Physician Assistant Mock Interview
Master 40 Physician Assistant interview questions covering clinical scenarios, patient care, and medical decision-making.
Question 7 of 40
What do you like about being a physician assistant?
How to Answer
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Entry Level
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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.
The interviewer wants to know what keeps you motivated to do a good job, even on the tough days. Why are you in this career? Perhaps you like working with children or diagnosing complicated issues. Discuss your commitment to providing exceptional patient care. Everyone has different motivations for working in the medical field, but the best moments usually involve solving patient health issues and helping them towards the road to recovery.
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.
"I love being able to solve difficult problems, like when a patient comes in with symptoms of something we don't have a clear answer for. Using testing and technology and collaborating with the team are some of my favorite aspects of the job. When we can use all of our tools to help patients, it's exhilarating!"
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.
"I most enjoy helping people in their time of need. When you don't feel well, you feel vulnerable and need people around you that are kind and knowledgeable. I like to take action when others are in need so being a physician's assistant was an obvious career choice for me."
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.
"In my ten years as a PA, no one day has been the same. Who else gets to say that? I learn so much from the other healthcare professionals around me, and I do feel a sense of responsibility knowing that I can save lives and cure people of their worst ailments."
Interview Coach
Jaymie
A real coach, not AI. I read every answer myself and write back with personalized feedback.
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Anonymous Answer
What I love most about being a physician assistant is spending quality time with patients while thoroughly educating them and advocating for their health. Making a difference in a patient's health and life while building a trusting relationship is the most rewarding feeling.
Rachelle's Feedback
Your answer sounds very genuine, and it seems that you care a lot about the well-being of others. At the end of your response, I recommend including a bit of detail surrounding what you believe you will enjoy most about this PA position, specifically.
Anonymous Answer
Back when I was 7 years old, I was transferred to ER for favism. I was in a critical status until a physician diagnosed and treated me. Since then, I had that dream of supporting the physical and mental health of those who are in need. I enjoy spending quality time helping those in need. I feel very proud when I make a difference in the patients well being. Because of that, PA was a definite job for me.
Stephanie's Feedback
Great response! You use your childhood experience to clearly articulate why you chose to become a physician assistant and what you value most about the job.
Anonymous Answer
I love the team-based approach to solving complicated patient-centered problems. I love to use my knowledge to help people in their times of need.
Stephanie's Feedback
This is a great start, but to strengthen your response, I suggest being a bit more specific. What do you like about being a physician assistant that you might not be able to achieve or experience in other professions? What are some examples of complicated patient-centered problems that you solve? Being a bit more specific will help your response stand out.
Anonymous Answer
I like the patient-facing experience of the profession. I find that guiding a person towards better health and prosperity is very rewarding. The PA role provides me with the ability to do that.
I have come to realize how closely the qualities of this profession align with my own personality. I love being able to apply my medical/clinical knowledge in a compassionate way.
Being able to investigate undifferentiated presentations and being able to analyze and investigate signs and symptoms makes this role feel less like a job and more like a passion and hobby for me.
Chad's Feedback
Great! Your answer comes across as genuine, and it sounds like you are a compassionate person who cares a lot about the health and well-being of others. The interviewer will get a good sense of your motivation for pursuing a career as a physician assistant. Good job!
Anonymous Answer
In a few years, I discovered myself in a position of healer, educator, advocate, and leader.
As a PA, I strive to provide access to healthcare or multidimensional resources that often people like us, in underserved communities, lack.
Marcie's Feedback
Awesome! It's great that you want to be a healer, patient advocate, and leader. Why do you desire to fill these roles? And how do you foresee achieving these accomplishments as a physician assistant? Giving additional details will further strengthen your answer. Good job!
Anonymous Answer
Working in healthcare, I love having the opportunity to work with and help people. It still doesn't seem quite real that I will be let into my patients' lives each and every day as part of my job. I also love the teamwork that goes into the medical field. There are so many opportunities for discussion and learning that I don't think I'll ever be bored working as a PA.
Jaymie's Feedback
This is such a personal question, and you did a great job giving an answer that shows your passion for the work that you do. You also share your feelings of being able to serve patients as a privilege, and that will be an impactful statement to the interviewer. Great job!
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