After countless hours of searching for jobs and submitting applications, the moment you’ve been waiting for arrives- you get a call for your first interview! Once the excitement passes, your heart begins to pound and your hands get sweaty as you anticipate the interview. Okay, maybe that’s just me. The night before the big day, I usually toss and turn with restless dreams filled with dread that I will oversleep and show up late with crazy hair and wild eyes only to wake up and realize it’s just 2 am.
Landing your first interview is both thrilling and terrifying. The moment has finally come for you to get out into the world and put all those years of schooling into practice! There’s so much pressure in each decision you make from picking the perfect outfit to preparing personalized questions. Do employers know how much stress we feel walking into those interviews? To help alleviate some of your anxiety, I’ve compiled an interview guide to help you navigate the landmines that lie ahead.
A warm, genuine smile goes a long way when interviewing, don’t forget!
Now that you’ve stepped out of the academic whirlwind, it’s time to start planning your future. It’s important to determine your immediate and long-term goals and get a plan in motion to attain those goals. Before long, those student loans will start knocking on your door. But before you go into full panic mode, realize that many others have gone before you and have become very successful- you can do this!
Before you even start job shopping, ask yourself where you’d like to live. Living in an area you like will really boost your quality of life during your off time. Pick a place where you see yourself plugging into the community. Who is your ideal patient and where do they live? If you find an area that answers those questions, your job will feel less like work and more like fulfilling a mission.
Once you’ve picked a location, it’s time to start looking at what’s available in that area. When you’re browsing jobs, keep in mind what your short-term and long-term goals are. Do you plan on opening your own or do you want to associate for a few years? If you plan to associate, be sure to ask about contract terms and duration during your interview. Some offices will want you to work exclusively for them so watch out for those non-compete clauses!
I know it can be awkward, but you’ll definitely want to get details about salary. Make sure to ask about raises and bonuses over the course of your time with them. Just because you are a fresh graduate, don’t short change yourself by settling for a salary that will barely cover the bills. Sure, you won’t be making top dollar yet, but calculate your worth with your living expenses and negotiate a fair salary.
Don’t be afraid to discuss specifics like salary, short and long-term goals.
It’s also important to find out why they are hiring an associate- are they needing help with a heavy patient load or are they wanting to grow their practice? Knowing your role beforehand can help you play to your strengths during the interview will give you the competitive edge. Write a list of your core values and ask questions during your interview to see if their values align with yours. If there is a disagreement between them, ask yourself if it’ll be worth compromising your values for a paycheck.
Research their office before your interview and compile a list of personalized questions to bring with you. Ask them about their short term and long-term goals to find out how you fit into their vision. Asking detailed questions about marketing strategies, patient visit average, conversion and retention rates will give you an idea of how their practice is run. If they offer you a position, take time to decide before giving your final answer. Ask to shadow their office to get a feel for their office flow and meet their staff.
Some doctors may or may not share patients between doctors, so be sure to find out what their office does. Many employers will want to know your previous conversion and retention stats even if they are from student clinic or your internship, so be sure to have that data on hand. They may also ask why you want to work for their
Always do as much research as you can about your employer before accepting an offer!
office specifically, so knowing a little about their office beforehand will prepare you for this question.
While you wait to get licensed, some places will hire you to do exams and marketing. The pay is usually less and
will increase when your license is approved. Make sure those details are clear. Ask them if they will cover your CEs and malpractice insurance. One thing you may have gotten used to as a student is not having health insurance so be sure to ask for those details as well.
This is an exciting time at the launch of your career. I know it’s easier said than done, but enjoy the process. You have so many opportunities ahead of you. You’ve done your research, so ditch the nerves and have some fun sorting through different opportunities and start planning your future!
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