I have included the interview questions we use with every doctor we hire or consider for a position in our offices. It is the culmination of decades of trial and error as well as the science of personality profiles and leadership competency. Don’t change a thing. Don’t leave out a question. Don’t take any short cuts. Just do it and use the interpretation of their answers to help you and your team select the next doctor in your practice.
Michael Abernathy, DDS
972.523.4660 cell
[email protected]
Interview Questions for Prospective Associates
Name: ________________________________ Date: ___________
Of all of the jobs you have ever had which one did you like the most? Why?
(If there are similarities between their best job and your practice, that is a good sign. If there aren’t any similarities, then this is a concern.)
Of all of the jobs you have ever had which one did you like the least? Why?
(If the job they disliked the most is just like your practice, RUN.)
When participating in group activities, what role do you typically play? (leader, supporter, idea generator, organizer, motivator)
(Leader = Driver
Supporter = Amiable
Organizer = Analytical
Idea generator, motivate = Expressive)
What was your best contribution to any group with which you have worked?
(This illustrates the best they have ever done for a team and shows what contribution they can make that they personally find valuable.)
What was the greatest dental technological or clinical change you have ever been through?
(These answers reveal how the candidate handles change. If your practice stays on the leading edge of technologies and clinical changes, you want to have a candidate that embraces and handles change well.)
How did you handle it?
How did you feel about it?
What is your greatest strength?
(If their strength is the same as yours, you can be compatible. If their strength is your weakness, the candidate could be very valuable in compensating where you are weak. If their strength is something you either don’t value or just don’t need, then the candidate may not add a lot of strength to the practice.)
What is your greatest weakness?
(If their weakness is the same as yours, then bringing them on board doubles your problems. If their weakness is your strength, you will know what area you will have to carry them in. If they can’t think of a weakness, then this is a red flag. Candidates who cannot answer this question are either low in emotional intelligence and don’t realize what kind of an affect they have on people or they are the type of people who never admit mistakes. This is not a good sign.)
There are no right or wrong answers to the following questions. Please give the response that first comes to your mind. (Circle the response the prospect gives. Notate when they responded without hesitation and when they had to think first. If they are unable to chose between two options make a note about their response.)
As a dentist, is it more important to you to appear knowledgeable or enthusiastic?
Knowledgeable = Analytical
Enthusiastic = Expressive
As a dentist, is it more important to you to be discerning or gentle?
Discerning = Analytical
Friendly = Amiable or Expressive
As a dentist, is it more important to you to be professional or have a sense of humor?
Professional = Driver
Sense of humor = Expressive
As a dentist, what gives you the most personal fulfillment: performing excellent work or helping people?
Excellent work = Analytical
Helping people = Amiable
When facing challenges are you more inclined to focus on what is positive about the situation or focus on the results?
Focus on positive = Expressive
Focus on the results = Driver
Is it more important to you to be a good communicator or team player?
Good communicator = Expressive
Team player = Amiable
What would you prefer to do, take on a challenge or meet new people?
Challenging dental procedure = Driver or Analytical
Meet new people = Expressive or Amiable
Would you rather be known for your ability to lead or teach?
Lead = Driver
Train = Amiable
What is more important to you, being organized or innovative?
Organized = Analytical
Innovative = Expressive
Would you rather be thorough or delegate tasks?
Thorough and perform tasks yourself = Amiable or Analytical
Delegate = Driver or Expressive
What excites you the most, starting a project or finishing a project?
Starting =Expressive or Analytical
Finishing = Driver
Would you rather spend your time maintaining relationships or trouble shooting problems?
Maintain relationships = Amiable
Troubleshooting problems = Driver
As a leader, are you more inclined to be assertive or ask questions?
Assertive = Driver or Expressive
Ask questions = Amiable or Analytical
As a leader, is it more important to you to make decisions quickly or reach a consensus of your team?
Make decisions quickly = Driver or Expressive
Reach a consensus = Amiable
As a team member, is it more important to you to be dependable or goal oriented?
Dependable = Amiable
Goal oriented = Driver
As a team member, is it more important to you to be punctual or encouraging?
Punctual = Driver
Encouraging = Amiable
As a team member, is it more important to you to be loyal or open to change?
Loyal = Amiable
Open to change = Expressive
Please complete the following phrase: I am the most satisfied performing a procedure when…
If the response is a frequent occurrence in your office, then there is a good chance this person will be happy at your practice.
Please complete the following phrase: I get frustrated during a procedure when…
If the response is a frequent occurrence in your office, then there is a good chance this person will not be happy at your practice.
Which goals are you the most proud of achieving?
This response is a window into the candidates value system and highest level of performance.
What do you need from your work to keep you motivated and interested?
This response is a major clue as to whether the candidate will flourish in your practice or whether this will just be a stepping stone to their next practice.
Here are the top attributes your team requested in descending order:
Must have… | Important to have… |
Verbal and Nonverbal Clues
When prospects are being interviewed, have someone observe and watch for the following verbal and nonverbal clues:
Analytical Driver
Verbal Behavioral Clues
Pace of speech: slower Quantity of speech: fewer statements Volume of speech: softer Emotion in voice: monotone Subjects of speech: tasks Descriptives: facts/data
Nonverbal Behavioral Clues Use of hands: relaxed or cupped Body posture: leans back while talking Eye contact: indirect while speaking Facial expression: controlled |
Verbal Behavioral Clues
Pace of speech: faster Quantity of speech: more statements Volume of speech: louder Emotion in voice: monotone Subjects of speech: tasks Descriptives: facts/data
Nonverbal Behavioral Clues Use of hands: pointing at others Body posture: leans forward to make a point Eye contact: direct while speaking Facial expression: controlled
|
Verbal Behavioral Clues
Pace of speech: slower Quantity of speech: fewer statements Volume of speech: softer Emotion in voice: inflections Subjects of speech: people Descriptives: opinions/stories
Nonverbal Behavioral Clues Use of hands: relaxed or cupped Body posture: leans back while talking Eye contact: indirect while speaking Facial expression: animated |
Verbal Behavioral Clues
Pace of speech: faster Quantity of speech: more statements Volume of speech: louder Emotion in voice: inflections Subjects of speech: people Descriptives: opinions/stories
Nonverbal Behavioral Clues Use of hands: pointing at others Body posture: leans forward to make a point Eye contact: direct while speaking Facial expression: animated |
Amiable Expressive