Candidate Interview Tips

Below are some tips that we recommend to candidates who interview with Pinnacle Health Group. Some of these guidelines may seem obvious, but it’s always good to review them. Our clients strive to make the interview as comfortable as possible. Many try to make the visit about 70% social and 30% business. It is easy to let your guard down in social settings. Don’t. Remember, the entire visit is an interview.

Our goal is to put you in control and in a position where you can choose to accept or not accept an offer. Many physicians feel that if they are asked to interview, they are guaranteed an offer. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. By observing the following tips, you will increase your chances of being offered the position and thereby being in a position of choice.

• • When you meet your interviewers face-to-face, be sure to smile at them and offer a firm handshake. Promptly introduce yourself and verbally express pleasure by saying something like, “it’s very nice to meet you.”
  • Take notes, smile, and show sincere interest. Ask questions. This shows interest. (Exception — stay away from the compensation conversation until the end, or discuss this with your recruiter after the interview).
  • Stay on schedule. The employer has gone to great lengths to put together a detailed itinerary, and it is rude to reschedule the itinerary or to be late to the various events that are scheduled for you. If circumstances are out of your control, call your recruiter so arrangements can be made with the employer.
    Sell yourself. Show how your skills and background will help the employer solve their problems.
  • Explain any background issues honestly and with confidence. It is important to discuss with your recruiter the best way to present any potential negatives.
  • Don’t be confrontational or argue with the employer about anything on the interview. If there appears to be inconsistencies between what your recruiter presented and what the employer presented, make sure you discuss this with your recruiter after the interview has been completed. You don’t want to leave the interview in a negative light, especially if the inconsistency could be easily resolved.
  • Display good manners and use positive body language. Avoid any potentially offensive behavior that interrupts the interview such as making telephone calls.
  • Do not put on an act but be sincere and polite. Non-verbal communication means a lot in an interview.
  • A good rule of thumb is to base your actions on the interviewer’s actions, following suit with casual or format behavior. However, you must remember to always maintain a courteous and professional demeanor.
  • Make sure your spouse (if present) is not too aggressive or controlling of the interview. For instance, if the interviewer asks you a question, be sure you are the one answering the question and not your spouse.
  • Do not show nervousness; try to be relaxed, but not too relaxed. We wouldn’t want you pouring out of your chair. Likewise, be confident without appearing arrogant.
  • When taking your seat, take the one that is closest to the interviewer but be sure not to invade your interviewer’s personal space.
  • Use good posture and do not slouch or fidget. If you can, lean a little forward in your seat to show you are interested in what the interviewer is saying.
  • If you are not sure where to put your hands, place them comfortably in your lap. Do not cross your arms as this can suggest a negative attitude.
  • Keep good eye contact at all times, but avoid staring at the interviewer. Failure to maintain adequate eye contact could make them believe you are hiding something.
  • Do not eat, drink, chew gum, or smoke during the interview. However, if you are engaging in a mealtime interview or the interviewer offers you a beverage, it is acceptable.
  • During mealtime interviews, be sure to follow proper etiquette such as putting your napkin in your lap, chewing with your mouth closed, and keeping your elbows off the table. Also, avoid ordering messy foods, bad-breath foods, alcohol, and items that are too costly. Don’t order alcohol unless your host orders first. Then, if you do choose to drink alcohol, do so responsibly. Remember, this is an interview.
  • Let the interviewers pay for the meal and remember to thank them.
  • Do not bring up salary or benefits unless the interviewer does so first. This can be a potentially disastrous move that can put the interview in jeopardy.

Recruitment firms are excellent third party mediators that can help iron out these intricacies. If an offer is made, don’t negotiate the offer on site. You want to end the interview on a positive note and remain in a position of control.

• Remember to state your interest in the opportunity before you leave. Interviewers may evaluate several physicians who all qualify for the job, and a good way of standing out from the rest is to express proper enthusiasm for the opportunity. In a majority of cases, the candidate who shows the most interest is the
  first one to receive a contract.