What motivates you?

Personal Attributes

Purpose

This question helps interviewers understand what drives you and if your motivations align with the demands of a residency. They want to see if your passion and commitment are sustainable.

Tips

  • Be authentic and personal. Share what genuinely drives you.
  • Mention motivations that align with being a compassionate doctor, like patient care or love of learning.
  • Use a short story or example to illustrate your motivation in action.

Common mistakes

  • Avoid focusing on external motivators like prestige or money.
  • Don't give a generic answer like 'I like to help people' without depth.
  • Steer clear of sounding self-centered or overly ambitious without mentioning patient care.