An
interview is like a well-researched first date. You learn about an
opportunity from a recruiter, a colleague or an ad. You go on-line to
learn all you can about the practice, the hospital, and the area. You
submit your CV and references. You speak with an administrator,
physician, and/or practice manager. You are invited to visit, and you
accept. Now what?
You will
probably go on numerous interviews in your search for the “ideal
practice.” These can be agonizing or exciting experiences. Fortunately,
there are things you can do to tip the scales in your favor, and you can
take comfort in knowing that each interview prepares you for the next.
Present
Yourself Appropriately
Dress for
the occasion. You are a professional, and this is business. If you don’t
have a suit in your closet, invest in one. Take along several
shirts/blouses to vary your look. Keep ties/jewelry toned down. Wear
comfortable shoes, and be sure they are polished. Go easy on the
perfume/cologne/after-shave.
Most
interviewers will not notice that you wear the same suit for two days,
with varied accessories, but they will remember if you wear something
inappropriate. Knowing that you look your best will give you confidence.
Study your itinerary to see if there is a need for anything special; a
backyard barbecue requires informal wear.
(Bad
memories: A young physician who walked off the plane in cut-off Levis and
old sneakers, not realizing that the hospital administrator was waiting at
the gate. A nursing mother who wore a tube top, explaining that it was “convenient”;
convenient perhaps, but it raised eyebrows.)
Bring extra
copies of your C.V., in case you meet a physician who has not received one.
Create a list of questions that you wish to ask, questions that assess
every aspect of the practice. Have a pen and notebook handy. Carry
everything in a brief case or nice folder. Leave the backpack at home.
Arrive
early. If there is an unavoidable delay, phone your interviewer with an
explanation. Greet the interviewer with a handshake. Introduce your spouse
or partner if you are accompanied.
Express
appreciation for the opportunity to interview; the employer has spent time
and money to make this happen. Conduct yourself professionally with
everyone you meet. Nurses and secretaries will be asked for their
assessments after you leave. Try to use the names of the persons with whom
you speak. If the names escape you, use “Sir” or “Ma’am.”
A
Typical Site Visit
Every
interview is different, of course, but some elements are common:
-
a
formal interview with the leadership of the group
-
a tour
of the Ob/Gyn offices
-
a tour
of the hospital
-
meetings
with physicians in your specialty
-
meetings
with anesthesiologists, nurse managers, and referring physicians
-
informal
visits with physicians and spouses
-
brunches,
lunches, dinners
-
a tour
of the community, with attention paid to real estate, schools,
churches, and recreational or cultural venues
-
a
wrap-up session with someone in authority
Their
Questions
It is
impossible to predict where an interview may lead, but you can be prepared
for some standard queries:
-
Why did
you want to become a physician?
-
Why did
you choose this specialty?
-
Why did
you choose your residency program?
-
What
were your best/worst experiences during residency?
-
What
was your most difficult case and how did you handle it?
-
What
would our fellow residents say about you?
-
What
are your strengths/weaknesses?
-
How
much experience have you had in (specific procedure)?
-
Why
have you applied for a position with this practice?
-
What
attracts you to this city/state/region?
-
What
skills/attributes/experiences could you bring to this position?
-
What
are your career goals?
-
What
are your salary requirements?
Whatever
the question, maintain your focus. Try to make your points concisely and
coherently, but do not give “yes” or “no” answers. Elaborate, but
do not digress. Do not say anything unflattering about anyone, ever.
Continue
