Residency Mock Interview
Prepare for 43 Residency interview questions covering clinical scenarios, patient care philosophy, and program fit.
Question 23 of 43
Describe your personality to us in three words.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Example Answer
How to Answer
Internal Medicine
Family Medicine
Radiology
Dermatology
Emergency Medicine
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 the personality that you would bring to their residency program to get a feel for how you will fit in with the program. They'll 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 thoughtful, intelligent, and friendly. My personality is well suited for a healthcare-focused environment as my patients will find me approachable and trustworthy."
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 that the words that you use will make a lasting impact on your interviewers. Some possible words to use are adaptable, brave, compassionate, respectful, helpful, positive, thoughtful, or versatile. As you prepare for a question like this, be creative to avoid giving the same answer other candidates give. Explain your reasons for choosing these words to describe yourself.
Dr. Shani Saks is a board-certified internist and cardiologist in private practice.
Compassionate, conscientious, and complicated.
"Empathetic, goal-oriented, hard-working."
"Intellectual. Respectful. Motivated."
Sara Yumeen is a Dermatology resident physician.
"Determined, enthusiastic, funny."
"Passionate, Determined, Curious."
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Anonymous Answer
If I could describe my personality in three words, I would say that I am empathetic, thoughtful, and calm. My character is well-suited to family medicine because my patients will find me approachable. My style will foster the therapeutic patient-doctor relationship that is vital to family medicine.
Rachelle's Feedback
Very well said! These are must-have qualities.
Anonymous Answer
If I could describe my personality in 3 words, I would say calm, adaptable, and goal-oriented. During my days as a junior resident in the ER at a hospital, we were severely understaffed that day, and we had almost 25 patients waiting in the triage area. I was nearing the end of my shift, but I realized that the two residents and the attendant would have a tough time managing patients. So I took it upon myself to streamline the triage, screen patients right there, and get only those patients who needed immediate attention and treated those who I could in the triage itself.
Rachelle's Feedback
This is a wonderful example of your biggest personality traits. This answer speaks so much to your character and dedication in the workplace.
Anonymous Answer
I would describe my personality as adaptable, calm, and a team player. Our medical school uses a variety of clinical sites in the community, this has allowed me to become comfortable adapting to a new location and team every few weeks.
Stephanie's Feedback
You share three very positive personality traits: adaptable, calm, and a team player. However, I suggest providing more details in your response about exactly how you show these traits at work. You mention the clinical site in the community and how you've learned adaptability, but how do you show your calm nature during stressful situations, and what makes you a team player? A few additional details to back up the three traits you mentioned will improve the impact of your response.
Anonymous Answer
Friendly
intelligent
determined
Chad's Feedback
Great! These are desirable qualities for any healthcare professional to possess. Ensure you also explain your answer to the interviewer. I recommend providing an example of a time when you have displayed these personality traits in the workplace.
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