"Did you know that 79% of people that fail to get a residency offer from their interview did so because they didn’t avoid a trap that was set by the Interviewers?
Interviewers need to find the best candidate, and they do this by getting rid of the poor candidates one at a time.
How do they do this? By setting traps to trip you up and take you out of the running". Last minute thoughts about the interview for FM CARMS interview. The FMG candidates are busy polishing their answers however they tend to copy answers from the wrong sources either tailored for CSA -who studied in Ireland, Australian or Caribbean schools or from human resources type/ goverment agencies. They do not even understand that many questions are traps for invalidating their understanding of CAN Med roles such as giving the wrong dose as a mistake for an example of a case where they made a mistake or having the communication as their main strength . The answers in the negative questions are most of the time a total disaster especially example when you were criticized, had a conflict, did not solve the case etc Being told that the negative impact will be neutralized by explaining what you learned from the experience and how you will avoid next time DOS NOT remove the impression that the candidate does not meet the CAN MEd roles or have the necessary personal attributes of a good family physician, empathy can not be learned if you did not show it initially, critical thinking putting the correct diagnostic or giving the wrong treatment will bot be forgotten if your mistake is too big. The last days should be used to avoid the traps of the interview. "Lack of confidence is a common mistake. There is a delicate balance between having confidence and being arrogant. No one knows your background better than you. Be proud of your accomplishments and don’t be shy when telling your story. Your handshake and initial interaction will be the “first impression” that the hiring manager will have regarding your self-confidence. Believe in yourself.
“Focus on accomplishments and specific experience that demonstrate you are the right person for the job” rather than on copied answers from a friend who got in the system or an answer that a prep company gave to you. They might have shared the same example with 20 others who are able to sell it more believable than you do. Your answers should be your own answers.
QUESTIONS folllowed by what they REALLY want to find out
WHAT THEY WANT TO KNOW
#Q1 What was your class standing?
What they want to find out
How do you differentiate from the others , why should they choose you How smart are you?
How hard did you work?
#2 Which supervisors have you found it easiest or most difficult to work with, and why?
What they want to find out
Are you adaptable? Will you be easy to work with or a pain in the …
#3 Give me an example of a time when you had to do more than what was required in your job. Did you work on any special projects?
What they want to find out
Do you have initiative?be careful not too look that you will revolutionize the hospital:)
#4 What hobbies do you have?
What they want to find out
Are you creative?
What kind of person are you?collaborator or single wolf
#5
Do you ever find that you need to make exceptions to certain rules or policies? Give me an example of when you had to do this, and why.
What they want to find out
Do you have integrity?
How do you determine when flexibility is required?
#6
What are some of the tougher problems you faced in previous jobs? At what point did you ask for assistance? To whom did you go?
What they want to find out
Can you persevere in hard times?
How do you deal with real challenges?
#7
In school or in a previous job, how did you convince other people to accept your ideas?
How persuasive are you?
#8
Do you consider yourself successful? What makes you think you can sell successfully? How do you feel when you get rejected?
What they want to find out
Are you self-confident?
#9
Can you give me a recent example of a time when you had to get your point across to different people? What approach did you take? Can you give me an example of a time when you had to convince your manager or co-worker about a new idea?
What they want to find out
How well can you communicate?
#10
Describe a typical day on your job.
What they want to find out
Level and complexity of work assignments
#11
Explain how you fit into your department. To whom did you report?
What they want to find out
Extent of responsibility
#12
What other departments did you work with in your previous job? Tell me about those relationships.
What they want to find out
Organisational cooperation
#13
How hard or easy is it for you to handle multiple priorities simultaneously? Tell me how you accomplish this.
What they want to find outHow organised are you?
#14
Can you tell me a little about yourself? (Pretty boring and used by sooo many interviewers, but beware!)
The Interviewer is testing your ability to interact with others.
#15
What are your greatest weaknesses? (Be careful – don’t fill your answers with fluff or what you think the interviewer wants to hear.)
The interviewer wants to find out how honest you are and how you deal with obstacles. be genuine and talk about YOUR weakness talking about what others told you to say will just make it worse Do not use any that invalidate CANMED roles
#16
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?. (Boring! But beware as it is often a trap question. However, it is not asked to test your loyalty. It’s more about your structural behaviour.)
They really want to know about your career plans and what you have planned for yourself otherwise
#17
Why do you want to get the residency here? (another frustrating one, but ensure to answer this one well!)
The Interviewer gauges your interest in the position and your real motives for applying.
#18
How would your co-worker describe you?
They are not interested in your little white lies. They’re trying to see how you think others view you.
#19
Why did you leave such a great opportunity in your country ?
They are checking if it could happen to them if they hire you. Getting PR, getting married, and many other answers are just emphasizing your opportunistic side
#20
Do you have any questions? (This one is important!!)
Checking if you actually paid attention during the interview
#21
What kind of work are you looking for?
Interviewer crosschecks how genuine your application is
#22
Can you explain the gap in your resume?
One of the biggest trap
Are you a job hopper or long term unemployed
#23
Wouldn’t this job represent a step down for you?
they are afraid you’ll leave as soon as a better job offer pops up or more importantly you will not be happy and fit .
#24
How would you explain our organisation’s mission? (Careful with your answer! Everyone checks the About section but…)
How much do you think you fit into the company?
#25
What are your strengths?
How have you used your strengths to add value to your previous employers.