What if the interviewer(s) asks you repetitive questions?

[coralfangs]

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I've never been asked repetitive questions during interviews
but what if.........
a friend of mine got asked the same type of question by the same interview several times and he gave the same answers
are they looking for different response?

for example:
why do you want to become a doctor
why do you think medicine is a rewarding experience
blah blah

 

[Dr Stu]

i would think that the interviewer is not satisfied with the answer and is trying to flesh out more information.

Also, some people may have separate answers for why you want to be a doctor and why you think medicine is a rewarding experience.

 

[lacrossefiend73]

"What are your weaknesses?"
5 minutes later...
"What are things you need to work on?"
And yet even 5 minutes later...
"What are your shortcomings?"
In my head 5 minutes later...
Depression sets in.

I tried to come up w/ different things each time so I wouldn't sound as repetitive as the interviewer did.

 

[lei217]

I think a lot of times if the questions are about your own desires and personality as opposed to situational questions they are trying to find out how honest you are by asking you the same question in a million different ways to see if you give the same response. Its the same way with a lot of psychological tests...its all about getting a feel for how truthful you are being.

 

[Dendrite]

Perhaps they are trying to go deeper into who you are by asking for more in-depth answers to the same question, just through a different form. It may be an unofficial way for them to get you to elaborate on your answer.

 

[medguy83]

i would think that the interviewer is not satisfied with the answer and is trying to flesh out more information.

Also, some people may have separate answers for why you want to be a doctor and why you think medicine is a rewarding experience.

This is right on the money. If your interviewer keeps pressing the same topic or issue, it's a sure sign you either didn't fully answer their Q in full, or they might be looking for a different answer. This isn't to say that you should cave in to pressure and agree with them, say on a controversial topic, but just stand your ground and provide enough grounds for your ideas.

 

[btc8]

Tell me to suck it and to stop wasting your time with repetitive questions...

J/k...

That kind of thing happened to me; I just answered their question, but near the end I tried to segue into something that still pertained to the general topic of the question posed, but lead into something else with your response. I think mine went something like this:

Bald & Smelly Physician [after asking me the first question of "Why do you want to be a Physician?]: Interesting, so what lead down the reasoning of wanting to become a Physician?

Me: (silent grown in my head). I believe that....(Similar responses to the first question), and my previous experiences with tutoring my peers at my University also really helped to realize that I loved working with people.

Physician: Oh, really? Why don't you tell me about your work as a peer tutor?

It goes something like that..it pretty much worked, and I don't think the guy was pissed.

Hope that helps!

 

[Spudds]

Consistency

If they ask the same question in different words, respond with the same answer in different words.

 

[orient03]

Tell me to suck it and to stop wasting your time with repetitive questions...

J/k...

That kind of thing happened to me; I just answered their question, but near the end I tried to segue into something that still pertained to the general topic of the question posed, but lead into something else with your response. I think mine went something like this:

Bald & Smelly Physician [after asking me the first question of "Why do you want to be a Physician?]: Interesting, so what lead down the reasoning of wanting to become a Physician?

Me: (silent grown in my head). I believe that....(Similar responses to the first question), and my previous experiences with tutoring my peers at my University also really helped to realize that I loved working with people.

Physician: Oh, really? Why don't you tell me about your work as a peer tutor?

It goes something like that..it pretty much worked, and I don't think the guy was pissed.

Hope that helps!

That's pretty good.

 

[Bartelby]

Tell me to suck it and to stop wasting your time with repetitive questions...