EXCLUSIVE J-1 VISA PHYSICIAN RECRUITMENT

The Job Interview

Medical schools, though supportive in many areas, usually lack career information or interview training and counseling. Employers consider the interview to be many residents’ and physicians’ biggest weakness; yet, it is usually the most crucial element of the hiring process.

Most physicians have been well trained in their specialty but not trained well on how to impress it positively in a job interview setting. If you are a typical resident or fellow, chances are your interviewing experience is less than what you would like. Therefore, the interviewing process may seem much more challenging to you.

A job interview is a two-way street. While the employer has the upper hand in many respects, you are both trying to make a positive impression on each other in the hopes of finding a good fit. An interview is a means of trying something on for size before you buy it for both the employer and the physician.

First impressions

When a potential employer contacts you to schedule an interview, you need to make sure that you come across in an enthusiastic manner. Remember this call could be the most important call of your career, so be prepared. It’s a good idea to have a few questions written down so when you get the call you will be ready. Good questions are usually about the location, the existing physicians, type of practice and new things going on in the area. These questions usually incite interest to the employer. An unprepared physician or less than enthusiastic approach will lower the potential employers’ interest in meeting you.

Never ask about salary unless the employer brings it up first.

Don’t be shy; ask to interview for the position if it sounds likes a good fit. An interview must happen before the job is offered as you will never work for anyone you don’t meet.

Also, when taking the first call from a potential employer avoid asking condescending questions such as “Now who are you and who are you with?” or “How did you locate me?” You have likely applied to many positions, but it is important to keep information about these positions handy so that you can immediately reference the caller/organization. Most employers don’t want to get into any kind of bidding wars for doctors so it’s best for them to be given your undivided attention as if you have not spoken to anyone else about a job. Again these are first impressions and you can let them know more as they open up to you.

If you have done a good job tweaking interest in the potential employer they will try and schedule an interview for you to meet them as well as their staff. Always try and accommodate their dates as they intend to have many folks meet you and all schedules must align here. If they ask to interview you on the 16th you should do everything possible to accept that date. The employer may reschedule your interview date, but they will likely interview someone else that day because that date was good for them. Remember you are looking for a very specific type of position and this is a very competitive market. Don’t let someone else get your job.

Do arrive on time. Plan your schedule so that you anticipate arriving at least a minutes early in case traffic is bad, you get lost, or something unknown occurs. Nobody like to wait and it leaves a bad first impression. While it’s good to allow an extra cushion of time, you don’t want to throw off the interviewer by arriving at the office more than five minutes ahead of schedule.

Don’t take your children to any job interview unless prompted to do so by the interviewer for a special occasion. (where other staff members may have their children) Children should be left at home for the job interview.

Do bring your spouse or significant other so you will be considered a serious contender for the job.

Don’t let your spouse control the interview or answer any questions for you. This sends a message that you are not in charge of your destiny and may scare off potential employers from going into any type of employment arrangement with you.

Do be courteous to everyone you meet. You never know how much clout anyone carries in a new environment. A ancillary nurse who finds you arrogant or hard to understand could have a great impact on your ability to get an offer, regardless of how well you came across in the actual interview. Smile and be on your best behavior, you are in front of many people we want all to get the same impression of you.

Do look as good as possible in the job interview process. A good fitting, freshly cleaned business suit and nice polished shoes will never make you look bad. A fresh haircut and shave will also make you look prepared to impress. Under dressing will make you look like you have a casual attitude towards the visit. They may take the same attitude and casually not offer you a job. Look interested and give direct eye contact.

Do have a firm handshake and make eye contact when meeting new people throughout the interview process. Little to no eye contact raises trust questions. Speak slowly and clearly, you will be judged on your communication skills in the interview so relax and enunciate properly.

Do ask questions. Asking questions shows that you were listening to the information the employer presented. It also conveys your genuine interest in learning more about the organization. Research the employer so that you can ask intelligent questions. You will impress them with what you already know about them and they will feel you are more interested because of your research.

Don’t talk about your ex-spouse, or how you hate your Chief Resident etc. as the employer will think you have trouble getting along well with others or have issues beyond what they may want to hire Anything negative will raise a Big Red Flag.

Don’t speak bad of others and if someone asks you about a former employer with whom you had a hostile relationship, be tactful. It’s better to focus on strengths and positives than to give the interviewer the impression that you are not an easy person to work with.

Do establish rapport. Remember the interviewer’s name, and use it throughout the interview. Show interest in the conversation. Ask questions, smile as often as possible, and laugh when jokes are told. A happy doctor is an employable doctor!

Don’t ask about salary unless the interviewer brings it up first. Even if the interviewer does bring it up, you shouldn’t discuss specifics. Focus instead on a salary range and don’t reveal exactly what you made in your last position. Detailed salary discussions should occur after an offer has been extended.

Do send a thank you note after your interview. It is proper etiquette, and employers appreciate the gesture. They just might remember you and gain interest.

Tips for the panel interview:

• It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. Everybody is a little nervous or anxious, so don’t worry if you feel butterflies—it’s normal.
• When introduced, acknowledge each person. Try to remember their names.
• Listen carefully. Don’t let your mind wander. Focus on answering each question as thoroughly as possible.
• Address your answer directly to the person who asked the question.

Tips for the lunch interview:

• While this may be a more relaxed environment, you have to be completely “on” no matter what.
• Follow the ordering cues of your host regarding which courses you should order and price ranges. Obviously, don’t order a dish that you can’t eat neatly, like spaghetti or soup.
• Only order an alcoholic drink if you are pressed by the host to do so. Even if you do order a drink, drink very limited amounts, and match each sip with a sip of water.
• Make sure your etiquette is excellent at all times. Table manners are of the utmost importance.
• Even if the food is fantastic, don’t become consumed with eating. Focus on the interview, and on answering and asking questions.

Tips for international applicants:

• Unfortunately, a thick accent or poor English speaking ability can affect your chances of success. However, more than 30% of positions in medicine are held by people who attended medical school outside of the U.S., so don’t despair. Stay relaxed and speak slowly. Don’t be afraid to ask for something to be repeated, and sometimes a little bit of humor can help.
• If your name is mispronounced, do not correct the interviewer unless they ask for help. Have fun with it and you put their guard down.
• Remember that eye contact is okay in the US and is expected in an interview.
• If it is a lunch interview, you need to be extremely cautious of your table manners. Customs are different everywhere, and you need to make sure that something acceptable in your culture isn’t a breach of etiquette here.
• Do not dwell upon your place of origin. This doesn’t mean you should hide where you are from, but you want to focus on working in the US.
• Try to get letters of recommendation from previous American employers or professors; they carry much more weight.
• Discuss your adaptability and your ability to fit in.
• Make sure you understand your visa status and that everything is in order.

Conclusion

You may be a top notch, hardworking candidate, but you are competing against equally intelligent, motivated candidates. Relying solely on your credentials is not sufficient; you need to understand the interviewing process in order to present yourself in the best light possible. You should accept every interview you are offered, even if you don’t feel that the position presents the ideal fit. The more interviews you go on, the more comfortable you will feel, and the more exposure you will have to the types of questions asked.

Keep in mind that interviewers are as eager to find a good fit as you are. Before you sit down to an interview, take a deep breath and focus your attention on all of those things that make you a good candidate. When you are confident it shows and usually impresses all in your surroundings.