You’ve Made It to the 2nd Interview. Now What?
Congrats! You’ve made it to round two! The most nerve-racking part of the job-search process is now over.
A second interview brings you a step closer to being a hired physician. But there are a few matters to keep in mind for your next step. Second interviews require a different kind of prep work, and keeping the following tips in mind will help you to do well.
Be impeccably prepared
First things first: remember the basics. Keep in mind that the interviewing skills that are important for the first interview also apply for the second. Other basics include:
- Come to the meeting with a strong understanding of the health group and what it values
- Be clear about what you have to offer, and able to articulate it to the best of your ability
- Know what kind of physicians the health group typically favors
- Present yourself as well-rounded in terms of patient manner, medical skills, work ethic, etc.
- Use positive body language
No matter how well you think you’re doing, don’t get too comfortable believing you have your foot in the door. Practicing the basics allows you to present your best impression, and should still be at the top of your list when it comes to sitting down with a potential employer for a second meeting.
Respect meetings with all gatekeepers
“Be nice to the gatekeeper,” says Michael Sievert, Vice President at CompHealth Locum Tenens. “The person at the front desk may not be the one hiring you, but that doesn’t mean his or her impression isn’t important. Many facilities specifically ask members of the front desk to give their impression of job candidates, which can play a role in the hiring decision. So make sure to treat everyone you meet during your interview with the utmost respect and kindness.”
Maintain an air of confidence, respect, and positivity. Get to know lots of people while you’re there. After all, these folks could be your future coworkers! Don’t be timid about sending a follow-up email to your interviewers or others who you met throughout the interview process.
Let them know how you work
While prepping for your second interview, think about more skills and experiences you can talk about to demonstrate what could make you a valuable physician to this health group.
The Mayo Clinic recommends thinking about topics you can speak to such as how you handle patient complaints, strategies you use to communicate with fellow physicians, and examples of instances that you demonstrated a skill that added value to the team.
It’s to your advantage to get personal. Give them a glimpse of the kind of physician that you are—the issues you care about, the treatment plans you’re passionate about, and so on.
Be current on trends
Beyond your practical skills as a doctor and your emotional skills as a caregiver, demonstrate that you are current about what’s going on in the field of medicine.
By talking about new technologies and procedures, interesting or controversial cases in the news, and thought leaders’ opinions on trends, you establish yourself as an engaged, actively learning physician. This will both impress your interviewers and bolster your confidence.
Look for opportunities to share your knowledge, perhaps during Q&A about what sets you apart as a physician, how you developed your skills, what your personal philosophy is, and how you handle difficult cases.
Ask meaningful follow-up questions
When you reach the end of the interview, ask meaningful questions that demonstrate your knowledge and attention to detail. This will show interviewers that you’re serious about the job, and help you better identify if this is the health group for you. Include these types of questions:
- Health group culture and philosophy
- Opportunities for growth and learning
- Care priorities
- Physician expectations
- Crisis and malpractice policies
- Training process
- Next steps
The decision
Your second interview will make the group and job more real. Could this organization be your future home?
While you will want to make sure that your interviewers like you and that you’ve presented yourself as the best possible candidate, you also want to make sure this health group will be the right fit for you.
Consider what you learned about your potential responsibilities and expectations during your first interview and in your research. Take the practical aspects — such as salary, benefits, and work schedule — into account. Think critically about whether or not this career path will set you up for where you want to be down the road. Use the second interview as another opportunity to really weigh your options.
Follow-up: after the second interview
How do you follow-up without being too forward, insistent, or even annoying?
If you didn’t ask about next steps during the second interview, then start with a thank-you note. Email each person involved in the interview process. Send the note via card or email the same day or within a few days of your interview.
If you want to touch base without a phone call first, career strategist Jenny Foss recommends “forwarding an article that you think [your recruiter will] find interesting, or congratulating her if you notice she’s been promoted or earned some sort of recognition [on LinkedIn]. Maybe thanking her for a bit of advice that you employed. Keep it simple and brief, and don’t ask for anything back. If that person hears from you and has an update? She’ll absolutely be in touch.”
If you feel comfortable calling to follow-up, that’s great. But keep the calls to a minimum. If you aren’t able to connect with your interviewer on a live call, leave a short voicemail and trust they’ll get back to you. Making a hiring decision is a big deal for any employer. It can take time. Follow-up and then be patient (yes, it can be hard.)
Prepare to take your round two interview like a champ, with in-depth preparation and a comfortable, confident demeanor. You’re one step closer to your newest job!
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