If you are a healthcare employer and you just received a fantastic looking resume from a healthcare recruiter and you have arranged an interview with the applicant here are 5 interview tips that you need to know:
1. Judge a book by it’s cover. I know that this is exactly the opposite of what your mother told you but sorry Mom, on an interview first impressions can be lasting impressions. How is this person dressed? What an applicant wears on an interview speaks volumes in the silent language of perception. Regardless of the position or age, a serious applicant should always dress formal for an interview. It’s a sign of respect and a signal of how serious someone is about their career.
2. Be aware of eye contact. If the “eyes are a window to the soul” than it is vital to observe a candidate’s eye contact during an interview. Be weary if there is little eye contact or if someone has “shifty” eyes. Also be aware of someone who tries too hard at making eye contact. Are you being stared down? See if their eyes match the tone of the dialogue that you are having. Eye contact is huge in an initial interview.
3. Honest Hand Shake? When you shake hands with someone that you meet, a lot can be determined in a hand shake. If the handshake is too easy and awkward, what does that mean to you? Have you ever shaken hands with someone that grips you so hard that you feel like a bone in your hand might break? I personally don’t like either style but an old fashioned mutual hand shake can transmit honesty, warmth and enthusiasm.
4. Chemistry matters. As you are interviewing an applicant, do you feel a chemistry or warmth with this person? Sometimes we meet people and although their resume is perfect, they say all the right things, their references check out and still something is missing. Chemistry is that unspoken connection with someone that is either there or it isn’t. It’s a feeling about someone, a hunch if you will, but chemistry should be a big factor in your hiring decision.
5. Make sure that you are hiring to solve a need. This may seem obvious but it is critical to only hire someone when you need to or if you need a better employee to solve a need that your business has. Hire to solve a need that you have right now. Never hire someone just because you may need this person sometime in the future. Hire for right now if the need exceeds the want.
Any questions or comments? I am Bernie Reifkind, CEO and founder of Premier Search, Inc. I can be reached at 1(800) 801-1400 or email at ceo@psihealth.com