Copyright Medschool academy 2007 Common Interview Questions 12 th Jan 2008

Copyright Medschool academy 2007 Revision  Empathy and Sensitivity  Communication Skills  Managing Others and Team involvement – Capacity to work cooperatively with others and show leadership/authority where appropriate  Problem Solving and Decision Making – Capacity to use logical/lateral thinking to solve problems and make decisions  Coping with Pressure – Capacity to operate under pressure. Demonstrates initiative and resilience to cope with setbacks and adapt to rapidly changing circumstances  Organisation and Planning – Capacity to manage time and information effectively. Capacity to prioritise clinical tasks

Copyright Medschool academy 2007 Communication skills  Key words being  Rapport  Verbal – open questions, etc  Non-verbal – open posture…

Copyright Medschool academy 2007 Team Work and Leadership  Communication  Understand roles and responsibility  Commitment, being Reliable and Competent  Be flexible, have respect for others  Be supportive  Understand that team members may have certain weaknesses that others can compensate for, and strengths which can be used to the teams advantage  What is the difference between a leader and a manager? – key words are having VISION and DIRECTION, overall RESPONSIBILITY

Copyright Medschool academy 2007 Problem Solving & Decision Making  How is this done  SWOT analysis – Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats  Or just – advantages, disadvantages, benefits, where you want to be and how to get there?  Key words  Gather information, Balance advantages and disadvantages  Ask for help – consulting others – family, friends, experienced colleagues

Copyright Medschool academy 2007 Coping with Pressure  Medicine is not all a bed of roses!  They might want to see what sort of difficulties you have had – as above  Key word – UNCERTAINTY  Stress in medicine – HUGE topic  What specific stressors?  Alcohol, Drugs, Suicide, Divorce  Why? How to recognise it?  How to prevent it? Your hobbies.– family, friends, colleagues The evidence – less stress with a varied flexible career, outside interests, support The evidence – less stress with a varied flexible career, outside interests, support Key Words - WORK LIFE BALANCE, SUPPORT NETWORK Key Words - WORK LIFE BALANCE, SUPPORT NETWORK

Copyright Medschool academy 2007 Organisation and Planning  Prioritisation  Again, a decision making process  Key word to use – PRIORITISE  Most important thing, with the highest impact first – work this into your personal experience  Also, remember KEEPING UP TO DATE (Continuing Professional Development)

Copyright Medschool academy 2007 Questions about illness  If you have a personal experience, or if there is a case scenario about how illness affects people  Remember, that it affects different people in different ways  Patients have their own priorities – and these should be respected  It usually involves their family, friends, and personal beliefs

Copyright Medschool academy 2007 That’s all for now folks  ANOTHER ROUND OF PRACTICE