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Say your answer out loud first, then jot down the key points you made. Writing it helps you spot gaps — and it's what the AI feedback reads.
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Composure under an unexpected task, and — the hidden test — whether you ask about the other person's needs before talking (the same skill as a good consultation).
A structure to build your own answer on — not a script.
Pause and engage
Smile, take the pen — treat it as a conversation, not a pitch.
Ask before telling
What do they use pens for? What frustrates them about pens?
Match features to needs
Tailor benefits to their answers.
Handle objections honestly
Don't oversell; respect a 'no'.
Reflect if invited
Link to exploring patient needs and shared decision-making — and the difference between persuading and informing.
A strong but not perfect answer. Read the notes to see why it works — then make your own version with your experiences.
Takes the pen, smiles. "Before I tell you anything about this pen1 — can I ask what you use a pen for most in your day?"
Interviewer: 'Signing things, making notes in interviews like this.'
"And is there anything that annoys you about the pens you use now?"
Interviewer: 'They run out, or they smudge.'
"OK — this one has a quick-drying ink, so no smudging on the forms you sign, and it's refillable, so it won't run out at the worst moment in the middle of an interview. It's also light enough to write for a long time without aching."
Interviewer: 'I've got loads of pens already.'
"That's fair — if the ones you have work well, you may not need it2. But if you'd like one that doesn't smudge when you're signing things quickly, I think this one would suit you."
If invited to reflect: "I think the real skill was asking what you needed before telling you about the pen. It's similar to a consultation — you find out what matters to someone before offering options. Though as a doctor, the aim isn't to sell a treatment3, but to help someone choose what's right for them — including choosing nothing."
Real interviews are won and lost here. Answer each one aloud.