20 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to public health and safety, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is one of the most important organizations in the United States. CDC employees work tirelessly to protect Americans from health threats, both big and small.

If you’re interested in working for the CDC, you’ll need to ace your interview. In this guide, we’ll give you an overview of the CDC and some tips on how to prepare for your interview. We’ll also provide a list of CDC interview questions and answers so you can get an idea of what to expect.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Interview Process

The interview process at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one in-person interview. For some positions, like the Public Health Associate Program (PHAP) Fellow, there may be multiple rounds of interviews. The initial round may be a phone screen, followed by an in-person panel interview. For other positions, like the Real Interview, you may only have one in-person interview.

Overall, the interview process is fairly standard. You can expect to be asked questions about your experience, skills, and qualifications. For some positions, like the Epidemiologist, you may also be asked technical questions about your area of expertise. The interviewers will be looking to see if you are a good fit for the position and the CDC as an organization.

One thing to keep in mind is that the CDC is a large government organization. As such, the hiring process can take several months to complete. So, if you are applying for a position at the CDC, be prepared for a long wait.

1. What is your experience working with confidential data?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention handles confidential data, so the interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience handling sensitive information. Use examples from your past job that show you can keep important information private.

Example: “In my current position as a medical records technician, I am responsible for maintaining patient confidentiality. For example, if a doctor calls me with questions about a patient’s record, I cannot give them any details without their permission. In addition, I have access to patients’ personal health information, which requires me to maintain strict privacy protocols.”

2. How would you handle an uncooperative interviewee in a public health study?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to work with others. Use examples from past experiences where you had to collaborate with a group of people or individuals who were uncooperative in completing their tasks.

Example: “In my last position, I worked on a public health study that required us to interview residents about the quality of their water supply. One resident was very uncooperative when we asked him questions about his water supply. He refused to answer our questions and even threatened to call the police if we didn’t leave his property immediately. I remained calm and explained to him that we were conducting a study for the CDC. Eventually, he agreed to answer our questions.”

3. Why are you the best person for this job?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have the skills and experience necessary for this role. When answering, make sure to highlight any relevant qualifications or experiences you have that are related to this position.

Example: “I am the best person for this job because of my extensive background in public health. I’ve worked as a nurse for over ten years now, and I’m very passionate about helping others stay healthy. In my current role, I work with children who have special needs, which has given me valuable insight into how to help those who may be struggling. This knowledge will help me provide better care to patients.”

4. How do you think social determinants of health affect disease control?

The CDC is responsible for protecting the health of Americans, and this question helps hiring managers understand how you think about public health. Use your answer to show that you have a strong understanding of social determinants of health and how they affect disease control.

Example: “I believe that social determinants of health are one of the most important factors in preventing disease. For example, I worked with a family whose child had asthma. The parents were very concerned because their son’s symptoms seemed to be getting worse. We talked about his diet and exercise routine, and we learned that he was eating fast food every day after school. He also wasn’t exercising as much as he used to. After talking with him about these issues, we helped him find healthier alternatives to both his diet and exercise routines.”

5. Do you have any experience using SAS, STATA or SPSS?

The CDC uses these software programs to analyze data and create reports. If you have experience using them, explain how they helped you in your previous role.

Example: “I used SAS at my last job as a data analyst for the state government. I was responsible for analyzing data from various sources to help determine which areas of the state needed more resources. The STATA and SPSS software were also helpful when I worked with other analysts to compare different sets of data.”

6. Tell me about a time when you had to overcome challenges and how did you deal with them?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you can overcome challenges. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the steps you took to solve the issue or challenge and what you learned from it.

Example: “When I first started working at my current job, there was an outbreak of a disease that we had never seen before. We were unsure of how to treat it and prevent it from spreading. After researching the disease for several days, we found out that the best way to prevent the spread of the disease was by isolating those who contracted it. This helped us contain the disease and prevented further outbreaks.”

7. What do you know about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It also allows you to show that you have done some research on the organization before applying for the position. To answer this question, it can be helpful to list out what you know about the CDC in bullet points or short sentences.

Example: “I know that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was founded in 1946 by President Harry S. Truman. The CDC’s main goal is to protect America from health and safety threats. I also know that the CDC has six different centers that work together to achieve its goals.”

8. Do you consider yourself a team player?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a large organization that requires employees to work together. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your ability to collaborate with others. To answer, think of a time when you worked well with a team. Explain what made the experience successful.

Example: “I consider myself a very collaborative person. In my last role as an epidemiologist, I was part of a team that investigated outbreaks in different areas of the country. We would meet regularly to discuss our findings and compare notes. This helped us find patterns in the data we collected and solve the outbreak faster.”

9. Provide examples of quantitative research projects that you have worked on.

The CDC requires its employees to have a strong background in research and data analysis. This question allows the interviewer to assess your ability to conduct complex projects that require you to analyze large amounts of information, interpret results and present conclusions.

Example: “In my last position as an epidemiologist for the state health department, I was tasked with analyzing public records on birth defects within certain counties. My team and I analyzed thousands of pages of medical records and conducted interviews with families who had children born with birth defects. We used this information to determine which areas were at risk for higher rates of birth defects and developed strategies to reduce these risks.”

10. Describe what you believe makes a good leader.

The CDC is a large organization with many employees. As such, it requires strong leadership skills to ensure the team works together effectively and efficiently. A good leader should be able to motivate their team members while also being approachable.

Example: “I believe that a good leader must have integrity and honesty. They need to be someone who can inspire others to do their best work by setting an example themselves. I am always willing to help my coworkers when they need assistance or advice. I think this makes me a good leader because I care about the success of everyone on our team.”

11. What do you know about epidemiology?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the field and how you can apply it in your future role. When answering this question, make sure to highlight any specific skills or experiences that relate to epidemiology.

Example: “Epidemiology is the study of disease patterns and causes. I have been studying epidemiology for years now, and my research has led me to understand how important it is to identify diseases as soon as possible so we can develop effective prevention methods. In my last position, I was able to use my knowledge of epidemiology to help create an early warning system for outbreaks.”

12. We look for people who take initiative, can you give us an example where you took it upon yourself to accomplish something at work without being asked to by your manager?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to take initiative. It also shows that you are comfortable asking for help when needed.

Example: “At my current job, I noticed that the printer was out of paper more often than not. This made it difficult for employees to print documents or emails they needed to complete their work. So, I took it upon myself to order extra reams of paper so we would never run out again.”

13. If hired, what interests you most about this position?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have done your research on this position and are excited about it. Use examples from the job description to explain why you’re a good fit for this role.

Example: “I am most interested in working with the CDC because of its mission to protect America’s health and safety. I believe my background as a public health nurse makes me a great candidate for this role, especially since I’ve worked with many different populations and understand how to communicate effectively with people from all backgrounds.”

14. Have you had experience handling sensitive information?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention handles sensitive information, so the interviewer may ask this question to see if you can keep confidential information safe. Use your answer to show that you understand the importance of keeping information private.

Example: “I have worked with sensitive information in my previous role as a medical records technician. I was responsible for maintaining patient confidentiality at all times, which meant I could not discuss any details about patients or their conditions with anyone outside of the department. This experience has prepared me for working at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention because I know how important it is to protect confidential information.”

15. Would you feel comfortable making calls from home to complete surveys?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may ask you to complete surveys from home. This is because the organization wants to make sure that its employees are comfortable with this type of work environment. When answering this question, explain why you would be willing to do this.

Example: “I am happy to complete calls from home as long as I have a quiet place to work. I find that I can focus better when I’m not in an office setting. In my last position, I was asked to complete some phone surveys at home. I found it easy to get into the right mindset and complete these surveys.”

16. What is one thing you would change about the CDC if you were put in charge?

This question is a way for the interviewer to get an idea of your leadership skills and how you would approach change. Your answer should show that you are open to new ideas, but also highlight some of the things you appreciate about working at CDC.

Example: “I think one thing I would change about the CDC is the amount of time it takes to receive feedback on projects. It can take up to six months or more to hear back from supervisors on whether our work was successful or if we need to make changes. I would like to see this process shortened so employees can learn what they did well and what areas they need to improve sooner.”

17. Can you describe a time when you tried to persuade someone, how was the outcome?

This question is a great way to show your communication skills and how you can persuade others. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the steps you took to convince someone of something and what the outcome was.

Example: “When I worked as an environmental engineer for a small company, my team and I were tasked with creating a plan to reduce our carbon footprint by 20% within one year. At first, some members of my team weren’t sure if we could meet that goal, so I suggested we start by reducing our energy consumption by 10%. After implementing those changes, we found ways to save even more energy than we thought possible. We ended up saving 30% in just six months.”

18. What is your experience with developing survey questions?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention uses surveys to collect information from the public about their health, lifestyle and behaviors. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your survey-taking experience and how you can apply it to your work at CDC. In your answer, explain what steps you take when creating a survey and highlight any specific skills or knowledge that will help you in this process.

Example: “I have worked with many different types of surveys throughout my career. I understand the importance of asking questions that are clear and concise so respondents can provide accurate answers. When developing a new survey, I first create an outline of all the questions I want to include. Then, I review each question multiple times to ensure its accuracy and clarity.”

19. Do you have any experience analyzing large datasets?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention uses data to help them understand the health of Americans. They want employees who can analyze large datasets quickly and accurately. When answering this question, explain your experience with analyzing large amounts of data. Explain how you used that data to make important decisions.

Example: “At my previous job, I worked on a team that analyzed large amounts of data every day. We would look at all kinds of different data points, including age, gender, race, location and more. We would use these data sets to determine which populations were most at risk for certain diseases or conditions. This information helped us create programs and initiatives to protect those populations.”

20. Are you familiar with healthcare software programs and applications?

The CDC uses a variety of software programs and applications to complete their work. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience using these types of programs in your previous roles. If you do, share examples of how you used them effectively. If you don’t have experience with these programs, explain that you are open to learning new systems and processes.

Example: “I am familiar with some healthcare software programs and applications. In my last role as an epidemiologist, I worked on several projects where we used the Epic EHR system. This system helped us organize our data and information so we could analyze it efficiently. It also allowed us to communicate with other departments within the hospital more easily.”