Questions to Ask and Nail Your Interview

Your coming up on graduation and are on the hunt for the dream job. You've applied and have been contacted about coming in for an interview. Time to prep and come up with the questions you want to ask, but you start to wonder "what are the right questions to ask?"

Most people think that job interviews are entirely about seeing whether you are a fit for the posted position. While that's true, they're also about determining if the company, office or practice is a place where you will thrive, too.

When other interviewees start to coast or completely stall, you can really stand out in the final lap by being prepared with strategic and calculated questions of your own.

Understanding the 'why' before the 'what'

The type of questions that you ask sends a very clear message about your mindset. You have a unique opportunity to show, through the questions you ask, that you are team-oriented, goal-focused and success-minded.

Be sure not to ask questions that are already in the job description or that are available through basic research on the website.

Think about what's important to you about working for an organization. Consider things like your prospective role, company culture, leadership with the company, performance management and opportunities for growth.

It's also best to follow suit with the type of questions you experienced and avoid yes/no type questions. Don't ask "Can I have my birthday off?"

What to Ask

Do ask questions like these:

What will the first 90-days in this role look like? This gives you insight into the department's priority. It also helps you get an idea of this organization's onboarding and training process. It also helps determine if the thought has been given to how your role will evolve.

How will success in this position be measured? Knowing what your job duties are and how you'll be measured are two very different things! A job description may be recycled or have duties in it that aren't really a focus of the actual position. This communicates that you already thinking in terms of how you can make a difference and that you are results-driven.

What's your favorite part of working at this company? You may get a cliche answer, but it will also give you insight into what can you expect in your tenure. Do they integrate families into work? Is there a good amount of flexibility? Do they have perks that interest you?

Behavioral Interview Questions During an Interview

One thing that is fairly common in health care interviews is behavioral interview questions. Sometimes called situational scenarios, they typically begin with "Tell me a time when...."

"These types of questions help the employer get to know the applicant on a deeper level," said Danielle Van der Knaap, Graduate Employment Specialist at our Concorde San Antonio campus. "They provide insight into the applicant's personality and the way they handle certain situations."

She adds, "Rather than just basing the interview around job performance, these type of questions reflect how the applicant responds in times of stress if they are the type of person the practice is looking for and whether they can get along with a team, etc."

Practice Makes Permanent

These types of questions require some practice. If you invest time in preparing, you limit the chances that you'll walk out of the interview thinking, "Oh man! I had a really great example of that question."

Also, practicing how to frame your health care degree beforehand will help you avoid the number one no-no of interviewing: lying. "It's never a good idea to lie," said Van der Knapp. "It's okay to say that you haven't experienced that particular situation or to discuss a similar scenario."

Similarly, rather than "winging it," practicing will allow you to iron out details around removing sensitive patient information or items that may violate HIPAA while you tell a story.

Confidence is Key

To approach each interview with full confidence, Van der Knapp suggests:

1. Writing down common questions and how you would respond
2. Having someone ask you random questions and answering them
3. Practicing in the mirror to get a better sense of your non-verbals
4. Recording yourself on your phone so you can go back and listen to what you need to correct
5. Doing a mock interview with the Graduate Employment Department

Remember, interviewing is a learned skill. "Continue getting out there and view each interview as an opportunity," encourages Van der Knapp. "For more information on behavioral interview questions, or to perform a mock interview, see your Graduate Employment Specialist!"

Landing the Job

There are plenty of other questions you can ask. The important thing is that you have a few lined out that demonstrate the kind of team member a company can expect you to be when they offer you the job!

At Concorde Career College, we offer resources to our graduates, such as resume preparation, interviewing techniques, assistance in placement and more. To find out more about how Concorde can help you, contact us today!