30 Epidemiologist Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Epidemiologist 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.
1. How would you design a surveillance system for young children?
How to Answer
A surveillance system is used to examine public health issues across several years, track trends, compare health among groups of people, and determine whether something is improving or worsening for a specific group of people. As an Epidemiologist, would you choose active, passive or sentinel surveillance system? Whichever you choose, tell the interviewer why and what the outcome was.
Written by Heather Douglass
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Marcie's Feedback
2. Which industry related current event interests you the most?
How to Answer
The way in which you answer this will be an indicator of your engagement level when it comes to this industry and your career. This is where it is very helpful to conduct research on the organization prior to your interview. Tie your answer into the current activities of this organization. Consider asking a question as a way to start an engaging conversation with your interviewer about current events in your industry.
Written by Heather Douglass
Answer Example
"I am so happy you asked me that! I was recently reading an article on how some hospital academic departments are starting to employ clinical research associates in clinical trial units and I would love to know what your thoughts were on this?"
Written by Heather Douglass
3. What type of data analysis are you most familiar with?
How to Answer
The employer is looking to see the range of responsibilities you have been given in your previous roles. Your answer could potentially reveal the size of clinics/clinical trials you have been involved with. It's best to answer this one with specifics and then end with a question for the interviewer.
Written by Heather Douglass
Answer Example
"In my last position, I was most often exposed to sequential analysis. What type of data analysis is most often utilized in this company?"
Written by Heather Douglass
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Marcie's Feedback
4. What is the most challenging part of supervising technicians and other Epidemiologists?
How to Answer
As an Epidemiologist in a leadership position, you may find that you have difficulties with your employees. A few challenges you may face are balancing being the boss and being a friend, interpersonal conflict on a team or having employees with bad attitudes.
Written by Heather Douglass
Answer Example
"The most challenging thing about supervising technicians and other scientists is figuring out what works for each person depending on communication style, motivations, and preferences."
Written by Heather Douglass
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Marcie's Feedback
5. How strong is your knowledge in toxicology?
How to Answer
Because there are so many areas to research that involve toxicology, you are or are becoming an expert on the subject. Toxicology is a field of science that helps us understand the harmful effects that chemicals, substances, or situations, can have on people, animals, and the environment.
Written by Heather Douglass
Answer Example
"My knowledge is very strong in toxicology. I utilized my knowledge while researching and presenting infarction on prescription drug addiction and overdose."
Written by Heather Douglass
6. Are you aspiring to return to school for your Ph.D.?
How to Answer
If you have no intentions of returning to school don't be concerned about it hurting your chances to land the job. When answering this question, put a positive spin on it and let the interviewer know that you want to become an expert at your job and improve your public speaking skills before you enroll in a Ph.D. program.
Written by Heather Douglass
7. Explain what is reservoir.
How to Answer
Researching how diseases start, spread and die is something you do on a daily basis. You know that reservoir is used to refer the habitat of an infectious agent where it thrives, grows and multiplies. The reservoirs can be a human reservoir, animal reservoir, and environmental reservoirs. Tell the interviewer about a recent study you were part of, what the reservoir was and how you controlled it.
Written by Heather Douglass
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Marcie's Feedback
8. Explain what are the measures can be taken to control communicable disease?
How to Answer
As an Epidemiologist, you may have had a part in controlling communicable diseases. Tell the interviewer your role in educating the community, helping stand up treatment centers, educating proper sanitation and hygiene and providing medical, food and water supplies. Share a story of when you had to apply these measures in a real-world situation.
Written by Heather Douglass
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Marcie's Feedback
9. As an Epidemiologist, what do you believe is your best asset?
How to Answer
This question is also known as 'what is your greatest strength'. This is one of the most common questions during an interview so you will need to have your answer memorized so the way it is worded doesn't throw you off guard. Struggling to come up with your answer? Think about the common praises you received in past performance reviews, or ask a respected colleague for their opinion.
Written by Heather Douglass
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Marcie's Feedback
10. How well do you work with people?
How to Answer
You work great with people! This question may stump you, but as an Epidemiologist, you may work on your own more often than in a group. The interviewer wants to hear that you work well with all types of people from patients to other healthcare professionals.
Written by Heather Douglass
Answer Example
"I love working with people. I'm flexible and approachable in the workplace, understanding that things can change quickly. I encourage open communication with my coworkers and address the concerns they may have."
Written by Heather Douglass
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Marcie's Feedback
11. What is the most fascinating disease you have studied in your epidemiology career thus far?
How to Answer
There are so many different types of diseases you have studied over the years it may be hard to narrow it down to just one study you were part of. Choose one field that spoke to you personally. Tell the interviewer about a study you were a part of and how you played a part in it. Nutrition, physical activity, and obesity, prescription drug overdose, teen pregnancy and tobacco use are a few topics you may choose to talk about.
Written by Heather Douglass
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Marcie's Feedback
12. Do you prefer a research or clinical setting?
How to Answer
To prepare for this question you will want to do your homework on the company you are interviewing with. If they expect you to work in a research and clinical setting than the answer to their question is 'both.' Tell the interviewer good points about each setting.
Written by Heather Douglass
Answer Example
"I enjoy working in both types of settings. If I had to choose one it would be clinical. I love being able to interact with patients."
Written by Heather Douglass
13. Walk me through how you prepare technical and research reports and communicate the results to individuals in industry, government, or the general public.
How to Answer
The interviewer is asking you to walk them through your process of preparing research to present it to a crowd. The interviewer is asking you this question to evaluate your organization and presentation skills.
Written by Heather Douglass
Answer Example
"When preparing reports I put together an outline of my research. An outline allows me to fill in the blanks as I research and determine what the outcomes are. I use this outline to help me stay on track. I also use this same outline to give my presentation."
Written by Heather Douglass
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Marcie's Feedback
14. Tell me about a disease you have recently investigated. Were you able to discover any breakthroughs?
How to Answer
Healthcare-associated infections. heart disease and stroke or HIV. Tell the interviewer what disease you recently researched and what the outcome was. Tell the interviewer what your role was if you worked on a team. Tell the interviewer about any breakthroughs you all discovered and if you were published.
Written by Heather Douglass
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Marcie's Feedback
15. Tell me about a public health report you contributed to.
How to Answer
Prescription drug overdose. Teen pregnancy and Tobacco use are just a few public health reports that you may be passionate about. Tell the interviewer about a study you were part of or a report that you had published. Tell the interviewer what it was about, what you discovered and what the impact was.
Written by Heather Douglass
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Marcie's Feedback
16. What made you choose to become an Epidemiologist?
How to Answer
This question is similar to 'tell us about yourself. The interviewer is asking you this question to hear a bit more about you. Keep your response relevant and work-related. You can choose to tell a quick story that relates to why you chose to enter the public health career field. The great thing about this question is that you can really show your passion for the career field. Show the interviewer that you're good at your job and love coming to work each day.
Written by Heather Douglass
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Rachelle's Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Marcie's Feedback
17. Describe your experience using health survey data.
How to Answer
The interviewer is asking this question to hear about a time you utilized a health survey in order to compile data and conclude results. Tell the interviewer why you chose to survey the community on the particular health concern, how you collected the data and what the outcome was.
Written by Heather Douglass
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Marcie's Feedback
18. What are the types of public health surveillance?
How to Answer
As an Epidemiologist, you know that active, passive and sentinel are three different types of surveillance. Tell the interviewer a bit about each type of surveillance and how you've used each in your job. Tell the interviewer how much time and resources you've found that each needs.
Written by Heather Douglass
19. What are your thoughts on the Ebola epidemic?
How to Answer
Now is your chance to share your opinion on a topic you are passionate about as an Epidemiologist. Tell the interviewer how you think it was originally transmitted, how you think it was brought to the states and how you think it can be cured.
Written by Heather Douglass
Answer Example
"Most people think the Ebola epidemic started with a young boy playing in a hollowed out tree that was inhabited by bats. While I agree, I also think it spread like wildfire because of poor economic standing of these countries and their inability to get good medical care."
Written by Heather Douglass
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Marcie's Feedback
20. How do you ensure successful communication with others, even if they are are not easy to get along with?
How to Answer
Effective spoken communication requires being able to express your ideas and views clearly, confidently and concisely in speech, tailoring your content and style to the audience and promoting free-flowing communication. Sometimes in the work area, this isn't as easy as it should be. Personality conflicts may get in the way of effective communication. Tell the interviewer how you present correct, clear and concise information to your team.
Written by Heather Douglass
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Marcie's Feedback
21. Describe a situation when you were able to have a positive influence on the actions of others.
How to Answer
As an Epidemiologist, your research can help millions of people and impact serious changes in the world. Focus on telling the interviewer how you positively made a change.
Written by Heather Douglass
Answer Example
"I really connected with people in my last presentation in our community to positively impact the overall health status. I had numerous people compliment my presentation skill, the information presented and that it was all easy to understand."
Written by Heather Douglass
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Marcie's Feedback
22. What are your long term goals in epidemiology?
How to Answer
When answering this question you'll want to highlight goals you'd like to accomplish over the next 5 to 10 years. Tell the interviewer if you'd like to become published, work on a specific high-profile project, bring new programs to your community or be in a leadership position. Whatever goal you choose, make it work related.
Written by Heather Douglass
Answer Example
"My long-term goals are to continue to positively impact our region's health status through collaborative programs with communities, hospitals, and medical practices."
Written by Heather Douglass
23. Give me an example of when you took a risk to achieve a goal. What was the outcome?
How to Answer
As an Epidemiologist, you make take risks in your job, within your research or how you present information. Whatever your risk was, tell the interviewer about it with confidence. Tell the interviewer that you take risks to think outside the box and get people thinking.
Written by Heather Douglass
Answer Example
"Studies show that there is a connection between smoking and lung cancer. I took the risk to focus my energy on the connection between second-hand smoke and lung cancer. My risk paid off and my research was published last year."
Written by Heather Douglass
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Marcie's Feedback
24. Are you experienced in speeches and presentations? How do you prepare for these?
How to Answer
Hopefully one of your weaknesses isn't public speaking. If public speaking isn't a strength be sure to mention it but add that you are working at it improving yourself and getting more comfortable. Tell the interviewer what your tricks are to professionally deliver information to the audience. This is not the time to tell the interviewer that you picture everyone naked.
Written by Heather Douglass
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Rachelle's Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Marcie's Feedback
25. What is your leadership style?
How to Answer
The interviewer is asking this question to see if you have served in a leadership role or if you are up for the challenge. Tell the interviewer if you've had the opportunity to lead others and what the outcome was.
Written by Heather Douglass
Answer Example
"I'd like to think of my leadership style as innovative. I believe that failures don't impede progress, the team gains job satisfaction and enjoyment and it creates an atmosphere of respect for others' ideas."
Written by Heather Douglass
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Rachelle's Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Marcie's Feedback
26. In your opinion, what are the 3 most important skills that a successful epidemiologist should possess?
How to Answer
This question is being asked of you to see what you will bring to the table. Choose three skills that you posses and be ready to give an example or brief example of each.
Written by Heather Douglass
Answer Example
"The three most important skills that I will bring to the position is critical thinking, instructing and having a strong science background."
Written by Heather Douglass
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Marcie's Feedback
27. Would you consider your ability to analyze data or information a strength?
How to Answer
As an Epidemiologist, you know that analyzing data and information is key to your research. If you are a numbers person this is your question! Tell the interviewer the steps on analyzing data and how it has been important in your findings. Tell the interviewer how you have gone to get lengths to collect this data and analyze it.
Written by Heather Douglass
Answer Example
"At the end of the day, numbers don't lie. Analyzing and presenting data has given me the opportunity to prove to even the biggest skeptics that something is possible."
Written by Heather Douglass
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Rachelle's Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Marcie's Feedback
28. How do you manage stress in your daily work?
How to Answer
We all experience stress on a daily basis...but how you relay this to the interviewer will say a lot about you. Steer clear away from the time that you lost your cool and raised your voice- we all have days like that but now is not the time to bring it up. Tell the interviewer how you manage your work stress and don't take it home with you, as well as not bringing your home stress to work.
Here's a sample answer: "Every morning I start my day with 30 minutes of yoga. Yoga helps me clear my mind and start my day."
Written by Heather Douglass
Answer Example
"Every morning I start my day with 30 minutes of yoga. Yoga helps me clear my mind and start my day."
Written by Heather Douglass
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Rachelle's Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Marcie's Feedback
29. What do you like least about being an Epidemiologist?
How to Answer
Don't get caught up in this answer by answering negatively. Avoid being negative about past co-workers or supervisors. Tell the interviewer about a dislike, how you identified it and how you changed it. Don't worry if you weren't able to fix the situation, by sharing your role in the story will show the interviewer that you are looking to improve areas of the job.
Written by Heather Douglass
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Marcie's Feedback
30. What is your philosophy towards work?
How to Answer
Having a positive philosophy when it comes to work is incredibly important. Tell the interviewer that you chose a career that you love and enjoy coming to work every day.
Written by Heather Douglass
Answer Example
"My philosophy, when it comes to work, is to do my best every single day. I never procrastinate and always approach a challenge with an open mind. My motto has certainly helped me work my way through many challenges in the workplace."
Written by Heather Douglass