Why should we hire you to be our next physician assistant?
The interviewers are likely considering many qualified physician assistants to join their team. The job market is very competitive for coveted positions, and your interviewer wants to ensure they hire the best fit for their team. To separate the top candidate from the pack, they now give you a chance to give your best sales pitch on what makes you the best candidate for their opening. To best answer this question, you want to come at it from two sides. First, you want to reiterate what clinical skills and abilities you possess that make you the perfect physician assistant for the role you are interviewing. Then, you want to ensure your interviewer understands that you will be the ultimate team player and a great cultural fit with the organization. This is where your homework on the role and the organization will pay dividends.
"First and foremost, my years of experience in the OR as first assistant in trauma and general surgery cases will allow me to jump in and hit the ground running on your team. I never falter in the face of adversity in this setting and have worked alongside the most demanding surgeons. I'm also an amazing communicator and team player. As you'll see in my reference letters, I've forged strong relationships with the physician and nursing staff I have worked alongside for years."
"I pride myself on being a collaborative physician assistant and a dedicated individual contributor. Throughout my clinical rotations, I've proven my ability to work cohesively among a large team of providers while leading and respectfully directing nursing staff. As I embarked on a career search following my graduation, the two important things to me were long-term stability and a great culture. Your long-standing success in the region as one of the top hospitals and your reputation for being an outstanding employer speak volumes. I can guarantee that I would be dedicated to this role for years to come."
"I believe there are a few factors that make me the top candidate to become your next physician assistant. First and foremost, I have over a decade of experience at a children's hospital, where I've worked in both the NICU and emergency care settings. The other important factor is that I have leadership experience as a PA, where I've overseen the work of junior PAs, evaluated performance, and mentored new staff over the last five years."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
I am passionate about orthopedics, and I completed my elective orthopedic rotation with a foot and ankle surgeon. I am a dedicated team player who enjoys collaboration, and I am eager to work with the cutting-edge surgical team here.
Rachelle's Feedback
The specifics on your skills is a nice touch. Well done!
Anonymous Answer
During my clinical rotations, I participated for eight weeks in primary care settings. I provided appropriate acute, chronic, and preventive care while promoting comprehensive wellness and treatment adherence through patient education. I assisted my preceptors with complex medical decisions and cases such as coordinating patient-centered care with providers of other sub-specialties.
Rachelle's Feedback
It seems that you have the skills necessary to be a successful PA, and it sounds as though you have had some enriching experiences throughout your education. When it comes to answering, 'Why should we hire you?' it's crucial to also tie in how hiring you will be a direct benefit to the employer. We have a guide here if you'd like to learn more: https://www.mockquestions.com/articles/How to Answer: Why Should We Hire You?/
Anonymous Answer
I am passionate about dermatology. I worked in dermatology as a medical assistant and completed my elective clinical rotation in dermatology as well. I am dedicated, hard-working, a team-player, and I am eager to serve the patients of [practice name].
Marcie's Feedback
Excellent answer! It's great that your reply is passionate and filled with words that describe you positively. Consider adding more details to your answer as this will help to make it - and you - more memorable to your interviewer. This kind of question is a real opportunity to sell yourself. Explain more about why you're so passionate about dermatology in particular. Did this passion start at a young age? Did you have an experience that led you to develop an interest in this area? Do you have a desire to help people feel better about themselves? Provide the interviewer with more insight into why you want to work in this field so they really remember you and think you'll be the best candidate to fill this role.
Anonymous Answer
You should hire me because I have a very strong interest in the field of primary care. My clinical rotations were intended to be for a primary care practice, where I was trained in all medical fields. In addition, I have very strong medical knowledge and clinical skills which I could invest in your facility by providing superior primary care to your patients. In addition to that, I am a team player, and I am also a person who can work and report under minimal physician supervision.
Stephanie's Feedback
Excellent response! You clearly and confidently explain why you would be the perfect hire.
Anonymous Answer
I pride myself on being reliable and hard-working. I am eager to learn and willing to help the team in whatever way I can within my scope of practice. I am also willing to put in the extra effort to gain the confidence and trust of my team members as a new graduate. I'm well organized which I know is important for hospital medicine when managing multiple patients at once. Lastly, I work well with others, and during my rotation at __________, I felt like I fit in well with the team of PAs in addition to the nurses, residents, and attending physicians.
Jaymie's Feedback
These are wonderful qualities and characteristics and ones that an interviewer will find desirable in a candidate. Good job elaborating on each area as well.
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