Mastering Job Interviews: Preparation, Strategies, and Success Tips

1. Chapter 25 Interview, Portfolio, and Application

2. Job Interview • Conversation between applicant and potential employer • Opportunity to present qualifications in-person and get to know potential employer

3. Job Interview • Keys to success: • Preparation • Practice • Remember: • Interviewer may be stressed trying to find proper employee

4. Question • College career services staff report that one of the main reasons graduates do not get hired for jobs for which the school receives leads is that the graduates _____ . • Are not technically qualified • Do not have health care work experience • Fail to sell themselves at interviews

5. Answer • C. Fail to sell themselves at interviews • Most graduates qualified for jobs recommended by schools, but many fail to sell themselves at interviews

6. Preparing for Job Interviews • Learn about employer • Shows motivation and interest • Helps present appropriate qualifications • Allows for preparation of own questions to ask

7. Preparing for Job Interviews • Sources of information: • Internet • Human resource office or receptionist • News stories

8. Preparing for Job Interviews • Prepare to demonstrate qualifications • Review technical skills • Consider personal qualities • Think of examples that support skills and qualities

9. Preparing for Job Interviews • Prepare questions to ask employer • Must be appropriate for job and facility • Examples: • What are the specific duties of the position? • How would I be evaluated? • Could you describe a typical day? • What equipment would I be using?

10. Preparing for Job Interviews • Questions to avoid asking at first interview • Examples: • What are the benefits? • How many vacation days will I get? • How long are lunch breaks? • Emphasize what you can give • Not what you will get

11. Employer Questions • General employment questions • Try to relate answers to job and employer’s needs • Examples: • Tell me about yourself. • Why do you want this job? • What can you contribute to this facility?

12. Question • True or False: • It is always a good idea to let employers know you are interested in being promoted because this shows you are motivated and have goals.

13. Answer • False • Some employment situations do not have opportunities for promotion • E.g., small doctor’s office

14. Employer Questions • Behavioral and situational questions • Demonstrate how you deal with specific problems and situations • May be given set of circumstances • May be asked to describe past experience

15. Employer Questions • Health care questions • Specific to job • Require good understanding of field

16. Question • “Tell me about how you would work with a patient who is angry about having to wait to see the physician” is an example of a _____ . • Behavioral question • General question • Health care question

17. Answer • A. Behavioral question • Behavioral (or situational) question • Asking how you would handle a situation

18. Employer Questions • Difficult questions • Example: • Have you ever been fired from a job? • Stay calm • Answer honestly

19. Employer Questions • Difficult questions • Do not speak negatively of previous employers • State what you have done to improve or solve problems, if appropriate

20. Employer Questions • Illegal questions • Request information that cannot be used to make hiring decision • Examples: • Marital status • Number of children • Nationality • Financial status

21. Question • Which of the following is an illegal question that an employer should not ask a job applicant? • Can you lift 35 pounds on a regular basis? • Have you ever been arrested? • Are you able to work a flexible schedule?

22. Answer • B. Have you ever been arrested? • Being arrested is not the same as being convicted of a crime and cannot be used when making a hiring decision. (Note: Being convicted of certain crimes can legally prevent individual from working in certain health care occupations.)

23. Employer Questions • Handling illegal questions • Ask how question relates to job • Determine employer’s real concern • Respond to concern • If offensive, may refuse to answer or leave interview

24. Professional Appearance • Creates first impression • Be clean • Demonstrate knowledge of what is appropriate in health care setting • Wear conservative attire • If unsure about what to wear, ask instructor or career service staff for advice

25. Question • True or False: • It is best to remove facial piercing ornaments and cover tattoos when going to a job interview.

26. Answer • True • Although many employers are lenient, best to present conservative appearance until customs known

27. Professional Appearance • Avoid wearing: • Excess jewelry • Heavy makeup • Colored nail polish • Long hair hanging loose • Untrimmed facial hair

28. Securing References • References • People who vouch for qualifications and character • Not family members, relatives, or friends • Request permission in advance • Create reference list

29. Securing References • References • Letters of recommendation • Written by former employers and others who know your work

30. Professional Portfolio • Organized collection of written documents • Supports claims about qualifications • Includes the following: • Copy of diploma, certification, etc. • Documents that demonstrate competence • Work evaluations

31. Professional Portfolio • Includes the following: • Letters of recommendation • Completed class assignments • How to assemble • Organize materials logically • Place in binder with nice cover

32. Professional Portfolio • When to use • Make only one portfolio • Take to interviews • Purpose: • Support what you say • Use only as needed

33. What to Take to Interviews • Extra resumes • Application • If filled out at home • Reference list • List of important facts

34. What to Take to Interviews • Portfolio • Letters of recommendation • Licenses and certifications • Pen and notepad • Appointment calendar

35. Interview Practice • Smile • Introduce self • Practice good handshake • Maintain eye contact • Speak clearly using pleasant voice • Avoid meaningless words

36. Interview Practice • Sit calmly with good posture • Answer questions fully • But avoid rambling • Support answers with examples • Show interest in other person

37. Starting Off on the Right Foot • Avoid being late • Arrive early • If unfamiliar with area, do dry run beforehand • Attend interview alone

38. Starting Off on the Right Foot • Be courteous and pleasant to everyone you meet • Turn off mobile phone

39. During the Interview • Focus on selling qualifications for job • Listen carefully to employer • Determine needs • Answer questions showing how you qualify for job

40. During the Interview • Show interest by asking questions • Balance warmth and friendliness with professionalism • Never gossip or speak negatively of others • Do not place items on interviewer’s desk

41. During the Interview • Never read or appear to snoop through items on desk • Use positive nonverbal communication • Never lie about facts

42. Recent Interview Trends • Unexpected or peculiar questions • Group interviews • Video interview • Psychometric tests: reasoning, personality, motivation

43. After the Interview • Send thank-you note • Send requested information, if applicable • Advise references • Review impressions of employer and job

44. After the Interview • Follow up if you do not hear from employer by date hiring decision is to be made • Continue job search even if interview went well

45. Additional Requirements • Tests for illegal drugs • Psychological tests • Immunizations • Health screening • Criminal background check • Proof of right to work in U.S.

46. Question • True or False: • Some employers request credit information on potential employees.

47. Answer • True • Some employers run credit checks on job applicants, although not legal in all states

48. Accepting the Job • Respond in writing and orally • Do not take longer than one to two days to make decision

49. Declining the Job • Respond in writing • Thank employer • Not necessary to explain reason • Never ignore job offer

50. Dealing with Rejection • Do not take as personal rejection • Do self-evaluation • May ask for employer feedback • But do not demand or insist on reason • Seek help from your school