Tell me about a time you had a positive experience whilst working with a colleague.

ExperienceTeamwork

Purpose

This question checks how well you get along with others and build positive work relationships. They want to see if you can create a good vibe with your peers, which is super important in residency teams.

Tips

  • Pick a story where you and a colleague worked well together and had a positive outcome.
  • Use the STAR-L method: Situation, Task, Action, Result, and Lessons Learned.
  • Highlight what you learned from the experience and how it helped you grow.

Common mistakes

  • Don't be vague. Saying 'everything went smoothly' without details doesn't cut it.
  • Avoid taking all the credit or blaming others. Show teamwork and accountability.
  • Don't skip the reflection part. Share what you learned from the experience.

Background

Use STAR-L to structure responses to questions about your experiences: -Situation: Briefly set the scene - where/when and what was going on? -Task: What was your specific role or challenge in that situation? -Action: What you did - focus on your steps, decisions, and contributions. -Result: Share the outcome - ideally positive or meaningful. -Lessons Learned: Reflect on what you took away and how you’ve grown.