Surgical Oncology Fellowship Mock Interview
Master 30 Surgical Oncology Fellowship interview questions covering complex cases, research experience, and multidisciplinary care.
Question 20 of 30
How would you describe your personality using just three words?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Example Answer
How to Answer
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 understand how you will fit in with their Surgical Oncology fellowship program. They also want to hear how you view yourself. Because surgeons and oncologists are often seen as having two very different personalities, your interviewers hope to hear that you would bring a blend of both worlds to their program.
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 curious. Through medical school, I wasn't sure where my future would take me, but my curious nature and steady hands made general surgery a natural route. I'm also so enamored with cancer care and helping to treat some of the scariest diseases we know, and this path through your training program fits my personality into a future profession in practice."
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 you use will make a lasting impact on your interviewers. Some possible words include adaptable, curious, imaginative, courageous, and intelligent. 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.
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Jaymie
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Anonymous Answer
I would say hyperactive, dedicated, and respectful. I always need to do something, I can't stay still for more than five minutes with nothing to do. When there is something to do, a mission, or an intervention I really cared from the beginning till the patients leave the hospital. Finally, respectful because my parents taught me to treat everybody how I would like to be treated.
Jaymie's Feedback
You're off to a great start! Consider replacing "hyperactive" with "energetic," as sometimes hyperactive can have a negative connotation, and the interviewer may feel like you would get bored easily.
Anonymous Answer
Motivated, passionate, resilient. Since I was a child I've always been motivated to push further and expand my knowledge and experiences, naturally, I found my way to medicine and eventually an intensive surgical fellowship and career that involves hard work and life-long learning. I am committed to my patients and providing them the best care possible while providing a unique understanding of their feelings and experiences always taking the extra time to communicate and comfort them. Being dealt the cards of a genetic predisposition to cancer has demonstrated my resilience to remain positive, and devote myself to a career of enhancing cancer care for not only my family but the families of all the patients I interact with in the future.
Jaymie's Feedback
Excellent job giving three concise answers and then elaborating on each to support your answer.
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