This is a 5 Part series on Interviewing Tips for Physical Therapists a resource available from PediaStaff:
Part 1: Preparing for the interview.
Part 2: Phone vs. Face-to-face Interviews.
Part 3: During the Interview.
Part 4: Answering & Asking Questions.
Part 5: Following up after the Interview.
General Etiquette
Be especially courteous to the employer’s receptionist and/or secretary, being honest, and not talking negatively about anyone–especially your current employer. Work at making a friend of the interviewer. If asked to lunch, stick with water, tea or soft drinks. Don’t begin eating until everyone is served; you are still being judged.
INTERVIEW TIPS
SKILLS – ACHIEVEMENTS – ATTITUDE are three ingredients an employer is assessing. Virtually everything an interviewer is concerned about in a typical interview situation is which you are the candidate can be condensed to three questions:
- 1) Can you do the job?
- 2) Will you do the job?
- 3) Do you fit in with the organizational style?
At least two days before your interview review your accomplishments and skills. Try to be succinct and describe your accomplishments and skills in quantifiable terms. Be prepared to talk in specific accomplishments that relate to the job for which you are interviewing. If you are a new graduate, go over your clinical internships and think of what you have done as a therapist in training that will make the interviewer feel good about selecting you.
Now, some review. In your day-to-day work, you have an assortment of “mind sets” that are geared to the situations you encounter. An interview is a new game to be played. The following questions will help you obtain a new mental framework to handle the interview comfortably. We would strongly recommend that you go over them a number of times; drill them orally with a friend or spouse. Even if none of these questions are actually used, you’ll find it easier to deal with what you do encounter. If you can’t find a friend to drill with, get a notebook and write down your answers. Remember, from school – writing is often the best way to organize your thoughts for later.
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