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Pre-Interview Preparation:

·         Prepare your resume or CV (curriculum vitae)

·         Make copies of your college transcript, licenses, board scores, etc.

·         Create a list of references and previous managers. Include names, titles, addresses and phone numbers

·         Practice answering standard and more difficult interview questions

·         Create a list of questions to ask throughout your interview

·         Do thorough research on the organization or facility in which you will be working. Call and request an information packet from the organization or facility. Conduct internet research. Call someone you know who works at the organization or facility and ask questions. Find out about how the organization is structured, its management, financials, and their affiliations with hospitals, health systems, and medical schools.

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General Interviewing Tips:

·         Be ready to discuss your professional goals, objectives and personal interests.

·         If there is something that you want to highlight from your CV, talk about it in the interview.

·         Keep in mind people interviewing you are typically potential co-workers and they want to know what it would be like to work with you.

·         Be ready to sell yourself.  Be prepared to sell your strengths and qualifications without being pompous. This is probably one of the most important interviewing skills. You need to be able to present your strengths to those who don’t know you. Think about the following questions in order to prepare:

o   What do others compliment me on?

o   What makes me unique?

o   What will I bring to the table with my next employer?

o   How can I evaluate my experience as a whole?

o   What do I do that’s “above and beyond”?

·         Be prepared to explain any gaps in your resume. Without an explanation these could be “red flags” to potential employers.

·         DO NOT play hard to get. Act as if this interview is the only one that matters. Be enthusiastic and genuinely interested in the position. Interviewers are not likely to hire someone they believe is not excited about their practice. One way to act enthusiastic is to put together a comprehensive list of questions.

·         Be sure to smile, make eye contact, and maintain good posture.

·         Turn weaknesses into strengths.

·         Be sure to listen. If you do not understand a question ask the interviewer to clarify. Do not interrupt the interviewer at any point in the interview.

·         Do not ramble. Give short concise answers with an example.

·         Be truthful.

·         Speak only positively about your former experiences and former employers.

·         Be punctual to your interview. Allow extra time. It is much better to be early than late. This applies not only to face to face interviews but also to phone interviews.

·         Dress professionally. Always wear a well-tailored professional and conservative suit. Women should wear either a black, gray, or navy blue skirt or pant suit. Shoes should be conservative and be closed toed. Wear a conservative colored shirt and minimal jewelry and make-up. Men should wear a black, charcoal gray or navy blue suit with a light colored collared shirt and a conservative “power tie."  My personal favorite is a deep red tie.  Shoes should be polished and hair well trimmed.  Do not overdo the cologne.

·         Do not ask about money in your first interview. You first need to sell yourself to the employer. Once they want you, the negotiations can begin.

·         For Phone Interviews: Agree on a definitive time, determine who is going to call whom, and call from an area where you will not lose service or have interruptions.

·         Always close at the end of any interview (including phone interviews) by asking:  Based on this interview, do you have any reservations about moving me forward in this process? What is the next step in the process?

·         Send a thank you note after interviewing. Either a hand-written thank you note or an email is acceptable.

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Interview Questions to be Prepared for:

·         Tell me about yourself.

·         Describe your personality.

·         Describe your work habits.

·         With what volume of work are you comfortable?

·         Why did you choose to go into medicine?

·         Why did you choose the medical school/college you attended?

·         Why are you changing jobs? Or why are you interested in this job?

·         Why did you choose our practice location?

·         What are your long-term goals?

·         Why do you want to work with us?

·         Why should we hire you? What do you feel you will bring to the group?

·         If you could have any job, what would it be and why?

·         What motivates you? What have you done to improve yourself over the past year?

·         How do you handle your reaction when you do not get what you want?

·         What type of people do you have the most difficulty getting along with in the work environment and how do you handle them?

·         What constructive criticism have you received from employers?

·         What are your pet peeves?

·         How would you describe your skills as a team player?

·         What can you offer us? (You need to show how your skills match existing programs, but also how your skill set and expertise will add something to the organization that they are currently lacking)

·         What are your strengths? Weaknesses?

·         How would you describe your clinical judgment? Give an example?

·         What is your strongest clinical area? Why?

·         Describe one of your most recent clinical accomplishments?

·         What is the most significant contribution you have made to your practice, community or hospital?

·         Describe a medical scenario that did not go well that you learned from?

·         How will you deal with difficult colleagues (other nurses, doctors, etc.)?

·         What do your patients like best about you?

·         What do your patients like least about you?

·         How will you deal with difficult patients and/or their families?

·         How will you handle unexpected circumstances, such as being short staffed and having to perform a treatment you have not done before?

·         How do you handle pressure?

·         What is your leadership style? Give an example.

·         What qualities do you possess that will help you get up to speed quickly with the demands of your new position?

·         Be prepared to answer questions regarding any negative experiences you have had in the work place, what you have learned from them, and how you would use those experiences in a positive way in your new position.

·         Have you ever had privileges revoked or suspended from you or been placed in front of a hospital committee or peer review board?

·         Have you had any disciplinary actions or problems of professional competence?

·         Are you aware of any claims or investigations against you?

·         Have you had any malpractice suits?

·         After what you have seen and heard are you interested in this position?

·         Are you considering other positions? How does this job compare with them?

·         What level of compensation do you require?

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Good Questions to Ask During your Interview:

·         General Questions: What is the history of the group? What is the philosophy of the group? What is the medical character of the practice? What are the short and long term goals of the organization/practice?

·         What are the backgrounds of my future colleagues?

·         Is the group cohesive? Are their practice styles similar to mine?

·         Do physicians in the area refer patients to this group?

·         Is there a true need for a physician/nurse in this specialty?

·         Are other physicians in the practice still accepting new patients?

·         What is the average waiting time for a new patient appointment?

·         What are the organizations future plans for adding on headcount?

·         Does the group encourage specialty conference attendance?

·         Does the group encourage CME, teaching, hospital staff, and medical society activities?

·         Are members of the group active in the community?

·         What is the nurse or doctor-to-patient ratio?

·         Is there support staff? How is the unit or organization structured?

·         In what ways will I be held accountable for high qualities of practice?

·         How much input will I have regarding systems, equipment and the care environment?

·         Does the practice use automated or manual system for scheduling, billing and insurance filing?

·         What is the group’s payor mix?

·         How is day-to-day practice management accomplished?

·         How many nights/weekends would I be on call?

·         What professional development opportunities are available?

·         What are the patient demographics?

·         What are my responsibilities beyond patient care?

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If you would like more personalized one-on-one advice please contact us by phone or email.