resume review & etiquette of interviewing oapa student professional development conference...

Resume Review & Resume Review & Etiquette of Etiquette of InterviewingInterviewing

OAPA Student Professional OAPA Student Professional Development Conference Development Conference

Saturday, February 19, 2011Saturday, February 19, 2011

Jay Peterson MSBS, PA-CJay Peterson MSBS, PA-C

11stst PA Job Search PA Job Search

Start ~ 3 - 4 months prior to Start ~ 3 - 4 months prior to graduationgraduation– Clinical RotationsClinical Rotations– PA Program PA Program – AAPA AAPA – State Chapter – OAPAState Chapter – OAPA– PA JournalsPA Journals– Specialty PA OrganizationsSpecialty PA Organizations– General Job SitesGeneral Job Sites– Hospital SystemsHospital Systems– Word-of-mouthWord-of-mouth

Narrow the FocusNarrow the Focus

Ideas to Narrow FocusIdeas to Narrow Focus– Specialty(ies)Specialty(ies)

– LocationLocation

– Hours/ScheduleHours/Schedule

– Practice SettingPractice Setting

– OthersOthers

Be Smart & Selective !Be Smart & Selective !

The ResumeThe Resume

Alter Resume for each JobAlter Resume for each Job 11stst Impression Impression

– Letter of Interest / Cover LetterLetter of Interest / Cover Letter– Accentuate attributesAccentuate attributes– ReferencesReferences

Send ResumeSend Resume– Check proper format Check proper format – Wait…verify receiptWait…verify receipt

Be Patient !Be Patient !

Resume ExamplesResume Examples

Many different stylesMany different styles

Proof Read !Proof Read ! Proof Read !Proof Read !

Pre-Interview Pre-Interview PreparationPreparationGet more information about the Get more information about the

PracticePractice– OnlineOnline– Any connectionsAny connections

When Contacted:When Contacted: Professional, Friendly & Interested Professional, Friendly & Interested

– 11stst Personal Impression Personal Impression Get Practice ContactGet Practice Contact

– Name, position, phone, emailName, position, phone, email

Pre-Interview Pre-Interview PreparationPreparationDetermine Job Details:Determine Job Details:

Supervising PhysicianSupervising Physician

Current & Prior PA HistoryCurrent & Prior PA History

Established vs. New PositionEstablished vs. New Position

Established vs. New PracticeEstablished vs. New Practice

Other Clinicians & StaffOther Clinicians & Staff

Pre-Interview Pre-Interview PreparationPreparationInterview SettingInterview Setting Phone vs. In-personPhone vs. In-person Interview FormatInterview Format

– Length of interviewLength of interview– Names, titles, & pronunciationNames, titles, & pronunciation– Location of interviewLocation of interview– Other elementsOther elements

Meal involvedMeal involved Observation of practiceObservation of practice

The Interview ItselfThe Interview Itself

Analogies:Analogies: PA Program InterviewPA Program Interview Dating / MarriageDating / Marriage

Arrive EarlyArrive Early

Be YourselfBe Yourself

They are also interviewing for you !They are also interviewing for you !

Interview AppearanceInterview Appearance

ProfessionalProfessional

Appear CleanAppear Clean

Exude ConfidenceExude Confidence

11stst Face-to-Face Impression Face-to-Face Impression

Yes, you are being evaluated on……. Yes, you are being evaluated on……. EVERYTHING!EVERYTHING!

Interview AppearanceInterview Appearance

HairHair Well kept, groomedWell kept, groomed Clean shavenClean shaven

OuterwearOuterwear SuitSuit Preferably conservative dark-coloredPreferably conservative dark-colored

– Not a bar or wedding receptionNot a bar or wedding reception

Interview AppearanceInterview Appearance

ShirtShirt Simple, single color long-sleeveSimple, single color long-sleeve Button-up shirtButton-up shirt

But I want to add some Flair !But I want to add some Flair ! Men = tieMen = tie Women = scarf/accent Women = scarf/accent

Interview AppearanceInterview Appearance

Socks & ShoesSocks & Shoes CleanClean Men = MatchingMen = Matching Women = Low or no heelWomen = Low or no heel

OtherOther Minimal scentMinimal scent Minimal jewelryMinimal jewelry Minimal self-expressionMinimal self-expression

Interview DemeanorInterview Demeanor

Carry Yourself WellCarry Yourself Well

ConfidenceConfidence– Sit uprightSit upright

– Eye contactEye contact

Control anxiety / nervesControl anxiety / nerves– Deep, slow breathsDeep, slow breaths

You are happy to be there!You are happy to be there!

Interview DemeanorInterview Demeanor

Shake HandsShake Hands

Speak slowly and loudlySpeak slowly and loudly

– Don’t be timidDon’t be timid

– Use your vocabularyUse your vocabulary

Relax and think things throughRelax and think things through

– Don’t be in a Hurry!Don’t be in a Hurry!

Interview QuestionsInterview Questions

Be Prepared for the Common Ones:Be Prepared for the Common Ones: Why do you want this PA job?Why do you want this PA job?

What are your Strengths/Weaknesses?What are your Strengths/Weaknesses?

What would others say about you?What would others say about you?

Where do you see yourself in 5, 10 yrs.?Where do you see yourself in 5, 10 yrs.?

What are your interests outside of work?What are your interests outside of work?

Things to Find OutThings to Find Out

What is the General Schedule?What is the General Schedule?– Each day of the week, staffing, etc.Each day of the week, staffing, etc.– Hours of workHours of work– Patient demographicsPatient demographics

How Long is the Orientation?How Long is the Orientation?

Previous PA historyPrevious PA history– EmploymentEmployment– ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

Things to Find OutThings to Find Out

Who is the Practice Supervisor?Who is the Practice Supervisor?

Are the Physician(s) and PA(s) Are the Physician(s) and PA(s)

interested in teaching you?interested in teaching you?

Is other Teaching Occurring?Is other Teaching Occurring?

– Residents, Students, etc.Residents, Students, etc.

Need to KnowNeed to Know

Salary RangeSalary Range– Including payment structureIncluding payment structure

Production/Bonus StructureProduction/Bonus Structure

Call Schedule Call Schedule – What type, how often, What type, how often,

reimbursement?reimbursement?

Health, Dental, Life InsuranceHealth, Dental, Life Insurance

Review Periods & ProcessReview Periods & Process

Liability InsuranceLiability Insurance

Need to KnowNeed to Know

Retirement Program DetailsRetirement Program Details

Sick Time, VacationSick Time, Vacation

CME AllotmentCME Allotment– Amount of money, time offAmount of money, time off

Business ExpensesBusiness Expenses– Cell phone, pager, PDA, etc.Cell phone, pager, PDA, etc.

Professional Dues, DEA, Licensure, Professional Dues, DEA, Licensure, etc.etc.

Termination/Leave PolicyTermination/Leave Policy

Things that Can’t be Things that Can’t be AskedAsked Marital StatusMarital Status

Family StatusFamily Status

– Pregnancy, Children, Exact Living Pregnancy, Children, Exact Living

SituationSituation

Religious BeliefsReligious Beliefs

Sexual OrientationSexual Orientation

Race / EthnicityRace / Ethnicity

Anything ElseAnything Else

If Interested in the Position:If Interested in the Position:

ContractContract

Employee Rules & RegulationsEmployee Rules & Regulations

Job ShadowingJob Shadowing

Speak with other EmployeesSpeak with other Employees

Don’t ForgetDon’t Forget

Be YourselfBe Yourself Specific attributes about yourselfSpecific attributes about yourself

– May or may not be on resumeMay or may not be on resume Why you should be hiredWhy you should be hired

– Toot your own horn!Toot your own horn! Any connection to the Any connection to the

area/specialtyarea/specialty– Friends, family, life experiences, etc.Friends, family, life experiences, etc.

Ask QuestionsAsk Questions

Job DecisionsJob Decisions

Expect Multiple OpportunitiesExpect Multiple Opportunities

Look at the BIG PICTURELook at the BIG PICTURE

– Salary is not the only thing!Salary is not the only thing!

ReferencesReferences

American Academy of Physician American Academy of Physician

AssistantsAssistants

www.aapa.orgwww.aapa.org

Ballweg, R., et al. Ballweg, R., et al. Physician Assistant Physician Assistant A A

Guide to Clinical Practice.Guide to Clinical Practice. (2008) 4 (2008) 4thth Edition, Edition,

pages 663-674.pages 663-674.

Monster.comMonster.com

Questions & Questions & CommentsComments