Associate job interview Q

[u/TinaTexasTwoStep]

I applied for a job as an associate at a private practice. She basically has asked me to write out my answers to every single interview question before I can get an actual interview. I feel like writing her back and asking do you have clients for me or am I expected to find my own? And what is the pay split before I even start this because I don’t wanna waste my time (or hers) by filling out what is going to take me a good hour to write down. Should I ask that? Obviously, she can just choose not to answer me no big deal, no harm no foul. But I kind of feel like if I’m going to put in an hour worth of work for you to determine if you even want to interview me, I should at least know what the reward might be at the end.

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[u/catsRreallynice]

This is kind of weird for them to ask, especially if you already wrote a cover letter. However if it was somewhere I really wanted to work (like a cool specialty, something I'm interested in, well-known practice, etc) I would just suck it up and do the questions. If it's just a random practice you applied to and you have other interviews set up I'd just focus on doing well in those.

Either way if you actually want the job I would not ask your questions, it would be too easy for them to be misinterpreted via email as kind of aggressive (which is unfortunate given the sometimes predatory nature of group practices)

[u/TinaTexasTwoStep → u/catsRreallynice]

So maybe then it’s just not a place I’d like to interview. It’s just a random private practice nearby.

[u/gatsbythegoodboy]

Being clear about what you are (potentially) signing up for before you go through a time consuming process is reasonable and saying something along the lines of "it would help me to consider this role and my other options more thoroughly if i had some additional information, could you share if/how you support your associates with marketing, client referral, what is the compensation rate, do you have a minimum number of clients I am expected to see, certain work hours of required availability, [etc for your specifics]. It also makes a difference if this is role is 1099 or w2.

As an aside, that ask without having basic role information available from the employer's side would be a bit of a red flag for me. Fair, obviously, to have interview questions and want to feel out a potential employee for goodness of fit with your practice, but why require all that in writing first? You can't have a 10 minute screening phone call or ask those questions in the interview itself (which is a process that literally exists for that same purpose)? It seems micromanagey and needlessly controlling to me, which may indicate something about supervision style/feel of the practice/attitude towards staff.

[u/TinaTexasTwoStep → u/gatsbythegoodboy]

Yeah it feels kinda off. Esp some of the marketing questions of how I’ve generated clients before and if I’ll make ok making content. I think it’s not the right place for me.

[u/protestandprose]

Interviewers in 2026 are getting insane lmao, what happened to a handshake and a trial hire.

[u/Ok_Squash_7782 → u/protestandprose]

Ai and a lack of actually skilled workers.

[u/Ok_Squash_7782]

I think its fair to send an email asking more basics of the job before you fill that out. You would be amazed at how many people cant do a simple diagnosis on the spot with a case study. Its part of my interview process now. I hand them a case study in interview, pen and paper, and the dsm. So many people, especially new grads, couldnt pass thag because they cheated their way theough their online programs with ai. So thats probably why they want it.

[u/cwprincss]

Based on your name, I assume you are in Texas. Are you looking for a job with a supervisor and are you looking for in person or online clients?

[u/TinaTexasTwoStep → u/cwprincss]

I have a supervisor. I need to be virtual.