It is important to note that there are three types of interviews: phone interviews, virtual interviews, and site visits.
The first thing you should do prior to any phone interview is confirm the date and time for the interview, as well as make sure you know what phone number to answer calls from. It is important that you confirm the date and time for your interview so that you can plan around it. The last thing you want is to be in the middle of something you're unable to step away from when the interviewer calls. Being unable to answer a phone call for an interview because you failed to plan accordingly will put a bad taste in the interviewer's mouth, lessening your chance of moving forward in the interview process.
Be sure to do your research about the organization you are interviewing with, as it is likely that the interviewer will ask about your knowledge on it. In addition, be sure to have your questions prepared for the interviewer when the time comes. Remember, you are interviewing them just as much as they're interviewing you. You want to gather all of the information you can before you move forward in the interview process and potentially accept an offer at a place that isn't right for you.
During your phone interview, you should ensure that you choose a spot that is relatively quiet — too much background noise could make it difficult for you and the interviewer to hear each other. You should also make sure that whatever device you are using to take the call (phone, laptop, tablet) is fully charged and has a good connection.
A virtual interview is an easy way for an organization to have a face to face interview without requiring travel. Scheduling can sometimes be tough between you and the organization, but a webcam interview allows the organization to see non-verbal communication that they would not be able to see if it was a phone interview.
Other things to consider when preparing for a virtual interview are lighting and physical appearance. You will want to make sure that you are sitting somewhere with good lighting for your call so the interviewers can see you. It is also important that you pay attention to your physical appearance — wear professional attire. In a virtual interview, you should dress the same as you would in a face-to-face interview. After all, more confidence in your appearance will result in more confidence in your answer.
Test out your connection beforehand — there is a chance with any sort of technology that connection may be spotty. Before the interview make sure you download any type of software or create an account if needed. You want to do this prior to a few minutes before the interview just in case you run into an issue, or it takes a while to start. You should also run a test to make sure that you will have a good connection, so you do not get disconnected or lag and become a nuisance to the interview.
As is true with preparation for any interview, you should be sure that you have practiced your interview questions and answers with a friend or family member. This will help boost your confidence when it comes time for your interview. You should also have previously prepared any questions you want to ask. If you're struggling to come up with questions, visit the Questions to Ask page on the PracticeMatch website for some help.
By the time you are ready for a site visit, you will have already completed your phone and/or virtual interview(s) with the facility. If it turns out that after interviewing, you are no longer interested in the opportunity, don't waste time by going on the site visit. However, if you are excited about accepting a position if offered, you should absolutely partake in a site visit.
When you are planning your site visit, make sure to set aside extra time so that you can scope out the area that you will be living in if moving is required. Make an effort to make connections with people in the community, do research about which communities will be most suitable for your family, and take a look at education options if necessary. Be sure to bring your spouse along for the site visit, as they will be able to gather information on the area while you are completing your interviews. Your future employer and coworkers will want to meet them, as well, so be sure to bring them to any planned events.
During any dinner events, there is a set of rules that you should follow. These rules include the following:
After your visit is over, be sure to follow up with your interviewers and thank them for their time. A handwritten note is the best way to go, but if you have poor handwriting, an e-mail is acceptable. Make sure to avoid sending the note any later than 48 hours after your interview is completed and you have returned home. In your thank-you note, be sure to include a reason or two that you're thanking them and a signature that includes hearing back from them. You can also indicate your interest in the position.
- Join the Physician Ambassador Program to earn additional income during training;
- Create your free PracticeMatch profile so you can apply for jobs with a click of a button;
- Download the Career Fair List so you can save the dates.