What should you do/what did you do if you got asked a really hard interview question?

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Mhines24

Mhines24

Full Member
7+ Year Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2015
Messages
89
Reaction score
26
Members don't see this ad.
I'm just curious if anyone has gotten a question at interviews that caught them completely off guard and if they just had to make up something just to answer the question? What should you do in that situation?
 
You literally have to be prepared for anything. Just be genuine and honest. I'm sure I got asked strange questions, but I don't even remember any of my interview questions specifically because I treated them like conversations.
 
Be honest. I got asked how I fit the mission statement of the school and didn't know what the mission statement was. What worked for me was that was literally the only thing I didn't look up and I made sure to drop other bits of knowledge about the program in future responses. They ended up telling me at the end that they were impressed by how much research I did.

If possible, ask them to elaborate. Depending on the format of the interview, they may or may not be able to.
 
I'm not sure if you can prepare for every question. Of course know your application, experience, and motivation. But if they throw a curve ball be calm and honest.."you know, Dr.X that's a very good question. This particular Y hasn't been my experience but I would do Z under this circumstance".
 
I don't really recall running into any questions that were hard to answer.
If I didn't have knowledge about the topic being asked I would just say "I have no idea", rather than running the risk of sounding like an idiot coming up with some BS.
 
You stand up, walk towards them, and look deeply into their eyes.

Don't do anything else though. You don't want to risk the chances of getting rejected.
 
You think fast and spin the answer in a positive light. If they ask you about mission statement and you don't know, just be honest and say you don't know.

This other girl in the lobby told us that they asked her about the mission statement, and I was still waiting to be interviewed. She said she knew it and told us it was "serving the underserved," so I said that when I was asked. I thought I nailed that interview, so I looked up the mission statement afterwards and it was completely off.

I played myself. Waitlisted. :joyful:
 
Dr. AV said:
You think fast and spin the answer in a positive light. If they ask you about mission statement and you don't know, just be honest and say you don't know.

This other girl in the lobby told us that they asked her about the mission statement, and I was still waiting to be interviewed. She said she knew it and told us it was "serving the underserved," so I said that when I was asked. I thought I nailed that interview, so I looked up the mission statement afterwards and it was completely off.

I played myself. Waitlisted. :joyful:
Click to expand...

Don't be mad...you possibly just avoided 4 yrs with a gunner.
 
Dr. AV said:
You think fast and spin the answer in a positive light. If they ask you about mission statement and you don't know, just be honest and say you don't know.

This other girl in the lobby told us that they asked her about the mission statement, and I was still waiting to be interviewed. She said she knew it and told us it was "serving the underserved," so I said that when I was asked. I thought I nailed that interview, so I looked up the mission statement afterwards and it was completely off.

I played myself. Waitlisted. :joyful:
Click to expand...
Crying.

I was one of the first out from my interview at MWU AZ. When I noticed other people coming out looking like they experienced WWIII, I told them that I didn't know the mission statement either. So many sighs of relief hahaha
 
I got asked about current issues in healthcare, which in hindsight is a question I really should've prepared for. I kind of fumbled through it with whatever I could remember, but I could tell the interviewer wasn't impressed.

...still got in!
 
I got asked what are the benefits and disadvantages of working in a group and working solo. It definitely threw me off.
 
Got asked who was the first person that comes to mind if I could sit with anyone in history in a plane. First and second people were less than reputable. Third was JK Rowling. There was a 10 second pause; the interviewer could tell I didn't choose the first name. Result: waitlisted.
 
pgex2t said:
Got asked who was the first person that comes to mind if I could sit with anyone in history in a plane. First and second people were less than reputable. Third was JK Rowling. There was a 10 second pause; the interviewer could tell I didn't choose the first name. Result: waitlisted.
Click to expand...
I'm trying to think of a good answer to that but all I can think of is whether or not the person from history will understand what 21st century technology is or if I will drag some poor person onto a plane who has idea what it is and scare the hell out of them. Like if I just all of a sudden grabbed someone like Hippocrates out of 300-400bc and threw him on a plane. His reaction would be great.

I'd probably be wait listed too
 
fogorvostan said:
Crying.

I was one of the first out from my interview at MWU AZ. When I noticed other people coming out looking like they experienced WWIII, I told them that I didn't know the mission statement either. So many sighs of relief hahaha
Click to expand...

Did you interview in early October?
 
I decided to do as much research as I could and just know the answers to the basic questions like why our school, or why dentistry.
I could sit and try to rehearse answers all day long, but in the end, the interviewer is much better at interviewing than we are. I'm sure they can smell some canned response a mile away (ie: "my greatest weakness is I work TOO hard").
Be honest, be confident, and just tell the truth.
Just don't be an arrogant jerk or carry a sense of entitlement. They hate that crap.
 
pgex2t said:
Got asked who was the first person that comes to mind if I could sit with anyone in history in a plane. First and second people were less than reputable. Third was JK Rowling. There was a 10 second pause; the interviewer could tell I didn't choose the first name. Result: waitlisted.
Click to expand...

OMG I wish I get asked this!!!

1. Barack Obama
2. Ulysses S. Grant
3. Andrew Jackson

Also, who were the first and second people you wrote? I'M CURIOUS NOW!
 
Incis0r said:
OMG I wish I get asked this!!!

1. Barack Obama
2. Ulysses S. Grant
3. Andrew Jackson

Also, who were the first and second people you wrote? I'M CURIOUS NOW!
Click to expand...

To put it subtely...I played a riveting game of cards against humanity the night prior. The 2 that came into mind had strong influences on many of the cards. They were not good people.
 
this reminds me a one interview that I was asked an ethical question where I found out that friend had an older test from last year.
Will you report to the professor? He's your best friend.

I went on to say that I would advise him not to use it, so on and so forth. The interviewer kept coming back with so are you going to report him or not.
I couldn't tell him I would because in real life, I don't think I would be able to do that to my best friend. Best I could do is stop him from cheating, and let the professor know that there is a test floating out in the wild. Interviewer kept coming with the follow up "so will you report him"

In the end, I gave up and said "eventually, I will if he doesn't give up using the old test"

I knew that was a trap...!!
 
nateriver said:
I was asked what my best quality is and when I said I'm really honest, they said what would you do if your best friend is cheating on an exam, I said id encourage him not to cheat, but was honest in that I wouldn't throw him under the bus and rat him out, you just need to be honest in your responses, I feel thats respectable, nyu was the school that asked me that btw, my worst interview honestly, I mean I got in but still
Click to expand...
1passbbsSHAVE said:
this reminds me a one interview that I was asked an ethical question where I found out that friend had an older test from last year.
Will you report to the professor? He's your best friend.

I went on to say that I would advise him not to use it, so on and so forth. The interviewer kept coming back with so are you going to report him or not.
I couldn't tell him I would because in real life, I don't think I would be able to do that to my best friend. Best I could do is stop him from cheating, and let the professor know that there is a test floating out in the wild. Interviewer kept coming with the follow up "so will you report him"

In the end, I gave up and said "eventually, I will if he doesn't give up using the old test"

I knew that was a trap...!!
Click to expand...
teacher-asked-me-to-turn-in-my-essay.jpg
 
nateriver said:
they can't penalize you for being honest lol, its a loaded question, personally, I couldn't live with myself if I betrayed my best friend, he's like a brother to me, and I really am honest, so I feel like my response shows how honest I really am, the fact that I stuck to my convictions and was straight up in my response is a credit to my commitment to being true and honest to myself
Click to expand...

I thought similarly so I couldn't just lie and said "I will turn him in because that's the right thing to do"
But he was persistent! He wanted me to say that I will turn him in. Dwelled on that one question for 10 minutes.
Probably not directly because of it, but got waitlisted.
 
Scumbag_Steve said:
1. Roger Casement
2. Abraham Lincoln
3. Alexander Hamilton
Click to expand...

I change my vote. I am willing to trade away the chance to meet with the three people I previously mentioned in exchange for the chance to meet with one man. The great Marcus Licinius Crassus!
 
1passbbsSHAVE said:
this reminds me a one interview that I was asked an ethical question where I found out that friend had an older test from last year.
Will you report to the professor? He's your best friend.

I went on to say that I would advise him not to use it, so on and so forth. The interviewer kept coming back with so are you going to report him or not.
I couldn't tell him I would because in real life, I don't think I would be able to do that to my best friend. Best I could do is stop him from cheating, and let the professor know that there is a test floating out in the wild. Interviewer kept coming with the follow up "so will you report him"

In the end, I gave up and said "eventually, I will if he doesn't give up using the old test"

I knew that was a trap...!!
Click to expand...
That's a tough question obviously. Me personally, I would tell him to turn himself in within 48 hours or I will have to. I would ALSO quietly tell someone else what's going on just to cover my butt. I've worked way too hard to get where I am (at that point), and someone who is truly my friend would not jeopardize my future. My family is my priority.
The reason I would quietly tell someone else is because my "friend" might get spooked and try to turn in the exam and say that I WAS THE ONE who had it to save their own necks. If they're not above cheating, who's to say they're not above doing something like that? I would just need someone to corroborate my side of the story.
OR I would turn him in right away, but let the professor know that I gave my 'friend' the opportunity to do the right thing. This way I'm covering my butt, but hopefully I am giving this friend the possibility that the school will show leniency on him/her for making the right choice. Plus if they decide to turn on me, the professor already knows the truth.

It's not a cut and dry situation, and unfortunately I am not willing to throw away my life for someone who did not respect me enough to put my family and I in that position. I would take academic probation over academic dishonesty any day, because the latter is more indicative of character.
 
schmoob said:
That's a tough question obviously. Me personally, I would tell him to turn himself in within 48 hours or I will have to. I would ALSO quietly tell someone else what's going on just to cover my butt. I've worked way too hard to get where I am (at that point), and someone who is truly my friend would not jeopardize my future. My family is my priority.
The reason I would quietly tell someone else is because my "friend" might get spooked and try to turn in the exam and say that I WAS THE ONE who had it to save their own necks. If they're not above cheating, who's to say they're not above doing something like that? I would just need someone to corroborate my side of the story.
OR I would turn him in right away, but let the professor know that I gave my 'friend' the opportunity to do the right thing. This way I'm covering my butt, but hopefully I am giving this friend the possibility that the school will show leniency on him/her for making the right choice. Plus if they decide to turn on me, the professor already knows the truth.

It's not a cut and dry situation, and unfortunately I am not willing to throw away my life for someone who did not respect me enough to put my family and I in that position. I would take academic probation over academic dishonesty any day, because the latter is more indicative of character.
Click to expand...

This is an interesting question, personally I would straight up tell them there are things that are much more important in life than a dental school test and maintaining relationships with my close friends and family is one of those things and therefore I would advise them not to use the test but I could NEVER rat out my best friend like that.
 
Mhines24 said:
This is an interesting question, personally I would straight up tell them there are things that are much more important in life than a dental school test and maintaining relationships with my close friends and family is one of those things and therefore I would advise them not to use the test but I could NEVER rat out my best friend like that.
Click to expand...

but they might be expecting you to do the right thing and value integrity over short term success. I agree that it is a tough question and also a trap question.
No matter how I tried to snake myself out of the question, it was always followed up by "so will you report him" like he had to hear me say it. If I flat out said "I will rat out my friend because that's the right thing to do" that would also sound like a lie.
 
1passbbsSHAVE said:
but they might be expecting you to do the right thing and value integrity over short term success. I agree that it is a tough question and also a trap question.
No matter how I tried to snake myself out of the question, it was always followed up by "so will you report him" like he had to hear me say it. If I flat out said "I will rat out my friend because that's the right thing to do" that would also sound like a lie.
Click to expand...
I think they want to you ultimately say you will report the cheating individual. That's the vibe I've always received.
 
1passbbsSHAVE said:
but they might be expecting you to do the right thing and value integrity over short term success. I agree that it is a tough question and also a trap question.
No matter how I tried to snake myself out of the question, it was always followed up by "so will you report him" like he had to hear me say it. If I flat out said "I will rat out my friend because that's the right thing to do" that would also sound like a lie.
Click to expand...

That's true but in the end if they didn't understand my decision not to rat out my best friend then that's not a school that I would want to go to
 
At an interview last year I was asked, "What's been your best idea?".
I paused to think for 30 seconds, rambled for another 45 seconds, and cried internally for another few minutes


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app
 
RIPCombo said:
At an interview last year I was asked, "What's been your best idea?".
I paused to think for 30 seconds, rambled for another 45 seconds, and cried internally for another few minutes


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app
Click to expand...

oh wow that's brutal
 
RIPCombo said:
At an interview last year I was asked, "What's been your best idea?".
I paused to think for 30 seconds, rambled for another 45 seconds, and cried internally for another few minutes


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app
Click to expand...
What does that even mean?
 
Mhines24 said:
This is an interesting question, personally I would straight up tell them there are things that are much more important in life than a dental school test and maintaining relationships with my close friends and family is one of those things and therefore I would advise them not to use the test but I could NEVER rat out my best friend like that.
Click to expand...
That makes you guilty by association. Its more than just a test. Their concern is if you are willing to compromise your integrity for an exam, what other moral/ethical issues are you willing to bend or break once you have a dental license?
 
schmoob said:
That makes you guilty by association. Its more than just a test. Their concern is if you are willing to compromise your integrity for an exam, what other moral/ethical issues are you willing to bend or break once you have a dental license?
Click to expand...

that is most definitely where they were heading. Everyone knows the correct answer, just can't say it without being a hypocrite.
 
1passbbsSHAVE said:
that is most definitely where they were heading. Everyone knows the correct answer, just can't say it without being a hypocrite.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure what you're saying. Are you saying that most wouldn't rat out their friend? It's not that simple man. It's a double edged sword; in the end you're either a rat or a cheater, and it's all your "friends" fault. They made a poor choice, then chose to get you involved and jeopardize everything you've ever worked for.
Now let's say you keep your mouth shut, and as a result get caught and in trouble. Can you imagine the resentment you will have for that friend? That friendship will end along with your dental career.
 
schmoob said:
I'm not sure what you're saying. Are you saying that most wouldn't rat out their friend? It's not that simple man. It's a double edged sword; in the end you're either a rat or a cheater, and it's all your "friends" fault. They made a poor choice, then chose to get you involved and jeopardize everything you've ever worked for.
Now let's say you keep your mouth shut, and as a result get caught and in trouble. Can you imagine the resentment you will have for that friend? That friendship will end along with your dental career.
Click to expand...

what I am saying is the answer they want is pretty clear. What's difficult is asserting that you will be ratting out your friend no questions asked. Like you said, maybe it is a double edge sword, if you say you will rat out a friend, they might counter you with "so you are going to do that to your best friend? why?"

I am just saying I couldn't say "I will rat out my friend" out of clear conscience because that isn't going to happen. I will talk him out of it, or try to stop him in another way, but not by ratting him out and ruining his life. That's just me. There might be other who wouldn't feel opposed to ratting out a friend and be done with it.
 
schmoob said:
I'm not sure what you're saying. Are you saying that most wouldn't rat out their friend? It's not that simple man. It's a double edged sword; in the end you're either a rat or a cheater, and it's all your "friends" fault. They made a poor choice, then chose to get you involved and jeopardize everything you've ever worked for.
Now let's say you keep your mouth shut, and as a result get caught and in trouble. Can you imagine the resentment you will have for that friend? That friendship will end along with your dental career.
Click to expand...
Agree with ya
 
fogorvostan said:
Be honest. I got asked how I fit the mission statement of the school and didn't know what the mission statement was. What worked for me was that was literally the only thing I didn't look up and I made sure to drop other bits of knowledge about the program in future responses. They ended up telling me at the end that they were impressed by how much research I did.

If possible, ask them to elaborate. Depending on the format of the interview, they may or may not be able to.
Click to expand...

MWU-AZ? Lol.
I recited the mission statement like a boss. They were like unbelievable, bla bla, we appreciate your time doing such throrough research. The D2 in the room couldnt take his eyes off me the entire remaining of the interview. Just saying.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

emilia112
what do i do applying medical and dental schools?
Replies
5
Views
576
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
M
What should I do? Very low GPA High DAT
Replies
8
Views
888
macsak
M
M
How to answer "what other interviews do you have?" in an interview?
Replies
1
Views
1K
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
PHscale73
  • Question Question
What should I do in my last semester of college?
Replies
6
Views
1K
Ryxndek
Ryxndek
D
Shadowers: What do you want from me?
Replies
4
Views
860
Chief's Pineapple
Chief's Pineapple
Top