Congratulations! You’ve been invited for an interview!

You’ve already done your research about the company, the role, and the team. Everything is lining up and you think the job is a good fit. You’re excited!

In your excitement, don’t forget to ask questions to help you determine if you’re a good fit for the position.

Interview questions* to assess if you’re a good fit:

1. How does the daily work get done?

Before the interview, ask yourself,

“How do I like to work?”

For example, do you like to work independently, or do you prefer a collaborative environment, or something in between? Do you like to take your time with a task, or do you prefer to get things done efficiently in a fast-paced environment?

During the interview, ask,

• “What kind of physician succeeds in this position? What are their qualities and approach to work?”

• “How does work/do projects typically get done?”

Asking these questions will give you an idea if your personality and way of working match the job expectations.

2. What is the leadership style?

Before the interview, ask yourself,

“What are the characteristics of my ideal boss/leader?”

For example, their personality, leadership style, values, approach to feedback and recognition?

During the interview, ask the leader,

• “How would you describe your leadership style?”

• “What do employees enjoy most about working here?”

• “How does the company support employee growth and development?”

During the interview, ask the team,

• “What do you appreciate most about the leadership style of the leader?”

• “What do you enjoy most about working here?”

3. How will you thrive in the first 90 days on the job?

The first few months in a new job can be exhilarating and exhausting. Can you identify ways to gain early momentum and success?

During the interview, ask,

• “What are the top 2-3 projects/tasks/deliverables the new hire will be responsible for/work on/involved in during the first few weeks on the job?”

• “What does success look like at the 90-day mark?”

Then ask yourself,

• “Do these tasks leverage my current skills and experience?”

• “What’s the probability of me performing well in the first 90 days?”

For physicians moving into the non-clinical realm, the skills needed might be your analytical physician brain, your ability to learn new things quickly, ask good questions, and build relationships.

Finally, trust your instincts. If you’re sensing something’s off, take it seriously. Have additional conversations and don’t feel pressured to make a hasty decision.

What about you, what questions have helped you determine if you’re a good fit for a job?

*Adapted from Will-you-be-a-good-fit-questions-you-should-ask-in-a-job-interview.