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We are blind until we see,
That in the human plan,
Nothing is worth the making,
If it does not make the man.

Why build these cities glorious,
If man unbuilded goes?
In vain we build the world,
Unless the builder grows.

Edwin Markham

 
   
 

INTERVIEW PREPARATION FOR PHYSICIAN CANDIDATES

TIPS FOR CONDUCTING YOURSELF BEFORE DURING & AFTER THE INTERVIEW

Your impressive, well-organized CV and intelligent cover was effective in getting your foot in the door. Or, perhaps you got it through a networking contact. In any event, you have made it to the interview process. Now what?

While you may be excited, and maybe even a bit anxious over an impending interview, it is critical that you be prepared to take your appointment for employment seriously. The following is designed to help you during the interview process < including how to prepare beforehand, how to conduct yourself in the actual interview and what appropriate follow up steps should be taken after your visit.

Research the Practice or Hospital.

Research on the place where you potentially will be working is imperative. Never walk into an interview without doing your homework. Find out as much as possible about the hospital or practice. The Internet is a valuable tool in researching any practice or hospital, however, most hospitals and practices will send you an information packet prior to your interview. Call and request one if you donıt receive anything. And, of course, thereıs always the most obvious method of asking someone who already works there.

How can you answer the inevitable "What can you offer us?" if you donıt know exactly what it is they do and how they do it? Find out how the organization is structured, its management, financials and if they have affiliations with other Hospitals and Health Systems and Medical Schools. What is the ratio of Primary Care Physicians to Medical Specialists on staff? Be ready to put your research to work for you. You need to show how your skills match existing programs, but also should be able to demonstrate clearly how your skill set and expertise might add something their current program is lacking.

Be ready and willing to discuss your professional goals, objectives and personal interests. Interviewers donıt want to only listen to a complete rundown on your credentials and training. Thatıs what your CV is for and all that should be covered there. However, if you are particularly proud of something you have accomplished, or have had the opportunity to work with some extraordinary people in your field, you may want to mention that briefly as one of your major achievements or career highlights. Donıt assume that the interviewer is completely familiar with your CV. Often the interviewer is not the same person who initially received your resume, be prepared to summarize key points.

Interviewers want to know what kind of person you are (what you care about, what your interests are, what is important to you. In many cases, the people interviewing you are potential co-workers, and they want to know what it will be like to work with you. In discussing non-business issues, stay away from religion and politics) no need to offend anyone. Talking about things you care about (your daughterıs soccer team, your work in a local clinic for the underserved, your passion for fly fishing) is always a safe yet interesting choice.

Be ready to sell yourself.

Without being pompous, be prepared to sell your qualifications, expertise and strengths. Also be prepared to answer any questions that may arise regarding your CV, particularly any gaps in training or job history, switch of residency programs or questions about where you attended medical school. Depending on your answers, some of these could be red flags to interviewers. However, often times there are perfectly legitimate (even admirable) explanations. For example, one young resident had a year-long gap between medical school and residency because he took that year to attend theological school in hopes of being better prepared to serve his patients.

Remember when selling yourself, that thereıs a fine line between being confident and obnoxious < donıt cross it. As the owner of a practice or the head of a department, your interviewer is looking for someone who will be a positive reflection of his or her office. Often interviewers will even ask themselves, "Would I want this person treating my friends, family or even my children?"

Act like this is the only interview that matters.

Playing hard to get has no place in an interview setting. This doesnıt mean you should hint at an offer in the first five minutes, but it does mean you should act enthusiastic and genuinely interested in the position. Few things will turn an interviewer off more than a feeling that you are not at all interested in this job and that you are wasting his or her time. Interviewers are not likely to hire someone they believe is not enthused about their practice. People want to hire people who want the job. Never go into an interview confident that you already have the job (that attitude almost always results in a non-offer.)

Prepare a comprehensive list of questions.

One of the best ways to appear enthusiastic about the opening is to ask questions. Many recruitment specialists say the questions you ask (rather than the answers you give) are the key to a good interview. Before you go into an interview, write down a list of everything you need to know in order to make a decision about a job. Of course youıll want to know about the practice, but donıt forget to ask about the community and quality of life in the area as well. Find out about employment opportunities for your spouse, schools in the area and religious institutions. Often, practices will arrange tours of local schools, churches, synagogues, and other places of worship, as well as, higher education institutions if you inquire prior to the interview.

Speak positively about your experiences and donıt disparage former
employers.

It doesnıt matter how bad they were to you, do not, under any circumstances, speak ill of former employers or managers in an interview. It will make you (not them) look bad.

Review your travel itinerary to ensure punctuality.

This may sound like a no-brainer, but hospitals and strange towns can be confusing places. If you are driving to the interview, check out the address and parking availability prior to your interview. Or, if air travel or trains are a part of your itinerary, confirm your travel arrangements with the recruiterıs coordinator, and make sure you allow extra time for unexpected travel delays or traffic.

Dress professionally.

Even if youıre interviewing with a small-town practice that has a fairly casual atmosphere, dress for success. No matter what the size or location of the practice or hospital, this is a place of business. Present yourself as if you understand that.

Bring your spouse, if invited.

If you are married, a spouse can be an important part of the interview mix. Your first job after residency often entails a move. Employers know that a spouse can play a key role in the decision making process and often will help in finding employment, schools, etc. Just a note: if your spouse tends to dominate conversations, be sure to talk with him or her prior to the interview. Remind your spouse that this is your interview and that you need to do the majority of the talking.

Donıt avoid the subject of money, but donıt dwell on it either.

In a first interview, itıs perfectly acceptable to inquire about money, although it is often recommended that you reserve this discussion for the end of your session. This is not the time for hard-core negotiation, but here are some questions deemed appropriate for your first meeting.

What is the salary range?

I have a guaranteed salary for the first two years, but what is my future earning potential once I go off the guarantee?

What might I be at risk for in the future?

These questions should give you an indication of whether the
compensation for the job falls within your acceptable range. You
can delve deeper into the money topic in subsequent meetings
with questions such as:

What are the benefits, incentives and perks?

What are the patient demographics?

What will my responsibilities be beyond patient care?

How will my performance be measured and rewarded?


Schedule strategically.

Donıt put off scheduling the interview. It looks like youıre not interested and sends a bad message before you even have a chance to visit. Try to avoid Monday appointments, as they are often too hectic for everyone involved. Late afternoon interviews may also not be the best time, as people tend to be more fatigued toward the end of the day, and you will want to make sure you have the interviewerıs full attention.

Send a thank you note after the interview.

In a world full of e-mail and faxes, the handwritten thank you note is in danger of becoming a lost art. Never underestimate the power of a brief, handwritten note. It shows you care enough about the position and the interviewer(s) to send a personalized thank you. Take the time to get the correct titles and spellings of the names of people you met < attention to detail will be noticed.
Also, let it be known you are available to provide any additional information required or to answer any questions that may not have come up during your visit.

The bottom line is this: every new job is an important step in your career.

Take your job search seriously. Never take any job for granted or discount an opportunity before youıve fully explored it. At any interview, be sure to act as though the open position is the job for you. You never know, it just might be.

THE TELEPHONE INTERVIEW

Do you need to be prepared and put your best foot forward for a telephone interview?...Yes, by all means!

Whether you are being interviewed for a prospective position, or whether you are an interviewer screening a candidate, the telephone interview is a critical part of the initial process. And you should be prepared to put forth your best image. That means being prepared and putting your best foot forward.

75% of scheduled telephone interviews just do not take place. One party or the other forgets...is called away...or has other priorities come up. This leads to frustration.... discouragement...lack of interest...and can hamper, even destroy, the potential opportunity for both parties.

To minimize the likelihood of an successful telephone interview, follow these basic steps:

1. Agree on a definitive time. Do not set an appointment for "around 8:00"...be definitive. Set it for 8:10 pm. Be as specific as possible. This will help to establish expectations.

2. Predetermine who is to call whom. You would be surprised how often both parties screw this one up!

3. Secure an area where the call may take place without interruptions. Babies, pets, kids, etc., screaming/barking do not lend "atmosphere" to the interview process.

4. Make a list of your most important questions. You want answers to these questions prior to taking the next steps.

5. Check your calendar for an appropriate time for a follow-up visit. Select 2 dates that would work well, so as to offer an alternative choice in scheduling.

6. Establish an objective: if the phone interview goes well, the objective should be to schedule a site visit.

7. Limit the telephone interview to 20-30 minutes at the max. You cannot cover all elements in a telephone interview, anyway. And some elements are better left to deal with, in person.

8. Avoid detailed discussions about money, benefits, and compensation. It may be premature to get into these elements, too early in the process.

9. Send a "thank you" follow-up letter that expresses continued interest and/or confirms any understandings and clarifications that may have been covered in the conversation.

10. Always maintain a professional stature. An interview, whether on a telephone or in person, is a formal component of a hiring process.

Overview
Career Planning
Privacy Protection
Resume Tips
Interviewing Tips
Do's and Don'ts
Resigning
Counteroffers


On-Site Interviewing Do's and Dont's

Do's

* Arrive 15 minutes early. Tardiness is never excusable.
* Clarify questions. Answer the interviewer's questions as specifically as possible. Relate your skills and background to the position requirements throughout the interview.
* Give your qualifications. Focus on accomplishments that are most pertinent to the job.
* Be professional. Smile, make eye contact, and maintain good posture.
* Anticipate tough questions. Prepare to turn perceived weaknesses into strengths.
* Dress appropriately. Make your first impression a professional one.
* Ask questions. An interview should be a mutual exchange of information, not a one-sided conversation.
* Listen. Concentrate not only on the interviewer's words, but also on the tone of voice and body language. Once you understand how the interviewer thinks, pattern your answers accordingly and you will be able to establish a better rapport.

Don'ts

* Don't answer vague questions. Ask the interviewer to clarify fuzzy questions.
* Don't interrupt the employer. If you don't listen, the interviewer won't either.
* Don't be disrespectful. Don't smoke, chew gum or place anything on the interviewer's desk.
* Don't be overly familiar, even if the interviewer is.
* Don't wear heavy perfume or cologne. The interviewer may not share your tastes.
* Don't ramble. Overlong answers can make you sound apologetic or indecisive.
* Don't lie. Answer questions truthfully.
* Don't express bitterness. Avoid derogatory remarks about present or former employers.

Closing the interview
Job candidates often second-guess themselves after interviews. By asking good questions and closing strongly, you can reduce post-interview doubts. If you feel that the interview went well and you want to take the next step, express your interest to the interviewer.
Try an approach like the following: "After learning more about your company, the position and responsibilities, I believe that I have the qualities you are looking for. Are there any issues or concerns that would lead you to believe otherwise?"
This is an effective closing question because it opens the door for the hiring authority to be honest with you about his or her feelings. If concerns do exist, you may be able to create an opportunity to overcome them, and have one final chance to dispel the concerns, sell your strengths and end the interview on a positive note.
A few things to remember during the closing process:

* Don't be discouraged if an offer is not made or specific salary is not discussed. The interviewer may want to communicate with colleagues or conduct other scheduled interviews before making a decision.
* Make sure that you have thoroughly answered these questions during the interview: "Why are you interested in our company?" and "What can you offer?" Express appreciation for the interviewer's time and consideration.
* Ask for the interviewer's business card so you can write a thank you letter as soon as possible.

Follow-up
After your interview, follow-up is critical. When you get in your car, immediately write down key issues uncovered in the interview. Think of the qualifications the employer is looking for and match your strengths to them. A "thank you" letter should be written no later than 24 hours after the interview. And be sure to call your recruiter.

 



 
 
 
 

Chase, McKewen & Associates, LLC
14902 Preston Rd Ste 404-200
Dallas Texas 75254
Toll Free
1-800-773-8092