Internal Medicine Residency Mock Interview
Prepare for 40 Internal Medicine Residency interview questions covering clinical reasoning, patient care philosophy, and program fit.
Question 30 of 40
Describe your personality in three words.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Example Answer
How to Answer
Example Answer 2
Community Answers
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
Your interviewers pose this question for two reasons. First, they want some insight into your personality to get a feel for how you will fit in with the program. They also want to hear how you view yourself. Notice they do not ask how others would describe you but how YOU would describe yourself.
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"If I could describe my personality to you in three words, I would say that I am compassionate, intelligent, and fluid. My personality is well suited for a healthcare-focused environment as my patients' well-being is always at the top of my mind. My intelligence will carry me through residency and into my career as a physician-focused in both clinical care and translational research. My ability to adapt and change with any situation sets me apart from most people because I thrive in environments where things don't remain constant every day."
Ryan Brunner has over ten years of experience recruiting, interviewing, and hiring candidates in the healthcare, public service, and private manufacturing/distribution industries.
Since you only have three words, make sure the words that you use will make a lasting impact on your interviewers. Some possible words to use include adaptable, brave, compassionate, respectful, helpful, positive, thoughtful, and versatile. As you prepare for a question like this, try to avoid giving the same answer other candidates give. Explain your reasons for choosing these words to describe yourself.
"Compassionate, hardworking, critical-thinker."
Interview Coach
Jaymie
A real coach, not AI. I read every answer myself and write back with personalized feedback.
Typically responds within 24 hours.
0 - Character Count
Anonymous Answer
-Resilient: I have shown resilience in sticking with medicine0 despite many years away. I never gave up on the dream. I steady but decisive, incremental steps to turn my life around. I successfully dealt with my illness, then I found financial stability. Till I came to the point where I was able to study and review medicine- took Step 2. Found work that got me in touch with medicine and gave me clinical experience. Finally, I took it one step further and completed Step 3 with a good score.
-Empathetic- I have always had an empathetic nature. Since I was young I found myself understanding and feeling others' pain. That and my interest in medicine have brought me here. My empathetic nature has translated into my care and connection with patients. I was able to empathize with a patient and really listen to her…took her pain seriously…despite the hand-off from the night shift as a possible drug seeker. I was able to diagnose her with an aortic dissection.
I have been nominated for the GHHS award for my excellence in patient care. Also a result of my compassionate empathetic nature. I can connect with most people. That also extends to my teammates and working well with others.
-Flexible: Regardless of whatever has come my way, from an early age. I have been adaptable. Came to the US as an immigrant kid, not knowing the language or culture. My teacher told my mom…. it's like he’s been here.
Also, despite my recent struggles, I found a way to succeed and keep on. I’ve kept my eye on the prize. My ability to adapt and change with any situation sets me apart from most people because I thrive in environments where things don't remain constant every day- and I know from experience that it is especially true for IM.
Marcie's Feedback
Nice! The interviewer will be happy to hear that you consider yourself to be resilient, empathetic, and flexible. These are all great qualities for someone in medicine to possess. You also do an excellent job of supporting these assertions with examples and explanations. Good response!
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