, Jun 16, 2020

The Right Questions to Ask When You Meet a Candidate

There is a common perception that interviews are about putting the best face forward for both the practice and the potential employee. While it is natural to want to make a good impression, it is more important to make a genuine connection. Here are a few tips to make the most of meeting a candidate. 

    1. Ask open-ended questions. For example, don’t ask, “Do you like our city so far?” Instead, ask, “What attracts you to our region?”
    2. Make your questions count. Here are a few useful questions to get to know a candidate better:
      • What aspect of the profession do you find most rewarding? 
      • What about our practice do you find particularly interesting? 
      • What is the ideal workplace environment that would best allow you to thrive? 
      • What aspect of your profession would you like to explore? 
      • What is the biggest professional challenge you have faced, and how did you overcome it? 
      • What aspect of the profession is your least favorite? Why?
      • How do you want to improve yourself over the next year?
      • How would you go about establishing credibility and relationships with our staff?
    3. Mix it up. It’s okay if you throw an utterly unexpected question at them, such as, “Would you rather have a dog that knew how to talk or a cat that knew how to wash dishes?” Or, “How many grains of sand do you think there are on Laguna Beach?” The purpose is not the answer but to understand how they process unexpected questions.
    4. Keep it conversational. Naturally, both the interviewer and the person being interviewed might be nervous. Do your best to make them feel welcome and at ease. By all means, do everything possible to make it a conversation, not an interrogation. You should balance listening and talking. Encourage candidates to ask about your professional journey, your ambitions for your practice, and where you hope to see them in the future.
    5. Go with your gut. Finally, put proper weight on the interview. It’s important, and you should trust your intuition concerning a potential fit. But some great employees are bad at meetings, and some marginal employees are great at making a first impression. Take some time to review your notes from the interview and visualize them working at your practice. If something seems off, consider setting up a follow-up meeting or talking to additional candidates before making a decision. Just don’t take too long – good candidates are hard to come by, so if you think you’ve found an all-star, get a contract in front of them as soon as you’re able before they move on to the next opportunity.

ETS can help you navigate the complexities of your next hire. We pre-screen potential associates to be sure they are genuinely interested in your position and are a good fit for your needs. When you have an opening, we help you streamline the process and can save you thousands of dollars through our proven approach to recruiting. Call us to get started on finding your next great hire!

News/Insights

Hiring Master Tip: Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late Hiring

Hiring Master Tip: Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

Nov 3, 2021

As a recruiting firm specializing only in the recruitment of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, we know a thing or two when it comes to growing your OB/GYN practice. In short, w...

Where Are All the OB/GYN’s? Hiring

Where Are All the OB/GYN’s?

Oct 27, 2021

 The market for OB/GYN talent has always been competitive. Several factors have combined to make what was already a tight market even more challenging. These include: Gr...

The One That Got Away Hiring

The One That Got Away

Jun 23, 2021

You thought your staffing issue was solved. You felt you had the right fit, you were confident the job offer was solid, you made the offer, and yet, somehow, they took another...

Are You Ready for What’s Next? Hiring

Are You Ready for What’s Next?

Mar 24, 2021

Everyone is trying to understand what’s coming next in a post-COVID-19 world. While we have no special foresight into the future of the pandemic, we can tell you what we hav...

Planning Ahead – Hiring for the Future of Your Practice Hiring

Planning Ahead – Hiring for the Future of Your Practice

Apr 22, 2020

With some states in the beginning stages of lifting isolation restrictions and making small, careful steps toward a new normal after the COVID-19 crisis, many of the practice ...

Interview Logistics 101: Putting a Candidate at Ease Hiring

Interview Logistics 101: Putting a Candidate at Ease

Jan 21, 2020

You think you’ve found a candidate who might just be the perfect fit and you’re looking forward to a great interview. However, your candidate could have a flight delay on ...

Ten Great Quotes to Inspire You to Find Your Next Superstar Associate Hiring

Ten Great Quotes to Inspire You to Find Your Next Superstar Associate

Jan 13, 2020

“Hire people who are smarter than you are—whose talents surpass yours—and give them opportunities for growth. It's the smart thing to do and it is a sign of high persona...

New Year. New Hire? Hiring

New Year. New Hire?

Jan 2, 2020

The big ball has dropped. The champagne has popped. The calendar page has turned.  A lot of the planning for 2020 has probably already taken place. Now it’s time to star...

Playing to Win – How to Seal the Deal with a Potential New Hire Hiring

Playing to Win – How to Seal the Deal with a Potential New Hire

Nov 26, 2019

The rest of the corporate America is dealing with what OB/GYN practices have known for years: it's tough to attract and retain top talent. Even when you find a promising candi...

Enticing Candidates with a Lifestyle, Not Just an Opportunity Hiring

Enticing Candidates with a Lifestyle, Not Just an Opportunity

Oct 15, 2019

There was a time when the practice owner looking to hire an OB/GYN was in a pretty good position. While there has always been competition for top candidates, in years past the...