International physicians applying for roles in Canada can always typically expect to attend at least an initial phone interview. Due to the pandemic, we have now seen a significant increase in virtual interviews for both national and international candidates, residents, and even medical school applicants.
Most healthcare facilities now conduct all initial and even second interviews virtually or over the phone. With the exception of international jobs, face-to-face interviews have always been the “next step”, and not being able to do this has left employers needing to get to know you in a compressed amount of time. Selecting a physician candidate who meets all the clinical skill requirements and is a good culture fit for the facility and the community has the added challenge of potentially never shaking hands or meeting face to face before a hire.
The good news is that this is a new and evolving experience for all involved. However, physicians should do their best to prepare themselves, their environment, and their devices for a successful meeting with their prospective employer, and attend the interview as professionally as possible.
Prepare Ahead to Ace your Interview
The team here at Physicians for You will always help you with pre-interview questions to help guide the flow of the interview, and also to prepare you for some typical questions you will get asked. It is a good idea to rehearse answers to questions you’ll likely get. Preparing your answers in advance to the most commonly asked questions can help you come across confident and stand out from other physicians pursuing the same position.
Questions such as “ Tell me about yourself” can catch you off guard if you are not prepared to speak freely about yourself. With this type of question, a three prong answer is helpful – brief training and experience overview, recognised achievements if applicable, and something more personal, like your specific goals or aspirations.
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The Canadian Medical Association has a wonderful series called Physician Changemakers, which features physicians around Canada, and highlights their unique story. This feature is all about Dr. Ann Collins, who has recently taken on the presidency of the CMA after serving on the board of directors for seven years.
Follow her story in the article here as Dr. Collins weaves through her life, from mere thoughts about working in the field of medicine to taking on many different roles including part-time hospital emergency department work, running her own family practice, and medical director of a local nursing home.
Taking on this role during an unprecedented time with the pandemic has also presented its challenges, where virtual care is becoming the norm, and both doctors and patients have had to grapple with a lot of changes, at a very fast pace.
Physicians for You is proud to share the story of this successful Canadian physician who has deep roots in her community of Fredericton, New Brunswick, and is dedicating her wealth of experience to the Canadian Medical Association. Thank you Dr. Collins!
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