The interview process is used by employers to evaluate the personality of applicants as well as their abilities. The main objective is to discern whether or not an applicant is suited to the job or company. The hiring manager will ask a series of questions then makes his decision based on the demeanor and answers given by the applicants. The psychiatry interview process is no different.
It’s not uncommon for people to self-sabotage themselves during the interview. Either because of inexperience or nerves, some applicants may choke up when answering a question or may offer inappropriate responses. Of course, these hiccups don’t do much to improve your chances of landing the residency, so you’d do well to avoid them.
An excellent habit to develop before an interview is answering questions that may be asked during the interview. You’ll find that you’ll be more confident going into the interview and a lot less likely mess up during the interview.
It’s also a great idea that you thoroughly research the company or practice that you’re applying to. Get a sense of their core values, their goals, and what they expect from their employees.
Your efforts will be reflected in the quality of your answers and you’ll impress upon the hiring manager that you are interested in the job. Be sure not to give generic responses. This will cause the interviewer to believe that you’re lazy and not serious about being hired. Do, however, infuse your personality into your responses. The interviewer would much rather talk to a human being than an automated machine.
If you want to practice answering interview questions here are a few questions that are commonly asked during a psychiatry interview:
- What is it about psychiatry that interests you?
- What areas of biological psychiatry are of particular interest to you?
- What areas of psychological psychiatry are of particular interest to you?
- What roles do you think psychiatrists should play in the health care system?
- What role do you think psychiatrists should play in trying to influence social issues?
- In your opinion what role should psychologists and social workers play in the care of mentally ill patients?
- What is your opinion about psychiatric patients being required to take medication?
- What is your moral perspective on suicide? What is the psychiatrist’s role in preventing suicide?
- Why did you decide to apply for this residency program?
- In your opinion what is the role of pharmaceutical companies in educating psychiatrists about medications?
- What do you most cherish in life?
- What are your expectations about what you’ll be doing as a psychiatrist?
- In your opinion what is the hardest thing about being a psychiatrist?
- What do you do for recreation?
- In your opinion what is the role of psychotherapy in psychiatric practice today?
- How will you handle stress during your residency training?
- Are there any books you’d recommend for people interested in psychiatry?