In our agency’s most recent interviews, we had some great candidates, and some who I was really hopeful for, but ended up not making the grade. We interview as a panel; the department manager, the supervisor, and two FTO’s. Nerve-wracking? Sure, but survivable.
There were some things that I noticed really set people apart this time. Here’s a few thoughts I had, that will hopefully help give an edge to those EMT’s who struggle or get nervous in interviews, but have a good base of clinical and people skills. For those who are lazy or inept, and just want to get a job, I’m hoping this post won’t help you much.
Treat your interview as a conversation with your more experienced peers. We might have been around longer, but we all had to go through this process at one point, and everyone knows it. If you can walk in and treat it as a respectful, relaxed conversation, you’ll do well.
The interviewers can tell if you’re lying or BS’ing. Be honest. If you’re inexperienced, but you’re eager to learn, say so. If you screwed up, tell them about it, and tell how you’ve improved yourself because of it.
Know enough of your pathophysiology to help your patient. Nobody expects you to know it all, but do some review, and when you are asked a clinical question, talk through it. Review your textbook for a couple of hours; our agency usually covers diabetic, respiratory, and cardiac emergencies. Remember your bread-and-butter basics: ABC’s, get a set of vitals, assess and get a history. If you’re stumped, remember that doing the above, then rapid transport and medical control is always a safe option.
If you don’t have experience, go get some, and get creative about it. How about getting your BLS instructor card, and teaching your neighbors or local Boy/Girl Scouts CPR and First Aid? Volunteer on a CERT team, at community events, nursing homes, or with a free clinic. Make food for a shelter. It doesn’t have to be patient care. Just get some experience being nice to people, and providing a service.
Picture two applicants: one crusty burnout with 15 years on a 911 rig who resents every interruption in their nap time, and an eager new EMT who teaches CPR, plays checkers at a nursing home, and volunteers on a CERT team, but has no ambulance experience. We take that new kid every time, guaranteed. We’re becoming very customer-oriented, and we want employees who are too.
Finally, don’t prepare canned answers. You’ll stumble if you’re only prepared to answer one specific thing, and we rephrase the question. Instead, write down five or six broad categories, like “communication/conflict/interaction,” “knowledge/skills/experience,” and “weaknesses/mistakes/growth.” Think about some real-life examples of how you’ve handled each one well, and write them down too. You’ll be training yourself to quickly answer anything that falls into one of those categories, and setting yourself apart.
Hope this helps someone, especially the newer EMT's who haven't gone through this much yet!
There were some things that I noticed really set people apart this time. Here’s a few thoughts I had, that will hopefully help give an edge to those EMT’s who struggle or get nervous in interviews, but have a good base of clinical and people skills. For those who are lazy or inept, and just want to get a job, I’m hoping this post won’t help you much.
Treat your interview as a conversation with your more experienced peers. We might have been around longer, but we all had to go through this process at one point, and everyone knows it. If you can walk in and treat it as a respectful, relaxed conversation, you’ll do well.
The interviewers can tell if you’re lying or BS’ing. Be honest. If you’re inexperienced, but you’re eager to learn, say so. If you screwed up, tell them about it, and tell how you’ve improved yourself because of it.
Know enough of your pathophysiology to help your patient. Nobody expects you to know it all, but do some review, and when you are asked a clinical question, talk through it. Review your textbook for a couple of hours; our agency usually covers diabetic, respiratory, and cardiac emergencies. Remember your bread-and-butter basics: ABC’s, get a set of vitals, assess and get a history. If you’re stumped, remember that doing the above, then rapid transport and medical control is always a safe option.
If you don’t have experience, go get some, and get creative about it. How about getting your BLS instructor card, and teaching your neighbors or local Boy/Girl Scouts CPR and First Aid? Volunteer on a CERT team, at community events, nursing homes, or with a free clinic. Make food for a shelter. It doesn’t have to be patient care. Just get some experience being nice to people, and providing a service.
Picture two applicants: one crusty burnout with 15 years on a 911 rig who resents every interruption in their nap time, and an eager new EMT who teaches CPR, plays checkers at a nursing home, and volunteers on a CERT team, but has no ambulance experience. We take that new kid every time, guaranteed. We’re becoming very customer-oriented, and we want employees who are too.
Finally, don’t prepare canned answers. You’ll stumble if you’re only prepared to answer one specific thing, and we rephrase the question. Instead, write down five or six broad categories, like “communication/conflict/interaction,” “knowledge/skills/experience,” and “weaknesses/mistakes/growth.” Think about some real-life examples of how you’ve handled each one well, and write them down too. You’ll be training yourself to quickly answer anything that falls into one of those categories, and setting yourself apart.
Hope this helps someone, especially the newer EMT's who haven't gone through this much yet!
