When facing a job interview, job seekers have many questions about how to succeed in their first healthcare job interview. For this reason, we will analyze the things that will help you make it past the selection process.
In this article, we will see how to succeed in the highly competitive field of healthcare. Since some jobs in the healthcare industry are being replaced by robots and automation; it is important that you not only find a job that is a perfect fit. You also need to demonstrate added value to the employer.
- Main tips on how to succeed in your first healthcare job interview
- What not to do in a job interview
- The importance of the CV
- The most common questions asked in healthcare job interviews
- How can this company help you succeed in your first healthcare job interview?
1. Main tips on how to succeed in your first healthcare job interview
If you want to excel in this industry, you need to find a job that is right for you. This includes your skills, work experience, and even personality.
To increase your chances of landing a job in this industry, find ways to differentiate yourself from the competition. This starts with finding a position that perfectly matches your profile. However, the way you write your application and how you present yourself in an interview is equally important.
1.1. Practice summarizing your professional background
The first question that recruiters often in any interview is “tell me about yourself” or “summarize your professional background”. Therefore, you must have the following points clear to answer correctly:
- Short and to the point: try to make it less than 10 minutes if you have a lot of experience. Otherwise, 5 minutes is enough.
- Differential value:Â detail the aspects that are necessary within the position and that you know how to do/are knowledgeable about.
- Practice with someone:Â rehearse as many times as you can and measure the time it takes to explain everything.
- Passion and energy:Â tell your experience with lots of encouragement and positivity to show your interest.
1.2 Be on time
Nobody likes to wait for someone; especially someone you do not know at all. For this reason, try to arrive early to your interview to avoid negative points about your candidacy. If you are on time, you can be calm when you enter the interview without being stressed by the rush. Do not keep the recruiter waiting as you are not their only option.
1.3 Go to the interview prepared
Print out your resume and bring a notebook or paper with a pencil to write down any information they may give you during the interview; whether it is regarding the facility or the position. You can even write down questions you wish to ask in the next steps in the recruitment process or keep a note to remember to send something after the interview.
1.4 Prepare answers to potentially difficult questions
Before each interview, it is good to read common and rare questions to be prepared. If you are asked uncommon questions and do not know how to answer, look for simple solutions using logic.
1.5 Look for information about the healthcare center in which you are applying
Do you want to show interest in the job you are applying for? Look for the health center’s track record, its values, recent news, interesting projects, an article that catches your attention, or any other information that you can mention in your interview with the company.
You can find information about companies both on the internet, directly, or even on Connect Health’s employer section. Another important thing you can do is to look up the profile of the company you intend to work in; so you will be even more prepared.
1.6 Have a good attitude
A smile creates a friendly and positive atmosphere in which the interview can go more smoothly. In addition, having a good attitude makes you stand out from other candidates. This is because it is less likely that they hire a person with a bad mood or who seems bitter. Especially in a healthcare position.
1.7 Make a list of your questions
To demonstrate your interest in the vacancy and the organization, you can have a list of questions. These should be ready to ask at the end of your interview ifs they were not clarified during the meeting. Some ideas for these questions are to ask what a day at your job would be like. On the other hand, it could be what objectives or goals you want to achieve with the job. Also, ask about the environment and what the recruiter likes most about working there. Finally, show interest in the next steps of the selection process and ask when to expect an answer.
2. What not to do in a job interview
- Answer questions with a simple no or yes. Explain to your interviewer whenever possible. Try to relate as much as possible your qualities to the position being offered.
- Answer questions honestly, frankly, and try to be concise.
- Do not make derogatory comments about your current boss/bosses or those you have worked with in the past.
- Avoid asking questions about salary, vacation, or incentives at the beginning of the interview unless you are certain that the person interviewing you wants to hire you or has mentioned the salary conditions of the position. However, you should know beforehand what demand there is for your professional profile in the labor market to apply for the salary band you want.
3. The importance of the CV
Once you found the ideal position, you should take the time to write an excellent cover letter and resume. These documents are the first impression an employer will have of you; so while you want to present yourself professionally, you also want to stand out from other applicants.
When writing a Curriculum Vitae (CV), focus on presenting a clear and well-organized overview of your skills and experience. This is because they are relevant to the job you are applying for. Key information such as details about our degree, employment, skills, volunteer experience, and any other relevant medical professional activities that demonstrate that we are a good fit for the position should be included.
When formatting the CV or resume, use a clean font that is easy to read. Be sure to include a professional email address and identify your credentials. We will list the most current work experience first and highlight the skills or experiences that are most relevant to the job we are applying for in the healthcare industry.
4. The most common questions asked in healthcare job interviews
4.1 Tell me about yourself
Talk a little about your work experience and why you want the job. Also, if you have something highly relevant, include it. For example, “I grew up in a community with little access to medical services, so I always wanted a job that allowed me to care for others.” Avoid mentioning personal details that are not important.
4.2 What do you know about the duties of this position?
Always research the company that will be interviewing you, so you will be ready in case you are asked this question. All job portals want to check that you know the basic objectives of your potential new job.
Show that you understand the tasks that nursing assistants perform. And that you know if the hospital or clinic also offers other services, such as providing care for people with disabilities, or if they do research, you can include these things in your answer.
4.3 What are your career goals?
If you want to become a licensed nurse in the UAE or nurse practitioner someday, you can indicate that here. To help you in your goals of advancing as a medical professional, there are clinics, hospitals, or health institutes that offer training programs parallel to work.
4.4 Why do you want to work in the healthcare industry?
Even if you are not asked this question. It will be good for you to know why you want to expand into health jobs, and medical career. Consequently, this will help you feel confident during your interview. State your motivations for selecting a healthcare career and you will be lucky in the interview.
4.5 What are your strengths?
Talk about your strengths and accomplishments and demonstrate them with examples that show why you are good in these areas. In addition, you can use examples from previous jobs or relevant personal aspects.
Explain and emphasize your qualities and how they will be useful in your new job as a medical professional. Perhaps, you have worked in an industry where you encounter people who cause conflict, such as a job in sales. In this sense, you can comment that it has helped you to keep your composure and be more patient with others.
4.6 What are your weaknesses?
It is tempting to say something cliché, such as “I work too much”, or “I am too dedicated to my vocation”. However, refrain from saying something like that. Everyone has flaws and that is normal. Also, cliché answers do not answer the question.
Think of something that you are struggling with, but are trying to improve in your professional life or a personal area. This must be relevant to your job as an assistant, nurse, or physician, as the case may be. Also, explain the steps you are taking to change in this area.
4.7 How can your previous experience help you?
You may be asked this question regardless of your experience in the healthcare industry. If this will be your first healthcare job, you can use examples from previous jobs; school activities; relevant personal responsibilities; or volunteer work.
If you have healthcare experience, you can talk about your previous jobs. In addition, you should include experience in other areas if you explain how it will help you be better at the job.
4.8 Why did you leave your previous job?
Most people have had a job they did not like or where they did not do well. Nevertheless, it is important not to badmouth your former bosses and/or colleagues, or the job itself. Focus on the positives, as badmouthing other people or a job during an interview can be off-putting to interviewers.
It may be that you have had an experience in the family that helped you understand that you have the willingness to serve people in need. You can also talk about your career ambitions and talk about the opportunities to learn something new every day in a job in the healthcare industry.
4.9 Do you have any questions?
Try to have one or two questions handy that you can ask at the end of the interview. This reflects your commitment to medical jobs and the institution to which you want to belong. If you have questions about compensation or benefits, save them for when you get a job offer.
5. How can this company help you succeed in your first healthcare job interview?
One of the secrets of healthcare recruiters is that most recruiting takes place on specific job boards, rather than on larger, more general boards. Consulting these specialized sites should be a regular occurrence if you are a candidate looking for a position in healthcare.
Let us not forget to also consult providers’ websites for job openings. For example, if you want to work in a specific hospital, check its job opportunities page regularly so as not to miss a job posting that might not appear on the sites you are consulting. Also, if you are an employer, you can create an account on our website and start posting new jobs as soon as now.
If you want more information about how to succeed in your first healthcare job interview, please do not hesitate to visit Connect Health. If you have any questions please contact us at +971 43 316 688. Besides, you can send us an email at info@connecthealth.ae.
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