Residency Mock Interview
Prepare for 43 Residency interview questions covering clinical scenarios, patient care philosophy, and program fit.
Question 2 of 43
What are your career plans and goals after completing our residency program?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
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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 want to find future residents interested in furthering their careers with their institution. While it is not a prerequisite for this program, your interview panel wants to hear that you have well-defined career goals that this training program will help you reach.
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 entered medical school intending to pursue a career as a pediatrician, and I'm so fortunate to be interviewed and considered for your esteemed pediatrician residency program. At this point, I can honestly see myself as a general pediatrician or pursuing an additional fellowship to subspecialize in pediatric oncology or gastroenterology. I believe that my goals will become clearer as I work through my residency."
Ryan Brunner has over ten years of experience recruiting, interviewing, and hiring candidates in the healthcare, public service, and private manufacturing/distribution industries.
Outline how the residency program you are interviewing with will help you prepare for those goals. It is also okay to express that you are still considering your options as long as you highlight a few directions you are hopeful to go. Remember that you do not want to shut the door on any potential opportunities.
Dr. Shani Saks is a board-certified internist and cardiologist in private practice.
After completing this residency program, I plan to pursue a cardiology fellowship. Cardiology is a very fast-paced field that allows for both intellectually stimulating aspects such as EKG interpretation as well as hands-on procedures, including stents and percutaneous valve replacement. Additionally, there is a very high level of ongoing research and innovations that is very exciting.
This internal medicine residency will offer me exposure to a wide range of medical conditions and will give me a strong foundation on which to pursue further training.
"I would like to pursue a career as a primary care physician. I am eager to provide excellent care to patients within the community that I grew up in."
"Ideally, I would love to land a hybrid private practice/academic job. I enjoy the fast-paced workflow and variety of cases seen in private practice, but I also enjoy the teaching environment and case complexity seen with academic positions. My top priority, however, is to serve as an excellent clinician."
Sara Yumeen is a Dermatology resident physician.
"I have explored different career paths in dermatology, including community and academic practice. I love all aspects of dermatology, and coming from an academic background, I love to teach and participate in research. I aim to practice as an academic medical dermatologist, allowing me to practice general dermatology as well as develop a specialty area of interest. I hope to teach medical students and residents and partake in research to provide the best treatments for my patients."
"At this point, I haven't decided on an ultimate career path in Emergency Medicine, but I'm considering pursuing a fellowship in Ultrasound or Critical Care. I hope to find my passion within Emergency Medicine during residency by matching with a program with a diverse patient population and different types of training environments."
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Anonymous Answer
I see myself working in an academic institution where I can be exposed to the most diverse experiences, continue my research, have the opportunity to educate the next generation of radiologists, and take the initiative to help people in medically underserved areas all over the world.
Rachelle's Feedback
Excellent! You have a clear direction, which the interviewer should appreciate hearing.
Anonymous Answer
I see myself working as a primary care physician in an academic setting. This allows me to educate the next generation of doctors. I get to continue my interest in research by taking what I've seen in the clinic and formulating research questions. I also really enjoy the spirit of everyone who works in academic centers and see myself fitting well into this culture.
Apart from that, during my spare time, I see myself working with my community and addressing social determinants of health through outreach projects.
I can see myself working in an underserved area like Greenville because it allows me to engage in these various aspects by joining your faculty.
Marcie's Feedback
Awesome! This is a great answer because you clearly explain what your long-term career and personal goals are once you've completed the residency program. It's apparent that you will make good use of the skills and experience you gain in the program. The interviewer will also appreciate that you want to help underserved populations. Finally, you come across as genuine and compassionate. Great answer!
Anonymous Answer
After finishing the residency program I am planning to go back to the same health center where I used to work(in my old town). I will use the skills and experiences I gained in residency in order to provide better care for the patients l. I will focus on doing more awareness campaigns. Also, I will continue the learning process. I am planning to apply for a fellowship in women's health.
Marcie's Feedback
It's great that you plan to apply your new skills and experience where you previously worked. Why do you want to return and not start something new? Can you talk more about what you like about this health center and why you want to go back to it? Also, what skills and experience do you plan to take back with you? And how exactly will you apply them to benefit the patients in this health center? Giving more details will further build out and strengthen your answer to make it even more impactful. Good job!
Anonymous Answer
First, my plan is to get selected for the residency and I would like to explore different subspecialties of neurology. I have a slight inclination toward vascular neurology so you can see me pursuing my career in that field as well. I also imagine myself living in the suburbs of Philadelphia with my wife and my children.
Jaymie's Feedback
These are great goals to share with the interviewer.
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