Elements of an Over-the-Top Job Interview

It's often difficult enough just getting a job interview, especially when interviewing in a competitive health care career. When you get one, you certainly want to put your best foot forward. There's a lot at stake to the start of your career and your livelihood.

What do you do? How do you wow a prospective health care career employer into hiring you?

What are the things that can put you over the top in an all-important job interview?

Some Basics to Follow

Donnell Adair, Graduate Employment Specialist at Concordes campus in Portland, Ore., has some tips to help you. Hint: It all comes down to preparation.

Practice

Adair said he's seen countless times where people approach a health care career job interview with the attitude, "I got this." That's not all bad, but you also must put in the work beforehand doing everything possible to make sure you "got this."

"Look up the potential type of interview that could take place," Adair said. "That way, you don't fret when you walk into a seven-person panel interview. Research the potential questions you might be asked. This is so important to giving great, detailed, eloquent answers. Why wait to be put on the spot during an interview? Don't take that chance. Do the research now to limit that risk of not being prepared."

Research

A company's mission statement can give you a great idea of what it is all about, Adair said. It helps in forming an idea of how you see yourself fitting in the organization.

"There's nothing worse than an employer asking, "Why do you want to work for this company?" and you not being able to give a clear answer," he said. "If you don't see yourself in the company, a hiring manager won't either."

However, Adair cautions not to believe you know everything about a health care career company just because you've done some research. Don't go into an interview acting as though you do.

Appearance

In a time where we often overlook the formalities of professional dress, it is absolutely important in making a good impression for your health care career interview, Adair said. Many of us are afraid to overdress when it's usually the opposite and most people underdress.

"There's nothing wrong with a tie or a suit jacket," Adair said. "Just make sure you are clean, neat and modest with colors, accessories, make-up, clothing, fragrances, and jewelry. You want the main focus to be on you and your ability to fill the position, not what you did or didn't wear."

The way you carry yourself can also have a big impact, according to Reina Resnik, Senior Graduate Employment Specialist at Concordes campus in Miramar, Fla. Watch your posture. Don't fidget. Make appropriate eye contact.

"Shake hands with a firm, but easy grip; an interview is neither an arm-wrestling competition nor a cotillion," Resnik said. "Make sure to listen carefully and to answer the questions asked by the interviewer. Try to find ways to naturally work in your best selling points during the conversation."

Handling the 'Tell Me About Yourself' Question

Anyone who's been through a health care interview, or any job interview, has heard the question. And, if you have yet to partake in a health care interview, you will - "Tell me about yourself".

It appears to be a fairly innocuous question on the surface. But how you answer it at your health care interview could provide you the edge you need to get hired.

The 'elevator speech'

"'Tell me about yourself' is a common question during a job interview," said Johnni Corwise, MBA, CSA, Graduate Employment Specialist at Concorde's campus in Memphis, Tn. "You may even hear it in casual conversations amongst new friends. The best way to have the best answer is to prepare and rehearse. Know exactly what you want to highlight about yourself, and don't go over three powerful facts. You never want to come off as bragging or boastful. Keep it short and sweet."

Corwise said she loves the concept of the 30-second "elevator speech." The idea is you only have 30 seconds - the length of an elevator ride - to make a strong impression. Write your speech - be sure to keep it to 30 seconds - and read it aloud. A basic example:

"I am Johnniecia Corwise, a Certified Senior Advisor with a green belt in Six Sigma and a Master's degree in Organizational Development. I am very pleased to meet you."

If you were talking to a potential employer, you would add a sentence or two about how those credentials would benefit their company.

Another example:

"I finished the dental assistant program at Concorde three months ago. I will be taking the EFDA exam later this month. I chose to go into dental care because I had a lot of problems with my teeth when I was little. I learned how important dental health is and how wonderful it is when you don't have any more cavities and your teeth look white and straight. I would love to work here at Smile Keepers because of your focus on the comfort of the patient as well as their dental health."

"There is no right or wrong answer," Corwise said. "Choose your proudest accomplishments, and say it with confidence. No one can answer this question better than you."

What 'Not' and 'To' say during an interview

Joan Kilna, Graduate Employment Specialist at Concorde's campus in Portland, Or., said your tell-me-about-yourself sales pitch should be no more than four sentences.

Here's what to say:

• Why you are going into the health care field.
• That you are a graduate (or a student) at Concorde.
• Highlight your certification if you have one or will soon.
• Why you applied to this clinic (or, why you want to extern there).

Here's what not to say:

• Don't give your personal history.
• Don't mention your age.
• Leave out unnecessary details.

"To create your pitch, write out answers to the above questions," Kilna said. "Trim them down to 30 seconds. Practice your pitch. This is the only part of your interview that should seem rehearsed."

Calming Nerves During an Interview

Here is the first thing you should remember about nerves. Everybody has them. They affect the best of us, whether studying for health care careers or otherwise. Politicians, successful business professionals, sports superstars, even world leaders all have experienced some form of anxiety and stress in their lifetime.

The job interview is the epitome of stress. The mere mention of it is nerve-inducing. It's completely normal to be nervous. The key to success is how you deal with those feelings. If you're a Concorde student pursuing health care careers, here are things you can do to control your nerves and land your dream job.

Utilize your Support System

The good rule of thumb in calming your nerves before a job interview is to utilize your support system, according to Cassandra Geddes, Director of Graduate Employment at Concordes campus in Jacksonville, Fla. In the case of Concorde students, this is your Graduate Employment team.

• As mentioned earlier, practice makes perfect. So practice, practice, practice!
• Be prepared! A few things to remember: know the location of the office prior to the interview, anticipate travel/traffic time, print a new copy of your resume, know who you are scheduled to meet with and arrive no more than 15 minutes early.
• On the day of the interview, be sure to eat a healthy meal and try to relax prior to leaving home (meditation, soft music, peppermint tea or just simply quiet time can help with relaxation).
• Try to think of the interview as a meeting, a two-way communication process. Ask questions, be confident, be positive and claim your job.
• It's normal to be nervous during a job interview, but never let them see you sweat. Shake off the jitters, take a deep breath, gather yourself and walk proudly, ready to go.

Bill Lacey, Director of Student Affairs at Concordes campus in San Bernardino, Calif., said it's all about breaking the ice up-front.

"When you walk into the interviewer's office, take a quick glance around, find something you can talk about," Lacey said. "A picture on the wall, artwork, paperweight, anything and inquire about it out of curiosity. While they are answering you, this is your opportunity to get yourself and emotions under control while listening to the tone of the interviewer's voice and gauging what type of interview it is going to be."

And last but not least, Confidence

Everything mentioned previously will all be for naught if you lack confidence, Adair said. You could give perfect answers and prove that you've done your research on the company, and it will not be impactful without the confidence to back it up.

For our current Concorde students, you have dedicated months in preparation for performing well in your new career field. You have real-world experience to assure you. You also have the support of the Graduate Employment Department, dedicated to your successful employment and with you through every step of the process.

"We can help," Adair said. "Give us a call or stop by and see us. For those not yet in the process of your training or have not decided to come to Concorde yet, know that the Graduate Employment office works with you while you are in school and while you are in your employment search seeking your first opportunity in your new field. It is a lifetime service offered to you as an alumnus of Concorde."