Looking for a Job? Interview your Interviewer!

July 31st, 2014

The dreaded job interview is a necessary part of the employment process but did you ever stop to think about how the interviewer feels? They are in charge of the interaction and if they don’t do a good job, you may have the wrong impression of the company or they may not be able to correctly interpret your skills and hire the wrong person. Your interviewer has a great deal of stress on their shoulders but there are some ways you can help the interview be a positive experience. Even if you aren’t given an offer from that company, utilize the interaction as a way to learn and grow. Here are some quick things to remember when you’re in an interview so you are memorable:

  1. Try to be calm. Your interviewer will be a little nervous, just as you are. Some people are naturally more at ease in situations but others while others can be nervous about even the slightest interaction. When you are centered and calm, the interviewers can be as well.
  2. Know the answers. You should know how to answer the standard interview questions but also have intelligent ones to ask in return. Keep your answers succinct so you make a point and don’t sound like a robot but don’t ramble.
  3. Engage the interviewer. You may feel intimidated by the other person and that is normal but if you prepare ahead of time, you’ll be able to go on adrenaline. Practice some questions you’d like to ask and then consider their responses. Be prepared for a variety of responses and even consider follow-up questions. You have every right to interview your interviewer to some extent.
  4. Brush up on current events. You will undoubtedly make some small talk when you arrive, walk to the meeting room, or even during the beginning phase of the interview. Watch the news that day or at least that week so you have some neutral topics to discuss to calm your nerves and the interviewer’s nerves. Stay away from hot button items and controversial topics.
  5. Don’t be boring. While it is a broad statement, boring rarely gets the job. The interviewer wants to see someone who has confidence as well as the ability to converse. Social skills are part of the interview process and the interviewer should feel as though you are someone they would personally want to work with on a daily basis.
  6. Ask appropriate questions. If they have memorabilia on the walls and pictures on their walls, it is something they want to be noticed so you can ask questions about it. Stay focused on the company and the role but taking a small detour to enjoy life is one way you can stand out.

Not every interview will go as planned. Some interviewers will be strictly professional  with no small talk or stories to get through while others will take you on a tour of their lives so just be prepared for any type of personality to be behind that desk. Every interview is a chance for you to hone your skills and vocalizing your talents and skills so keep that in mind if you don’t hear back from an interview.

Measuring Ethical Standards for a Medical Interview

July 25th, 2014

Ethics in any field are important but they are usually simple to navigate in the business field. The right decision is easy to arrive at when it deals with right and wrong such as cheating, lying, or stealing. In the medical field, however, the lines are less clear and many of the opinions held by those in the medical field will differ. While everyone agrees stealing is wrong in business, issues like abortion and euthanasia can present a controversy for those in the medical field. When you are interviewing possible candidates for a medical position, you need to ask the touch questions but keep in mind there is a difference between ethical standards and moral opinions.

Asking the Right Questions
You may personally want to know the candidates stand on hot-button topics but going straight down a list of issues won’t give you a well-rounded idea of who they are and their ethical standards. The idea behind the ethical questions is to gage their reaction when faced with something controversial or something non-standard. Medical professionals should know and understand their duties but sometimes their personal feelings or ideas can cloud their judgment. That is where you want to know how they would react. Even if you don’t agree with their answers, it is critical to see why they feel or chose a certain action as that will point to their ethics. It shouldn’t be a textbook answer or what they think you want them to say but rather how they really feel.  Knowing what to ask can yield the right answers and provide insight into the candidate on a deeper level.

Listening to the Answer
As the interviewer, you are listening for more than just a response. You need to know why the candidate chose a particular decision and the facts they use to support their answers. If they simply have an opinion without reason, their resolve may not be at the right level for your organization. You want a candidate who makes decisions based on facts and what they know at that time. Medical professionals will be faced with difficult decisions on a daily basis and if they are not able to these questions in an interview, what will happen when they are under extreme pressure? Your duty to listen to what they are not saying and even their body language will provide a large deal of information to you. Candidates who fidget and don’t seem comfortable with their answers may not know their own opinions or cannot think critically to make a decision. Ideally, the candidates should have resolve and know where they stand before faced with a tough decision.

Looking to Hire in 2014?
If you’re looking to add members to your current staff, contact the experienced medical recruiters at Pinnacle Workforce Corporation. Experts in staffing San Antonio, we have the team on hand to assist you with your hiring initiatives. Contact us today for more information!

Balancing Between Professional and Personal During an Interview

July 18th, 2014

Maintain your professional demeanor.

Don’t let yourself be unprofessional.

Professionalism above all else. 

Every job hunter has been given these instructions as well as a laundry list of other tips but rarely are job seekers told to let their personality shine through during an interview. Every individual has their own set of qualities and strengths they bring to the table but if they suppress their true self, the potential employer can miss their uniqueness. The last thing you want to be in an interview is forgettable. You want the employer to remember you, the positive things about you and everything you can bring to their company.

6 Ways to Balance Between Professional and Personal During a Job Interview

  • Professional: Dress appropriately. This is not the time to wear a political pin or your favorite band tee shirt. You should look professional in attire that is suitable for the position and company where you are interviewing. If you aren’t sure, err on the side of overdressing rather than underdressing. Keep accessories to a minimum and steer clear of anything controversial in your attire, even if you feel that it is part of your personality.
  • Personal: Tell simple stories. This can be difficult for some candidates but the key is to keep it short. Don’t elaborate on some crazy story from your college years but if the conversation goes to a vacation or funny family story, feel free to engage the interviewer with a story of your own. Always stay away from religion, politics, and money.
  • Professional: Know your skills. Be prepared to share your successes professionally. Don’t divulge your latest diet willpower story or bar conquest but rather share your job accomplishments.
  • Personal: Talk about relationships. No, not personal relationships but a boss that you really admired or how you led your team to reach their goals. The interviewer wants to know that you can work with others and relate to those in your organization.  Sometimes a funny story can help to break the ice during an interview but keep it clean and short.
  • Professional: Keep a safe distance between the interviewer and yourself. Don’t run home and add them to your social networks or ask them personal questions during the interview. You want to get to know them but on a work-level to start.
  • Personal: Don’t let the conversation wind up being a rapid-fire question and answer time. Do your homework ahead of time and try to find some common ground, professionally with the interviewer. Or at least be observant while in their office and exercise those conversational skills where you are engaging.

Interviewers need to remember you. Your skill set, your personality, and even your personality but if you remain strictly professional, you will probably blend in with the other candidates. You don’t have to be off-the-wall or even funny but you should aim for engaging and friendly. No one wants to work with a stuck-up, rude person and if you aren’t careful, your professional attitude may be perceived as stand-offish. Let your personal side shine while maintaining a professional demeanor at the core.

Looking for Employment in 2014?

Let the expert recruiters at Pinnacle Workforce assist you in your job search! We have the professional staff on hand to help you land the job you’re searching for! Contact our team today for more information!

How to Handle Medical Interviewer Personalities

July 11th, 2014

The job interview is both exciting and nerve-racking at the same time. While you’re excited to have the in-person interview, you will be nervous about the possible questions and if your answers are on-target. This is the perfect time to show your professional personality and showcase your skill set and do your best to convince the interviewer that you are the best possible candidate for the open position. If you are prepared for the meeting, your interviewer will be the major variable; they could be difficult to talk to, cranky from interviewing all day, or annoyed they are responsible for this hiring process. How do you get through medical interviews when you encounter a difficult personality in the interviewer?

3 Tips to Help You With Your Next Interview.

  1. Know the company.
    Just because the job is familiar to you, the company may do things differently and you should know this information. Not everything will be available online but you should be able to hold a conversation about what you know regarding the company history and their target patients. When the interviewer can see that you have prepared, they are more likely to take you seriously.
  2. Prepare for the questions.
    They may ask the routine questions and you should be ready to answer them, even if you feel the questions are dated. Medical interviews are sometimes conducted to see how you handle pressure, less than comfortable situations, and even how well you interact with others. The interviewer may be feigning difficulty to test your interpersonal skills.
  3. Remain professional.
    In spite of being nervous, flustered, or even upset by the attitude of the interviewer, stay calm and answer politely. You will never regret handling a difficult medical interviewer with courtesy. It is possible that person is simply having a bad day and they are not their usual, friendly self. When you react politely and with confidence, you are showcasing your ability to work well with others, even difficult patients.

As with any job interview, don’t let your nerves or initial impression dictate how you handle yourself. Think back to a situation with a difficult patient that you worked through and they eventually became your favorite patient. It happens in life situations so it can happen in an interview but you have the ability to make a positive outcome even with the most difficult personality.

Looking for Additional Interviewing Support?
At Pinnacle Workforce Corporation, we understand the importance of a successful interview. Contact our team of skilled medical recruiters today to learn how a partnership with our team and positively impact the growth and structure of yours!

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