An interview is your first impression on the employer. In the healthcare industry, there is going to be a lot of interaction between you as a paramedical practitioner and the patients. While you might have learnt the required vocational skills at the Tech Mahindra SMART Academies, you will need to have your communication skills in place to successfully clear the interview. An interview especially after your on-the-job training (OJT) assesses you on your expertise required for the job as well as how well can you connect and communicate.
The catch is that while you may be a great performer during the OJT, but you need to convince the interviewer about it. As we would like to help you with all the employability skills required at a workplace, Interview preparation is one such skill. To help you with your interview preparation, here are some of the top interview preparation tips:
Interview Preparation Tips: Tips to Improve Interview Performance
The Prerequisites:
- Basic research: As an employer, your interviewer would want to assess your passion for the job. It is important to know basic details about the hospital, nursing home or the company you are applying to. This will also help you decide whether the company is a right choice for you. Your interview may include questions such as ‘how old the hospital is’ or ‘what are the major divisions that it has’. You must be ready with these answers to let them know your sincerity about the job you are aiming for.
- Keep the CV and other documents organized: Your CV is the statement of your expertise and experience and your documents are testimonials to your claims. Organize these in your file from latest to oldest so that the interviewer can verify if the need be. The way you organize your documents also speaks volumes about your sincerity and systematic approach. A well-arranged file is always a great statement that speaks volumes about your approach to work.
- Punctuality:We cannot emphasize this enough. Timeliness is an attribute that employers across industries look for. It indicates how important this interview is for you. Hence, we would advise you to be on time and reach the venue at least 15 minutes before time.
- Crisp dressing: Dress to impress may sound a bit clichéd but is a common direction for all interviews. Dress up in formals and make sure your shoes/footwear are well cleaned. Women must carry a neatly tied hairstyle. Remember, how you look will be the first impression that you make on the interviewer.
Soft Skills:
Soft skills reflect a lot about your personality. From how you carry yourself, to body language and intonation, everything is very important and is assessed in every interview. Here are the top things you should keep in mind:
- Do not fiddle: If you keep playing with a pen, file, your tie, hair or anything else, it conveys a message about your lack of confidence and isn’t a very positive attribute to be conveyed. Walk in confidence and try not to fiddle during your interview.
- Greet with a firm handshake: If the interviewer initiates a handshake, make sure you have a firm grip, which indicates good confidence.
- Posture: Sit with your back straight and do not rest your hands on the table. In fact, use your hand movements gently to express your point and opinion while you talk.
- Listen well: Do not be in a hurry to answer. Listen to what the interviewer has to ask, take your time to understand and then answer.
- Maintain a smile: A good smile is always pleasant and not just the interviewer, but anyone would like to have pleasant experiences.
- Pitch and expression: Keep your volume low and do not get aggressive even if you want to disagree. A calm tone and low pitch will help you convey your point better.
Your skills and job understanding are both important for you to be a successful paramedic but your soft skills and performance in interview go a great way in helping you secure your dream job.
Give some time to prepare yourself for the interview. You can stand in front of the mirror and practice. This will help you improve your expressions and tone. Lastly, remember to switch off your phone before you enter the hospital or office premises.
Our best wishes are always with you. All the best for your Interview!
