After earning a degree in health science, you need to prepare for your first interview for a job in health science. The career development office on your campus can assist you with writing your resume, creating a cover letter and mock interviews. Even with help from the professionals working in that office, you may still feel a little nervous about your first interview. There are a few simple ways you can better prepare yourself.
Dress for the Position
There is an old adage that says you should dress for the job you want rather than the job you have. Too many recent college graduates make the mistake of wearing the wrong clothes to interviews. You generally want to go a step up from business casual. Women should wear low heels or flats with a skirt and a button up shirt, and men should wear a jacket, matching pants and a tie. Even if those working in that office dress more casually, looking the part will help you stand out from the crowd.
Go Over Your Resume and Cover Letter
Before your interview, go over your resume and cover letter with a fine toothed-comb. Make a short list of the skills you learned and the duties you performed on other jobs. You’ll also want to list some of the key skills you highlighted on your resume. Think about the type of questions they may ask based on the information they have from your resume and cover letter. Make sure that you bring along at least one copy of both documents. This lets you see exactly where they found the things they ask you about during the interview.
Ask Questions
There comes a moment at the end of any interview, where you will be asked if you have any questions. Instead of sitting there with a blank look on your face, have a few possible questions in mind to ask. You might want to know about whether the employer offers tuition assistance for those going to graduate school, if the company promotes from within and how many employees remain with the company for 10 years or longer. Even asking just one simple question shows that you have a genuine interest in working for the company and in the job itself.
Plan for Medical Questions
According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, students should plan for questions regarding medicine, health science and the medical field in general. Even if you specialized your degree in administration, there is a chance that someone will ask you about a new type of medication or a recent change in the medical community. Reading the newspaper and checking the latest medical news online can help you prepare for topics outside your interests. This shows prospective employers that you have a better understanding of the medical field than your peers do.
Your first job interview after college will likely leave you feeling nervous and maybe even scared. Knowing what to expect and how to prepare yourself for that first interview for a job in health science can help keep your nerves and worries under control and allow you to make a good first impression to potential employers.
For more information on health science degrees, please see: Top 20 Most Affordable Health Science Degree Programs.