A one-to-one interview with a recruiter isn’t as stressful as meeting face-to-face with a potential employer, but that doesn’t mean you should treat it lightly. Recruiters play an important role in ensuring your medical industry career stays on an upward trend, so it’s important to put yourself in the best possible light.

With a successful meeting in mind, here are a few tips to consider when interviewing with a recruiter.

Treat a Recruiter Interview just like Any Other

The most important tip when interviewing with a recruiter is to treat your interview just like you were interviewing with a company. Business dress is a must, as is clean hygiene. Don’t slack off on your mental preparation, and present a professional demeanor throughout the interview.

If you fail to treat this meeting seriously most recruiters won’t treat your candidacy seriously. Your job search efforts end up suffering as a result. A recruiter committed to you is a great ally in the employment market, so don’t waste their time by slacking off on the interview.

Be Honest about your Work History

Make sure you are upfront about your work history, especially the reasons you left previous jobs. Get any potential skeletons in your closet out into the open.

Honesty is vital, because the recruiter will be going to bat for you when talking with possible employers. Don’t leave them in a bad spot if a pre-employment background check gets a job offer rescinded.

Use a Recruiter Interview as an Opportunity for Feedback

An interview with a recruiter is a great chance to get feedback on your interviewing techniques, professional dress, and more. Even your résumé and cover letter template benefit from perusal by the experienced eye of a staffing professional. This helps makes sure you are truly prepared for when you actually interview with a medical company.

Leverage this opportunity for a dress rehearsal and take any advice from the recruiter to heart. Remember your professional success remains the ultimate goal for both of you, plus their reputation relies on presenting truly qualified candidates to companies. This gives you a better shot at quickly earning a job offer.

When searching for an experienced recruiter to partner with in the healthcare industry, look no further than Pinnacle Workforce. As one of the top medical staffing agencies in the country, we can help take your career to a new level. Schedule some time with us today!

In an economy where the qualified candidates outnumber the others, you have to stand out. How is this accomplished without seeming obnoxious or arrogant in a job interview?  Putting your best foot forward doesn’t mean compromising who you are or even acting a certain way but rather being true to yourself. If that doesn’t work for the interview, it won’t work for the new position and both parties should be comfortable with their true person. Usually if you have made it to the in-person interview, you meet the basic qualifications so there should be something about you that sets you apart. There are several actions you can take in order to help sway the interview in your favor so that you are remembered for your abilities, personality, and how well you would fit into the role.

1. Engage the interviewer. Don’t just recite answers back to their questions but go one step further by adding some personal information to your answer or even ask them a question after your response. If you are asked about your education, take a couple extra seconds to explain why you went to that school or how a certain class really changed your life. Don’t ramble but try to answer with more than just one sentence.
2. Be personable. From the receptionist who greets you to others in the parking lot vying for that one open spot, show a friendly, positive attitude, because these are potential co-workers and no one wants to work with a grouchy person. While they may not conduct the interview, their input could be heard and you want it in your favor.
3. Know facts about the company. When you’re answering questions about prior work experience, you can tie it to the current interviewer. Use common connections in the industry, clients, and even experiences to show the interviewer that you know exactly who they are and the position they are trying to fill.
4. Exude confidence and knowledge. If there was a new development in your field, talk about it and explain the facts. The interviewer may or may not know about it but it is a win-win either way. You can share some new information with them or you can partake in a lively conversation about what happened. This gives you a chance to connect with the interviewer and for them to realize you know the industry.
5. Common courtesy rules the day. Be on time, don’t chew gum, turn off your phone, keep the cologne/perfume to a minimum, and speak clearly. Treat the interview seriously and you will be viewed as a viable candidate.

Not every interview will be the same but the small details are what will set you apart. These principles can apply to all job interviews you may have, regardless of the field.

Have Additional Questions?

Contact our team of experienced recruiters today! We are committed to helping professionals find employment in the healthcare industry.