What questions to prepare and not prepare for your PA interview
You definitely should prepare for your interview, but there are certain areas you should focus on. You do not want to over-prepare, or you can come across too rehearsed (see blog titled “The key to the PA interview”). It is important to have an idea of what you want to include in 3 common questions
So what are these 3 common questions?
These include: (1) Tell me about yourself. (2) Why do you want to be a PA? (3) Why do you want to attend this specific program?
You should have an idea of things you want to hit in these answers, and practice these answers with another person listening to you prior to your interview. Keep in mind that question #3 should change between each program interview, being specific to aspects that are unique to that program, what they offer, and their mission.
Have a “bad” example
The other question type to prep includes ones that have bad experiences. Why, you ask? Well, if someone asks you about something you do well, it is probably a lot easier to answer than something you are bad at. It is harder to think of negative qualities of oneself, but oftentimes an interview question may ask these types of questions.
Again, you don’t need prepared answers, but just have ideas of concrete examples of things like overcoming adversity, a time you failed, challenging authority, things about you to improve, as these are a little harder to think of on the spot. Also have an idea of how you could spin these things into a positive, like mentioning how you overcame the challenge you faced or how you learned something through these experiences. Even if they do not directly ask for how it became positive, you can add a positive spin without taking up too much time or going on a tangent.
Have questions to ask them back
Don’t forget that you should also have questions to ask them back at the end! These are also important, so have an idea of quality questions you want to ask. Typically you will ask around 2-3 questions depending on time, but have around 5 question ideas prepared just in case.
To note, if any of these questions are addressed throughout the interview day as you attend their information session, eliminate those questions from your list. Do not ask something that they answered or any question where the answer is available on resources like MyPAbox or their website.
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