Hello … time for that telephone interview

Physician Executive,  March-April, 2007  by Jennifer R. Grebenschikoff

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How do you get to Broadway? Practice, practice, practice. The same is true for successful interviewing.

Tape record yourself on a phone call and listen to how you sound. Have a friend call you and conduct a mock interview. Interviewing is a learned skill. Most physician executives don't interview very many times in their professional careers. You cannot expect to do it well if you don't rehearse.

At the end of the conversation, if you are feeling positive about what you heard and want to pursue the position further, tell her. Don't be shy or coy about stating your enthusiasm for the job. Let her hear it in your voice and in the words you choose. You might say, "I really enjoyed talking with you today and am very interested in the position. Where do we go from here?"

On your expensive personal stationery, legibly handwrite her a note thanking her for the time she spent with you and stating how interested you are in pursuing this further. If you have space, briefly restate two or three of your credentials that make you the perfect candidate for the position.

Questions You Will Be Asked in a Telephone Interview

The employer has two goals on a telephone interview:

1 To learn whether she wants to work with you, the candidate.

2 To convince you, the candidate, that you want to work with her.

Your goals should be the same. You want to understand whether this is the job you want to do, and whether this is the team you want to work with.

The interviewer will have reviewed your credentials and start with some introductory comments that reflect that review such as, "I found it interesting that you have a background in ______," to break the ice and connect with you.

Here are questions you should expect in a telephone interview:

* Please tell me about the reasons you might be interested in a career move/change, or our opportunity.

* Can you describe the type of work situation/community situation you are looking for?

* What administrative accomplishments are you most proud of?

* Tell me about some parts of your past professional work that you have particularly enjoyed. And some you have been disappointed in.

* Are there any restrictions or requirements that would prevent you from considering our position?

* Is there anyone else who will be affected by or needs to be considered in this decision?

* What is your time frame for interviewing and making a decision on this career move?

* What is your availability to join our staff?

* Are you interested in having an onsite interview with us in the near future?

Jennifer R. Grebenschikoff is vice president of the Physician Executive Management Center in Tampa, Fla. She can be reached at 813-963-1800 x 23 or jennifer@physicianexecutive.com.

COPYRIGHT 2007 American College of Physician Executives
COPYRIGHT 2007 Gale Group