20 Seattle Children’s Interview Questions and Answers

As a non-profit organisation, Seattle Children’s is always looking for ways to improve the lives of children. One way they do this is by ensuring that their employees are well-prepared for their interviews.

To help you prepare for your interview at Seattle Children’s, we’ve compiled a list of some common company-specific interview questions. These questions will give you a better idea of what to expect during your interview, and help you show off your knowledge of the organisation.

Seattle Children’s Interview Process

The interview process at Seattle Children’s is generally positive, though it can be lengthy for some positions. Many applicants report feeling respected and valued during the process, though some note that the interviews can be difficult. Overall, the experience is generally positive, with most applicants finding the staff to be professional and helpful.

1. What are your thoughts about patients with chronic illnesses?

This question is a great way to assess your compassion and empathy. When answering, it can be helpful to share an example of how you helped a patient with a chronic illness in the past.

Example: “I have worked with many patients who suffer from chronic illnesses, and I find that they are some of the most inspiring people I’ve ever met. They always seem to have such a positive outlook on life, even when they are going through difficult treatments or procedures. I think this is because they know their situation could be much worse, so they make the best of what they have. I try to learn from them and apply those lessons to my own life.”

2. When was the last time you had to deal with a difficult situation? How did you handle it?

This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific details about the situation and how you handled it.

Example: “At my last job, I had to deal with a difficult situation when one of our patients was experiencing behavioral issues. The patient’s parents were very concerned about their child’s behavior and wanted me to do something about it. However, I explained that there are many reasons why children act out, including stress or anxiety. I recommended that they try some relaxation techniques at home to help them cope with their emotions. After speaking with the family, they agreed to try these techniques and we scheduled another appointment in two weeks to see if there were any improvements. At the next appointment, the family told us that their child was doing much better and thanked us for helping them understand what was going on.”

3. Why do you want this position and why do you want to work at Seattle Children’s?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in working at Seattle Children’s. It also allows them to see if you have done any research on the organisation and its values. When preparing for this question, make sure to read through the job description and look over the website to get an idea of what they are looking for in their employees.

Example: “I am very passionate about children’s health care and I would love to work for an organisation that shares my passion. After reading through the job description, it seems like Seattle Children’s is a wonderful place to work because of the amazing staff and patients. I think I could bring a lot to this team as a registered nurse.”

4. Tell me about a time where you made a mistake, how did you handle that situation?

Interviewers ask this question to see how you respond to challenges and learn from your mistakes. When answering, be honest about the mistake you made but focus on what you learned from it.

Example: “When I was working as a nurse at a hospital in Seattle, I had a patient who was experiencing severe pain. The patient asked me for more medication, so I gave them an extra dose of their prescribed medicine. Later that day, the patient’s condition worsened, so we transferred them to the ICU. After speaking with my supervisor, we determined that I had given the patient too much medication. It was a mistake, but I learned that when administering medications, I need to double-check everything twice before giving it to patients.”

5. Describe your experience working in pediatrics.

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the field and how you can apply it in a pediatric setting. When answering this question, consider what skills you have that are important for working with children.

Example: “I worked as a nurse practitioner at a pediatric clinic for three years before moving to Seattle Children’s Hospital. During my time there, I was responsible for diagnosing patients and prescribing treatment plans. I also had the opportunity to work with other medical professionals on cases where more than one professional opinion was needed. This experience has given me valuable insight into the challenges of working in pediatrics and how I can use my skills to help others.”

6. Are you comfortable working night shifts?

Seattle Children’s is a 24-hour facility, and they want to make sure you are comfortable working night shifts. They also want to know if you have any experience with this type of schedule. If you do not have experience, it is okay to say so. You can explain that you would be willing to learn how to work the night shift.

Example: “I am very comfortable working night shifts. I worked as a nurse at a hospital for five years, and I was on call every other weekend. This meant I had to work nights quite often. It took some time to get used to, but I got better at it over time. I think I could handle working here even though it is a different environment than what I am used to.”

7. Do you have any experience dealing with children during end of life situations?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your experience with children who are facing serious illnesses. It also helps them determine if you have any special skills or training that can help you work effectively in this role. If you do, be sure to mention it and explain how it helped you care for these patients.

Example: “I worked as a pediatric nurse at a hospital where I cared for many children who were terminally ill. One of my favorite experiences was when I had a patient who was afraid of needles. We talked about his fear and he told me that he didn’t want to get shots because they hurt. He asked if we could use stickers instead of needles. I explained that we couldn’t but that I would give him extra stickers after each procedure. After a few days, he no longer feared getting his blood drawn.”

8. Can you describe a time when you were under pressure and what you did to manage it.

This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to stay calm under pressure. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the situation in detail and explain how you overcame the challenge.

Example: “I was working with a patient who had been experiencing seizures for quite some time. The child’s parents were very concerned about their son’s health and wanted answers as soon as possible. I explained that we would do everything we could to find an answer but that it might take some time. I also told them that if they ever felt like they needed more information or reassurance, they should feel free to call me at any time. After speaking with the family, I made sure my team knew that we needed to keep the family updated on our progress regularly. We worked hard to find an answer and eventually discovered that the child had a rare form of epilepsy.”

9. We have some remote employees who telecommute occasionally. Would you be okay with working remotely sometimes?

This question is a good way to determine if the candidate will be able to work in a remote capacity. It also shows that you are willing to do what it takes to get your job done, even when it means working from home.

Example: “I am comfortable with telecommuting occasionally as long as I have access to all of my tools and resources. If there was an emergency situation where I needed to come into the office, I would make sure to let my manager know ahead of time so they could accommodate me.”

10. If an employee told you they felt like their manager was treating them unfairly, what would you do?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would handle conflict in the workplace. Use your answer to show that you value teamwork and collaboration, and that you are willing to work with others to find a solution.

Example: “If an employee told me they felt like their manager was treating them unfairly, I would first listen to their concerns and ask for more details about what happened. Then, I would speak with my manager to understand why they made the decisions they did. If there is a valid reason behind the decision, I would encourage my coworker to try to communicate with their manager again to see if they could come to a resolution. If not, I would offer to mediate between the two parties so everyone feels heard.”

11. How much notice do you need before taking a vacation or personal day?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your work ethic and commitment. It’s important to be honest about how much notice you need, but also show that you are willing to make it work if needed.

Example: “I usually give my supervisor two weeks’ notice before taking vacation or personal days. However, I am flexible and understand that sometimes emergencies arise. If this happens, I will do everything in my power to let them know as soon as possible so they can find someone else to cover my shift.”

12. Tell us about a time you had to give critical feedback to someone on your team.

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and criticism. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of when you gave feedback and the positive outcome that resulted from your actions.

Example: “I once had to give critical feedback to a team member who was consistently late for work. I met with them privately and explained why their tardiness was affecting their performance at work. They understood my concerns and promised to do better. After our meeting, they were more diligent about arriving on time and even volunteered to take on additional responsibilities.”

13. How motivated are you to take new challenges?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you are willing to take on new responsibilities and challenges. Use your answer to highlight how motivated you are to learn new skills, develop relationships with coworkers and achieve goals.

Example: “I am always looking for ways to improve my performance at work. I have a passion for learning new things, so taking on new challenges is something that motivates me. In my previous role as an administrative assistant, I took on additional responsibilities when my manager was out of the office. This helped me gain valuable experience in managing projects and working with other departments.”

14. What is your style as a leader?

This question is an opportunity to show your leadership skills and how you can apply them in a healthcare setting. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about the qualities of a good leader that you have seen in others or yourself.

Example: “I believe that a great leader should be someone who is empathetic and compassionate. I am always looking for ways to make sure my patients are comfortable and happy. I also think it’s important to be a good communicator. I like to make sure everyone on my team knows what their responsibilities are so they feel confident in their work. Finally, I think leaders should be decisive. It’s important to me that when there is a problem, I take action right away to solve it.”

15. Have you ever worked for a large organization?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential new colleagues. If you have experience working for a large organization, share what it was like and how it prepared you for this role. If you haven’t worked for a large organization, talk about the size of your current employer and why that works well for you.

Example: “I am currently employed at a large hospital in my hometown. I love being able to work with so many different people who all bring unique skills to the table. It makes me feel like we can accomplish anything as long as we are willing to put in the effort. I think that same feeling of teamwork would be present here at Seattle Children’s Hospital.”

16. How well do you communicate with others?

This question is an opportunity to show your communication skills. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific time when you had to communicate with others and how well you did so.

Example: “I have always been good at communicating with others. In my last position as a pediatric nurse, I was responsible for teaching parents about their child’s condition and what they could do to help them recover. I found that the best way to teach these lessons was by using analogies or stories. This helped me explain complex medical terms in ways that were easy for parents to understand.”

17. What can you tell us about our competitors?

This question can help the interviewer determine how much you know about the healthcare industry and whether you have experience working in a similar environment. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific details about each competitor’s mission statement, goals or recent news.

Example: “I am familiar with Seattle Children’s Hospital and Northwest Hospital for Children. I think both of these hospitals are great places to work because they offer competitive salaries and benefits packages as well as opportunities for professional development. However, I believe that Seattle Children’s Hospital is more innovative than its competitors because of its commitment to research and development. For example, last year the hospital launched an online portal where parents could access information about their child’s diagnosis.”

18. What is your favorite book/author?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential co-workers. It can also help you determine if the organization has similar interests as you. When answering this question, try to choose a book that relates to your career or the work you would do at Seattle Children’s.

Example: “My favorite author is J.K. Rowling. I love her Harry Potter series and how she was able to create such an amazing world with so many different characters. I think it takes a lot of creativity to be able to write stories like hers. I hope to one day have the opportunity to write something as successful as the Harry Potter books.”

19. Can you share some examples of times when you provided excellent customer service?

Customer service is an important part of working in healthcare. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience providing excellent customer service and can do so for their patients. When answering, think about a time when you helped someone who was upset or confused. Explain what steps you took to help them feel better.

Example: “When I worked at the hospital gift shop, I had a patient come in looking for a specific stuffed animal. Unfortunately, we didn’t have any left in stock. Instead of just telling her that we couldn’t find one, I asked if she could describe it more. After asking a few questions, I found out that there were two other stores with similar items. I called both locations and found out they each had one left. I then drove over to those locations to pick up the last two animals.”

20. Does your current job require you to travel?

If you are applying for a position that requires travel, the interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with it. If you have not worked in a role that required you to travel, they may also want to know how you would handle traveling if hired. When answering this question, be honest and explain what your experiences were like when working in a job that required you to travel.

Example: “I am currently employed as an elementary school teacher, so I do not have any professional experience with traveling. However, my previous jobs did require me to travel, and I found that I enjoyed it. I find it exciting to see new places and meet new people, which is why I enjoy being a teacher.”