While we all know that hiring a new employee is right up there with getting a root canal (with apologies to all my endodontic friends) as a fun time, it is a necessary part of running a business. In previous articles we’ve discussed placing an appropriate advertisement and taking the initial call, but what do we do when we’re sitting face to face with the interviewee? I can tell you that many doctors and office managers either freeze and miss asking enough questions or ramble and get very little useful information. The best plan for an interview is to have questions prepared and use them as a guideline. Here is a plan we here at Mosaic Management Professionals like to use.
1) Why did you/will you leave your previous job?
2) What did you like most about your last job? What did you like least about your last job?
3) What would people who have worked with you say are your 2 strongest points? What would these same people say are your 2 weakest points?
4) Why do you like (or want to) work(ing) in (general dentistry, orthodontics, etc.) as an (assistant, treatment coordinator, etc.?)
5) Explain to me, in as much detail as possible, your specific duties at your last job?
6) What personality traits annoy you the most when working with other people?
7) When you are having a problem with another staff member, how do you react and/or handle it? Give me an example.
8) How would you handle an upset/angry patient/parent? Give me an example.
9) What do you feel you could contribute to our team?
10) What questions do you have for me?
