Unfortunately, interviewing will always be an integral part of the job-search process. As hospitals or other companies narrow their list of finalist candidates, considerable importance is given to how well prime contenders sell themselves as the best choice for receiving a job offer.

Sad to say, some well-educated and experienced physicians have not learned that lesson very well. Despite their impressive background and qualifications, they ruin their chances for being selected because of inappropriate interview presentation or behavior.

Some War Stories

In the annals of physician recruitment, every recruiter could write a chapter on candidates who have "blown the interview" for one reason or another. The following true stories shared by physician recruiters from different agencies make the point in graphic detail.

" And one for the road... "

A physician recruiter scheduled a luncheon meeting at a restaurant with a candidate who was in route to interview at a nearby hospital. Although the recruiter intended to prepare the doctor for the face-to-face interview, he was not prepared for what he encountered. The physician was tipsy!

Not only did the guy smell of alcohol; he ordered a couple of drinks during lunch. Needless to say, the recruiter was totally appalled by the doctor's physical condition and lack of good judgment. Without hesitation, he politely cancelled the interview with the client. Furthermore, his agency refused to work with that physician again. it's not hard to imagine why. Had the luncheon not been scheduled, the inebriated gentleman would have shown up at the client site-representing himself and the agency in that sorry condition.

" Excuse me, may I help you? "

A doctor was sitting outside in a hallway waiting to interview with a hospital administrator. Somewhere between the fact that he couldn't communicate in English very well and the way he was dressed (poorly), it was not properly conveyed that he was there for an interview. Hospital personnel thought he was some person off the street wanting to vent or file a complaint with the hospital.

Anyway, the longer he waited, the more he ate and drank from the vending machines, and the more he spilled food and beverage on his already soiled clothes. He became irate at having to wait so long to see the administrator and eventually caused a scene. Security had to be called. The doctor was perceived to be a possible mental patient needing evaluation-not the candidate they had communicated with through the agency.

" Is there anything more you can tell us? "

A candidate was scheduled for a conference-call telephone interview as part of a government contract bid. Two recruiters representing the agency had prepared the doctor for the interview with the particular government client that was about to award them a multi-year contract, pending a favorable interview.

Both recruiters thought they had done a good job of coaching the candidate on the importance of answering questions directly and succinctly. To their utter amazement and chagrin, the man ranted and raved on topics that were totally inappropriate for a client interview.

"The physician spent ten minutes discussing his qualifications, and 35 minutes narrating gripes about his personal life, apparent midlife crisis, and unhappy divorce," one of the recruiters recalls.

The client interviewer, as well as the recruiters, tried to redirect the conversation in more appropriate directions-to no avail. It seems as if the physician felt his exceptional qualifications were apparent, and he could use the interview time to spout off on other matters of personal concern. Wrong! He didn't get the job. Worse yet, the agency lost the contract since they didn't have a suitable backup candidate after Dr. Gabby blew his chance for the job.

Lessons to Learn

These stories are somewhat humorous, but they also underscore a serious point: Don't blow the interview! Impressive credentials, good references, and an enviable work record mean nothing if the interview goes awry for whatever reason.

An interview allows you the best opportunity to sell yourself to a prospective employer. You're in the spotlight, center stage, and expected to "perform" appropriately. If you do well, the chances of getting an offer increase dramatically. Otherwise, you can forget working for that company.

The following tips are handy reminders of interview protocol for physicians or anyone else preparing to interview: