Landing an ideal practice opportunity depends, to a great extent, on successful interviewing.

Does the thought of preparing for a job interview put a smile or scowl on your face? Understandably, some candidates are more relaxed, comfortable and effective in interviewing than others. Relaxation, comfort level, and effectiveness increase with experience, obviously. The more you interview, the more confident you will be in communicating your qualifications and in convincing the employer that you are the best person for the job.

The following guidelines are instructive for healthcare practitioners who want to improve their interviewing abilities, particularly those who have recently entered the job market.

Do your homework.

Nothing substitutes for adequate interview preparation. For starters, learn everything you can about the medical practice and the key players. Log onto the company's website, carefully read their public relations material, and job down any questions that come to mind about the practice.

If the employer is a large healthcare organization, it's possible so secure information from a number of sources. These include business and medical publications, the local Better Business Bureau and Chamber of Commerce, and local and state medical societies.

Surfing the Internet might also be a source of valuable information gathering. Keying in the names of the firm and its principals in a search engine might produce some interesting facts. Furthermore, contacting medical school placement and alumni offices might also uncover useful information about the practice and its key players.

Lastly, do you (or any acquaintance) know anyone who has worked at the practice? Current or former employees are oftentimes the best source of candid information that is useful in evaluating a practice opportunity. Given the fact that such information is highly subjective, take it "with a grain of salt," of course.

Present a flawless CV.

Your curriculum vita (CV) is your professional calling card. It speaks volumes about you, even in your absence. The most impressive CV's provide information in a clear, concise manner that generates interest on the part of potential employers. To enhance your candidacy, make sure your CV provides the following information:

• Undergraduate and medical schools
  
• Advanced education (MBA, MPH, etc.)
  
• Any academic honors
  
• Internship and residency training
  
• State medical license(s)
  
• Board certification(s)
  
• Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) certificate
  
• Continuing Medical Education (CME) courses
  
• Reference contact information
  
• Other languages spoken
  
• Special awards or commendations
  
• Participation in any special research / publishing projects.
  

A flawless CV does more than present documental facts. It also has visual appeal. For this reason, make sure that your CV contains no errors in spelling, grammar or syntax. (Have someone else proofread it if that is not your forte.) Also, it should flow logically, have plenty of white space, and be highly readable (with a good font, in at least 12-point type).

Presenting an impressive CV helps you to get your foot in the door for an interview. Once you are granted an interview, it's up to you to sell yourself effectively as the most desirable candidate for the position.

Be confident in your abilities.

Employers want to hire candidates who are confident that they can do a good job. This holds true in the healthcare profession as well as in any other field.

Confidence can be conveyed in a number of ways. To begin with, be prepared to discuss your goals as a career-minded medical provider. Then link those goals with the long-range plans of the practice. Furthermore, comment on your current clinical skills and how eager you are to use your skills in contributing to quality healthcare delivery as a member of the medical team.

It's also appropriate to discuss your desire to grow professionally and to acquire deeper insights into the medical profession through Continuing Medical Education. In this regard, you might want to point out areas of special interest such as Women's Health, "cultural competence," or geriatric medicine. Mentioning this shows that you intend on acquiring more knowledge to make an even greater contribution to the practice.

In any interview situation, it's fitting to toot your own horn-at least in a low key. That is to say, verbally highlight aspects of your academic and clinical career that give you a competitive edge. Examples: winning academic awards or medical scholarships, participating in research projects that led to some sort of peer-reviewed publication, training with well-renowned physicians, and developing specialized skills (i.e., medical informatics). The intent is to underscore what distinguishes you from all other candidates vying for the position.

A caveat must be mentioned. It's okay to brag on yourself a bit, but don't go overboard doing so. At some point in the conversation, indicate how much you look forward to working closely with colleagues who have helped the practice attain its current level of success. Displaying a little humility goes a long way in impressing an interviewer.

Be likable and engaging.

Candidates who are likable and engaging also impress employers. You can endear yourself to interviewers by being polite, friendly and sincere in wanting to be part of a thriving practice. Being an adept conversationalist, smiling, maintaining good eye contact, and asking appropriate questions all contribute to the "personality plus" factors that interviewers hope to spot.

There are other ways to show yourself to be likable and engaging. For one thing, speaking positively about your professional experience and former bosses or co-workers will put you in a favorable light. At appropriate points in the conversation, it's helpful to share some anecdotal illustrations to back up claims made on your CV. Also, ask the interviewer to amplify points of discussion that are not clear. Doing so indicates that you are listening carefully and want to gain as much knowledge as possible about the practice opportunity before making a decision.

Follow up with employers.

One of the key mistakes that candidates make is not following up with an employer after interviewing. Not only does this indicate a lack of courtesy, it also leaves the company wondering whether or not those who are interviewed really want the position.

On the other hand, timely follow-up is construed as serious interest on part of a candidate. This does not mean that you will receive a job offer, but it does strengthen your candidacy overall and increase the likelihood that an offer might be forthcoming.

"Practice makes perfect," as they say. The more you interview, the easier it will be to sell yourself as a highly desirable candidate. At some point, you will receive an offer that you cannot refuse, which is the real fruit of serious interviewing labors. Good luck!

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