17 Health Advisor Interview Questions and Answers

Health advisors are responsible for providing information and advice to patients on a range of health-related topics. They may work in a hospital, clinic, or doctor’s office, or they may be employed by a health insurance company. No matter where they work, health advisors need to be able to answer patients’ questions and help them make informed decisions about their health.

If you’re interested in becoming a health advisor, you’ll need to go through a job interview. During the interview, you’ll be asked a variety of questions about your education, experience, and skills. You’ll also be asked questions about your ability to handle difficult situations and deal with patients.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample health advisor interview questions and answers.

Are you comfortable working with a variety of people?

Working as a health advisor can involve working with many different types of people. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the interpersonal skills necessary for the job. In your answer, explain that you enjoy interacting with all kinds of people. Explain that you are willing to learn about their unique needs and preferences.

Example: “I love working with all sorts of people. I find it very rewarding when I am able to help someone who is struggling. I feel like my personality is well-suited to helping others. I am always eager to meet new people and hear their stories. I think I would be an excellent fit for this role because I am so passionate about helping others.”

What are some of the most important skills for a health advisor?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your skills and abilities as a health advisor. They want to know what you think are the most important skills for this role, so they can see if you have them. When answering this question, it can be helpful to list several skills that you feel are essential for this job. You can also explain why these skills are important.

Example: “I believe some of the most important skills for a health advisor include excellent communication skills, problem-solving skills and attention to detail. As a health advisor, I would need to communicate with patients on a regular basis. This means I would need strong communication skills to help me understand their needs and answer any questions they might have. I would also need to pay close attention to details when working with patients. For example, I would need to make sure I am entering all information into the computer accurately.

How would you handle a situation where you disagree with a patient or client?

As a health advisor, you may encounter situations where your advice or treatment plan differs from that of your patient. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle these types of situations professionally and respectfully. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to listen to the patient’s concerns and find a compromise solution.

Example: “If I disagree with a patient, I first want to make sure they understand why I am recommending what I am. If they still disagree, I will do my best to hear them out and explain why I feel the way I do. I will also offer to refer them to another professional if they would prefer someone else.”

What is your experience with working with patients who have chronic illnesses?

When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific chronic illness you have worked with in the past and how you helped that patient. This can show the interviewer your experience working with patients who may need more support than others.

Example: “I once had a patient who was diagnosed with diabetes when they were young. They came into my office every six months for their checkup, but I also spoke with them over the phone between appointments if they needed advice or help managing their symptoms. The patient told me that talking to me on the phone made them feel less alone because many of their friends didn’t understand what living with diabetes is like.”

Provide an example of a time when you provided guidance that led to a positive change in a patient or client.

This question can help interviewers learn more about your counseling skills and how you’ve helped others in the past. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you helped someone overcome an obstacle or achieve their goals.

Example: “When I was working as a health advisor at my previous job, I had a client who came to me for advice on losing weight. After talking with her, I learned that she wanted to lose weight so she could feel better about herself and have more energy. She also told me that she didn’t want to give up eating foods she enjoyed. We talked about different ways she could eat healthier while still enjoying her favorite meals.

After following my advice, she lost 10 pounds within two months. She said she felt much better about herself and had more energy than ever before.”

If a patient or client asked you for advice on how to lose weight, what would be your first suggestion?

This question can help interviewers understand your approach to helping clients lose weight. It can also show them how you might handle a client who is struggling with their weight and looking for advice on how to improve it. In your answer, try to explain what steps you would recommend someone take to lose weight in an effective way.

Example: “I would first ask the patient or client about their current diet and exercise routine. I’d want to know if they are eating healthy foods and exercising regularly. If they aren’t, I’d encourage them to start doing both of these things before suggesting any other changes. Once they have started eating healthier and exercising more, I would suggest that they find ways to make small changes to their diet and exercise routine each week. This will help them see results over time.”

What would you do if a patient or client refused to follow your advice?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle challenging situations. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to take the time to educate patients or clients and encourage them to make positive changes in their lives.

Example: “I would first ask why they refused my advice. If it’s because of cost, I would do everything I could to find a solution that worked for them. For example, if they couldn’t afford medication, I might offer to write a prescription for generic drugs instead of brand-name ones. If they didn’t want to change their diet, I would explain the benefits of eating healthier foods and provide resources for more information.”

How well do you understand the health care system and its limitations?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of the health care system and how you can work within its limitations. Use examples from past experiences to show that you understand the challenges of working in a complex health care system.

Example: “I have worked as a health advisor for over five years, so I am familiar with the current state of our health care system. However, I also know that there are many factors beyond my control when it comes to providing advice to patients. For example, I once had a patient who was looking for alternative treatments for her cancer. While I could provide information on different treatment options, I couldn’t recommend any specific course of action because she didn’t qualify for clinical trials.”

Do you have experience working with children?

Employers may ask this question to see if you have experience working with patients of all ages. They want to make sure that you can relate to children and their parents, as well as other adults. In your answer, share a story about how you worked with a child in the past. Explain what steps you took to ensure they had an enjoyable appointment.

Example: “I do have experience working with children. When I was in college, I volunteered at a pediatric hospital. There, I helped sick children feel better by reading them stories or playing games with them. I also talked to their parents about ways to help their kids get through treatment. It’s important for parents to know there are things they can do to support their children.”

When providing dietary advice, what is your approach?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your dietary advice process. They want to know how you apply your knowledge of nutrition and food science to help clients make healthy eating choices. In your answer, describe the steps you take when helping a client develop a diet plan or choose healthier foods.

Example: “I always start by asking my client what their current diet looks like. I find that it’s important to understand their typical meal plans and favorite foods before making recommendations for change. From there, I assess their goals and preferences to create a personalized diet plan. For example, if they are looking to lose weight, I might suggest cutting back on certain types of fats or carbohydrates. If they have specific health concerns, such as diabetes or heart disease, I will recommend a diet that meets those needs.”

We want to improve our outreach to local communities. What ideas do you have to help us reach more people?

This question can help interviewers understand your creativity and problem-solving skills. Use examples from previous experiences to show how you helped a company or organization reach more people.

Example: “I worked with a nonprofit that wanted to increase its outreach to the community. We started by surveying our current members, which showed us what they liked about the organization and what we could improve. From there, we created an outreach plan that included social media campaigns, public service announcements on local radio stations and advertisements in local newspapers. The outreach campaign increased our membership by 20% within six months.”

Describe your experience with using computer software for data entry and record keeping.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your computer skills and how you use them in the workplace. If you have experience using specific software, describe it briefly. If you don’t have any experience with a particular program, explain that you’re willing to learn new programs if necessary.

Example: “I’ve used several different types of software for record keeping and data entry. I’m comfortable using Microsoft Office products like Word and Excel, as well as Google Drive for creating documents and spreadsheets. I also have some experience using EHR systems, or electronic health records, which are useful for storing patient information.”

What makes you stand out from other health advisors?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your skills and experience. They want to know what makes you unique from other health advisors. When answering this question, think of a skill or quality that you have that others may not. Try to choose something that is relevant to the job.

Example: “I am certified in CPR and first aid. I believe it’s important for all health advisors to be able to provide immediate care when needed. In my previous role as a health advisor, I was able to help calm down an anxious patient who had a panic attack. I used my knowledge of CPR and first aid to help them feel better until they could see their doctor.”

Which health areas do you have the most experience in?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience in the health areas they are looking for. It can also show them how much you know about their company’s services and what your previous employers offered. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few of the most important health areas that relate to the job description.

Example: “I have extensive experience working with patients who suffer from chronic pain, anxiety and depression. I’ve worked as a mental health counselor at my current position for two years now, so I am very familiar with the treatment options available. I also have some experience working with patients who need physical therapy or rehabilitation after an injury.”

What do you think is the most important thing that patients and clients should know about health?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of health and wellness. It also allows you to share any personal philosophies or beliefs about health that may be important to you.

Example: “I think the most important thing patients and clients should know about health is that it’s a journey, not a destination. There are many things we can do to improve our health, but there will always be some level of risk involved. I believe that if people understand this from the beginning, they’ll be more likely to make healthy choices for themselves. They’ll also be better prepared when something unexpected happens.”

How often do you recommend physical activity for patients?

Physical activity is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand the importance of physical activity and how often you recommend it for your patients. In your answer, explain that you encourage all of your patients to incorporate some form of physical activity into their daily lives. Explain that you do so because physical activity can help with many aspects of health, such as weight loss, stress relief and improved sleep.

Example: “I always recommend my patients get at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day. I know from experience that exercise can be beneficial in so many ways. Exercise helps people lose weight, relieve stress, improve sleep quality and more. I also think it’s important to note that even small amounts of physical activity can have positive effects on our health.”

There is a new fad diet that claims it can help people lose weight quickly. Would you recommend it to your patients?

An interviewer may ask this question to see how you apply your knowledge of nutrition and medical research to the advice you give patients. In your answer, explain why you would or wouldn’t recommend a diet based on its nutritional value and scientific evidence.

Example: “I would never recommend a fad diet because they are usually unsustainable and don’t provide any long-term health benefits. Instead, I would focus my recommendations on diets that have been proven to be effective in clinical trials. For example, I would tell my patient that there is strong evidence supporting the Mediterranean diet as an effective way to lose weight and improve overall health.”