Interviews Are Like First Dates
The transition from residency to practice often is compared to getting married. You "date around," meet "the right person," and eventually make a commitment "for better or worse." For some of you, those dating years are the most enjoyable times of your life; for others, the most stressful. How many times on a first date did you try so hard to make a great first impression that you forgot to be yourself?

Similarly, in your search for the "right practice," you probably will go on numerous interviews. These "first dates" can be an exciting or agonizing experience, depending on your outlook. Fortunately, there are many things that you can do to make the experience a pleasant one: prepare for the interview, dress for the occasion, arrive on time, present yourself with confidence, assess your potential employer, ask the appropriate questions, determine the next step, and follow up. Interviews are like first dates -- they get easier each time, so enjoy them!

Dress For The Occasion
You are a professional and should dress for the occasion. Some people suggest that a conservative, lightweight navy blue or gray suit is best for men and women. Men should complement their suits with regimental stripe or paisley ties and white shirts, while women should wear soft-colored blouses and avoid short skirts.

If you do not own a suit, invest in one. It does not have to be the most expensive suit, but it should fit well and inspire confidence. You can wear the same suit for a second interview, but with a different tie, shirt or blouse. Most interviewers will not remember that you wore the same suit before, but will recall if you wore an inappropriate outfit. Be sure to iron your shirt or blouse and have your suit dry-cleaned, if necessary. If you cannot afford a suit, wear dress slacks and a conservative sports coat, or a nice work dress.

Accessories are also important. Men and women should wear good dress shoes that have been polished; women should wear heels that are one inches or less. Dark-colored socks are best for men; women should wear pantyhose and should always bring an extra pair, in case they run. Women should carry a color-coordinated handbag in good condition, which is not bulging at the seams. Leave any flashy jewelry at home. A dress watch, not a sports watch, is appropriate; tie clasps and lapel pins should not be worn. Women should be conservative with their make-up. If it is cold, wear a clean, well-fitting overcoat in a conservative color. Do not wear overpowering colognes or perfumes.

Other things to bring
Bring extra copies of your CV. Not every person you interview with may have a copy. Bring a list of questions in a conservative looking folder or attache with a note pad and pen. Leave the backpack at home.

What Your Day Will Be Like
Once you arrive at your destination, more than likely your time will be spent a number of ways:

• Formal interviewing with the leadership of the group
• Touring the hospital and its neuroscience department
• Meeting other physician members and support staff within the group
• Meeting with hospital administrators and quite possibly nursing staff and medical staff
• Looking around the community
• Checking out real estate costs, schools, etc.
• And possibly spending informal time with the members of the practice

The Interview
The market has changed radically since your predecessors set out to secure employment after completing their residency training. No longer is an interview just a formality before receiving an offer. If you possess an "all assuming attitude," leave it behind you in the car.

Conduct yourself in a professional manner with everyone you meet during your interview! Secretaries and nurses always have input after candidates leave. Condescending attitudes and inappropriate language can be offensive to certain individuals.

Be enthusiastic and grateful for the opportunity to meet with fellow colleagues and their support staff. Most practices are not interested in making an offer to someone just looking for a job. Prepare questions prior to the interview. State your long-term goals and emphasize your integrity, honesty and stability. Although an interview can create anxiety, try to relax and give the prospective employer a chance to get to know the real you.

At the beginning of the interview, greet the interviewer with a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, and use the interviewer's name early and frequently. Memorize the names of the other associates and staff you have met or communicated with, and use their names during the conversation. Maintain your focus. When asked a question, despite the fact you have previously thought out answers to common questions, answer what is asked without digressing into areas unrelated to the question. Concentrate on making your points concisely and coherently.

What will they ask?

• Tell me about yourself.
• What was your worst/best experience during your residency training?
• What was your most difficult case and how did you handle it?
• What would your fellow residents or medical director say about you?
• Why have you applied for this position?
• Why do you want to join our practice? What makes you think you'll fit in here?
• What types of skills, attributes, and experiences could you bring to this position?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• Favorite procedures? Least favorite procedures?
• What are your salary requirements?
• What are your career goals?
• Is there anything you wish to add? Do you have any questions?

• What is the history of the group? What is the philosophy of the group?
• What are the short- and long-range goals of the group?
• What seminars or journal clubs are conducted in the group?
• Does the group encourage attendance at annual specialty conferences?
• Does the group encourage CME, teaching, hospital staff and medical society activities?
• How many patients are seen a year by each physician in the group?
• Are patients referred to the group by other physicians in the area?
• Is there competition from other groups?
• How many physicians are in the group? Are there other types of neuroscience physicians in the group (e.g. PMR)?
• What is the age range among the group's doctors? If there are older (55+) doctors in the group, are they expected to retire soon?
• What is the turnover rate for doctors in the group? If this position is to replace a physician, why did he/she leave?
• What are future plans regarding additional physicians?
• Are members of the group active in the community?
• Will you be permitted to be active in the community? Politics? Moonlighting?
• What role, if any, do the physicians' spouses play in the conduct of the group?
• How is the day-to-day management of the practice accomplished?
• Are regular staff meetings held? Do all of the physicians attend? (Ask for a copy of the personnel manual)
• What are the group's financial policies?
• How is a patient informed about financial policies? (Ask for a copy of the group's patient information brochure)
• Ask to see the group's fee schedule. How is it determined? Is it reasonable? How often are increases made?
• What is the group's payer mix? Is it predominantly Medicare? HMO's? Private pay?
• What percentage of revenue is derived from managed care? (Ask for descriptions and evaluations by the physicians of existing managed care plans.)
• What is the practice' overhead?
• What system does the group use for scheduling, billing and/or insurance filing?
• How are outstanding patient debts collected? Is a collection agency used?
• Ask to see some sample medical records. Are the charts neat? Is the information handwritten or transcribed? Are the charts current?
• What system is used for filing charts?
• How is informed consent handled? What are the moral and ethical views of the group concerning informed consent?
• What type of patient education is conducted? Is it taken seriously by the group?
• What type of marketing is conducted by the group?
• Finally, the first interview should include some information about the surrounding area. Many practices can provide you with information about housing costs, school systems, cultural activities, and entertainment. A short tour of the area can be included, if you ask.

By the end of the day, make sure you have met all members of the practice. If you have not, insist, politely but firmly, that you need to meet with the remaining members at some time in the near future. Over the lifetime of your career, you will see more of the practice group than you will your own family, so it's best to know all of the members as well as possible before you make any decisions about joining. Before you leave, establish a clear understanding of expectations. Will you contact them if you remain interested, or will they contact you? If so, when? What more information do they need from you, or you need from them? How and when will this information be forthcoming?

Involve Your Spouse
Employers understand a physician's spouse is at least 50% responsible for any decision to relocate. Most employers will pay for the spouse's site visit and a separate itinerary to examine recreational, educational and other options while the physician is examining the hospital/medical facilities. If you are invited back for a second interview, ask that your spouse or significant other be invited. Most practices will support this additional expense.

Do's and Don'ts While On the Interview
DO verify any information you already have.
DO try to observe the physicians in practice.
DO get information regarding the state licensing procedures.
DON'T discuss salary unless the interviewer brings it up.
DON'T mention any rumors or gossip you may have heard about the group.
DON'T smoke or chew gum before or during the interview.
DON'T curse during the interview or be too familiar.
CONSIDER asking for a copy of a draft contract if you like the position.

The Second Interview

• What will you hours be? Call schedule?
• What are the daily responsibilities of your position?
• What type of general benefits package might you receive?
• What is the salary range you might expect?
• Is partnership a possibility? How many years to partnership?
• Are production bonuses offered?
• What other duties will you have in terms of administration or management?

Follow-Up To The Interview
One of the crucial mistakes made by some physicians is improper follow-up to the interview. The act of sending a thank-you letter will reinforce the fact you are interested in a position and remind the group of you in case you got lost in the applicant pool. Even if you are not sure if you would take a job if offered, send a letter anyway. The job market is unpredictable and you never know when you may cross a particular group again. Don't burn bridges.

Your thank-you letter should be brief and sent immediately after the interview while you are still fresh on the group's collective mind. If possible mention a special thanks to each person who took time to interview you and some of your strengths as an applicant and your interest in a position. It should be no longer that 2-3 short paragraphs in length.

If you like the position: Follow-up phone calls are acceptable within a reasonable time frame. Do not call any sooner than the group told you they would get back with you. Be gracious and use this call to ask or answer additional questions. If you are interested in the job, tell them -- if you do not have a draft contract, ask the group to send you one. Also, use this time to make arrangements for a second interview if needed.

Phone Interviews

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