Describe a time when you had your ethics tested.

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Focus Your Answer On
1st Answer Example
2nd Answer Example

As a healthcare professional, you may sometimes be asked to do unethical things. You may have a coworker ask to cover up something they did wrong, have an acquaintance ask if you can secure narcotics for them, or have a patient ask you to falsify documents to commit insurance fraud. The interviewer asks this question to see that you are honest and have integrity. The interviewer wants to hear that you have morals and can be trusted if hired.

Focus on providing an example of when you had your ethics tested as a healthcare professional. If you are new to this field, use an example from a previous job or while attending school. Some examples could be witnessing someone cheat or steal something.

"I had my ethics tested at my last job. I was in charge of the narcotics on the floor, and a coworker asked me to do something illegal. I told them I would not participate in illegal activity and that they had asked the wrong person to help them. I reported them to my immediate supervisor, who told me they were under investigation for something similar. I will not tolerate illegal or unethical activity, as I am an honest person who does everything by the book."

"Since I am new to this industry, I will use an example from a previous job. I had my ethics tested while working at a retail store. I saw an employee put some items in her purse without paying for them and then left on her break. I went to the break room to ask if she would like me to ring the items up, and she told me she didn't know what I was talking about and to mind my business. I cannot tolerate people who lie and steal, so I told my supervisor about the incident. They replayed the surveillance cameras and saw I was telling the truth. After that, she was fired, and I received a promotion to Assistant Manager."