Hello Everyone!
I decided to go ahead and write this forum on what to do if you are called for an interview. Below is a list of what I believe are the key points to not just interviews in the EMS filed, but also to any interview you go to. I have had my fair share of really good and bad interviews so I will throw in what I have learned over the years.
1) Be prepared for a call from a potential employer after you have put your applications in. It seems to be the popular thing to have a phone interview first before you actually get to even see anyone for a job. Have a piece of paper and a pen ready to jot down any notes or directions you may need for your face to face interview if you are called for one. One time I was told a list of responsibilities over the phone and during my face to face interview he asked me to repeat the duties he had listed over the phone.
2) Select the appropriate attire. I believe that is it better to be "overdressed" than to be under dressed. I used to work for a bank and nothing irritated me more than when someone came in with wrinkly clothes or wore jeans with holes to an interview. BUY A SUIT. You will need one anyway at some point in your life so you might as well invest in one. If you cannot afford one wear nicely pressed dress slacks with a tucked in button up oxford and a tie. This sounds a little weird but Walmart also has suit jackets for cheap if you feel weird without the jacket. Ladies, wear slacks or a modest skirt. Nothing above knew if you do go with a skirt and a nice dress shirt that does not show any cleavage. Also, stick to very natural and neutral colors when applying make-up. If you do not wear make-up I actually suggest putting a little on. It shows that you care about your appearance and gives you a professional aspect. Stay away from clothes that fit too tightly. Wear something that looks professional and doesn't show every little bump and curve on your body. Set your clothes out the night before so that you are not running around the house like a crazy person trying to find the missing pieces to your ensemble.
3) Go over some interview questions on the internet. There are tons of websites that give you anything from the most frequent to the hardest interview questions that employers ask. It really helped me in a lot of interviews to look these up because 90% of the questions were asked that I looked over. A lot of the time they are going to ask you "Why did you apply for this position?" or "Why should we pick you over everyone else?". Honestly these questions are best answered with your own thoughts. For instance whenever I had applied for an EKG Technician job I was scared to death because I new I was under qualified and I had to "dazzle" my interviewer. Whenever he asked me why I should be picked over the other candidates I told him what I felt, which was that my heart actually cared for the patients I would be helping and that I genuinely cared for them. To conclude that story he called me the next day and offered me the position. Think before you give your answer.
4) Read the Mission Statement on their website. I know it seems kind of stupid, but they don't put the Mission Statement on their website for their own entertainment. The Mission Statement is what the company's motto or basic goal is for their organization. Some interviewers will even ask you what their Mission Statement is about. You don't want to be the one that doesn't know what it says. Just read over it just in case.
5) Have a Resume with at least 3 copies ready to hand out. Some interviews have more than one person interviewing you and you want all of them to get a copy. The most I have ever been interviewed at the same time is 5 people. I had a copy for each person so that they didn't have to look off of someone else's copy. Speaking of resumes, I made mine off of a Word template I found online for free. Choose one that is easy to follow and lists the main points you are trying to get across. List all jobs you have had starting with the most recent, your skills, certifications, volunteer work, awards, and references. Resumes are a chance to brag about yourself. There is nothing conceited about pointing out how much better of a candidate you are compared to the others. As long as you keep it all in good form of course. ^_^
6) Before you go into your interview just remind yourself that you can do this. I get nervous before an interview so it helps me to keep positive thoughts in my head and to just remind myself that I know I have the skills and qualifications that they want and that I am going to nail this interview. They called you for a reason right? So don't let your nerves get the best of you.
7) Something I like to keep in mind is that if you look good, you feel good. And when you feel good, you do good. Get everything ready the night before. Your clothes, resume, and questions. Even make sure that you know where to go. Try to drive out to where your interview is going to be at at least the day before so that you are not lost the next day. You don't want to be late because you cannot find the place or something unexpected happens. Arrive at least 15 minutes early to show that you are punctual.
8) Make sure to shake everyone's hand firmly. Nothing is worse than giving them what I call "the dead fish". Make eye contact as well. It makes you seem confident even if on the inside your screaming for help haha! Try to keep any nervous habits down to a minimum. It helps me to just cross my fingers together so that I can't fidget with anything and it also makes me seem calm and composed. Also keep a smile on your face. It makes you seem friendly and like people can openly approach you.
9) EMS interviews tend to involve a written test and sometimes a physical skills test. These are just skills and questions that you have already conquered in the past. I would go over some reviews from your EMT class if you are fuzzy in a few areas and look over some of the skills you learned as well. You have already passed your class, state skills testing, and national registry. You should be able to get through this part easily.
10) And finally just relax. You have your clothes, resumes, the directions and your questions ready. You are going to nail this interview!! Make sure to thank everyone with a firm handshake and try to name each of them as you shake their hand. It shows that you pay attention to detail. If you don't get called back, then don't be discouraged. Learn from the interview you did have and try to figure out what went well and what didn't go well. Even call them and ask what you can improve on if you know that the position was handed to someone else.
Happy Job Hunting!
I decided to go ahead and write this forum on what to do if you are called for an interview. Below is a list of what I believe are the key points to not just interviews in the EMS filed, but also to any interview you go to. I have had my fair share of really good and bad interviews so I will throw in what I have learned over the years.
1) Be prepared for a call from a potential employer after you have put your applications in. It seems to be the popular thing to have a phone interview first before you actually get to even see anyone for a job. Have a piece of paper and a pen ready to jot down any notes or directions you may need for your face to face interview if you are called for one. One time I was told a list of responsibilities over the phone and during my face to face interview he asked me to repeat the duties he had listed over the phone.
2) Select the appropriate attire. I believe that is it better to be "overdressed" than to be under dressed. I used to work for a bank and nothing irritated me more than when someone came in with wrinkly clothes or wore jeans with holes to an interview. BUY A SUIT. You will need one anyway at some point in your life so you might as well invest in one. If you cannot afford one wear nicely pressed dress slacks with a tucked in button up oxford and a tie. This sounds a little weird but Walmart also has suit jackets for cheap if you feel weird without the jacket. Ladies, wear slacks or a modest skirt. Nothing above knew if you do go with a skirt and a nice dress shirt that does not show any cleavage. Also, stick to very natural and neutral colors when applying make-up. If you do not wear make-up I actually suggest putting a little on. It shows that you care about your appearance and gives you a professional aspect. Stay away from clothes that fit too tightly. Wear something that looks professional and doesn't show every little bump and curve on your body. Set your clothes out the night before so that you are not running around the house like a crazy person trying to find the missing pieces to your ensemble.
3) Go over some interview questions on the internet. There are tons of websites that give you anything from the most frequent to the hardest interview questions that employers ask. It really helped me in a lot of interviews to look these up because 90% of the questions were asked that I looked over. A lot of the time they are going to ask you "Why did you apply for this position?" or "Why should we pick you over everyone else?". Honestly these questions are best answered with your own thoughts. For instance whenever I had applied for an EKG Technician job I was scared to death because I new I was under qualified and I had to "dazzle" my interviewer. Whenever he asked me why I should be picked over the other candidates I told him what I felt, which was that my heart actually cared for the patients I would be helping and that I genuinely cared for them. To conclude that story he called me the next day and offered me the position. Think before you give your answer.
4) Read the Mission Statement on their website. I know it seems kind of stupid, but they don't put the Mission Statement on their website for their own entertainment. The Mission Statement is what the company's motto or basic goal is for their organization. Some interviewers will even ask you what their Mission Statement is about. You don't want to be the one that doesn't know what it says. Just read over it just in case.
5) Have a Resume with at least 3 copies ready to hand out. Some interviews have more than one person interviewing you and you want all of them to get a copy. The most I have ever been interviewed at the same time is 5 people. I had a copy for each person so that they didn't have to look off of someone else's copy. Speaking of resumes, I made mine off of a Word template I found online for free. Choose one that is easy to follow and lists the main points you are trying to get across. List all jobs you have had starting with the most recent, your skills, certifications, volunteer work, awards, and references. Resumes are a chance to brag about yourself. There is nothing conceited about pointing out how much better of a candidate you are compared to the others. As long as you keep it all in good form of course. ^_^
6) Before you go into your interview just remind yourself that you can do this. I get nervous before an interview so it helps me to keep positive thoughts in my head and to just remind myself that I know I have the skills and qualifications that they want and that I am going to nail this interview. They called you for a reason right? So don't let your nerves get the best of you.
7) Something I like to keep in mind is that if you look good, you feel good. And when you feel good, you do good. Get everything ready the night before. Your clothes, resume, and questions. Even make sure that you know where to go. Try to drive out to where your interview is going to be at at least the day before so that you are not lost the next day. You don't want to be late because you cannot find the place or something unexpected happens. Arrive at least 15 minutes early to show that you are punctual.
8) Make sure to shake everyone's hand firmly. Nothing is worse than giving them what I call "the dead fish". Make eye contact as well. It makes you seem confident even if on the inside your screaming for help haha! Try to keep any nervous habits down to a minimum. It helps me to just cross my fingers together so that I can't fidget with anything and it also makes me seem calm and composed. Also keep a smile on your face. It makes you seem friendly and like people can openly approach you.
9) EMS interviews tend to involve a written test and sometimes a physical skills test. These are just skills and questions that you have already conquered in the past. I would go over some reviews from your EMT class if you are fuzzy in a few areas and look over some of the skills you learned as well. You have already passed your class, state skills testing, and national registry. You should be able to get through this part easily.
10) And finally just relax. You have your clothes, resumes, the directions and your questions ready. You are going to nail this interview!! Make sure to thank everyone with a firm handshake and try to name each of them as you shake their hand. It shows that you pay attention to detail. If you don't get called back, then don't be discouraged. Learn from the interview you did have and try to figure out what went well and what didn't go well. Even call them and ask what you can improve on if you know that the position was handed to someone else.
Happy Job Hunting!
