You’re keen to land that midwife’s, doctor’s or nurse’s job in Australia or New Zealand and you’re preparing for that critical telephone interview. Some of the concerns will, naturally, be specific to the function you’re obtaining so it’s a good idea to read the person requirements and job description completely and to investigate the medical institution you’re applying to via its website.

But exactly what about those generic yet frustratingly difficult concerns that seem to emerge in a lot of job interviews, those concerns that have had your skilled, well-qualified colleagues scratching their heads as time ticks on and the silence ends up being ever more uneasy?

We’ve compiled a list below of 8 of the most typical of these job interview questions along with advice about ways to handle them so you can emerge from your answers looking calm, professional and entirely in control. Read on thoroughly and you might quickly be signing a contract for the health care task in Australia or New Zealand that is perfect for you.

Why do you want this task?

It’s an understandable concern from the employer’s viewpoint, but one that appears to leave lots of prospects baffled. Do not talk too much about the cash. Even if it is your prime inspiration, you do not wish to stumble upon as mercenary. At most say something like ‘Well, it’s an extremely attractive package’ then go on to note other reasons for wanting the post.

It’s a healthcare task in Australia or New Zealand that you’re chasing after, so should you say you’re encouraged by a desire to transfer to those countries? While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with providing your interviewer’s house country a bit of praise, you should not go too far with this. You don’t wish to appear naïve about how terrific you think life there is going to be. (IHR Group has actually produced an Overview of Living and Working in Australia on the advantages and usefulness of moving to this country) Furthermore, your job interviewer should not think that the task will be little bit more than your ticket to a dream life Down Under.

How should you address this seemingly easy however really hard interview concern? Again, effectively looking into the task and the institution is likely to be the secret. You could say that you share the institution’s principles and values, that you feel you have just the right abilities and experience (specify and give examples) to give the team, that working there will help you establish as a physician and that you see the task as a interesting and exciting chance.

Exactly what do you believe you can give the task?

Without going on for too long, demonstrate how elements of your professional background fit with points from the job description and person requirements, and with the healthcare facility’s aims and any difficulties facing it.

What things do you dislike and like about your existing job?

In job interviews, you need to sound favorable. There may be things you do not like about your present position, however a job interview is not the place to recite a list of grievances. If you stumble upon as too negative, the job interviewer might ‘warning’ you as a bothersome or uncooperative staff member.

When you note the things you like about your job, use this as an opportunity to offer yourself: ‘I truly like that I can put my ____ skills into practice.’ ‘I enjoy dealing with my coworkers as part of a group– it’s great to help, support and learn from each other.’ ‘I delight in the _____ challenges I have to deal with as this lets me utilize my analytical skills.’

How can you talk about your dislikes without seeming negative? ‘In my present job, I have a large variety of responsibilities and– while I enjoy this challenge– I feel this job would allow me to specialise more deeply in specific areas such as …’

What are your weaknesses and strengths?

The easier part here is speaking about your strengths. In a job interview, you should not be overly modest. Without appearing conceited, do not be afraid to ‘blow your own trumpet’. Discuss your personal attributes, your abilities, your experience, positions of obligation you’ve held– all matched, as much as possible, to the task description. Do not think twice to state you’re hardworking, a terrific issue solver, that you have actually got an extensive knowledge of a specific location.

Again you need to turn negatives into positives when it comes to weaknesses. You may have your flaws, however a job interview is not the location to promote them. You need to answer this part of the question in a way that– ironically– reveals strengths instead of weak points: ‘In some cases I’m a little too diligent and I have to remind myself that everybody periodically needs time to unwind.’ ‘I’m interested by medicine, but I often have to keep in mind that there’s more to life.’

You could utilize this as a means of advertising a strength if it’s obvious that you lack something that’s essential for the task. ‘Well, I have reasonably little experience of ____, but I’m a fast learner so I make sure I could fill any gaps in my knowledge quickly.’

Where do you want to be 5 years from now?

It’s suggested to state that you would like to be working for them if the organization you’re using to is looking for somebody in the long term. If, on the other hand, the task appears more temporary, you should not presume this, however perhaps state, ‘Well, I want to be working in an organization of this type …’

Addressing this interview concern is often a fragile balancing act. You have to appear motivated and expert, however not so ambitious that it seems you want other people’s jobs. A suitable answer could be: ‘I want to be working as a ____ in this health center, or in a similar medical task in Australia, feeling that I have actually made a really valuable contribution to my team and established myself expertly.’

Are you able to work under pressure?

The answer to this question should, naturally, be ‘yes’. When you have actually dealt with tough circumstances efficiently, give examples from your past medical experience of. You may, nevertheless, also wish to say that you try– through appropriate organisation and management of your time– to prevent high-pressure situations establishing wherever possible.

Are you a team player or do you work finest alone?

Team effort is considered necessary in practically every job nowadays so you have to emphasise that you can work well as part of a group, backing this up with concrete examples from your existing or previous jobs. On the other hand, you need to show that you can working alone and, where proper, taking your very own decisions. How you balance these two characteristics in your answer will depend on the nature of the job you’ve requested– just how much team effort does it involve and how often will you be anticipated to work on your own?

Tell me something about yourself.

This job interview question might appear quite open-ended, so it is very important to remain focused and avoid rambling. Just point out aspects of yourself that have importance to the job. You could discuss your credentials, professional background and experience, however likewise extra time activities that have actually helped you develop attributes that are vital for the post available. If you play football or cricket, say it makes you a team player; being the chair of your homeowners’ association might have developed your organisational abilities and assisted you discover how to entrust tasks; participating in your local Toastmasters public speaking group might have enhanced your communication abilities.

So, to sum up, you have to have done your research, you should be positive, and you ought to match your experience, skills and attributes to exactly what you know your potential employer needs. Back up your points with concrete examples of things you have actually accomplished or circumstances you’ve handled throughout your medical profession.