The Top 7 Physician Job Interview Tips You Need to Follow

  • Article by:Health Career Center
Thumbnail

For many individuals searching for a physician job, it is important to not only find a place you want to work, but also one where you will be happy and able to grow professionally. Many physicians do not change positions often during their career, so there are a few things that you should do before, during, and after the interview process to guarantee you make the right choice.

For the best chance at finding the right office or practice for you, follow these top interview tips for physicians:

1. Do Your Research 

Before you walk into any practice, office, or hospital for an interview, you must do your research. A key element of research for potential employment interviews is identifying exactly what you are looking for as an employee. Be sure to answer the following questions:

  • What type of practice you are looking to work for, whether that is a rural practice or a large, urban hospital.
  • The level of autonomy that works best for you
  • What providers you want to work with
  • Whether you want to work at an affiliated hospital or work as an affiliated physician
  • Types of patients you want to work with
  • Identify any additional specialization or educational opportunities you might want to pursue in the coming years 

Once you get these questions answered, the physician job search will be much easier since you’ll have a clear list of your wants and needs and can easily eliminate options that don’t align with what you are looking for.

2. Come Prepared 

After you’ve set up a few interviews with hospitals or offices, it’s time to prepare for the interview. In addition to the research you did earlier, it’s important to do specific research on each facility you interview at. Find out the answers to your questions beforehand, but also come prepared with specific questions you have for the interviewer. Always make sure to get plenty of sleep leading up to the interview and avoid a long shift right before your interview if you can.

Dress professionally and bring extra copies of your resume along just in case. Also, practice answering questions to commonly asked questions, like what your strengths and weaknesses are, why you want to join the specific practice, what relevant experience you have, where you see yourself in five years, and so on.

3. Be Ready to Ask Questions

Interviewers want you to ask meaningful questions during the interview because it shows them you are taking the potential employment opportunity seriously. For the initial interview, avoid asking questions about pay, benefits, or hours and instead focus your questions around elements of the job only a current physician or employee can tell you like the following:

  • What the work culture is like
  • Who makes major decisions
  • Who you’ll be reporting to
  • What types of patients are seen
  • What the turnover rates are like
  • What types of educational opportunities are available
  • Any compensation formulas
  • What the work/life balance is like
  • The type of leadership and communication styles at the specific practice
  • What the training process is like for a new physician

You’ll have a chance to address pay, benefits, and hours later on in the interviewing process. If you have several questions, it’s a good idea to write them down and bring the list into your interview and reference it when you are asked about questions you have.

4. Ask to Tour the Facility and Surrounding Area

After the question and answer period of your interview is over, be sure to ask for a tour of the practice or hospital, as well as the surrounding area, if they are not offered initially. You will be able to pick up on things by touring the practice that you wouldn’t have otherwise known. You can see how the doctors, staff, and patients interact with each other to get a good idea of whether or not the practice’s values align with yours. This simple act of viewing the facility can provide you with a lot of insight.

Additionally, don’t be afraid to ask for some information about and a tour of the surrounding area, especially if the job is asking you to relocate. Most practices will provide you with information about housing costs, nearby schools, cultural activities, and entertainment options and some will happily give you a quick tour of the area. If it’s your follow-up interview, ask to have your significant other or spouse accompany you on the trip to get an idea of the area as well. Many practices will oblige with this request for a candidate they are serious about.

5. Establish Follow-Up Expectations 

Before the interview ends, it’s important to establish a clear understanding of follow-up expectations for both you and your potential employer. If you are interviewing at other practices or have been offered a position elsewhere, it’s important to let your interviewer know. If you have a timeline by which you need to make a decision, be sure to communicate that. Ask if any additional information is needed from you and when it needs to be received by. If they say they will contact you, ask for a specific timeframe you will hear from them within.

Establishing a clear follow-up timeline will give you a more informed and realistic expectation of when you will hear from them and allow you the freedom to set up interviews at other practices in the meantime or explore other options.

6. Relax Beforehand

This interview is as much about you figuring out if this practice is right for you, as it is about them seeing if you're the right physician for the job. If you have a way to relax before the interview, be sure to do it. Try not to stress too much over the interview, since you may come off flustered or lacking confidence in person. Focus on your talents and what you can bring to the table in order to see what they can offer in return.

7. Send a Thank You Post-Interview

After you have completed your initial interview, be sure to send a thank you either by email or by mail to let your interviewer(s) know that you appreciate the time they took to discuss the job opportunity with you, answer your questions, and give you a few quick tours. It may not seem necessary, but a thoughtful note saying thanks makes a great impression and shows you are considerate and gracious.

Remember, every new job interview is an important step in your career. If you take the time to prepare effectively, you’ll go in feeling confident, secure, and ready to handle any questions they throw your way.