What kind of questions to ask in an interview

[dentaldoctor]

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So, I have an interview at UNE next week and I was told to ask a few questions during your interview to the interviewer. Since this is a new school, there are no graduates from there. I am not sure what to ask the interviewer. I was going to ask "where do students tend to practice after they graduate" or "how do students tend to do on the board exams", but its their first year so I can't ask that question. Please give some feedback

 

[Ferneezy]

think about what's important to you (whether it be aspects about the curriculum, community service opportunities, or early clinical exposure, etc.)...then ask about that.

make them work to impress you enough to want to attend their school.

 

[squigloo]

How about any concerns with it being a brand new school?

 

[sgv]

edit = meh

 

[sgv]

"how do students tend to do on the board exams"

interviewer at every dental school: "uhhh...they pass?"

Boards are pass fail.

 

[Teeths]

interviewer at every dental school: "uhhh...they pass?"

Boards are pass fail.

Instead you can just reword it and ask what the pass rates are for the board exams... 😀

 

[jeffity]

It's kind of a weird courtship game. You have to keep it positive...a defensive interviewer sours the atmosphere. You're almost softballing some questions so you can get them to tell you how awesome they are while you nod in enthusiastic agreement like you're hearing something you didn't already know.

 

[sjv]

What do you consider the strongest aspects of the school?

What would you change?

 

[AlbinoPolarBear]

Why should I pick you guys out of all the dental schools?

 

[Okilito]

It's best if you ask no questions. It will make them think you know everything.

Really, if you don't know what to ask during a conversation it is probably best not to ask anything. That way you can at least avoid instigating awkward responses. Most of the time my questions are based on the conversation i am having with an interviewer. You will not only sound less scripted but it will show that you can engage in conversation. They will no doubt advertise certain things that they are proud of so it is best to expand upon those topics because that will most likely lead to a constructive conversation.

 

[Luna724]

It's kind of a weird courtship game. You have to keep it positive...a defensive interviewer sours the atmosphere. You're almost softballing some questions so you can get them to tell you how awesome they are while you nod in enthusiastic agreement like you're hearing something you didn't already know.

This. Make them deliver their business speech about how good their schools are.

 

[trisigmagirl]

.

 

[jeffity]

This thread is really helpful! Spinning off of this:

How many questions should I prepare to ask my interviewer?

Is 3-5 good or is it too many?

Play it by ear. Just come prepared, I guess. One time the interviewer asked "so what other questions do you have" or "ask us anything" like five times. That got awkward for the applicant who knew a current student and so she knew a ton about the school already and had exhausted her generic questions. I'd have 3-5 ready.That sounds good. I didn't carry anything with me when I interviewed, but I'm seeing that having questions written down isn't a bad idea if you're given the floor for questions.

 

[SE86]

If you have an honest question, ask it:

What is the one thing that, if you could, you would change about the school?

(Nobody is perfect, and neither is any school out there)...

Why should I pay $100k more than the state school? Whatcha got that is worth 100k?

If you were a hot dog, would you eat yourself?

I could go on.......

But seriously, if you have a question, its better to have it answered then to find out later and be 100k in debt after the 1st year if the answer could be a deal breaker.....

 

[teal14]

I would be careful not to make them feel as if they have to defend the school or prove themselves to you in any way. If you're genuinely interested in the program, display that interest through some questions.

 

[stomatology]

So a bunch of you are essentially saying to pander to the interviewer's pride in the school and not to ask honest questions one may have about the program that might in any way be perceived as critical of the school?

 

[ktran17]

I was honest with my interviewer and said I didn't have too many questions about the curriculum because I got most of my questions answered by the dental students that were eating lunch with us. Instead, I used this opportunity to talk about the area and what it had to offer. My interviewer just laughed and we just got into this discussion about different cuts of steak.. 🙂

 

[hellopeople]

UNE? Did any other new schools open up this year? Not intended to derail the thread - a single response would be wonderful.

 

[Papasmurf1234]

If you were a hot dog, would you eat yourself?

Def gonna use that one. And so should everyone else.

 

[Teeths]

If you have an honest question, ask it:

What is the one thing that, if you could, you would change about the school?

(Nobody is perfect, and neither is any school out there)...

Why should I pay $100k more than the state school? Whatcha got that is worth 100k?

If you were a hot dog, would you eat yourself?

I could go on.......

But seriously, if you have a question, its better to have it answered then to find out later and be 100k in debt after the 1st year if the answer could be a deal breaker.....

😆