Preparing for the job interview can be the most critical part of the job hunt. However, you may feel more comfortable if you keep these helpful interview tips in mind.
Research the prospective employer
An important aspect of adequate preparation for a job interview is thoroughly looking into the company beforehand. The vast majority of businesses these days have websites that you can review to become more familiar with the work environment and position. Think of it as an extra homework assignment at the end of your day. What could help you even more is finding a friend, former classmate or someone within your professional network who has worked for the company themselves. This kind of insight can be extremely valuable when it comes time for a face-to-face interview. They can tell you about the employer's values and the culture with the other employees. If you're interviewing for a hospital position, look into its reputation within the community. Your goal is to know as much as possible before you sit down for your interview and discuss the job opportunity. Having knowledge about the employer shows initiative and interest in the job.
Speak with the recruiter directly about the process
Many times, the person who contacts you about the job isn't who you'll be interviewing with. The initial phone call is typically a preliminary review of your candidacy, and you'll sit down with someone else for a physical interview. Knowing this, you should try to get a feel for the hiring process from the recruiter before you come in for a face-to-face meeting. It can go a long way in easing your mind during the conversation if you know that the employer schedules multiple interviews throughout the search for a candidate. This can dispel the fear of not getting a job offer right away after the first interview. You should also find out which executives – if any – are involved in the interviews and who you'll be sitting down with throughout the course of the hiring process.
Review and finalize your resume
You can have all of the education and experience in the world, but if your resume looks unorganized, you run the risk of getting passed over for a job. If it's been a while since you've looked at your resume, it's worthwhile to take the time to review it for any possible mistakes you can fix or improvements you can make. It's imperative that you have at least three solid and reliable professional references on your resume as well. These can either be direct supervisors from your current or previous jobs or instructors that you shared a positive relationship with. In the event you move forward through the interviews, you want to have references who know your positive attributes and can describe the contributions you could make to the new employer. Be sure to list their names, job titles and contact information for the hiring manager.
Write out strengths and weaknesses
When applying for a position, you will inevitably be asked about the strengths you have which could contribute to the success of the company. While your references will list a few, it's a good idea for you to write down some strengths on your own. Your goal in the interview is to sell a product to the manager: yourself. You want them to invest in your abilities and understand the skills you can bring to their organization as an employee. Be prepared to give specific examples of when your strengths came into play at work or school. Similar to strengths, you should also know what your weaknesses are and how to properly discuss them with a manager. They shouldn't be seen as completely negative. You should be able to highlight where you need improvement and tell them what you're doing to improve yourself.
Prepare your own questions
Sometimes job applicants view interviews as an interrogation rather than a conversation. They believe that they should be the only one answering the questions. Instead of churning out answers, turn the tables on the interviewer and reverse the roles. Ask about development opportunities or performance objectives for the position. Your goal is show them that you really care about the position and are significantly interested in working for them.
Preparing for the interview is an imperative part of the process. A hiring manager should be impressed with you as a job applicant if you are well-prepared and exhibit confidence in yourself as a candidate. Keep these helpful hints in mind when you begin your career search.
For more help, Ultimate Medical Academy’s Career Services team offers students and graduates help writing a resume, finding an externship, identifying jobs and preparing for interviews.
