Interview Guide
It’s only natural for job applicants to feel jittery before a job interview. It can be difficult to anticipate the questions that a hiring manager will toss your way as you sit across from them at an intimidating desk or conference table. However, being prepared to answer questions about your professional qualifications as a dietitian can help you appear polished and competent.
Taking some time to prepare yourself to make a good first impression during an interview is the best way to ensure that you can properly respond to questions and requests during the stressful process. Before you put on your best suit and grab your briefcase, check out this job interview guide for success.
Do Your Homework
After getting an invitation to interview for a position, the worst thing you can do is go into the job interview without any knowledge about the company or organization you’re applying to. Take some time to become familiar with the type of clients the organization at hand serves. In addition, you should know the markets they operate in and their annual budget.
When Do You Ask for a Specific Salary?
A job interview isn’t just about letting a hiring manager decide if they want you on their team. Your job interview is also an opportunity for you to discover if you actually want to work for the organization you’ve applied to. You should enter an interview scenario with a number of questions you want to ask the hiring manager or human resources contact. Your questions should focus on topics like company culture and the future of the company. You can also ask about opportunities for advancement for the average employee.
Brace for Salary Talks
The topic of salary is sure to come up at some point during the negotiation process. Do some research about the salaries of your peers so you can present the person interviewing you with some actual numbers when the topic pops up.
Know the Format
When your interview is scheduled, take the opportunity to inquire about the hiring process at the company you’ll be interviewing with. You should ask about how many people will be in the room during your interview. In addition, you will want to know if you will be meeting strictly with human resources contacts or if a department manager will also be in attendance. You should also ask if you will be required to take any tests. A hiring manger is likely to be impressed with your ability to plan and prepare if you inquire about these topics.
Prepare for Questions
It goes without saying that some pretty serious questions will be tossed your way almost as soon as you sit down in your chair to be interviewed. If you’ve been out of school for a while, now is a great time to brush up on some basic clinical facts and procedures regarding the nutrition field. In addition to answering personal questions about your ambitions and qualifications, you’re likely to be presented with clinical scenarios that need responses.