Tag Archives: interview

How to Make a Good First Impression

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A career in healthcare offers many rewards: there is job growth and security with the US Bureau of Labor Statistics noting that the healthcare industry is projected to grow by 26% through 2022, not to mention the high earning potential due to the high demand and sensitivity of the job; as well as the ability to make a direct difference in the form of delivering quality healthcare to your patients. However, depending on the niche and the cost of entry, entering the industry can be very competitive. If you finally landed an interview with a potential employer or a recruiter, here’s how to prepare yourself and ace that interview.

It starts by getting on a recruiter’s radar. You will need to understand how recruiters function: recruiters get paid to find candidates not easily found by other recruiters or by competing companies. Start by investing in a quality LinkedIn profile, and investing in networking and forging authentic connections. Alternatively, you can invest in curating a professional blog that will describe your expertise in the healthcare industry, as well as pontificate about your shortcomings and how you were able to prevail. A public persona can position you as an authoritative figure in the healthcare industry and will attract the attention of potential recruiters.

Acing Your Interview

First impressions matter

You are very much well aware that you should wear professional attire to your interview. However, what matters is to how you approach the recruiter and how you answer their initial questions. When they ask to tell them about yourself, what they really are asking is: “are you qualified enough? Personable enough?” Make sure to keep steady eye contact and describe relevant experiences in your field. But also do not be afraid to add personal details. This is the time to show how your personality traits and life goals are assets and lend themselves nicely to your career path.

But do not become too familiar

Telling the interviewer more than they should know could be a fatal mistake. They want individuals who can process information and have a strong backbone while doing it. Remember that as a healthcare professional, you’re going to be placed in precarious, emotional, and highly charged situations through your career. Being too personable can be a detriment. Be friendly, but do not divulge into personal information during the interview. If you are not able to gauge familiarity, then follow the lead of the interviewer and mimic the demeanor of the person interviewing you.

Ask curious questions

When the interview concludes, many candidates will be asked if they have any questions — and unfortunately, most will answer with no, and nervously leave the room. It is imperative to ask questions and demonstrate an interest in the industry. Asking questions will also reveal if the workplace is the right place for you.

How to Stand out During an Interview

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As of September, 2018, there were more than six million Americans look for a job. And while there are at least that many job openings, many are in lower paying job sectors. To say that the competition is fierce for permanent, well-paying, career positions is no understatement. With so many applicants, it’s more important than ever to make yourself memorable (in a good way) after you’ve been chosen among the sea of job seekers to have an interview with the company you’re looking to join.

  1. Be polite and respectful

    While we agree that this should be expected of all applicants, the reality of today’s society is that not all people take the time to be polite and kind. Your demeanor counts and that note thanking the interviewer for his or her time could just be the small thing that sets you apart.

  2. Look professional

    Dress as if you already held the position you’re seeking (and not on a casual day). Your look will help the interviewer to envision you in the open position.

  3. Do your homework

    Again, every applicant should learn a little bit about the company they are looking to join, but many don’t take the time. Ask a few thoughtful questions that show you are interested enough to learn whether the company will be a good fit for you.

  4. Answer questions with examples

    When an interviewer asks you about what skills you’ll bring to the open position, answer with an example of what you’ve done in the past rather than a generic (an unsubstantiated) trait.

Job interviews are undeniably stressful, and the competition for most jobs is considerable. Make your time in front of the person doing the hiring count by being polite and respectful, dressing for the position, taking time to do your homework and trying to answer questions with examples rather than platitudes.

How to Write a Thank You Email Following an Interview

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Congratulations! You nailed that interview for your dream job. Rather than simply wait around to hear from your prospective employer, there are a number of proactive steps you can take post-interview to reinforce your interest in the position. One of the simplest and most effective ways is to say thank-you.

Why Say Thanks?

Most importantly, it’s common courtesy to thank someone for taking the time to meet with you. But it’s also an additional opportunity to put yourself out there and possibly impress your next employer. In a competitive job market, small things can make the difference between two equally qualified candidates.

Tips for Crafting an Effective Thank You Email

  • Don’t delay; send your thank you within 24 hours of your interview. HR decisions are often made quickly, and you’ll want to cement a good first impression as quickly as possible.
  • Send it to everyone who met with you, not just the lead interviewer. They all took the time; they should all be thanked. And you never know who will be in your corner should the hiring decision be made by committee. That said, avoid a group email and take the time to craft individualized messages.
  • Don’t be overly casual, but try to be friendly and positive rather than formal. If it’s appropriate, remind them who you are by touching briefly on a laugh or point of interest that came up during your interview.
  • If you promised to send additional information about yourself (social media profiles, an online portfolio, work samples) or some point of conversation shared during your interview, include links.
  • Gracefully, reiterate why you are the best person for the job.
  • Check for grammar or spelling – there should be no mistakes in your thank you note.
  • Be sincere. You are grateful for the opportunity to interview so express that clearly.

Writing thank you notes may be a dying art form, but real courtesy never gets old. Keep your post-interview thank you email brief, relevant and warm. That way, even if you don’t get the job, you’ll be leaving those who interviewed you with a great impression that may yield future opportunities.

Why a Clean Social Media is Key for Job Searchers

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Social media has become so popular that almost everyone has it. It lets you connect with old friends, share the latest online trends, and keep up with the news. So, when you are job searching, you may want to consider cleaning up your social media. Some people don’t realize this but, having inappropriate things on your pages can determine whether or not you get the job you’re applying for. Just skimming through your social media can even dictate getting an interview!

Why is it so important? Your profiles show who you really are as a person – your likes, dislikes, hobbies, what type of people you hang out with, and the list goes on and on. It reveals your social life and whether your personality would be a good fit for the company. Your social media profiles are movies everyone can go see. Whether they’re rated-G or rated-R, is up to you but, they’re not private journals. So, it’s always smart to display yourself elegantly on them.

Now, what kind of “inappropriate postings” are we talking about? Here are a couple examples:

Those Darn College Kids and their Photos:

We all have those hilarious photos from college parties that we like to go back and reminisce on, but college is over and done with. It’s probably for the best to delete them and keep them stored elsewhere.

Know When to Keep Your Opinions to Yourself:

We constantly see celebrities badmouthing other celebrities on twitter but let’s not follow their lead. When you’re expressing your opinion over social media, do so at your own risk. Don’t badmouth or swear at anyone or anything, especially if it’s a company you use to work for or and old coworker.

Here are some other things you can do to your profile in case a hiring manager checks out your social media:

Privacy Settings:

It’s always good to set your profiles to private. This will guarantee that anyone you don’t know can have access. Your pages hold some seriously private stuff that you might not want to be displayed all over the internet, like where you live, your phone number, and your email address. Also, all your photos are in chronological order, so your first picture that an employer might see when scrolling through your Facebook, could be a Halloween photo that your friend tagged you in. Ask yourself if you really want them to see that.

“Friends”:

Back in the day, it was “cool” to have tons of friends on your social media pages. You probably don’t talk to about half of them anymore. It’s time to go through your friends and delete the ones you don’t want to be associated with. Hiring managers spend some of their time going through people friends list on their social media pages trying to determine what type of person you are by the friends you hang out with. Will Smith even stated “You are who you associate with. Look around at your five closest friends and that’s who you are. If you don’t want to be that person, you know what you gotta do.”

Keep it Clean:

Once you’ve cleaned up your profiles, make sure it stays that way. Don’t ruin all the hard work you’ve put in to make it nice and clean! One easy tip to ask yourself before you are going to post something: Would your grandmother approve of your post?

Here at HealthCare Support, we care about the success of your job hunt. For more tips, follow us on social media and subscribe to our blogs.

Sarah Krufka

 HSS Social Media Specialist

The Impact of Body Language

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Something so little as a slouched posture can decide someone’s fate of getting their dream job. But is that how it should be? Most bad body language happens when people are stressed and uncomfortable, and these feelings come out during a job interview. Is it right to base your first impression on someone’s body language during an interview? Most of the time that’s not how the candidates act all the time. So, why is body language so impactful?

Let’s break it down first: What is body language?

Body language, or nonverbal communication, is not about what you’re saying but about how you say it and what your body is doing while talking. Body language is a way to better your conversation by using your facial expressions, hand gesticulation, and posture in your favor.

Some examples of body language:

Eye Contact:

Eye contact is a very controversial thing and a matter of opinion. In some countries, constant eye contact is rude while in in others it shows politeness and good manners. Some may think that too much eye contact is intimidating and consider it staring, which we all know is a very ill-mannered thing to do. Eye contact also exhibits interest, honesty, and confidence.  So how much eye contact is enough and how much is too little? It’s a delicate subject but during an interview, keep enough eye contact and keep it consistent. If you’ve been making great eye contact the entire interview then start blinking or fidgeting with your eyes, that is a sign of nervousness.

Body Posture:

Slouching is never a good thing. Not only is it bad for your back, but it shows a lack of interest and respect for your interviewer. Remain upright and lean forward, this shows that you are engrossed in the conversation. Just like other types of body language, you can overdo it. Don’t get too close, everyone needs their own personal space.

Fidgeting:

Fidgeting is a major sign of nervousness. Whether if it’s picking at your nails, constantly touching your hair, or shaking your legs, the interviewer will get the sign that you’re uncomfortable. So, keep your hands placed on your lap and cross your legs so you don’t get the urge to twitch.

Handshakes:

Have you practiced your handshakes with a friend before your interview? You should. Do you know when a handshake is too much versus when it’s too little? The limp handshake can be just as detrimental as the cutting-off-your-circulation handshake. Have all your items in your left hand so you’re prepared to shake someone’s hand. If you have sweaty palms, go for a subtle wipe of your hand on the side of your pants before shaking so you don’t give a clammy handshake.

Facial Expressions:

Smile! Giving someone a smile puts them at ease and conveys a sense of calm, control and confidence.  Smiling also reveals enthusiasm for the position and the company.

Body language can make or break you during interviews, even if you aren’t a fidgety person in your daily life. There are many ways you can positively express yourself through nonverbal communication, which can bump you up in the position standings. So, keep eye contact, sit up straight, and give them that million-dollar smile!