Dietitian & Nutritionist Interview Questions & Answers

Dietitians and nutritionists advise people on what to eat in order to lead a healthy lifestyle or achieve a specific health-related goal.

Interviewers look for candidates that demonstrate excellent skills such as:

• Problem-solving skills
• Organizational skill
• Analytical skills
• Listening skills
• Speaking skills
• Compassion

In this blog, we discuss commonly asked interview questions during job interviews for dietitian & nutritionist positions. We also discuss the qualities that interviewers look for in successful candidates. In other words, we’re here to help you out!

Also, read more about frequently asked job interview questions here and check our job interview preparation checklist.

Skills Interviewers Look For In Successful Candidates

Below we discuss the skills you can highlight in your answers to demonstrate that you’re qualified for the job.

Analytical skills

Why interviewers are interested in your analytical skills:

Dietitians and nutritionists must keep up to date with the latest food and nutrition research. They should interpret scientific studies and translate nutrition science into practical eating advice.

Related: What Does a Dietary Aide Do?

Compassion

Why interviewers are interested in how compassionate you are:

Dietitians and nutritionists must be caring and empathetic when helping clients address health and dietary issues and any related emotions.

Listening skills

Why interviewers are interested in your listening skills:

Dietitians and nutritionists must listen carefully to understand clients’ goals and concerns. They may work with other healthcare workers as part of a team to improve a patient’s health, and they need to listen to team members when constructing eating plans.

Organizational skills

Why interviewers are interested in your organizational skills:

Because there are many aspects to the work of dietitians and nutritionists, they should stay organized. For example, management dietitians must consider the nutritional needs of their clients, the costs of meals, and access to food. Self-employed dietitians and nutritionists may need to schedule appointments, manage employees, bill insurance companies, and maintain patient files.

Learn more about organizational interview questions and how to answer them!

Problem-solving skills

Why interviewers are interested in your problem-solving skills:

Dietitians and nutritionists must evaluate patients’ health status and determine the most appropriate food choices for a client to improve their overall health or manage a disease.

Learn more about problem-solving skill interview questions and how to answer them!

Speaking skills

Why interviewers are interested in your speaking skills:

Dietitians and nutritionists must explain complicated topics in a way that people with less technical knowledge can understand. They must clearly explain eating plans to clients and other healthcare professionals involved in a patient’s care.

(source: bls.gov)

Dietitian & Nutritionist Job Interview Questions & Answers

During a job interview, the hiring manager wants to discuss several things. Think of your:

• Employment history
• Skills and abilities
• Accomplishments
• Job qualifications
• Educational background
• Career goals
• Personality

Below you find a list of commonly asked interview questions.

Examples Of General Dietitian & Nutritionist Interview Questions

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. How would you describe yourself?
3. Why do you want to work here?
4. What interests you about this position?
5. Walk me through your resume.
6. What motivates you?
7. Why are you leaving your current job?
8. Describe your work ethic.
9. What is your greatest strength?
10. How does your experience qualify you for this job?
11. What is your greatest weakness?
12. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
13. Tell me about a challenging work situation and how you overcame it.
14. What are your expectations for this position?
15. What are your career goals?
16. Why should we hire you?
17. What did you like most about your last position?
18. What did you like least about your last position?
19. How do you handle stress?
20. What is your greatest accomplishment?

Learn how to answer these common job interview questions!

Examples Of Specific Dietitian & Nutritionist Behavioral Interview Questions

Learn more about answering behavioral interview questions by using the STAR interview technique.

1. Explain to me how you begin a treatment process with a new patient. Could you walk me through the steps you take?
2. Tell me about your most rewarding treatment experience. Why was this the most rewarding to you?
3. Give me an example of when you prescribed a diet to a patient, and they did not follow it. What actions did you take?
4. What diet will you prescribe to someone suffering from ‘X’ (insert specific patients you will work with, in the position you’re applying for)?
5. Explain to me how you would handle a difficult patient who has a serious health condition.
6. What types of healthcare software do you use to maintain records and track client information?
7. Describe a time you had a conflict with a patient. What happened, and how did you resolve the situation?
8. Please walk me through how you plan, organize, and prioritize your workday.
9. As a dietitian (or nutritionist), how do you approach treatments for patients with multiple or serious health conditions?
10. As a dietitian (or nutritionist), what makes a coaching experience rewarding for you?
11. Do you have any experience giving lectures or writing published pieces about diets and nutrition? If so, which ones?
12. In your opinion, what skills make a dietitian (or nutritionist) successful? Can you give an example of a time you successfully used those skills?

Learn more about questions to ask the interviewer during your job interview.