Congratulations! You have been accepted or you have been hired!
Following the initial steps of applying for a position, and before you hear these magical words, the interview is the final step that you need to complete to be considered the ideal individual for a role or position. The goal is to determine how to best interview for success.
So first, what constitutes a successful interview? Is it having all of the "right" answers? Is it simply the accolades and experiences that you share? Yes...your knowledge, your background, and your experience are important factors that need to be included in a good interview. However, a successful interview is perhaps more importantly defined by your soft skills and delivery. The overarching goal of the interviewer is usually to determine if you are a good fit for the position, the overall school/organization/team, and its culture. The goal is to be yourself, and also show that you are a team player. Communicating authentically and naturally with calm, kindness, and a smile are keys to standing out positively during an interview. Examples of two specific situations involving interviewing are as follows:
Applicants to a school or for a position: A successful interview occurs when there is authentic verbal and nonverbal communication that highlights "fit" and the applicant's strengths.
Practitioners who are interviewing patients: Establishing a trusting, transparent, and respectful relationship with a patient that allows for open and honest communication with the ultimate goal of optimizing patient care could be considered the goal to achieve in patient interview settings.
Next, it is important to consider several basic DO's and DONT'S to keep in mind for interviews.
A few DO's to keep in mind:
Smile (authentically)! A smile is truly priceless. Smiling emanates from within and can lighten up one's entire demeanor. During mock and actual interviews, I have seen how a smile transforms an applicant and helps create ease and connection. Of note, it is important to be authentic when smiling and take care to smile appropriately by actively listening and then responding to what is being discussed.
Eye contact! Maintaining eye contact is challenging and is also influenced by one's culture. In the United States, eye contact can tend to be expected in interview settings. Nonverbal communication (including eye contact) is very important in interview settings - practicing with others can help identify how you communicate.
Be honest! If you don't know the answer, don't be dishonest or try to create an answer. However, if it seems appropriate, you can indicate that you don't know the answer to the specific query but then redirect to provide parallel information with which you are familiar.
Prepare! It is important to note that practice makes permanent (not perfect). Hence, it is recommended to practice content and delivery with care. Additionally, there is a fine distinction between being unprepared and sounding rehearsed. It is important to practice how you will approach questions and consider some areas you wish to highlight during your interview. Have a list of strengths, accomplishments, and situations prepared in advance. Also, think about a book that has inspired you and a mentor that you admire. Finally, it is important to create a list of meaningful questions to ask your interviewers. You may have more time than you anticipate to ask questions, so have questions ready!
A few DONT's to consider:
"Ummm", "Like", "Perfect", "Gotcha" and other Filler Words: We all have some words (or nonverbal communications) to fill in quiet times or transitions. Ask your friends and loved ones if they notice any that you use repetitively. Next, work on substituting them or, ideally, eliminating them. It is not easy to do (I still tend to sometimes use the words like and perfect) but do your best.
Not gauging your response: When possible, try to gauge your interviewer's nonverbal cues if it seems your answer has been going on for quite some time. Also, try not to end your response all of a sudden. It can be difficult for the interviewer to assess that you are done talking, and it also would be preferred if you could offer some conclusion to indicate the end of your response.
Fidgeting/Hand gestures: Do you wave your hands about? Do you swivel in your chair? Do you flip your hair back? First, identify what it is that you do. Next, try not to do it! A tip if you tend to move your hands about or fuss with your hair is to have something in your hands to keep them busy. Also, try to plan to sit in a chair that does not swivel!
Interviewing is an art form. Be it for a position or as part of your profession, mastering effective communication is an important transferable skill to gain. By practicing interviewing, you are not only preparing for interviews themselves but also for everyday interactions. It is so important to be able to communicate effectively and with humility, authenticity, and kindness.
And, if nothing else, always remember to be yourself and to smile authentically. We each have unique attributes and skills, and interviewing is simply the act of sharing them with others.
Wishing you the best with your endeavors,
Sincerely (and always with a smile :)),
Rupal
Dr. Rupal S. Vora
MedStudentCoach LLC Founder (medstudentcoach.com)
Associate Clinical Professor, Internal Medicine
Creighton University School of Medicine
Comentarios