Interview Prep

A job interview is your best chance to show an employer why you are the best candidate for their position. It’s also a chance for you to understand more about an employer’s culture, approach to patient care, and knowledge of team practice. Make a good first impression and land that PA position with our top interview tips.

Make a good first impression and land that PA position with these tips.

Prepare for In-depth Interview Questions

As your interview approaches, it is important to be prepared. Research the employer you will be speaking with and practice how you will respond to the following common interview questions. We have also made these interview questions available as an editable PDF download that you can use to make notes before the big day.

What are your strengths? Weaknesses?
What is a professional challenge you’ve faced, and what did you learn from the experience?
Why are you a good match for this position?
How would we benefit from hiring you?
What were your responsibilities at previous jobs or rotations?
Why did you decide to become a PA?
What did you do before you became a PA (especially regarding any medically related jobs)?
If there has been a gap in your employment history: What have you been doing in the time you have not been working as a PA?
Why are you looking for a new position?
How would you describe yourself?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Does PA practice require the presence of a physician at all times?
Does practicing with a PA increase a physician’s liability risk?
Do I need to add you to my malpractice insurance, or will you have your own policy?
Can we bill for your services? Will the income you generate cover your costs to the practice?
How soon could you start working? (You will need a state license, malpractice coverage and possibly hospital privileges and a Drug Enforcement Administration [DEA] registration before you can work. You should know approximately how long it will take to obtain these.)
How much do PAs earn? What are your salary expectations for this position?

Ask Your Potential Employer These Questions

Don’t forget the interview process is two-way. It is important to ask questions during an interview to learn whether this is an environment in which you will thrive as a PA, and to determine if this position reflects your interests and desired style of practice.

We’ve put together the following list of questions you should consider asking a potential employer.

Have you employed PAs before? What is your understanding of the PA role? What is your vision of team practice?
Are there questions about PAs I can address or clarify?
What hours will I be expected to work? Will I be asked to take call and/or provide weekend or evening coverage?
Will we establish a practice agreement?
Which physicians will I practice with? Will there be a primary collaborating physician? How will my time be shared? Are all physicians in favor of working with a PA? Can I meet with them?
What will my primary duties be? How can I help meet your current patient care needs?
Will I be allowed to work as a preceptor, to volunteer, or moonlight elsewhere?
What are the credentialing and privileging processes for PAs (for hospital practice)?
Do you envision my roles or responsibilities changing over time?
What is your philosophy of patient care?
Who is in charge of scheduling? How will patients be assigned? Who will decide and how? Will I have my own panel of patients?
How does the telephone triage system work?
How is the staff structured? Who are the other employees and partners? What are their roles? Who would be available to assist me?
Is the staff familiar with PAs? If not, how do you plan to educate them on the role of PAs? Is there anything I can do to help?
How many PAs have been in this position in the last few years?
Is the practice for sale? Is a sale possible in the next year? Is it merging with a health system?
Will you be offering a written contract? Will I have an opportunity to review it and negotiate its contents?

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Interviewing in Different Formats: Insights for a Great Meeting

Preparing for a virtual interview is very similar to preparing for an in-person interview, but there are special considerations. Read on to learn how Jennifer Hohman, the PA Career Coach, advises her clients to prepare for a virtual interview, and why you should schedule a practice call with a trusted friend before the big day.