Interviewing Tips
 You’ve Been Invited to Interview |
 There are several important steps to the interviewing process and it is important to be prepared at each level. These recommendations will ensure you present yourself positively.
Telephone Interview You have submitted your CV for a job opportunity (either directly or through a Recruiter). It is most common to have a telephone interview first before you are invited to interview in person (a site visit). |
| The organization contacting you will ask questions to determine if you are a potential fit for their opportunity and for their community. You will want to determine if the organization and opportunity fit your specifications before you invest the time to make a site visit. |
| 1. When you receive a call in response to submitting your CV, ask if you can schedule a time for the telephone interview. |
| 2. Try to have the telephone interview away from work and in a quiet place where you will not be interrupted and can take notes. |
| 3. The telephone interview will often take 30-60-90 minutes so you should be prepared with questions regarding the opportunity and community. |
| 4. Speak slowly so you can be understood by the caller – this is particularly true if English is your second language (if you cannot be understood over the telephone, it is unlikely you’ll be invited for a site visit). |
| 5. Speak with enthusiasm and avoid a flat monotone style. |
| 6. If the opportunity appears to meet your specifications, let the caller know you are interested and inquire about the next steps – don’t be shy, let them know you’d like to meet them in person. |
| 7. If the opportunity does not meet your specifications, let the caller know the reasons it would be inappropriate to move forward to the next step. |
| Site Visit Arrangements and Expenses |
 If you are invited for a site visit, it is perfectly appropriate to ask how the travel arrangements will be handled. It is customary that the expenses are sponsored by the
organization inviting you for the site visit. If you are told they will reimburse the
expenses “only if you accept a position with them,” this could be a preview of how they
compensate their staff, invest in new equipment, etc.1. If you are married or have a significant other, they should be invited to the site visit as well. It is better to determine on the first site visit if the community will suit both of you; |
| 2. The organization should offer to arrange your travel for the site visit or they may put you in touch with their travel agent who can issue electronic tickets if you will be flying to meet them. Your airline tickets (and those for your spouse or SO) should be paid by the organization inviting you to interview. |
| 3. Some organizations (particularly small groups) may ask you to buy your own airline tickets and offer to reimburse you for the cost. Please bear in mind that it may take 30-60+ days to reimburse you. If you are a “starving Resident,” you should let the organization know you’d appreciate their making the arrangements and e-mailing the electronic tickets (after you’ve approved the travel itinerary). |
| 4. Organizations inviting you for a site visit can make a rental car reservation but it is very difficult for them to pay for the rental in advance. You will need your driver’s license and a credit card for the car rental. You can submit the cost with any other expenses (parking, gas, food, etc.) you incur for the site visit. |
| 5. Some organizations will make the hotel reservations and have the room billed directly to them; others will ask you to pay for the hotel and submit the expense for reimbursement. |
| 6. Be prepared to let the organization know what you like to see during your site visit so they can create an itinerary which will allow ample time for interviewing and ample time to get to know the community. For example, if your spouse/SO will be seeking employment, the organization may be able to schedule introductory meetings for them. You may want to visit the schools your children may attend. |
| 7. Speaking of children, if you do not have childcare available (or you have a newborn), you may need to take your children on the site visit. If at all possible, it is best to leave them at home so you can concentrate on the interview. However, if you must take your children, some organizations will sponsor the travel costs for your young ones – and others will expect you to pay the costs. If you are unsure, you can ask the organization about their policy regarding travel expenses for children. |
| Dress Code and Behavior During the Site Visit |
 Never forget that you are being interviewed the entire time you are on a site visit. The organization will be evaluating your clinical knowledge, experience, personality, and social skills while you are interviewing with them.
1. Men should wear a suit or a shirt, tie, and jacket for the interviews. You are frequently interviewing with the senior physicians in the practice and they will likely be dressed in suits or shirts and ties. The way your spouse or SO is dressed will also be evaluated. If you are visiting a small or rural community, besure your spouse is not overdressed for the area. It can affect your candidacy if the interviewers are concerned your spouse will not be happy with the shopping in their community. 2. Women should wear suits (skirt or pants) or conservative dresses (no prints!). Wear little or no jewelry. If you have long hair, pull it back so the interviewers can see your face. Please avoid fanny packs, spike heels, and bright fingernail polish. |
| 3. Be very conservative regarding alcohol. It is best to avoid alcohol during lunch; during dinner limit your alcohol to one or two glasses of wine or one or two beers. The same advice holds true for your spouse/SO. Although it is a social occasion, both of you are still being evaluated. |
| 4. Utilize your best manners – think about all those things your Mom taught you – don’t talk with food in your mouth, don’t interrupt someone who is speaking, treat everyone (including the support staff) with respect. |
| 5. You’ve heard it before but there are 3 things that will negatively impact your site visit: limpy handshake, lack of eye contact, and flat affect. Make sure you have a good strong handshake – and if you are not sure, practice with friends! Lack of eye contact makes it appear you are hiding something or lack confidence. If you are interviewing with a group, hold eye contact with the person who asks the question. An enthusiastic presentation will give you a strong advantage over your competition. If you appear tired, nervous, or disconnected, it does not matter how brilliant a physician you are. The “warm and fuzzy” candidate who is enthusiastic will receive the offer. And smile – it is your best asset!! |
| 6. Within 72 hours after the conclusion of the site visit, send a thank you note. This courtesy is rarely used after site visits and you will stand out as a physician with strong social skills. If you are genuinely interested in the opportunity, say so in the thank you note. If you are not sure the opportunity is an ideal fit for you, let them know you are continuing to interview with other organizations. |
| Questions to Ask During the Interviews |
 Be prepared during your telephone interviews and site visits. Keep a list of questions which will help you evaluate the opportunity against your practice and geographic preferences. It is perfectly appropriate to take a portfolio or notebook to the interviews so you can make notes and refer to your own list of questions.
Following is a recommended list of questions. Review these questions against the type of practice you are considering (solo, single-specialty group, multispecialty group, HMO, clinic). Mark those questions which are important to you and add others which may not be included on the list.1. What is the practice philosophy regarding treatment protocols and patient care plans? |
| 2. What is the style of the practice? |
| 3. What are the long-term goals of the practice with regard to the type of practice, number of physicians, and type of patients you would be seeing? |
| 4. What is the level of training and expertise of practice physicians and |
| and mid-level practitioners (if they have mid-levels)? |
| 5. In what other activities are the practice members involved? Faculty appointments? Specialty association/society activities? Hospital committees? Underserved clinics? |
| 6. How is the practice thought of in the community? By other physicians? By patients? |
| 7. To what types of patients will you be providing care? Will you be doing surgery? |
| Which patients would you refer to other physicians? |
| 8. What is the typical patient load for each physician? |
| 9. What is the evening and weekend call schedule for the physicians in |
| the practice? |
| 10. How are decisions made in the practice? |
| 11. Is there a partnership track? Is there a buy-in and over what period of time? |
| 12. What facilities and equipment does the practice have? Do you have an electronic medical record system? |
| 13. At which hospitals will you have privileges? Are other specialists readily available for referrals to and from you? |
| 14. Does the practice appear to be well managed and financially sound? Is the staff well trained and stable? |
| 15. Do any of the physicians’ relatives work in the practice? |
| 16. What is the payer mix? |
| 17. What changes in the practice structure might take place in the future? When? How? |
| 18. How long have you been looking for a new physician and why is there a vacancy? |
| 19. What is the timeframe for selecting a new physician? |
| 20. What is the compensation and benefit package? |
| Do not ask about compensation early in the interviews – you’ll be seen as greedy. Keep the compensation and benefit questions for the end. |
| What the Practice will Want to Know About You |
 The larger the practice, the more structured the interview. Larger practices will have a defined interview process. Smaller practices will be less structured and may include very few questions about you. Smaller practices often spend more time telling you about them. However, you should be prepared to answer the following questions.1. Tell me about yourself (limit your response to 2 minutes). 2. Why are you interested in practicing here? |
| 3. Why did you choose _______ as your specialty? |
| 4. Why should we hire you? |
| 5. What are your long-term goals? |
| 6. What is your greatest strength? |
| 7. What is your greatest weakness? |
| 8. What are your compensation and benefit expectations? |
| 9. What is important to you in a practice? |
| 10. What do you do in your personal time? |
| 11. Which feature of this practice interests you most? |
| 12. Which feature of this practice interests you least? |
| 13. How do others describe you? |
| 14. What are your plans for continuing your studies? |
| 15. Tell me about your training and with whom you studied? |
| 16. How would you describe your style of medicine? |
| 17. Are there any particular types of patients you would like to care for? |
| 18. Do you have any particular special interests or skills you can contribute to this practice? |
| 19. You may also be asked behavioral questions such as “when was the last time you went over the top for a patient?” “Tell me about a recent conflict with a patient or colleague and how did you resolve it?” They may also present a scenario with a disgruntled family member or missed diagnosis and ask how you would handle the situation. |
| How you answer these questions will give the interviewers an idea of your management |
| style, your ability to resolve conflict and stress, and your general outlook on life. |
| Negative Factors Evaluated During Interviews |
| Pay close attention to this list of negative factors which can make the difference |
| between getting an offer or losing your top job prospect. |
| 1. Poor personal appearance |
| 2. Overbearing, overaggressive, conceited, “superiority complex,” know-it-all |
| 3. Inability to communicate clearly – poor voice, diction, grammar |
| 4. Lack of enthusiasm, passive, indifferent |
| 5. Lack of confidence and poise, nervousness, ill-at-ease |
| 6. Over emphasis on money – interested only in best compensation package |
| 7. Expects too much too soon |
| 8. Makes excuses, evasive, hedges on unfavorable factors |
| 9. Lack of tact |
| 10. Lack of maturity |
| 11. Lack of courtesy, ill mannered (especially to support staff) |
| 12. Condemnation of past employers |
| 13. Lack of social understanding |
| 14. Lack of vitality |
| 15. Fails to look interviewer in the eye |
| 16. Limp fishy handshake |
| 17. Indecision |
| 18. Indefinite response to questions |
| 19. Unhappy married life |
| 20. Merely shopping around |
| 21. Wants job only for a short time |
| 22. Little sense of humor |
| 23. No interest in organization you’re interviewing with |
| 24. Cynical |
| 25. Low moral standards |
| 26. Lazy |
| 27. Intolerant – strong prejudices |
| 28. Narrow interests |
| 29. High pressure type |
| 30. No interest in community activities |
| 31. Inability to take criticism |
| 32. Radical ideas |
| 33. Late to the interview without a good reason |
| 34. Failure to express appreciation of interviewer’s time |
| 35. Asks no questions about the job |
| How to Wrap-up the Site Visit |
 No matter if you drove to the interview/site visit – or flew across the country, your genuine appreciation for the opportunity to learn more about the practice, hospital, and community must be expressed when you wrap-up. And, don’t forget to send a thank you note.
If you are interested in the opportunity, be sure to ask these questions: 1. Do you have any concerns about my ability to be successful in this practice? If there are any concerns, you will have the opportunity to address them on the spot. |
| 2. I am very interested in this opportunity. What is the next step? What is your timing to hire a new physician? |
| If you are not interested in the opportunity or community, be sure to let the organization |
| know you are continuing to interview – or you have already interviewed with practices |
| that more closely meet you specifications. |
| Enjoy Your Interviews and Site Visits |
| You will enjoy your interviews and site visits more if you are prepared. Be sure to allow |
| enough time to evaluate the opportunities which most closely meet your practice and |
| geographic preferences. |