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You require your candidates to have certain “hard” skills in order to do their jobs effectively. Familiarity with the necessary equipment, knowledge of processes and procedures used on the job, technical proficiencies that are used day in and day out… the list goes on. But these kinds of skills aren’t the only ones that are important. Soft skills are just as useful – you should be looking for them in the hiring process. 

Here are a few soft skills to identify during your next round of interviews: 

Team Player 

With any hire, you want to make sure they’re a team player. Even if a role involves some level of independent work, it’s a safe bet your team members will be working collaboratively at some point or another. You want to hire people don’t just get along with their coworkers, but support and improve the team at large. Be sure to ask about a candidate’s team efforts from their past experience so you can get an idea of how they interact in a group setting. 

Organization 

Organization is a great quality to have in almost any career path. Organized, disciplined people get the job done right – and they’re less stressed when they’re doing it. From keeping track of multiple requests and requirements to making sure records are kept correctly, organizational skills are a must-have for your top-tier candidates. Work in a few questions about organizational habits when you’re interviewing; you’ll be surprised how much you learn. 

Communication 

Communication skills go together with the ability to be a team player. When communication breaks down on your team, things start to go wrong. On the other hand, when you employ people who are good communicators, things tend to run smoothly. Ask your candidates how they communicate with coworkers and supervisors when they need help, how they facilitate change through communication, or how they’ve used their communication skills in the past to foster positive outcomes. 

Empathy 

Sympathy means feeling sorry for someone. Empathy is quite different. Empathy means putting yourself in someone else’s shoes and really trying to understand what they’re going through. And this is a key skill to have in your best employees. Empathetic individuals are better at seeing what’s going on beyond the surface level, ultimately helping to resolve conflicts, diffuse tension, and create a positive work environment for all.  

Get Help With Hiring 

Turn to Medical Talent when you’re ready to hire your next team member. Contact our talent acquisition team online or call 972-468-9111 to get started. 

Video interviews are more popular than ever, but phone interviews still happen quite frequently, too. Often, a phone interview comes first, followed by video interviews and then in-person interviews. So, how can you sell yourself in the right way during your next phone interview? Here are four tips: 

#1: Craft an elevator pitch. 

There’s a good chance the first thing the hiring manager will say to you is, “Tell me a little bit about yourself.” This is the perfect opportunity to give your elevator pitch. Come up with a 30- to 60-second blurb about yourself, what you do, your experience, and what sets you apart from other candidates. You can include some personal information as well if the hiring manager asks for it. The goal of the elevator pitch is to clearly and concisely get across who you are, what you stand for, and why you should be the company’s next hire.  

#2: Quantify your achievements. 

Rather than saying, “I helped improve patient outcomes as a part of my team,” say “My contributions to the team helped boost positive patient outcomes by 25% over the last fiscal year.” Quantifying your accomplishments in this way is a proven method for making an impact on hiring managers. They want to be able to visualize what kinds of differences you’ll make if you’re hired on—putting it in numbers and figures is the best way to do that.  

#3: Ask good questions. 

Almost all interviews, including phone interviews, wrap up with the hiring manager asking if you have any questions. Saying “no” is never a good idea. It makes you seem disinterested and lackadaisical about the position. Ahead of the interview, come up with a few targeted, unique questions about the job and the company at large. You’ll learn more about the role and make a good impression at the same time. 

#4: Be friendly. 

It might sound obvious, but being friendly and approachable over the phone is always recommended. Pay close attention to your tone of voice, your inflection, and your body language. Even though you’re not visible, the person on the other end of the line can tell a lot about your attitude simply through your voice. You don’t want to turn the hiring manager off by sounding guarded or defensive. A friendly tone of voice, on the other hand, will always make a good impression. 

Line Up Your Next Interview 

If you’re ready to advance your career in healthcare, talk to one of Medical Talent’s experienced medical recruiters. Contact us today to get started on your job search.