20 Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviewing for a job at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, there are a few things you can expect. The interview process here is known to be quite competitive, so you’ll need to be prepared to answer some tough questions. In addition to questions about your qualifications and experience, you can expect the interviewer to ask some company-specific questions.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common questions asked in interviews for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. These questions will give you a better idea of what to expect, and how to best prepare for your interview.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Interview Process

The interview process at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone screen and one in-person interview. For some positions, you may be asked to complete a presentation or take a written test. The interview process can be lengthy, so be prepared to wait several weeks before hearing back about a decision. Overall, the interview experience is generally positive, with interviewers being friendly and interested in getting to know you.

1. Why do you want to work at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have done your research about the organization. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few specific aspects of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center that interest you and why they are important to you.

Example: “I am passionate about working in an environment where I can make a difference in people’s lives. In my previous role as a software developer, I worked on several projects for hospitals, and I was always impressed by how much Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center cares about its patients. The work you do here is so important, and I would love to be part of such a dedicated team.”

2. What is the most challenging part of working in healthcare?

This question can help interviewers understand your perspective on the healthcare industry and how you might fit in at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss a specific example of a challenge you faced while working in healthcare and how you overcame that challenge.

Example: “The most challenging part of working in healthcare is seeing patients who are suffering from serious illnesses. I find that having compassion for my patients helps me provide them with the best care possible. In my last role as a nurse, I worked with a patient whose cancer was progressing despite treatment. I helped her family understand what we were doing to treat her illness and make her comfortable. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones.”

3. Tell us about a time that you had to make an important decision while under pressure.

This question can help interviewers learn more about your decision-making skills and how you react to stressful situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation in which you had to make an important decision quickly and the steps you took to ensure that you made the best choice possible.

Example: “When I was working as a nurse at a hospital, there was one patient who needed immediate medical attention but we didn’t have any available doctors on staff. The only doctor who could provide care for the patient was out of state, so I called him and explained the situation. He agreed to come back to work early and see the patient.”

4. How would you handle it if your patient or coworker was not following instructions and you were not allowed to talk to them directly?

This question is designed to assess your ability to work with others and how you would handle a challenging situation. Your answer should show that you can be diplomatic, but also firm when necessary.

Example: “I would first try to talk to them directly about the issue. If they were not receptive or if I was unable to speak with them, I would ask my supervisor for permission to contact their primary care physician. In this case, it’s important to remember that we are all part of the same team and our goal is to help patients get better.”

5. Do you have any experience with organizing office events?

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center often hosts events for employees and their families. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience planning these types of events, as it’s a common responsibility in this role.

Example: “I’ve organized several office events at my previous job. I worked with the HR department to plan an annual holiday party that included food, drinks and entertainment. I also helped organize a summer picnic where we provided games and activities for children and adults. These experiences taught me how to work with different departments to ensure all aspects of an event are planned effectively.”

6. What are some examples of health care apps that you use on a daily basis?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your technical skills and how you apply them to your work. Use examples from your current or previous job that show your ability to use technology in your daily tasks.

Example: “I have used several health care apps on my phone, including MyFitnessPal for tracking calories and Fitbit for monitoring my steps each day. I also use an app called HealthTap, which allows me to ask questions about my symptoms and receive answers from doctors who specialize in my condition.”

7. What is the number one quality you look for in a company when considering employment?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you are a good fit for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific about the organization and how your values align with its mission or goals.

Example: “The number one quality I look for in a company when considering employment is whether they have a positive impact on their community. At my last job, I was part of a team that developed educational programs for children who were going through cancer treatment. It was so rewarding to see those kids smile while learning new things. That’s why I’m excited to learn more about Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s education program.”

8. Are you willing to get additional certifications to improve your skillset?

This question is a great way to determine if the candidate is willing to invest in their own professional development. It’s important for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center employees to be constantly learning and developing new skills, so it’s beneficial to find someone who has an interest in doing this on their own time.

Example: “I am always looking for ways to improve my knowledge of coding languages and other computer-related subjects. I have taken several online courses that teach different aspects of programming and would love to continue taking these courses as part of my job responsibilities.”

9. How long have you worked in the medical field?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and how long you’ve been in the medical field. If you have experience working with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, it’s important to mention that in your answer.

Example: “I started my career as a registered nurse at a local hospital where I worked for five years before moving to this position here at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. My previous job was very rewarding, but I’m excited to be part of such an innovative team.”

10. Have you ever had to deal with a conflict situation between coworkers, how did you handle it?

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center wants to know that you can work well with others and resolve conflicts. This question is an opportunity for you to show your interpersonal skills, problem-solving abilities and conflict resolution skills.

Example: “I once had a coworker who was always late for meetings. I tried talking to him about it but he didn’t seem to care. Eventually, I told my manager about the situation so they could talk to him as well. He still wasn’t changing his behavior, so we decided to change his schedule so he would be in earlier than me. That way, if he was ever late again, I could help cover for him.”

11. What qualities should a good leader possess?

This question can help an interviewer determine if you have the qualities they look for in a leader. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific leadership skills that you possess and how they helped you succeed in your previous roles.

Example: “A good leader should be able to inspire others with their vision and motivate them to work hard toward achieving goals. I believe leaders should also be empathetic and compassionate because they need to understand what their team members are going through and provide support when needed. Finally, I think leaders should be decisive and confident in their decisions.”

12. Give me an example of a time you had to be very focused on your task.

This question is a great way to learn more about your candidate’s ability to stay focused and work independently. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a time when you were working on a project or task that required a lot of focus and attention to detail.

Example: “When I was in college, I worked as an intern for a marketing company. My job was to create a social media campaign for a new product the company was launching. The campaign had to include all major social media platforms, so I had to make sure everything looked consistent across each platform. It took me several days to complete the entire campaign, but I was able to do it successfully.”

13. Can you recall a difficult situation where you had to prioritize multiple tasks? How did you decide what came first?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you manage your time and prioritize tasks. Use examples from previous work experiences to show that you are organized, efficient and able to meet deadlines.

Example: “At my last job, I was responsible for managing multiple projects at once. One of my main priorities was always meeting client expectations and ensuring they were happy with our services. Another priority was making sure all employees had what they needed to complete their jobs effectively. For example, if an employee asked me for more supplies or equipment, I would make it a priority to get them what they needed as soon as possible.”

14. Describe a time that you had to motivate someone who wasn’t particularly motivated.

This question can help an interviewer understand how you motivate others and your ability to inspire change. Use examples from previous work experiences or personal anecdotes that highlight your communication skills, problem-solving abilities and leadership qualities.

Example: “I once worked with a team member who was consistently late for meetings. I noticed this behavior because it affected the entire team’s productivity. Instead of confronting them about their tardiness, I decided to approach them in a more positive way. I asked if they would like to grab coffee together so we could talk about their progress at work. During our conversation, I learned that they were having some family issues that were causing them stress. We talked about ways that they could manage their time better so they could be on time for work.”

15. In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge facing nurses today?

This question can help interviewers understand your perspective on the nursing industry and how you might fit in. Consider what challenges you’ve faced as a nurse, and explain how you overcame them or used them to improve your skills.

Example: “The biggest challenge facing nurses today is finding qualified applicants for open positions. I know that Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center has been working hard to recruit new nurses, so I would use my experience to help with this process. I have several connections at other hospitals who are looking for more experienced nurses, so I could reach out to them and see if they’re interested in hiring.”

16. Have you taken any leadership roles within your team?

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is looking for candidates who can take on leadership roles in their team. This question helps the interviewer determine if you have any experience leading a group of people and how well you performed in those roles. Use your answer to highlight any past experiences that helped you develop your leadership skills.

Example: “In my previous role, I was responsible for managing all social media accounts for our hospital. This included creating content for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more. I had a small team of employees working with me, so we would meet weekly to discuss what types of posts we wanted to create and how we could improve our engagement rates. We were able to increase our followers by 20% within six months.”

17. Tell me about a time that you disagreed with your manager, how did you handle it?

This question can help interviewers learn more about your communication skills and how you approach conflict. When answering, it can be helpful to focus on a specific example of when you disagreed with someone in authority but were able to resolve the issue respectfully.

Example: “In my last position as an IT specialist for a small business, I disagreed with my manager’s decision to use outdated software that was no longer supported by the company. I approached my manager privately and explained why I thought this could lead to security issues. My manager agreed to let me research other options and we eventually decided to upgrade our system.”

18. What steps would you take if you realized that information in your chart was incorrect?

This question is an opportunity to show your attention to detail and ability to work independently. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific time when you noticed information was incorrect in a patient’s chart and how you fixed the error.

Example: “I would first make sure that I had the correct information before making any changes. Then, I would contact my supervisor or manager to let them know what happened and ask for their help with fixing the issue. In this situation, they helped me find the right information and we made the necessary corrections.”

19. If you were hired as a nurse, what would you like to accomplish during your tenure here?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer your goals and ambitions. It’s important to be realistic, but you can also include some long-term goals that may take a few years to achieve.

Example: “I would like to help improve patient satisfaction by providing excellent care and support. I’d also like to reduce the number of hospital readmissions within six months of discharge. In five years, I hope to see Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center as one of the top cancer hospitals in the country.”

20. When was the last time you received feedback from your manager, how did you respond to it?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to receive constructive criticism and use it to improve your performance. When answering this question, try to be as specific as possible about the feedback you received and how you used it to make improvements in your work.

Example: “Last year, my manager gave me some feedback on a project I was working on at my previous job. She told me that she thought I could do more with the project if I added more information about the benefits of the treatment options we were offering patients. I took her advice and made some adjustments to the content of the program, which helped our patients better understand their treatment options.”