| Effective
interview skills produce better job offers. |
| Nearly
90% of all job offers result directly from a
face-to-face interview. In fact, the majority
of all contracts are tendered by the second
meeting. Your responsibility for success lies
in the first impression left
with a prospective employer during an
interview. |
|
| The
Law of Probability predicts four possible
first impression
outcomes to an interview: |
- Best
Result - The employer, impressed by
not only your qualifications and
accomplishments, but also your personal
presentation, offers you the job at the
highest compensation level and you leave
with a contract in hand.
- Better
- The employer, impressed by your
qualifications and accomplishments,
considers you as a prospective employee.
They request references and "will get
back with you in a couple of days."
- Not
So Good - The employer, not overly
impressed by your personal presentation,
"thanks you for coming," however
they need to finish interviewing other
candidates before making a decision.
- Waste
of Time - The employer, disappointed
by your interview presentation, cuts the
interview short and apologizes profusely
because they have a busy schedule for that
day.
|
|
| The
Not So Good and Waste of Time
interviews happen more than we would like to
admit. Even the Better interviews are few and
far between, while the Best Result
interview is a rare occurrence that eludes
some of the most respected, qualified
healthcare professionals. Why? Frankly,
candidates rarely draw offers they want
because they neglect or they are unable to
"sharpen-up" their interview skills. |
| When
your goal is convince the employer to make you
an offer and leave you with the power to
accept the position or not, you need to
consult the professionals. National Health
Partners & Resources compiled a brief
interview checklist of tips from industry
professionals in order to maximize your
chances of having the Best Result
interview. |
| (For
more in-depth interview techniques and
personalized coaching, contact National
Health Partners & Resources at
1-888-647-5005. We can prepare you for your
journey to success) |
|
The
Basics
|
|
| A
- Dress for Success |
- Women
should wear a conservative business suit
with polished shoes. Skirts should be no
shorter than mid-thigh. Stockings should
be non-glittery, neutral or natural
coloring.
- Men
should wear a conservative business suit
with a tie and polished brown or black
shoes. Do not wear dark sneakers that
appear to be shoe-like.
|
| B
- Fresh Breath |
Make
sure that you carry small breath mints. Do
not chew gum.
|
| C
- No Strong Perfumes |
Keep
cologne to a minimum, or better yet use
deodorant and avoid cologne. You never know
who might be allergic to your exotic,
expensive perfume.
|
| D
- Park Egos at the Door |
People
hire a person they like, not someone who
thinks they are better than them. Keep an
upbeat, high-energy demeanor, and a positive
attitude.
|
| E
- Be on Time and Early! |
They
say time kills deals. Well, this time 'they'
are right. Showing up late can be excusable
if you call the employer ahead of time with
a valid reason for the delay...otherwise
your tardiness is unacceptable.
|
| F
- Always Look them in the Eye! |
Maintaining
good eye contact exudes confidence and
honesty.
|
| G
- Do NOT Bring up Salary and Benefits
Unless They Do. |
Negotiating
salary during an interview is dangerous. You
might price yourself out of a job or accept
too little for your services. If they ask
you to name a price, the following statement
may save you from making a hasty deal:
|
"I
am most interested in the opportunity. If
you like what I have to offer your group and
I like what I see, then I am sure we can
work the financial arrangements out."
|
| H
- Keep the Dialogue Short! |
Asking
questions and responding to their questions
is perfectly normal. But keep your responses
as specific and direct as possible...don't
ramble on!
|
| I
- Ask High Gain Questions. |
Ask
open-ended questions that require more than
a 'yes' or 'no' response. For example:
"How
has managed care impacted your practice or
facility?"
|
| J
- Stay Away from Alcohol When Dining |
Just
one alcoholic beverage may impair your
judgment enough to say the wrong thing. Ask
for tea or a soft drink.
|
| K
- Ask for the Job! |
Express
your interest in the job. The employer is
waiting for your acknowledgment of interest.
Tell him or her:
"Yes,
I want the job."
|
| L
- Mail a Thank You Note |
Aside
from thanking them for their hospitality, a
letter or note from you is an excellent way
to keep your name fresh in their mind and
interested in you.
|
