If you’re seeking a job in healthcare, it’s important to be prepared for your next interview to stand out amongst the competition.
Show up early, dress professionally, and take interest in the job to increase your chances of being hired in the increasingly competitive field of senior living healthcare.
To help you nail your next healthcare job interview, here’s some tips from Makenna, Manager of Team Member Services at The Kensington Redondo Beach, on how to land your dream job and make a career in the healthcare field.
Research the healthcare employer before the interview
Positive work culture is built on valuing its employees and making them part of a family.
When you apply for your next job, whether it’s in healthcare or the senior living sector, do your due diligence to make sure the company’s values align with your own so you’ll be comfortable working there for the long run.
Because healthcare work can sometimes include long hours and stressful situations, it’s important to find a positive work culture that can help alleviate the stress and make you feel supported and valued — not just as an employee, but truly as one of their family members.
Where to find information about the employer online
The best place to find information on your potential employer is their company’s website. Generally, the “About Us” page will tell you about the organization’s history, mission, values, and services provided.
Next, check out the company’s social media profiles, such as its Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn page to get a feel for the company’s culture, and see more personal snapshots of the community and team.
You can also Google the company to read reviews written by former employees or residents to get a feel of how the public perceives the company. If the company has a high rating, this is an indicator they treat their employees well and probably have a low turnover rate.
Lastly, ask around your professional network to see if they have any experience working for the organization.
Create a list of questions to ask during your healthcare job interview
Don’t be afraid to ask your own questions during the interview. In fact, it shows that you’re thoughtfully prepared and will leave a positive impression on your interviewers.
Some healthcare interview questions to ask your employer to help you gain a better understanding of the role, as well as the organization’s culture and expectations:
- Can you describe a typical day in the role that I’m applying for?
- Do you offer opportunities for advancement or continuing education?
- Please tell me more about the team I’ll be joining.
- What are my job’s top priorities?
- What are the biggest challenges currently facing your industry? How can I help with that?
- What are the shifts and expectations of taking on this role?
5 best practices for making a great first impression during your healthcare interview
In a competitive job market, presenting yourself in a professional and competent manner will go a long way to make you the strongest candidate for the role.
This means dressing professionally, arriving 10 minutes early, bringing extra copies of your resume, maintaining eye contact, showing a smile, and showing a strong enthusiasm for taking on the role.
Follow these best practices to win your interviewers during your next healthcare job interview.
1. Dress professionally for your interview
If you’re unsure what to wear for a healthcare job interview, it’s better to overdress than to underdress. For example, if you’re interviewing for a nurse role, wear business professional or business casual clothing and not scrubs.
If you’re applying for a leadership or administrative role, dress a bit fancier, such as dress shoes, a dress, a suit, or a blazer.
If the company’s culture is more relaxed, business casual attire may be more appropriate, such as a button-down shirt or blouse with pants or a skirt.
Just avoid wearing casual clothing, such as sandals, t-shirts, or shorts.
2. Show up 10 minutes early to your interview
Showing up late for a job interview will hurt your chances of getting hired. If you arrive late, your interviewers might think you’ll show up late for your job if they hire you.
It’s better to show up early to your interview at least 10 minutes early, and it actually has several advantages to getting you hired:
- You give yourself a buffer to account for traffic and unexpected delays
- You give yourself time to prepare for the interview
- It shows the interviews that you’re prompt, punctual, and respectful of their time
3. Make eye contact and smile during the interview
Making eye contact shows confidence, competence, and engagement—all desirable traits regardless of the role you’re applying for.
In healthcare, you’ll most likely have to deal with many types of people and making eye contact and smiling conveys professionalism and gives the employer confidence that you’ll be able to handle your job in any circumstances.
However, avoiding eye contact and not smiling may give the impression you’re unfriendly or uninterested in the job, which can hurt your chances of getting hired.
4. Bring extra copies of your resume to pass out to multiple interviewers
Even if you already emailed the employer your resume, make sure to print off extra copies to bring with you to your interview.
You may get interviewed in a conference room without a computer by multiple people, and having extra copies allows everyone to view your qualifications.
Bringing multiple copies also shows that you’re prepared and thoughtful, which gives your employer more confidence that you’ll perform your job well.
5. Follow up after your job interview with a handwritten thank you
Instead of sending a “thank you” email, stand out of the crowd and send a physical, handwritten message to your hiring manager or interviewer.
Factor in the time it takes to ship your handwritten card through the mail. Try to write and mail it within 24 hours of your interview. Your best bet would be to write it immediately after the interview and mail it that day.
Because handwritten cards and messages take more effort, it’s a more personal and thoughtful way to express your gratitude — which goes a very long way in showing your appreciation and dedication to the role.
In your message try to include the following points:
- Express your gratitude for taking the time to interview you.
- State how interested you are in taking on the role.
- Re-highlight the qualifications that make you the best candidate
- Mention a specific point or topic you discussed during the interview to show you were listening and attentive
- End the message professionally and state your interest in hearing back about the next steps, and let them know you can answer any additional questions to help them make their decision.
Apply to The Kensington Redondo Beach today
Are you a healthcare professional looking to join a family that will love and care for you as their own?
The Kensington Redondo Beach is an assisted living and memory care community located in California.
Our community features two memory care neighborhoods called Haven and Connections that specialize in dementia and Alzheimer’s care.
We’re seeking enthusiastic and compassionate individuals who want to grow professionally and personally with our team.
We offer competitive salaries, health, life, 401K, and other benefits starting at 32 hours a week, with generous paid time off, an employee assistance program, and complimentary lunches and dinners.
View our careers page to see open positions and apply today!