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Going to an
Interview and what you should do before, during and after
the Interview
The
first hurdle to get a job is having the right skills, the
right resume, and the right cover letter for the job on
offer. If you have mastered that and are called for an
interview, you are half way to having the job. But only
half way...now comes the important interview!
The most
important thing, before going to an interview is
to find out as much as you can about the
company, hospital of institution in
question. Look at their web site, ask friends,
obtain information from them in advance. By going
to an interview prepared and able to demonstrate
at least a basic understanding of the
employers business, shows that you are
actively interested in that particular employer,
rather than simply seeking a job anywhere. Prepare
questions in advance about the specific job you
have applied for and also about the company in
general.
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The idea is to demonstrate your interest
and knowledge in the employer and the job. dont
forget that you may not be quite right for one job but
perfect for another.
You
should remember that some candidates look fantastic on
paper, but are disappointing in the interview. Other
people have a natural talent for interviewing. To
some extent, interviewing is a learned
skill. To help you a little here are ten
tips to show your best as you are being interviewed.
Ten
Tips on How to succeed in an Interview |
1. |
Research
the industry and company beforehand. Use
every resource to your advantage: Fellow
students, professors, career-center resources,
informational interviews with alumni of your
school, the companys (hospital's)
recruitment literature and Web site.
Databases and Web sites such as LexisNexis and the U.S.
Business Browser (usually available in
libraries)can also be consulted. For Hospital
and Medical Professionals there are
directories such as the Directory
of American Hospitals or the
excellent directories offered by Beech
Street. |
2. |
Know
what youre looking for and why you are in
the interview. What are your
values, interests, preferences? What kinds of
roles and responsibilities are stimulating to
you? What are your top five criteria for
choosing an employer or accepting an offer?
Thinking through these issues will keep you
focused in your interviews and keep you
from wasting time. |
3. |
Understand
what you have to offer, educationally, in terms
of experience and as a person.
What makes you unique? What are your points of
difference? Understand how these make you a good
fit for the opportunity the employer is offering,
so you can make it clear to the interviewer that
you are a good fit. |
4. |
Before
you go to the interview think of questions they
might ask and anticipate the questions.
Think about the main points you would emphasize
for each potential question you can imagine the
interviewer asking. Prepare how you would
handle any illegal, unfair, or politically
incorrect questions in a firm but graceful
manner. And remember: If its on your
resume, it is fair game. |
5. |
Practice
an interview, learn from it and then refine and
practice again. Participate in mock
interviews if you can or practice on your
own. Ask for honest feedback from friends
and acquaintances and work to improve. |
6. |
Be
on time, enthusiastic and professional.
When in doubt, dress more formally (most of the
time, a suit and tie for men, a pantsuit or
jacket and skirt for women). Bring extra
copies of your resume, just in case.
Introduce yourself, give a firm handshake and eye
contact when you introduce yourself. Show
enthusiasm related to the
interviewers. Close the interview
with a handshake and a genuine thank you. |
7. |
Develop
questions for each interview examples
might include: Can you give me some examples
of what kind of roles Nurses (or other employees
as appropriate for the position you apply) have
at the company, after two or five years? |
8. |
Ask
about next steps and the timing of the recruiting
process. If you think you will be
invited for a second-round, this will allow you
to note it on your calendar, so you can
participate. |
9. |
Follow
up with a written thank-you note. Do
not use an e-mail for that. It does not have to
be handwritten, but receiving any thank you note
can be a breath of fresh air. Dont
use fancy, personalized stationary a
simple note-card or nice paper will do. |
10. |
After
each interview, review your performance.
Keep learning and improving as you go to
interviews. Write down points where you
think you have to improve. |
And then, there are some
general points:
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Keep your
answers as short and succinct as
possible, using specific examples or
scenarios to demonstrate your experience, ability
and knowledge. |
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Consider
your long term career goals and your
personal attributes. |
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Be
honest, for example, dont position
yourself as a team player, if you are a loner, it
may get you the job in the short term, but in the
long term, you will be unhappy and be looking for
another job! |
Good luck!
And
here are some useful Books from amazon.com |
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