coordinating total visits for a patient. I enjoy insurance verifications and the organization of the job. Taking all the different aspects and fitting them together like a puzzle, so the patient can go through the process smoothly."

"Mentoring the team, presenting to executives and Mayo leadership about integrated marketing, and being a strategic partner for the new Cancer Center growth goals."

Why did you choose a career in behavioral health?

"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."

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.

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.

"I chose a career in marketing, but I am excited to use it to support the success and adoption of behavioral health."

We have a lot of qualified candidates applying for this position. What makes you the best candidate?

"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."

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.

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.

"Working in healthcare for nineteen years, I meet and even exceed your job qualifications. I am empathetic, compassionate, and honest. I work well under pressure and work with calming ease with patients. I am a problem solver with excellent communication skills."

"Great question! I am only the best candidate if what I bring to the table is what the team is looking for. 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"

What experience do you have working in this field?

"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."

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.

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.

"I have almost 20 years of experience working in marketing and communications."

If you could improve a skill, what would it be?

"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."

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.

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.

"My vocals. I would like to learn to speak at a lower tone so that I don’t sound so high-pitched. I have started practicing online vocal exercises."

"Excel! I'd like to develop more data synthesizing skills and use Excel to slice and dice data from campaign performance data to budget and spend."

Tell me something about yourself that is not found on your resume.

"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."

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.

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.

"I love to fish. Teaching my grandchildren to fish is a joy to me and to them. Also, I am a crafter of all crafts. My grandchildren are also my partners in my hobbies."

What professional goals do you have for the next five years?

"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."

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.

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.

"Staying with Mayo and taking on this remote job with the responsibility gives me the chance to really use the skills I have."

"I'd like to grow to be a CMO and lead a marketing organization through change to success."

What three words would your former coworkers use to describe you?

"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."

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.

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.

"Fun, committed, leadership presence."

Working in behavioral health requires empathy and compassion. Do you consider yourself an empathetic and compassionate person?

"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."

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.

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.

"Yes, I do. I have a human-centered leadership approach, always asking "How was your weekend?" is a small way to acknowledge someone as a full person and not just a worker at the company."

What is your greatest strength?

"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."

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.

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.

"Understanding people and moving them into agreement and action."

Would you describe yourself as a detail-oriented person?

"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."

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.

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.

"Depends on the details. 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."

What do you like most about working in behavioral health?

"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."

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.

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.

"Supporting people to improve their quality of life."

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?

"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."

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.

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.

What do you like least about your current or former job?

"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."

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.

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.

"Extreme change without vision set forth ahead of time."

Do you have experience teaching and mentoring others?

"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."

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.

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.

"Yes, I am currently a manager of a team of 5, soon to be 14, I serve as a mentor in the company, and I am on the allyship team for one of the employee resource networks which puts me in touch with newcomers for mentoring as well."

How well do you work on a team?

"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."

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.

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.

"Very well! In fact, I am more productive and creative in a team environment with feedback and shared goals than working on my own."

Mayo Clinic Behavioral Interview Questions

Go Back

1. Tell me about a time you had to adapt to an unpredictable situation in the workplace setting.
2. Have you ever had an aggressive patient attack you at work? If so, how did you handle the situation?
3. Working in behavioral health can be a stressful career. How do you handle stress on the job?
4. Tell me about your greatest accomplishment in healthcare.
5. Think about a difficult boss, professor, or coworker. What made them difficult? How did you successfully interact with this person?
6. This position requires excellent communication and documentation skills. How would you rate your skills from 1-10, with 10 being the best?
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?
8. Besides vacation and holiday time, how many days were you absent from work last year?
9. What certifications or professional licenses do you have that are relevant for this position?
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?
11. Can you tell me what the Mayo Clinic's mission statement is?
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?
13. Are you available to work nights, weekends, and holidays when needed?
14. Out of all the hospitals you could work for, why did you choose the Mayo Clinic?
15. After reading the job description, what responsibilities do you look forward to the most, and why?
16. Why did you choose a career in behavioral health?
17. We have a lot of qualified candidates applying for this position. What makes you the best candidate?
18. What experience do you have working in this field?
19. If you could improve a skill, what would it be?
20. Tell me something about yourself that is not found on your resume.
21. What professional goals do you have for the next five years?
22. What three words would your former coworkers use to describe you?
23. Working in behavioral health requires empathy and compassion. Do you consider yourself an empathetic and compassionate person?
24. What is your greatest strength?
25. Would you describe yourself as a detail-oriented person?
26. What do you like most about working in behavioral health?
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?
28. What do you like least about your current or former job?
29. Do you have experience teaching and mentoring others?
30. How well do you work on a team?

Mayo Clinic Behavioral Interview Questions

1. Tell me about a time you had to adapt to an unpredictable situation in the workplace setting.

2. Have you ever had an aggressive patient attack you at work? If so, how did you handle the situation?

3. Working in behavioral health can be a stressful career. How do you handle stress on the job?

4. Tell me about your greatest accomplishment in healthcare.

5. Think about a difficult boss, professor, or coworker. What made them difficult? How did you successfully interact with this person?

6. This position requires excellent communication and documentation skills. How would you rate your skills from 1-10, with 10 being the best?

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?

8. Besides vacation and holiday time, how many days were you absent from work last year?

9. What certifications or professional licenses do you have that are relevant for this position?

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?

11. Can you tell me what the Mayo Clinic's mission statement is?

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?

13. Are you available to work nights, weekends, and holidays when needed?

14. Out of all the hospitals you could work for, why did you choose the Mayo Clinic?

15. After reading the job description, what responsibilities do you look forward to the most, and why?

16. Why did you choose a career in behavioral health?

17. We have a lot of qualified candidates applying for this position. What makes you the best candidate?

18. What experience do you have working in this field?

19. If you could improve a skill, what would it be?

20. Tell me something about yourself that is not found on your resume.

21. What professional goals do you have for the next five years?

22. What three words would your former coworkers use to describe you?

23. Working in behavioral health requires empathy and compassion. Do you consider yourself an empathetic and compassionate person?

24. What is your greatest strength?

25. Would you describe yourself as a detail-oriented person?

26. What do you like most about working in behavioral health?

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?

28. What do you like least about your current or former job?

29. Do you have experience teaching and mentoring others?

30. How well do you work on a team?