The job interview evokes feelings of apprehension and uncertainty, and these perceptions are valid. It is natural to experience nervousness and occasional difficulty providing immediate answers to every question.
Fortunately, there are strategies to enhance your interview experience and increase the likelihood of success. Adequate preparation is the key to achieving favorable outcomes and below are valuable tips on how to conduct yourself during an interview, including what to do and what to avoid.
1. Familiarize yourself with your own qualifications and attributes: Remind yourself of the qualities and skills that have brought you to this stage. It is crucial to convey your enthusiasm for your profession to the interviewer, emphasizing your dedication and potential as a valuable employee. When communicating, support your statements with relevant examples that highlight your skills.
2. Research the company extensively: Thoroughly explore its website. Jot down a list of insightful questions that you can ask during the interview to demonstrate your interest and preparedness. Some of the things to consider when researching the company are as follows:
- Company Background: Gather information about the company's history, mission, vision, and values. Understand their core principles and what sets them apart from competitors. Demonstrate your commitment by showcasing the research you have conducted.
- Products or Services: Familiarize yourself with the company's offerings, whether they provide veterinary care, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, or other related services. Know their key product lines and any recent developments or innovations.
- Target Market and Clients: Identify the target audience or market segment that the company serves. Learn about their typical clients, such as pet owners, livestock farmers, or research institutions. Understand their unique needs and challenges.
- Industry Position: Research where the company stands within the veterinary industry. Discover their market share, competitors, and any notable partnerships or collaborations. Stay updated on industry trends, regulations, and advancements that may impact the company.
- Company Culture: Gain insights into the company's culture, work environment, and employee values. Research their commitment to professional development, employee well-being, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and any community involvement or corporate social responsibility efforts.
- Recent News and Achievements: Look for recent news articles, press releases, or social media updates about the company. Identify any notable achievements, awards, expansions, or strategic changes. This demonstrates that you are up-to-date and engaged with their progress.
- Key People: Research key individuals within the company, such as the founders, executives, or notable veterinarians. Understand their backgrounds, expertise, and contributions to the company's success. This knowledge may come in handy during the interview.
- Company Reputation: Explore the company's reputation in the veterinary community. Look for online reviews, testimonials, or feedback from clients, employees, or industry experts. This information can help you gauge their standing and reputation.
Remember, the more you know about the company, the better you can align your skills and experiences with their specific needs and values. It also demonstrates your genuine interest and proactive approach, making a paws-itive impression during the interview.
3. Present yourself professionally: Ensure you dress professionally and neatly, adhering to the appropriate standards for the work environment. Avoid excessive use of cologne or overwhelming jewelry. You want to ensure you’re dressed in line with their company culture, and when in doubt dress more professionally.
4. Arrive early for the interview. Arriving early for a job interview is crucial to make a paws-itive impression on the potential employer. By arriving ahead of time, you demonstrate your punctuality, reliability, and respect for the interviewer's time. Here are some reasons why arriving early is important:
- Familiarize Yourself with the Location: Arriving early allows you to locate the interview venue and get acquainted with the surroundings. It helps you avoid any last-minute confusion or stress about finding the correct building or office.
- Navigate Unexpected Delays: Even with careful planning, unforeseen circumstances such as traffic congestion, public transportation delays, or parking issues can occur. Allowing extra time enables you to deal with unexpected delays and arrive at the interview on time.
- Compose Yourself and Reduce Stress: Arriving early provides an opportunity to compose yourself before the interview. You can take a moment to relax, breathe, and mentally prepare for the upcoming conversation. It helps reduce stress and anxiety, allowing you to present your best self during the interview.
- Complete Necessary Paperwork: Some companies may require candidates to fill out forms or provide additional documentation before the interview. Arriving early gives you ample time to complete these formalities without feeling rushed or distracted.
- Show Respect for the Interviewer's Time: Punctuality demonstrates your professionalism and respect for the interviewer's time. It shows that you value the opportunity and take the interview process seriously. Being punctual sets a paws-itive tone for the entire interaction and reflects well on your overall work ethic.
- Gather Additional Information: Arriving early gives you a chance to gather additional information about the company. You can review any brochures, displays, or company literature available in the waiting area, further familiarizing yourself with the organization and its values.
- Observe the Work Environment: While waiting for the interview, you may have the opportunity to observe the company's work environment and culture. Pay attention to the interactions among employees, the office setup, and the overall atmosphere. This can provide valuable insights and help you tailor your responses during the interview.
Remember, it's important to strike a balance between arriving early and being overly early. Aim to arrive approximately 10-15 minutes before the scheduled interview time to allow for a smooth transition into the interview process.
5. Maintain a relaxed and friendly demeanor throughout the interview. Take deep breaths and speak at a measured pace to help calm your nerves and facilitate clear thinking. Sustained eye contact is essential, as it conveys attentiveness and confidence.
6. Provide succinct answers to common interview questions. These may include the following:
- Sharing information about yourself;
- explaining why you are interested in working for their particular business;
- highlighting your strengths;
- outlining areas for personal improvement; and
- describing your professional aspirations over the next 3-5 years.
Through practice, you will alleviate nervousness, allowing you to focus on building a genuine connection with the interviewer. Actively listen to their responses, as they may prompt follow-up questions or indicate that you have provided sufficient information. Maintain honesty throughout your answers, refraining from making negative remarks about your previous employer.
7. Engage the interviewer by asking them questions as well. Asking questions to involve the interviewer is an important part of the job interview process. It demonstrates your enthusiasm for the position, as well as your proactive approach to gathering information. Seek their perspective on what they enjoy about working for the company, gain insights into a typical workday, and inquire about the organization's long-term plans. Here are some reasons why you should ask the interviewer questions:
- Demonstrate Genuine Interest: Asking thoughtful and relevant questions demonstrates your genuine interest in the company and the role for which you are applying. It demonstrates that you have done your research and understand the organization, and that you are eager to learn more.
- Gather Vital Information: By asking questions, you can learn about the company, the team, and the specific job responsibilities. It assists you in determining whether the role is a good fit for your skills, interests, and career goals. It also allows you to gain insights that you might not have gotten from other sources.
- Assess Company Culture: Inquire about the company culture, work environment, and team dynamics to see if it is a good fit for you. Understanding the organization's values, norms, and expectations can help you determine whether you would thrive in that particular work environment.
- Demonstrate Critical Thinking: Asking well-thought-out questions demonstrates your ability to think critically and analyze data. It demonstrates that you are proactive in seeking clarification, comprehending complex issues, and considering alternative viewpoints. This can make an impression on the interviewer.
- Personalize the Conversation: By asking questions, you can direct the discussion to topics that are important to you. It allows you to emphasize specific experiences, skills, or interests that were not covered during the interview. This makes you stand out and ensures that the interview is a two-way street rather than a one-sided exchange.
- Establish Rapport and Connection: Asking insightful questions to the interviewer helps to establish rapport and connection. It demonstrates that you are actively listening and participating in the conversation. This can help to make a good impression and make the interview more memorable.
Remember to plan ahead of time a list of questions based on your research and the information shared during the interview. Ask open-ended questions that elicit detailed responses and show your genuine interest. In addition, actively listen to the interviewer's responses, taking notes as needed, and following up with relevant follow-up questions to deepen the discussion.
Upon concluding the interview, express gratitude to the interviewer for their time and reiterate your interest in the position. Articulate how your skills align with the job requirements. Sending a thank-you note or email to the interviewer is highly recommended as a gesture of appreciation. Ensure that you spell their name correctly and use it appropriately in all correspondence.
By partnering with Beyond Just You, we handle most of the prep work when it comes to interviewing. Our team of experienced DVM Advocates will ensure you feel 100% confident walking into your interview. By using our team as an intermediary, you can gain more valuable and realistic information about the specific position and practice to ensure you’re making the best career decision for yourself.
If you’re an associate looking for a new opportunity, schedule your free veterinary career ignition call with one of our DVM Advocates - you deserve the most fulfilling career possible and we’ll find your perfect opportunity.
