Interviews can be stressful regardless of how well you prepare. Here’s some interview protocols to help you tackle the stress of interview etiquette and help you to focus on finding out if this is the right job for your CF.

Interview Preparation

• Research the company, mission, and values
• Adapt your resume to the specific job opening
• Prepare a customized cover letter
• Review and polish your social media footprint and LinkedIn profile
• Conduct a practice interview and get your professional sales pitch ready
• Make a list of questions to ask the employer
• Demonstrate flexibility
• Select professional references who will speak to your clinical acumen

For Virtual Interviews

• Test your technology
• Minimize distractions
• Ensure you have a good lighting source
• Monitor body language-be still
• Dress as you would for an in-person interview
• Be sure to convey a positive attitude

For In-Person Interviews

• Bring extra copies of your resume
• Get information on: where to park and where to go when you arrive
• If local, consider making a test drive of the route- ensure you are familiar with the location and length of drive time needed
• Try on the clothes you plan to wear to ensure professional appearance and comfort  

During the Interview

• Arrive 10-15 minutes early – check-in and silence your mobile phone
• Establish rapport - make eye contact and smile
• Ask questions
• Keep good posture and open, confident body language
• Shake hands with every member of the interview team (if appropriate)
• Let the interview be a conversation
• End the interview with a strong statement about your abilities and interest in being selected for the position
• Ask what the next step and the timeline will be – ask how and with whom you should follow up
• Write down the names/titles of individuals you speak with 

After the Interview

• Consider making a list of pros and cons and write down notes about the position-evaluate the interview experience
• Send any follow-up information/documents as requested immediately
• Thank-you notes are an appreciated professional courtesy
• Maintain open communication and build a rapport-Keep in touch by phone or email

Our best post-interview advice is to keep interviewing. Even if you feel that your interview was a success and that it is the perfect job for you, it is a good idea to keep interviewing. Sometimes things happen that are outside of anyone’s control and the position isn’t offered such as hiring freezes, mergers and acquisitions, and in-company transfers. Until you have a written job offer you should continue to apply for positions and interview.