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.

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!

When summer hits, you may feel the temptation to slack off a bit and take a vacation from school, work, and even the job hunt. In spite of those feelings, summer can be the best time to find a perfect medical job that will carry you into the fall and even into a promising future. The summer job market is full of opportunities as companies have settled into their routine and know their staffing needs in a clear way. Current teams have identified their strengths and the gaps are obvious so the job search can be in favor of the candidates during the summer searching times. If you are on the market for a new job, consider putting in applications before the rush of summer but even if you missed that time frame, it’s never too late to send out your resume to companies or even to work with a staffing agency to find a perfect new position.

What to Look for in a New Job?

The summer may be warm but the job market in some cities is even warmer. Not only can you find a job that meets your salary expectations but also one where you can make a difference in the life of your patients. A summer medical job can have various components, making it an ideal position for those who are qualified. Here are some things to look for in a summer job:

1. Consistency. When you need steady work, a staffing firm may have just the right positions for you. You won’t need to keep applying to new jobs as you will be in their system and as summer medical jobs become available, they can present you to the potential employers.
2. Flexibility. With summer jobs often comes the ability to have a more flexible schedule. As patients take vacations, days off, and even spend time away from their homes, you may have the ability to work with other patients or to even have downtime for yourself.
3. Location. Have you ever considered taking medical jobs that require travel? A perk of the traveling medical jobs is you will have chance to see various parts of the country. It can be a fun way to sightsee while earning a living at the same time. You could have an adventure each and every summer with a new medical job that requires travel to provide care.
4. Permanent. Some of the summer jobs turn into full-time jobs after the three months and you could start the fall season with a permanent medical job. For those who may just be starting out in the medical field, a summer medical job is a smart way to learn, work with professionals, and work with real patients.

Your summer medical job can be the launching pad for a new career or even as a way to get your “foot in the door” at a new facility while still maintaining a steady job. While others are on vacation, take some time in the summer to further your education and apply for summer medical jobs that will take your career to the next level.

The workplace isn’t always the most kind or sympathetic place to be. In fact, some team members and co-workers can sometimes treat each other rudely, but in the medical profession, there is no place for that kind of attitude or treatment. Empathy should be the rule for every workplace but especially for those in the medical field. The foundation for every medical facility, large or small, should be one of compassion and respect, starting from the top and spreading to each and every patient who enters the building.

Positive Bed-Side Manner
Those in need of medical care are feeling vulnerable and helpless, but the right words, demeanor, and attitude can put them at ease. This is accomplished through a staff of individuals who understand this and work hard to create that environment. It is a fact that happy and calm patients will heal faster and achieve the desired results of recovery. During the course of the day, medical personnel can find themselves worn out and in need of positivity in their immediate surroundings, and this is where empathy in the workplace comes into play. Here are some simple steps you can take to show your co-workers that you care and when you give to them, they are more likely to pass it on to their patients.

1. Smile at those around you. Even if there is nothing funny or you’ve seen that person ten times in the past hour, give them a smile and see how it lifts their mood.
2. Help when you can. If you have some downtime, look around and see who could use some extra assistance with a difficult patient or in getting caught up on a task.
3. Show up early for your shift. Relieve the previous shift or at least give them time to close their logs and be on their way earlier than usual.
4. Bring in goodies. You don’t need to buy anything expensive but consider baking something and taking it to work or even take in some fruit and granola bars.
5. Pull your weight. While this may seem like more of a team building attribute, you should always do your job and help others on your team complete the tasks at hand. This demonstrates your respect and value for their work and time.

As the employer or employee in a medical facility setting, it is important to continue the circle of care and empathy. Without that, you become a facility where patients feel like a number and many will search for better options for their care. Not only will you lose patients but your reputation and job satisfaction will decrease and it can be difficult to rebuild. Avoid the unnecessary problems with simple actions of treating others how you want to be treated.

Social media connects people from all walks of life and professions with a simple invite from one profile to another. It has brought together long-lost family members, rekindled friendships, and even helped network for professionals to find better jobs. The variety of social media outlets continues to increase but the one that stands out for professional use is LinkedIn. With over 1.5 million identified healthcare professionals, it is a site geared for use by those who want to increase their career network, find a new job, or those who want to find new candidates for their open positions. LinkedIn has a distinct emphasis on professional connections and updates, in contrast to other social media sites that promote random thought and personal information sharing. Medical professionals can benefit greatly from using LinkedIn to connect professionally with others for a variety of reasons:

1. The busy schedules of medical professionals can make it difficult to meet others in the same field and even those in the same facility. While you may prefer to keep the relationship professional, you can still have a connection with them. Many times doctors and nurses will not fraternize but there is a benefit to connecting outside of the workplace, in a professional way.
2. Information sharing is invaluable in healthcare. LinkedIn allows users to hone in on updates that are important to them and then have the opportunity to share what they’ve learned. For example, a healthcare professional learning about a new facility or treatment can share it with their network and not only provide that valuable information but become a resource for those in similar fields.
3. It’s fast and easy to connect. Some social media sites are complicated and full of spam but LinkedIn strives to be a site where users will connect with those they actually know or have a common connection. Rather than signing in to a mailbox full of spam, healthcare professionals can connect with people they actually know and a network that will be beneficial to them.
4. Legitimate opportunities can be shared and found by medical professionals. As in any job field, there are those who offer non-existent jobs or ones that may not pay market standard and it is a waste of time for professionals. When a job is offered on LinkedIn, it is not free for the job poster so the scammers are properly vetted through the LinkedIn channels.
5. A high number of medical groups are on LinkedIn and your network can grow by leaps and bounds. The next time you need to find a registered nurse or bio/pharm professional, it will take a minute to search through your chosen groups and find real people with the right credentials.

As a professional in any field, it is wise to have a network of others you can turn to but this is especially the case in the world of healthcare professionals. Trust and privacy are the cornerstone for those working within the medical field so proceed with caution when  finding new staff or suppliers.

Have additional questions on how to find qualified candidates for your organization? Contact our team of recruiters today to learn about the benefits of partnering with us!

The job is yours and a sense of relief washes over you. Now it’s time to start the next chapter of your life, working in a career you love and in a company where you can grow. After sending a quick ‘thank-you’ email to the medical recruiter who placed you, you embark on this exciting journey and time spent on resumes, interview prep, and your recruiter’s phone number become a thing of the past. Before you forget about that recruiter and stop updating your resume, you may want to reconsider at least staying in contact with the person who got you the job. Even though you are happy with the new job, it is never a smart idea, in any economy, to be closed to new opportunities or neglect networking with those in your field.

Increase your Circle
Your personal network is one of the most valuable assets you have in your life. Some are there for you in personal ways while others support you professionally but regardless of their role, they are your circle, your connections. These are the first people you turn to when you need help or to share good news and your medical recruiter should become part of your professional circle. While it’s not necessary to talk on a daily basis, regularly checking-in with them will prove to be beneficial for several reasons:

1. They are your advocate. This is one person in your professional life that wants to help you and will do what they can for you to achieve success.  They have proven their abilities to you by placing you in the position you currently have so it is safe to assume they have your best interest in mind for future placement.
2. Increase your personal network. It’s important to keep in mind that as you grow in your career, you’ll meet new people and they may come back into your life again at some point so you should treat everyone well. If you have connections at other medical facility it doesn’t mean you are switching jobs but you can learn from their situations and practices to improve yours. There may be a time in the future when you need to change jobs and having the people in place to help ahead of time can be a time and stress reliever.
3. You can give back. It feels good to assist someone else and your medical recruiter is no exception. They got you in a great job so why not send friends and family to them when they need to be placed? If you stay in contact with the medical recruiter, you’ll see their available jobs and can send business their way.

Throughout your job search, your recruiter probably became your friend and someone who provided objective advice to you on a regular basis. They are someone you want to keep in your life for the long haul not only as someone you may need but as someone you appreciate for the work they did for you.

Looking for employment in San Antonio? Pinnacle Workforce provides an array of staffing services to clients across the nation, in 37 states. Contact our team of experts today for more information!