Interview Preparation Tips by Dave Maher – FRS Recruitment
Ok, so you’ve got the interview. Halfway there. Now the power is in your hands. For some people an interview can be a daunting prospect, but it’s very simple, the more preparation you do, the calmer and more confident you will be in the interview. This will enable you to perform to the best of your abilities. Clichéd as it may sound, Bejamin Franklin hit the nail on the head when he coined the phrase - “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” So with that in mind, here are some useful tips to ensure that you give yourself every chance to succeed.
Tip 1
Get as much information from the recruiter as possible about the interview. This should include details about the interviewer/s, the hospital, the role, possible clinical scenarios, the team structure, the location, etc.
Tip 2
Ok, so you are now armed with all the information about the position and the hospital, next step is to do your research. It is vitally important that you are familiar with the hospital structure, the area that the hospital is based and the consultants that are conducting the interviews. I always advise doctors to pre-empt the clinical questions for the interview ahead by gathering examples of various clinical scenario that would have encountered during your career. Often doing a practice interview with a family member / friend, or even on your own in front of a mirror, can be hugely beneficial.
Tip 3
At this stage you have now completed all your prep work. Make sure you dress appropriately. Again, your recruiter will be an invaluable source here. If the call is via skype, the same rules will apply. Remember, if you are unsure, it is always best to dress up / more formally.
Tip 4
Ok, the day has arrived and you have done all your prep. Well done! If possible, take a day / time off work so you can go over the final details at your leisure without needing to respond to emails /calls. On the day of the interview, I would always recommend doing light exercise or breathing exercise to help you relax. Remember it is normal to get nervous. The interviewers will expect candidates to be a little nervous. If you suffer very badly from anxiety / nervousness, I would recommend looking into doing a course on mindfulness / meditation. This may help you combat extreme anxiety. For most people, breathing exercise will suffice to keep the nerves to a minimum.
Tip 5
Arrive to your destination early, anticipate traffic delays. It is key you arrive / log in on time. For skype calls, I would advise going on skype 15 minutes early. Often the interviews can be delayed, so best to stay logged into skype until you are called.
Tip 6
Focus on your breathing throughout the interview as this will help your mind to stay fresh. Remember to listen to the question asked and take your time answering. No harm in asking the interviewer to repeat the question if necessary. Keep your answers concise and avoid waffling. Remember, less is often more! Try and enjoy the interview, and don’t be afraid to inject some humour.
Tip 7
When the interview is done, call the recruiter with your feedback.
Final Tip
Everything is done now. You can’t do any more. Waiting for a response can be a challenge, but try and go about your life as normal. If it is meant to be, it will happen.
I specialise in the recruitment of medical doctors. Feel free to contact Dave Maher on +353 (0)1 659 9666 or by email [email protected]
David Maher
Dave has over 10 years’ experience in the healthcare industry during which time he has worked as a hospital sales representative, and more recently as a healthcare recruitment consultant with FRS Recruitment.
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