The Approach of the Interview

You need to convince the prospective employer of three things:

• I can do the job
• Here is why I can do the job.
• I want the job.

Here is how:

Prepare a list of questions.

Write your questions down and take them to your interview. Intelligent questions indicate genuine interest and preparation. Ask the questions of everyone with whom you interview. Different perspectives will give you a better understanding of the practice or institution.

Ask your interviewer to detail the duties of the position.

Early in the interview ask to have the duties of the position clarified so that you can relate your background and skills with those duties in mind.

Be open and be yourself.

This will help the interviewers understand who you are and help both of you determine if you will fit at the practice.

Give them feedback.

If you genuinely like what you see and hear, tell the interviewer so. Express any major concerns you have. Their responses may be enlightening. Show interest in your interviewer as an individual and potential colleague. A more human approach will help the interviewer become comfortable with you as a person. This may translate to a higher degree of confidence that you would fit into their organization well.

Interview to get the job!

Never close the door on an opportunity-always conduct yourself as if you were determined to get the position you are discussing. It is better to receive an offer that you do not want than to want an offer that you do not receive.

Make the entire site visit count.

• Meet every member of the group.
• Ask to visit the hospitals the group uses.
• Observe the working environment while you tour the facilities:
  • Do the physicians and staff appear to have a harmonious relationship, or does it seem forced and stressful?
  • Is the waiting room large enough to accommodate the patients?
  • Are examination and consultation rooms satisfactory?
  • What type of equipment is available, and does this meet with your expectations and requirements?
  • Are the charts neat?
  • Is the information in the charts handwritten or transcribed?
  • Are the charts current?

If you want the job, tell them so!

Given two relatively equal candidates, interviewers will select the one who expresses the strongest interest.

What is the next step?

Never leave the interview without a clear understanding of the next step. Will they contact you either way, or will you only be contacted if an offer is extended? In what time frame will they make a decision? Will they contact you directly or through a recruiter? Is there someone whom you may call if by the deadline you have not been informed of his or her decision?

Fulfill any promises.

If during the interview you indicated that you would provide the interviewer with any additional information, such as additional references, copies of published papers, or professional documentation, be sure to do so in a timely manner.