Food is the very basis for our survival. Our eating habits define our thought processes and physical well-being. The importance of choosing appropriate food rises, even more, when under critical care or in a hospital. This is the primary reason why, hospitals and similar medical institutions require the services of a dietary aide to prepare hygienic, nutritious, and healthy food post-taking instructions from dieticians and nutritionists. Being a medical professional, the pay is bright and incentives are lucrative. However, the level of preparation must be high, in order to beat the rising competition.
Best 21 Interview Questions
1) How Important Is Food In the Recovery Of A Patient?
This question tests how important is your profession as per your consideration and mindset.
Sample Answer
Food plays an essential and by far the second most crucial role in the recovery and healing of a patient after medicines. An appropriate combination of food not increases the rate of recovery but also makes the effect of medicines much more deep and engrossing. It will not be wrong to say that a balanced diet, which is customized as per the needs of the patient acts as a catalyst in the recovery of patients.
2) What Is Niacin?
This is a common question that evaluates your grip on your core principles.
Sample Answer
Sir, Niacin is the scientific name of Vitamin B3 which is pivotal for our mental health and overall well-being. With a deficiency of such a crucial vitamin, there could be issues relating to Pellagra, that is memory loss or gradual weakening of memory, and Glossitis, which is a type of skin problem.
3) Name Some Sources of Beta Carotene?
This question tests your grip on your particular subject and your level of working proficiency.
Sample Answer
Sir there two forms of Vitamin A, which are, Beta Carotene and Retinol. Beta carotene is basically present in the chlorophyll of the plants that converts into Vitamin A, inside our stomach during the process of digestion. Some common sources of it are Dark green leafy vegetables, Carrots, Brocolli, etc.
4) What Is Your Ability To Work In Pressure Situations?
This is a common interview question that evaluates your approach and mindset towards working in hectic work conditions.
Sample Answer
I completely understand the relevance of this question. Being such an esteemed institution, I believe, that there is a footfall of more than 100 patients daily, which contributes to stress and work pressure upon the employees. I assure you that I have the ability to work under even the most hectic conditions that involve a lot of pressure. For this, I always focus and generate a high level of concentration while performing my duties. This enables me to handle and manage high volumes of work, with ease and comfort.
5) How Do You Prioritize Different Types Of Tasks?
Prioritization is necessary in order to execute the tasks and duties in a time-bound manner. This is a trending interview question, in which an interviewer is always interested to have knowledge about your techniques to organize and manage your workload.
Sample Answer
Sir, I believe, categorizing the duties to be performed in a day on a relevant basis, is essential to effectively prioritize tasks. Eventually, we have to complete every task, but by putting the most time-consuming tasks at the top of the order, which is followed by the less time-consuming tasks, you can complete the duties more effectively as well as efficiently. Also, at the starting of the day, we are quite fresh and our mind is ready for a high level of concentration.
6) Explain The Importance Of Written Communications?
The primary duty of a dietary aide is to take instructions and guidelines from dieticians and nutritionists. taking such instructions in a written format is always advisable si that you can justify yourself in case any problem arises in the future. Hence, answer positively.
Sample Answer
Written communications, that is instructions written in black and white are pretty crucial at the time of taking guidance from a dietician. This not only helps in taking everything into consideration but also saves an innocent employee from any future repercussions and mishappenings. I always lay utmost focus on obtaining everything in writing from my boss, no matter it is trivial or major.
7) What Is Your Understanding Of Calcium As Mineral?
This is a common question that evaluates your grip on your core principles.
Sample Answer
Calcium is a vital mineral in our body and we need a constant supply of it. The primary sources of it are Sunlight, Dairy products, fish liver oil, and margarine. Calcium is important for the entire functioning of our body but majorly it focuses on strength of bones and teeth. A deficiency of calcium can cause a variety of problems such as:
- Rickets
- Osteomalacia
- Osteoporosis
- Dental problems
8) Why Should We Hire You and Not The Other Candidates?
This is a common interview question in which an interviewer wants to know how much you value yourself and what unique abilities you possess. Your body language and confidence are the two major attributes that will be on display.
Sample Answer
Sir, being a hardworking, quick learner person with the ability to adapt as per the situation and work atmosphere, I have all the requite skills and talents, required for this job. Further, I have a valuable work experience of 3 years, during which I performed all the duties that were mentioned in the job description and are expected from me over here. I will never disappoint anyone and have the ability to take and follow commands in an expert way.
9) What Are Some Prohibited Foods For A Normal Patient?
This is a common question that evaluates your grip on your core principles.
Sample Answer
Being in a hospital and getting admitted into it, no matter how serious the problem is, you are strictly prohibited to have any food rich in fat, such as Butter, Oil, and Cream. Further, I always hear from dietitians, that white flour must be avoided while preparing the food of the patients, as it is a bit more difficult to digest as compared to the wheat. Further, wherever possible, carbohydrate-rich foods must be avoided.
10) What Is The One Thing That Everyone Hates In You?
This is a personality evaluating question, through which an interviewer wants to know your biggest weakness.
Sample Answer
No one is perfect in this world and everyone has one or the other shortcoming in him or her. It would be pretty naive for me to say, that I have no weakness. I do have one. I am a bit lethargic and lazy in performing my daily duties. There are some instances when I report late for my work. Further, I am trying to resolve all my issues by constantly referring to the online courses.
11) How Important Is Cleaning Of Utensils?
Cleaning utensils, work area, and slabs are highly important and crucial in order to maintain hygiene and cleanliness. An interviewer expects you to perform these duties and hence you are expected to answer this question in a positive manner.
Sample Answer
Sir, cleaning is an important and most crucial part of my work process. I lay great emphasis on making sure that everything is spic and span before starting my work. Be assured, that I will always follow the rules and guidelines related to maintaining hygiene and cleanliness.
12) What Is Your Understanding of Trace Minerals?
This question tests your knowledge of the basic biology and core concepts related to your profession.
Sample Answer
Sir, trace minerals are the minerals that are essential for our body but are needed in minute or trivial quantities. These include Iron, Zinc, and Iodine. All of them have great relevance in the human body, but an overdose of them can lead to a variety of diseases.
13) When Can You Start?
This is a common interview question wherein an interviewer wants to know how soon can you start working for the organization in case you are selected. Always remember that this question does not guarantee your selection, hence always control your emotions.
Sample Answer
- For Employed Individuals: Sir, I am currently working with ABC corporation Ltd. and will give them notice within the next two days. Further, it is there policy to grant a relieving letter within the next 12 days, Hence, if I take 3 days of buffer or cushion, I can declare that I can join the organization on (___mention the date of your joining____)
- For Unemployed/Freshers: Since I am not working anywhere and have no obligations to fulfill or any prior commitment to complete, I can assure you that I have the ability to join this esteemed organization immediately.
14) What Is the Scientific Name Of Vitamin K and Its Deficiency Effects?
This question enables an interviewer to examine your grip on your core profile as well as your level of understanding in relation to the core principles of nutrition.
Sample Answer
Sir, The scientific name of Vitamin K is NapthoQuinone and its deficiency in the human body can cause, delayed clotting of blood, as it is an active clotting agent and can do damages to the liver.
15) How Good Are You In Following and Taking Orders?
The role of a dietary aide requires him or her to follow the guidance, instructions, and recommendations from the dieticians and nutritionists. Hence, answering this question positively is crucial for improved selection chances.
Sample Answer
Sir, being an obedient and loyal employee, I am always ready and willing to work as per the orders and guidance issued to me. I have pretty good active listening skills that enable me to understand particular guidelines perfectly. Also, in case I feel to, I take notes so that I and my instructor remain on the same page and I never miss any instruction.
16) What Is Your Biggest Strength?
This is a common interview question that evaluates your personality and mindset. It is highly advisable that you answer this question after careful scrutiny of the self.
Sample Answer
In my humble opinion, my biggest strength is my ability to work consistently in even the most adverse conditions and situations. I have a high level of focus and control over my thoughts which enables me to keep concentrated and continue working despite office politics, cheap harassment tactics, or any other issue that affects a person’s well-being and state of mind.
17) How Will You Handle A Situation In Which You Find A Colleague of Yours Stealing?
Robbery, theft, and pilferage are common in institutions related to healthcare. This not only leads to a loss but also leads to poor customer service. Hence, it is common for interviewers to ask such questions. Be ready to answer it properly.
Sample Answer
Sir, being a professional who is only interested in executing one’s duties with distinction, I on a personal front would never engage myself in such unethical practices. I am here to contribute to the organization with my skills and abilities, rather than leading them into a loss. However, If I ever caught my colleague stealing, I would make a written complaint of him to my manager. Post which, my manager would decide the future course of action.
18) What Do You Mean By Fat Soluble Vitamins?
This question tests your basic understanding of the different aspects related to food and its preparation.
Sample Answer
Sir, In biology there are two categories of Vitamins, which are Fat Soluble, are Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K., and Water Soluble, are, Vitamin C and Vitamin B. Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the muscles as fat our body does not need a regular supply of them. However, water-soluble vitamins are excreted from our body by way of urine/sweat and our body needs a regular supply of them.
19) What Motivates You To Work?
This question enables an interviewer to understand and become aware of the primary reasons that make you work hard. These reasons are specific for every individual and you are expected to share your own unique and genuine reason.
Sample Answer
The motivational factors are specific for every individual. In my case, it is my competitiveness and my desire to get ahead of my peers. I have always been an aspirational person, who always wanted to scale great heights in my career and move forward by securing regular promotions and grabbing senior positions. This desire of mine to progress motivates me to work harder and push my limits.
20) Why Did You Choose Us?
This question evaluates the seriousness of a candidate towards an organization. The responses generated would probably segregate you from a lot of insincere and casual candidates appearing for the interview.
Sample Answer
Being an organization in existence for the last three decades and having been made a prominent name in the healthcare sector, with operations and branches spread in the entire nation, choosing your company is a no-brainer for me. I have been interested in this company ever since my college days and it will not be wrong to say that it is my dream to work here. Further, I am deeply impressed with the level of modern technology used by the organization and the attractive pay offered along with lucrative incentives.
21) Do You Have Any Questions For Us?
It is a common habit of interviewers all around the world to ask this question at the fag end of an interview session. Whenever you encounter such a question, be assured that this is the end of your interview session. We all know, how important are the endings. Hence, never try to skip this question, rather ask a few questions related to your job profile, organization’s work ethics, culture, and timings.
Sample Questions
- What are the work timings for this particular job?
- What are the health benefits extended by the company to its employees?
- How does the company calculate its overtime allowance?
- Is there a provision of paid leaves in the organization?
- Do you provide paternity leaves?
Download the list of questions in .PDF format, to practice with them later, or to use them on your interview template (for Dietary Aide interviews):
References
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03670244.2021.1899916
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195666320316767
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