How to ace interview questions for RMO and registrar jobs

You’ve looked through the doctor jobs listings and you’ve scored an interview for a great RMO or registrar position at a hospital you’d love to work for. Congratulations! The job is (almost) yours. But first, you’ve got to run the gauntlet of the RMO interview questions.
  It’s your chance to stand out from the crowd and get your ideal medical job, but RMO job interviews can have tricky questions. It’s up to you to field the strange (“If you were an animal, what would you be?”) and the not-as-simple-as-it-sounds (“What are your weaknesses?”).   Though both Australia and New Zealand are known for being laid-back, it’d be a mistake to think that doctor job interviews here are a casual affair. As with any interview, it’s important you dress to impress and thoroughly prepare for your interview. Find out what the hospital or clinic is known for, its specialties, and any notable facilities.  

Common RMO and medical registrar job interview questions

• Why do you want to work here?
• Tell us about your ability to work under pressure
• What field experience do you have for a Resident Medical Officer/Registrar position?
• Describe an error you’ve made and what you did to fix it

A common question is “Why do you want to work here?” – you’ll only be able to answer this question satisfactorily if you know a good deal about the hospital and the surrounding area. Talk about the features that attracted you to the role: perhaps it is the hospital’s state-of-the-art equipment or the clinic’s close-knit community. Avoid being negative – if you hate your current role, keep it to yourself. Negativity is a red flag for interviewers as a miserable attitude doesn’t always disappear with a change of scene.   With weird and whacky questions, the key is to use it as an opportunity to showcase your skillset or tell an anecdote demonstrating your personal attributes. If you’re asked what kind of animal you’d be, liken the animal you choose to your personality. Owls are thoughtful, bees are hard workers and crows have great problem-solving abilities. With questions like these, it’s all about the explanation – you’re not being judged on your zoology knowledge.   Similarly, when you’re asked to describe your responsibilities in your previous role, interviewers don’t want a list of what was on your CV (they’ve read that already). Flesh out your answers with anecdotes and use them as an opportunity to showcase your personal attributes.

Medical interview top tips

• Dress to impress and be on time
• Be positive (even if you hate your current role)
• Do background research on the job, hospital or clinic, and location
• Describe why you’re right for the role and use anecdotes to back up what’s on your medical CV
• Don’t forget to address any key skills or points outlined in the job description

We hope you found these medical RMO and registrar interview questions helpful. Remember that the interviewer will be looking at ways you can demonstrate any communication skills, attention to detail, leadership skills, and other skills you may possess so try and display these in your answers.

When you work with a medical recruitment agency, like Medrecruit, we will guide you through the entire job process from job search to the interview.