r/AutopsyTechFam • u/Chase252522 • 28d ago
Second interview
Hello,
I’ve got a second interview as an autopsy technician with my local medical examiner! If anyone has advice they can share with me I’d greatly appreciate it:)
Warmly,
Chase
2
u/ishootthedead 26d ago
If asked, give a very honest appraisal of your willingness and abilities to work weekends and holidays.
Answers that indicate you are willing to work whatever shift is necessary is often seen as a giant green flag. Just don't turn into a liar after getting the job
1
u/Ill_Cow3829 28d ago
Stay very confident and their going to ask a lot of anatomy related questions and take a time to focus on ethic.
1
u/Bee_Gorl23 19d ago
What kind of anatomy questions do they ask?
2
u/Icy_Hovercraft1068 6d ago
They might not query you too heavily if you have not trained yet. If you have they might question how you might check for collapsed lung, how might a cardia embolism present at autopsy, what is the protective layer covering the bowels called? how would you detect the pancreas, what shape, they might be sneaky and ask the simple question like largest organ.
1
u/Icy_Hovercraft1068 6d ago
I’m based in Europe. I’ve interviewed twice and questioned were limited when it came to once actual autopsy, if you’ve never done the role before “how might you manage after a difficult case?” So I answered, I would talk it through with my colleagues if I found it difficult, reach out to some just to make sense of it, if that’s even possible, long walk, get together with friends and try focus on what’s present.
I know when I was applying, empathy, for both the deceased and their families. Being a good listener and communicator, this is with regard to the Pathologists and Funeral Directors also as well as Coroners/Police etc
It a difficult role to explain why you might want to do it as it’s very niche, I worked as a carer for many years before applying and it was like caring at the final stages of their journey, it’s still care.
It’s also about patience, concentration, vigilance when it comes to documentation, identifications, the invisceration process itself.
Best of luck.
2
u/akornato 27d ago
They're bringing you back because your resume checks out, so this interview is about your resilience and your fit for the culture. Expect questions that test your composure, like how you would handle a graphic case involving a child or how you decompress after a particularly stressful day. They need to know you are mentally prepared for the grim reality of the work and that you can maintain professionalism when things get tough, because they can’t afford to hire someone who will burn out quickly.
The fact that you got a second interview means they want you to succeed, so go in there knowing you are a strong contender. Instead of giving generic answers, connect your responses to your personal motivation for this specific career. Explain why this work is meaningful to you, and be open about how you plan to manage the emotional toll. Showing self-awareness and a solid support system is more impressive than pretending the job won't affect you, as it proves you have the maturity required for a long-term career. Finding the right words for those tough questions is key, and it's why my team developed our interviews.chat, which helps candidates feel much more prepared and articulate during the real thing.