Tell me about a time you had to work with someone who was difficult to get along with.

"During my residency training, I found that I have a personality that differed from a lot of my colleagues in training and the faculty of the program. I'm a very laid-back and quiet person by nature. Most surgeons and other physicians have bolder personalities, yet I find that I can work well with those personality types. During my final year of residency, I worked very closely with a great team of trauma surgeons, and one of them had a bold and demanding personality. At times, the demands were not friendly and often repeated. I learned quickly that the right approach was to not take things personally, keep a smile on my face, and stay focused on the case at hand while obliging any requests that were my responsibility."

Focus on a time your work style was different from another person's, but you still had to work through a difficult case together. Discuss, in a positive tone, how you made the situation work. Outline your ability to be a team player and build a connection with others, even if their personality or approach to work is different from yours. At the end of your response, explain how your communication abilities and level of professionalism will benefit you as an Anesthesiologist with this institution.