Video interviews are becoming increasingly common in an employer’s vetting process in this field. Their popularity is in response to the growing Telehealth demand, and they are a reliable vetting tool for any position in personalized medicine. Video interviews save employers time and are a valuable resource in screening candidates’ communication skills, professionalism, empathy, comfort with technology, and personality. It’s critical that you put conscious effort in to preparing for this meeting.
Using my experience recruiting for Telemedicine positions, and clients’ feedback, I pulled together 6 helpful tips on how to master a video interview in this field. You only get one shot at this interview; you want to do it right.
1. Test the Technology
Once the interview is scheduled become familiar with the video software. It’s also important to ensure you have a good internet connection, and that the audio and webcam are working properly.
The platform I’ve seen used the most is Zoom, but clients have also utilized Skype, Google Hangouts, and FaceTime. Whatever the platform, it’s imperative that you become familiar with it prior to the meeting.
Employers want to see how you’ll make a connection through video because a personal connection is critical to a successful patient interaction in personalized medicine. If you aren’t comfortable with the technology, or run into a tech problem during the meeting, you’ll be too distracted and anxious to make a proper connection. Tech problems can also cause you to show up late, which is no different than showing up late to an in-person onsite meeting. If that happens, you just made a bad first and lasting impression. Test everything before.
2. Be Mindful About Your Space
Choose a space that has good lighting, is professional, and organized. You want the attention to be on you, not a busy background. The employer will see your space from the perspective of what their patients will experience. If you don’t have a home office, make it look like you do. A professional space that is clean and minimal offers a calming environment for patients who want to focus on their provider and make that connection. Unless it’s a last-minute meeting request and the employer understands you’ll have to make an accommodation, it should never take place in your car.
3. Eliminate All Distractions
You want to demonstrate that you maintain a home office which reflects your professionalism as a practitioner. It should feel like a private medical environment that patients will deem as safe and comfortable in sharing their story, free from interruptions and fear of being overheard. While I had a good laugh at the adorable children that disrupted the professor on his live BBC interview, you don’t want this to happen in your video interview. Notify members of your household when your interview is scheduled, and let them know the rules for whenever you’re working in your home office space. Put the dog outside, close the windows, and silence your phone to eliminate any background noise.
Visual distractions can also take you off your game. Close all the tabs on your desk top and turn off messaging. You need to be prepared to answer behavioral interview questions and demonstrate your knowledge and experience in Integrative and Functional Medicine. Focus is critical. Our Integrated Connections Academy hosts an e-course that will help you prepare for these questions.
4. Practice with a Friend
If you’re not familiar with video conferencing, a practice call is essential. You do not want to leave an impression that you’re uncomfortable with utilizing the video software. If you can’t navigate the software for the interview, how will you be able to lead a patient through a medical visit?
Even if the interview isn’t for Telemedicine, it’s important to demonstrate your acumen with technology. Integrative and Functional Medicine practices increasingly rely on technology to successfully operate their businesses. It’s not just the EMR, email, or scheduling operations that rely on technology skills – it’s also video calls, online dispensaries, lab orders, Google drives, internal messaging systems, etc.
Being tech savvy is important to growing your career in this field. Don’t give them a reason to question if you’re proficient in this area.
5. Dress Your Best.
Dress as you would for an onsite visit. We’ve heard the saying, Dress for the job you want, not the job you have. You’re interviewing for a job you want; how should you dress for that? Studies have shown that the clothes we wear affect our behavior and confidence. So, while you may be tempted to wear pajama bottoms with your dress shirt, resist the urge. You’ll want to feel your best so you’ll present your best. Again, you’re presenting to the employer how you’ll show up for their patients.
6. Trial Run to Practice Engagement
Enlist a friend for a quick trial run. Test the position of your camera, and keep your focus on it and not your face. Pay attention to your body language, maintain eye contact, sit up straight, and smile. Keep the patient experience in mind as you communicate with your friend. Making a connection can require a little more work when you’re talking into a camera. Patient engagement is critical for a successful visit. A little practice will allow you to be at ease. When you’re at ease, you’ll be able to project the warmth and empathy that is essential to a patient visit in Integrative and Functional Medicine. The employer will see you have no problem in making that vital connection in the interview.
Preparation is the best action to build confidence and is key to a successful interview. It’s imperative to test and practice before a video interview so you can use that small window of time to demonstrate why your skills, experience, education and personality are a perfect fit for their practice. You’ll be prepared to show by example how you can provide their patients with a virtual visit that is engaging, authentic, productive, and establishes a patient connection essential to healing.
Now that you’re prepared to master the logistics of a video interview, you’re ready to move on to preparing for the interview questions and dialogue. I created a comprehensive eCourse, Master the Interview, to provide the guidance and information you need to prepare for an interview in this field. I also wrote an article about common interview mistakes to avoid.
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