Surgical Technologist Mock Interview
Practice 30 Surgical Technologist interview questions covering sterile technique, instrumentation, and OR protocols.
Question 11 of 30
Give an example of a time when you made a mistake because you did not listen well to what someone had to say.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Example Answer
Community Answers
During your interview, the interviewer may ask you about a time when you made a mistake in the workplace because they want to know how you handle difficult situations and challenges. Specifically, they want to see how you handle mistakes. In the medical field, even small mistakes can have serious consequences. By asking about a time when you made a mistake due to not listening well, they are trying to assess your ability to take responsibility for your actions and learn from your mistakes. It's important to be honest and transparent in your response and emphasize what steps you took to correct the error and ensure that it will not happen again in the future. Talk to the hiring manager about the situation, and tell them how you owned up to the mistake. Accountability is a valuable characteristic, and the interviewer wants to see that quality in you.
"Earlier in my career, I prepped the operating room with the incorrect checklist because I was so worried about making a mistake that I wasn't wholeheartedly listening to the instructions given to me. It caused a delay in the doctor's schedule, and I felt terrible. I claimed responsibility for the error and fixed it. But I was sure never to allow that to happen again. That mistake taught me to actively listen when being given instructions."
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Anonymous Answer
On my first day in OR, I prepared the OR with an incorrect supply, I forgot to bring Ray tex sponge because I was not listening to instructions given to me, which caused the delay in the doctor's schedule, I felt terrible. I am sure to never allow that to happen again.
Marcie's Feedback
Okay! So it sounds like this happened on your very first day in the OR. Obviously, you were still learning! Rather than just saying that you'll never let this happen again, can you state that you haven't to this day made that same error again and that you make it a point to actively listen to any instruction you receive? Show that you learned from your mistake. Nice job!
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