How to Answer: What would you say is the biggest challenge you faced in your residency training program?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Infectious Disease Fellowship job interview.
3. What would you say is the biggest challenge you faced in your residency training program?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
There are many challenges when coming into a program as a new Infectious Disease fellow, from learning new faces to taking on a whole new subset of patients for the first time. Your interviewers know that you likely faced a few challenges as an Internal Medicine resident and need confirmation that you can face challenges head-on, embrace them, and learn from them throughout your time with their program.
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 16th, 2022
How to Answer
Pick a challenge commonly faced by residents rather than focusing on a potential deficit in your ability to perform as an ID fellow. You can also pick something unique to you that is not the result of your actions and is out of your control. Then, explain how you took steps to manage this challenge and prepare for similar challenges in the future.
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 16th, 2022
Answer Example
"My biggest challenge of residency training was navigating being a resident for the first time in a new environment and managing a delicate work-life balance. In medical school, I was taught that stress management skills were important, but I never knew how true those words were until residency. I admit that I had some breakdowns during my first year, and some great senior residents and attending physicians lifted me and gave me encouraging advice. Throughout the remainder of my training, I learned some great tactics to manage busy clinical loads and have a happy home life."
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 16th, 2022