A quick recap from yesterday:
1- Be clear with yourself. There are lots of jobs out there. This ONE isn’t the only thing available and even if it’s your dream job, you probably won’t be there in 10 years.
2- Get some practice. Practice with a friend. Look up lists of interview questions and see how you handle them.
3- Dress as though you want the job. Wear a suit.
Let’s talk about a few more things you can do to be a great candidate:
Ask questions of your own. Before you go on your first interview, you should have a list of questions for your potential employer. An interview is not one-sided. It’s not just them seeing if you’re a good fit. You are also trying to see if this is a place you want to work.
Here are a few examples:
– How many people are on the team I’ll be working with? Is the position working with one doctor or is it working with the entire practice?
– How would you describe a typical week at this position?
– What do you see as the biggest challenges for a new PA coming on board?
– What would success at this position look like in the first 90 days? One year?
– If I am offered the position, how soon would you like me to start?
Then, of course, you can make more specific questions tailored to each interview. You will get some great information out of these questions, and you will come across as someone who is prepared and interested.
Following right along from there is: SHOW UP ON TIME. Just like dressing well, I struggle to say this because I feel like it is common sense. This is the most important meeting of your life. There is absolutely no reason to show up late. If I were doing the hiring and someone showed up late, despite everything else they did, they would be at the bottom of my list.
Lateness is a pattern that is hard to deal with as an employer. I wouldn’t bother.
Next.
Breathe. You could use the same tricks I teach in the Maximize Your Time and Efficiency course. Take some time in your car before you walk in the door to breathe and get your thoughts together. It makes it easier to think and get the right words out if your heart isn’t pounding in your ears.
Be yourself. Don’t put on a show. Don’t lie about your experience. Be honest and be yourself.
All these tips only work if you get to the interview. I’ve been hearing from loads of people struggling to get to the interview stage these days. No worries. We’re gonna take care of that, and a whole host of other job-related issues:
Physician Assistant Exam Scholars
Brian Wallace
