Preface:
This article is the first in a two-part series related to the topic of job interviewing in the hearing healthcare field. Part I focuses on how to prepare for an interview and includes a list of sample questions that could be asked by an employer. Part II will analyze the interview questions in more detail and will give suggestions on how to best answer them. As a pragmatic exercise the reader is encouraged to write out how he/she would answer the questions given in Part I so that they can compare them to the suggested answers given in Part II.
Preparing for the interview:
Many college graduates have not had experience with interviewing for jobs, so it can be scary and intimidating at the same time. So, how do you get over the stress and put your best foot forward? The key is preparation. Once you have secured an interview, preparation should begin.
First of all you should know exactly what the position is you are interviewing for. How else can you demonstrate how you are best suited for the position if you don't know what the job entails?
Secondly, learn about the employer. If it is a larger company, conduct a web based search to find out key information. If it is a smaller private company, visit the location or talk to someone who has worked there - attempt to find out as much as you can about the work environment, the size of the company, the competitive analysis and their products and services.
Finally, as you proceed through the first two steps, you should be thinking about how you are going to market yourself. Conducting a self-assessment will enable you to know what you have to offer the employer. In a very clear and concise manner, you should be able to articulate:
- How your credentials match the pre-requisites
- How your education has provided you proper training for the position
- How your relevant experience will help you with the skills needed for the position
Once you have all of this assimilated in your mind, it is time to think about the interview. You should respond to each interview question with an example of a situation or a task for which you were responsible. Thoroughly describe the actions that you took in this situation or task. Emphasize specific results or accomplishments. Remember that numbers can be impressive. Always speak in first person when describing the situation. Whenever possible, try to articulate the value of the experience in terms of how the experience has prepared you for the position for which you are interviewing.
Asking the employer questions:
Generally, the employer will then ask for your questions. Again, this is an important part of the process as it provides an opportunity for you to demonstrate your interest. Before each interview, carefully prepare two or three questions based on your research. This is not the time to ask questions concerning salary or benefits. You may ask about trends in the hearing industry or ask for clarification on information that you have read. If you do not have any questions for the employer, he/she may think that you are not interested.
The closing and follow up:
The final stage of the interview process is the closing, which is initiated by the interviewer. A seasoned interviewer will explain the decision making process and provide information concerning future steps in the process. If the interviewer does not specifically state this information, it is appropriate for you to ask about follow-up procedures. Be sure to ask the interviewer for his/her business card; this information will be helpful as you prepare your thank you letter.
After the interview, the employer will assess your qualifications and determine "fit" between you and the position. This is also a time for you to evaluate your interest in the position. Immediately following your interview, take time to write down questions you were asked, general impressions, and questions that you may now have as result of the interview. Remember to send a thank you letter to the employer within 24 hours after your interview.
Interview practice questions:
As mentioned above, a good way to prepare for the interviewing process is to practice answering questions. Below are ten sample questions used by HearUSA when interviewing prospective audiologists. Using the techniques mentioned above write out you answers to the following questions and use them to compare to the information given in Part II of this article.
- HearUSA professionals typical take one hour for their initial consultation, this includes a case history, impedance testing, a complete audiogram with bone and speech, and counseling on amplification if indicated. Generally how long does it take you for your initial exam?
- HearUSA prides itself on consistently having a very low return rate company wide. Tell me about a time one of your patients wanted to return their hearing aids, how did you handle it, and could it have been avoided?
- Studies show that when indicated binaural amplification significantly improves communication ability in many different listening situations. If your patient was a candidate for binaural amplification but was adamant about wearing one aid, what approach would you take?
- Part of our history taken includes a Hearing Health Profile, a Patient Self-Assessment of Communication (SAC), and a Significant Other Assessment of Communication (SOAC). Other than your Audiogram, how to you assess your patients' needs?
- HearUSA provides our professionals with the necessary Continuing Education credits through a variety of different events and meetings throughout the year. What topics would you like to see discussed to enhance your education of our industry?
- Our company recognizes that our front office staff is an integral part of running successful clinics. The professionals and front staff have adopted a "team concept" to their approach to excellent customer care. In your previous position, how did you try to accomplish this with your front office staff?
- Our approach to successful hearing aid fittings is our consistent follow up. Once the hearing instruments are dispensed our program consists of a 48 hr phone call to our patient, one week follow up, a two week follow up and they are enrolled in our Hearing Education and Listening Program (HELP) classes. What form of Aural Rehabilitation do you use in your current position?
- Part of HearUSA protocol is to do verification on every hearing aid fitting as well as any significant changes in programming. We use Real Ear Measurement as our method of verification. What tools do you use to ensure the hearing instruments are appropriate for your patient?
- HearUSA does a lot of print advertising as well as direct mail to our existing data base, this inherently brings in a lot of walk in business. What would your approach be if a patient walked into your clinic without an appointment and you had no time available to see them?
- HearUSA believes that our employees are our most important asset, what kind of environment do you find most challenging and fun?
- HearUSA does a lot of print advertising as well as direct mail to our existing data base, this inherently brings in a lot of walk in business. What would your approach be if a patient walked into your clinic without an appointment and you had no time available to see them?
- Part of HearUSA protocol is to do verification on every hearing aid fitting as well as any significant changes in programming. We use Real Ear Measurement as our method of verification. What tools do you use to ensure the hearing instruments are appropriate for your patient?
- Our approach to successful hearing aid fittings is our consistent follow up. Once the hearing instruments are dispensed our program consists of a 48 hr phone call to our patient, one week follow up, a two week follow up and they are enrolled in our Hearing Education and Listening Program (HELP) classes. What form of Aural Rehabilitation do you use in your current position?
- Our company recognizes that our front office staff is an integral part of running successful clinics. The professionals and front staff have adopted a "team concept" to their approach to excellent customer care. In your previous position, how did you try to accomplish this with your front office staff?
- HearUSA provides our professionals with the necessary Continuing Education credits through a variety of different events and meetings throughout the year. What topics would you like to see discussed to enhance your education of our industry?
- Part of our history taken includes a Hearing Health Profile, a Patient Self-Assessment of Communication (SAC), and a Significant Other Assessment of Communication (SOAC). Other than your Audiogram, how to you assess your patients' needs?
- Studies show that when indicated binaural amplification significantly improves communication ability in many different listening situations. If your patient was a candidate for binaural amplification but was adamant about wearing one aid, what approach would you take?
- HearUSA prides itself on consistently having a very low return rate company wide. Tell me about a time one of your patients wanted to return their hearing aids, how did you handle it, and could it have been avoided?
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Paige Brough is the Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications and has been an HearUSA employee since 1992. She has an undergraduate degree from the University of South Florida with a major in advertising and a minor in business.
Jeff Singer is the Vice President of Sales Development and has been with HearUSA for the past 11 years. Jeff has been a dispensing audiologist for 24 years and worked in private practice for 13 years prior to joining HearUSA. He has a master's degree in audiology from Hofstra University.
About HearUSA
HearUSA provides hearing care to patients through contacts with health insurance and managed care organizations and to retail "self-pay" patients. The company-owned clinics are located in California, Florida, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri and he province of Ontario, Canada. In addition, the company has a network of approximately 1,400 affiliated audiologists in 49 states. For further information visit www.hearusa.com.
