17 Public Health Epidemiologist Interview Questions and Answers

Public health epidemiologists are the detectives of public health, working to solve the mysteries of how and why diseases occur. They use their knowledge of the patterns of disease to track outbreaks, investigate potential causes, and develop prevention strategies.

If you want to become a public health epidemiologist, you’ll need to be prepared to answer a range of questions in an interview. In this guide, we will provide you with sample questions and answers that you can use to help you prepare for your interview.

Are you comfortable working in emergency situations where you need to act quickly to contain a public health threat?

This question can help interviewers assess your ability to work under pressure and make quick decisions. Use examples from previous experience in which you were able to act quickly and efficiently to contain a public health threat or crisis.

Example: “In my current role, I am often the first person to notice an outbreak of disease within our community. In these situations, it’s important that I take immediate action to prevent further spread of the illness. For example, last year I noticed a spike in flu cases among children at local schools. After investigating the situation, I determined that there was no need for widespread panic because the flu strain wasn’t particularly dangerous. However, I did recommend that parents keep their children home until they felt better.”

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

Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills necessary for the job. They want someone who is organized, detail-oriented and able to work well with others. When answering this question, think about which skills you possess that are relevant to public health epidemiology. You can also mention any skills you would like to develop in order to be a better public health epidemiologist.

Example: “I believe some of the most important skills for a public health epidemiologist are organization, attention to detail and communication. In my previous role as an epidemiologist, I was responsible for collecting data on outbreaks and making sure it was accurate. This required me to organize all of the information I collected into spreadsheets and databases. It also required me to communicate with other professionals to get more information when needed.”

How would you rate your teamwork skills as a public health epidemiologist?

Teamwork is an important skill for public health epidemiologists to have. It allows them to work with other professionals and share information about their projects. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific time when you worked well as part of a team.

Example: “I think my teamwork skills are quite strong. I’ve always been able to collaborate with others on projects and find ways to help them succeed. In my last position, I was working on a project that required me to work with several different departments. We were all tasked with finding the cause of a certain disease outbreak. I helped each department by providing them with data they needed to complete their portion of the project.”

What is your process for gathering and analyzing data to identify public health trends?

This question can help the interviewer gain insight into your analytical skills and how you use them to complete tasks. Use examples from past experiences to highlight your ability to gather data, analyze it and make conclusions based on your findings.

Example: “I start by reviewing all of the information I have collected during my research. Then, I organize the data into a spreadsheet so that I can sort it according to specific criteria. This allows me to compare different factors like age, gender, location and other relevant details to identify any patterns or trends in the data. From there, I can determine which public health issues are most prevalent and what steps should be taken to address them.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to use your communication skills to share public health information with the general public.

An employer may ask this question to learn more about your public speaking skills and how you can effectively communicate with the general public. When answering, it can be helpful to provide an example of a time when you had to give a presentation or share information in front of a large group of people.

Example: “In my last position as an epidemiologist for a local health department, I was responsible for creating educational materials that would help educate the community on various public health issues. For instance, I created pamphlets and brochures that explained how to prevent certain diseases and what symptoms to look out for. In addition, I also helped create informational videos that were broadcasted on television channels.”

If you had to choose one area of public health to focus your career on, what would it be and why?

This question is a great way to show your passion for public health and the field of epidemiology. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention an area you are familiar with or have experience in. It can also be beneficial to explain why that particular area interests you.

Example: “If I had to choose one area of public health to focus my career on, I would definitely say infectious disease control. This is because I find diseases like Ebola and Zika fascinating and want to help prevent them from spreading. In my last role as an epidemiologist, I helped create a vaccination program for a local school district. The program was so successful that we were able to reduce the number of flu cases by 50%.”

What would you do if you noticed a potential link between a new disease and a recent public health initiative?

This question can help interviewers assess your critical thinking skills and ability to make decisions. In your answer, you can describe the steps you would take to investigate this potential link and how you would communicate with others about it.

Example: “If I noticed a potential link between a new disease and a recent public health initiative, I would first look at all of the data that was collected during the initial study. If there were any outliers or other factors that could have influenced the results, I would try to eliminate them from my analysis. Then, I would compare the data from the original study to the data from the current outbreak to see if there is a correlation. Finally, I would report my findings to my supervisor so they could decide what action to take.”

How well do you think you would fit into a team of public health professionals?

Working in public health often requires collaboration with other professionals. Employers ask this question to make sure you are a team player who can work well with others. When answering, try to emphasize your interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with others. Try to name specific examples of how you have worked well with others in the past.

Example: “I think I would fit into a team of public health professionals quite well. In my previous role as an epidemiologist, I was part of a large team that worked together on projects. We had weekly meetings where we discussed our progress and any challenges we were facing. I feel like I am a good communicator and collaborator, so I always made sure to share my ideas and opinions during these meetings. This helped me learn from my colleagues and develop my own strategies.”

Do you have experience working with government agencies to secure funding for public health initiatives?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience working with government agencies and how you can apply that knowledge to the role. Use examples from your past experience to highlight your ability to collaborate with others, communicate effectively and manage projects.

Example: “In my last position as an epidemiologist for a local health department, I worked closely with state representatives to secure funding for public health initiatives. In one instance, our county experienced a shortage of nurses in hospitals due to budget cuts. I met with several state representatives to discuss ways we could increase nurse recruitment by offering incentives to healthcare professionals who chose to work in our area. The representatives were able to allocate additional funds to our county to hire more nurses.”

When investigating a disease outbreak, what is the appropriate number of cases to consider the outbreak “clustered”?

This question tests your knowledge of the CDC’s definition of a disease outbreak. It also assesses how you apply this information to real-world situations and whether you can make independent decisions based on it.

Example: “The CDC defines an outbreak as two or more cases of the same illness that occur in close proximity, within a short period of time. In my experience, I have found that five cases is usually enough to determine if there is a cluster. This number allows for some variance in symptoms and other factors that may affect diagnosis. However, I always consider the entire population when making this decision. For example, if the majority of people who contracted the illness were children, then I would likely wait until at least 10 cases before considering it clustered.”

We want to improve childhood immunization rates in the area. What public health initiative would you recommend to us?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of public health and how you can apply it. When answering this question, make sure to include the steps you would take to implement the initiative and why you chose that particular approach.

Example: “I would recommend starting an immunization clinic at a local hospital or community center where parents could bring their children for free vaccinations. This would allow them to get all of their shots in one place without having to go to multiple locations. I think this would be beneficial because it would save time for both parents and healthcare providers while also making it more convenient for families to get their kids vaccinated.”

Describe your experience with data visualization software.

Public health epidemiologists use data visualization software to create charts and graphs that help them analyze public health trends. This question helps employers determine whether you have experience using this type of software, which can be important for the job. If you have experience with data visualization software, describe your previous experience in detail. If you don’t have any experience, explain what types of software you’re familiar with and how you would learn to use data visualization software if hired.

Example: “I’ve used Tableau Software before when I worked at my last job. It’s a powerful tool that allows me to quickly visualize large amounts of data. I find it helpful to see patterns in data so I can make more informed decisions about public health issues.”

What makes you the best candidate for this public health epidemiologist position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you feel you can contribute to their organization. Before your interview, make a list of the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Focus on highlighting your relevant education, work experience and soft skills.

Example: “I am passionate about public health and committed to helping others live healthier lives. I have extensive knowledge of public health practices and procedures, as well as strong communication and problem-solving skills. These are all essential skills needed in this position. I also believe my background working with diverse populations will be beneficial to this organization.”

Which public health degree program did you complete and why did you choose it?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your background and how you became a public health epidemiologist. They want to know if you have the necessary education for the job, so they can make sure you’re qualified. When answering this question, list the name of the program and why you chose it. If you are currently enrolled in a degree program, mention that instead.

Example: “I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of California, Berkeley. I chose this school because I wanted to stay close to home while getting an excellent education. The university has a great reputation, and I knew I would get a quality education there. I also really enjoyed the campus and the people I met.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of public health?

This question is a great way to show your passion for public health and the field of epidemiology. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss an experience that made you want to pursue a career in public health.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of public health is education. I remember when I was in high school, there was a flu outbreak at my school. The school nurse came into our class and gave us all information about how to prevent getting sick and what symptoms to look out for. After she left, one of my classmates asked if we were going to get the flu. My teacher explained that some people are more likely to get sick than others, but everyone should take precautions to avoid getting sick. This conversation really opened my eyes to the importance of educating the public on public health.”

How often should public health professionals update their knowledge and certifications?

Employers want to know that you are committed to your career and will continue to learn throughout your time with the organization. Show them that you have a passion for public health by explaining how often you plan on continuing your education.

Example: “I believe it’s important to stay up-to-date in my field, so I am constantly researching new information and attending seminars and conferences. In fact, I just attended a seminar last week about the latest advancements in disease prevention methods. I also take online courses through the CDC every year to renew my certification.”

There is a new disease spreading through the community. What is your process for determining the cause and source?

This question can help the interviewer understand your thought process and how you apply critical thinking skills to solve problems. Use examples from past experiences where you applied your problem-solving skills to identify a cause or source of disease.

Example: “In my last position, I was working with a team when we noticed an increase in flu cases throughout the community. We started by looking at common symptoms that were reported among patients. From there, we used data analysis to determine if there were any patterns between age groups, locations or other factors that could indicate the cause of the outbreak. After reviewing all of our findings, we determined that the cause of the outbreak was due to a new strain of the flu virus.”