The medical field incorporates the most stringent selection procedures. Why? Because the risks are exceptionally high; in many cases it is a matter of life and death. Be aware that the interviewer leaves no stone unturned before selecting the right candidate. The question why you want to be a doctor is frequently asked whether you are preparing for an interview for medical school or for a medical doctor.
After reading this article, continue reading the following articles, both of which are located in the medial interview category:
- Medical Doctor Interview: Questions and Answers
- Common Medical School Interview Questions, Answers, Tips, & Preparations
The Motivation for being a doctor
“Why do you want to become a doctor?” is a typical question.
The primary reason that an interviewer asks this question is to gauge an applicant’s motivational level. Needless to say, no employer will risk selecting an individual who lacks the motivation required. Thus, it is essential for you to improve the way you communicate your motivational levels to an interviewer. If you are able to put forward the right message across in the right way, the job can be yours.
Having discussed the requirement of stringent selection procedures, let us grasp what happens in the mind of an interviewer while he/she checks the applicant’s motivational levels. An interviewer is able to check the motivational level of an applicant using a three-tier approach:
- Statement of purpose
- Communication
- Body language
Let us understand these three points with the help of an example.
Reasons to Become a Doctor
Question: “Why did you choose a medical doctor career? Why do you want to be a doctor?”
► Applicant 1: “Ever since I was a child, I wanted to be a medical doctor. I like helping and making people feel better. I feel that my personal mission is to help humanity defeat diseases and overcome suffering.”
► Applicant 2: “I have always waned to work in this noble profession because I have the right concern and skill sets to address human health problems with utmost gravity; I possess a unique combination of high emotional quotient and a sound scientific approach. Becoming a doctor has always been a dream of mine and I worked hard to make it happen.”
Both answers communicate the motivational level quite well.
By looking at the two answers you can tell which answer is better; obviously the latter. Thus, the second applicant has a higher chance of getting selected.
But what is it that makes the second applicant stand out?
- Statement of Purpose:
The second applicant validates a strong statement of purpose. ‘High emotional quotient’ and ‘scientific approach’ are the two most important attributes of a good doctor. By mentioning these two attributes, the applicant gains the interest of the interviewer. Hopefully, the interviewer understands that the applicant is clear about the prerequisites of the job and has the abilities to be a successful doctor.
The first applicant tells about his/her general career aspiration, which is fine, but forgets to outline why s/he thinks s/he can be a good doctor. - Communication:
The second applicant seems to be more mature in communicating the intensity of his motivation. The applicant is not ambiguous; rather, he is forthright in mentioning that he possesses the appropriate skill sets for the job. - Body Language:
The second applicant appears to be more enthusiastic in answering the question. He elaborates more about the skills he has and how he fits in the professional field.
Now that you have understood how to answer the question, you need to elaborate on what we have mentioned. If you can enumerate a few instances where you have utilized the skills, then the job is almost definitely yours!
Job Interviews for Positions in the Medical Industry