An interview is the opportunity to highlight your strengths to a potential employer. The more prepared you are, the more confident you will be and the better your chance to get the job. The goal of the interview, in my opinion, is to get an offer. Yes, it is also important to find out whether the job is a good fit for you as well but don’t go overboard asking tons of questions. To a potential employer, this can mean you are not really interested.
Be Prepared
Check out the hospital website. Understand the stated mission and vision of the hospital. Bring extra copies of your resume in a nice folio with extra paper to take notes. Dress is important. Don’t show up in scrubs. Be neat and check your shoes. These are often left out of our prep. Shine or clean them. Arrive 10 minutes early. If you are a morning person, and the interview is in the morning, great. If you are an evening person with an early interview, get up really early. When you walk into the hospital, you should be at maximum energy. Listen to your favorite music on the way there.
Communicate Clearly
If you’ve not sure what the question means, ask them to clarify. If you tend to talk fast when you get nervous, be aware of this and SLOW DOWN! Create a 60-90 second summary of your background. Include what you love the most about veterinarian medicine….show your passion. People hire people they like (all other things being equal).
Practice this summary out loud looking in the mirror. Notice how you look when you are talking. Remember to smile.
Ask Good Questions
What are your top three requirements in a position. Create a few questions around these. If you are a new graduate, create your own mentoring program….what do you imagine it will take for you to get comfortable and up to speed in a new practice. Then ask them what training they provide. Ask questions about the practice and where it is going: where would you like to see your practice going in 5 years. What are you most proud of in your practice? What are the qualities of successful veterinarians you’ve hired in the past.
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