Question About Tackling Situational Questions For Cda Interviews

[topomax]

Hey guys, 

 

Is it recommended that I include personal stories when I am asked situational questions? I've been trying to tackle these questions like MMI questions: state the problem, talk about the different factors involved, lay out the different options and then talk about which one I would choose and why. 

 

When I am timing myself, I take around 6mins to answer one but I feel that's way too long for CDA interviews, and one of my friends recommended that I add personal stories on top of what I am saying. 

 

Would be really helpful to get some tips - esp from those students who are in UofT dent now. 

 

Thank you! 

 

 

[AncientDentist]

Hey guys, 

 

Is it recommended that I include personal stories when I am asked situational questions? I've been trying to tackle these questions like MMI questions: state the problem, talk about the different factors involved, lay out the different options and then talk about which one I would choose and why. 

 

When I am timing myself, I take around 6mins to answer one but I feel that's way too long for CDA interviews, and one of my friends recommended that I add personal stories on top of what I am saying. 

 

Would be really helpful to get some tips - esp from those students who are in UofT dent now. 

 

Thank you! 

 

Not in UofT dent but I did do the interview last year. If you already feel like your answers are too long, then why add personal experiences? I mean I could see it being beneficial if you really don't have enough to say and if you have a really good experience that you want to mention, but as a general rule your answers to CDA questions should aim to be short, clear and concise. Unlike other interviews, there really is a right answer, and this is especially true for situational questions. Take a moment, identify the competencies which you need to address, and go through what you mentioned while hitting these competencies very clearly, and that should be good enough! 

 

Make sure to organize your thoughts BEFORE you start speaking so that your answer is more organized and more eloquent. Don't decide at the last moment to add some detail for the sake of packing your answer with as much information as possible, or for taking up a certain amount of time. This is easy to spot and just makes you seem like you're rambling

 

My interview took much less time than others (although I was asked 1 less question) and it didn't seem to hurt my application.

 

Goodluck and let me know if I can help with anything else!

[topomax]

Not in UofT dent but I did do the interview last year. If you already feel like your answers are too long, then why add personal experiences? I mean I could see it being beneficial if you really don't have enough to say and if you have a really good experience that you want to mention, but as a general rule your answers to CDA questions should aim to be short, clear and concise. Unlike other interviews, there really is a right answer, and this is especially true for situational questions. Take a moment, identify the competencies which you need to address, and go through what you mentioned while hitting these competencies very clearly, and that should be good enough! 

 

Make sure to organize your thoughts BEFORE you start speaking so that your answer is more organized and more eloquent. Don't decide at the last moment to add some detail for the sake of packing your answer with as much information as possible, or for taking up a certain amount of time. This is easy to spot and just makes you seem like you're rambling

 

My interview took much less time than others (although I was asked 1 less question) and it didn't seem to hurt my application.

 

Goodluck and let me know if I can help with anything else!

Thanks for the great advice - I agree that I should be aiming to hit the points they want to hear and be concise. And yes I need to practice on gathering and organizing my thoughts before I answer for sure.