This is a 5 Part series on Interviewing Tips for Physical Therapists a resource available from PediaStaff: Part 1: Preparing for the interview. Part 2: Phone vs. Face-to-face Interviews.
Part 3: During the Interview.
Part 4: Answering & Asking Questions.
Part 5: Following up after the Interview.
PHONE INTERVIEWS
A phone interview is very different from a face to face interview. There are plenty of interview preparedness documents available to job candidates getting ready to visit an organization on site, but very rarely, do candidates get an education on how to take a phone interview.
1) Be sure to schedule your interview for a time that you can give your potential employer all your attention. Phone interviews can be “anonymous” and as such there is a temptation to multitask - please don’t! An interviewer can hear you doing the dishes or picking up around the house. Especially, do not conduct the interview while driving or working on the computer. Find a quiet, private place to conduct the interview and alert others in your household to please refrain from disturbing you.
2) Keep it clinical. By clinical, we mean related to the specific therapy job you are interviewing for. Talk only about specific issues regarding the job duties, population, diagnoses of clients, etc. If you are invited in for a face to face interview you will have plenty of time to ask questions about the organization itself. You should have answered most of your organization/company oriented questions either through your online research or through conversations with your recruiter.
3) Don’t talk about money. There will be plenty of time to talk about money after the client has decided that they want to hire you.
4) It is recommended that during the phone interview you let the interviewer ask all the questions he has and save any questions you might have until the interviewer specifically asks you if you have any. Even then, limit your questions to job related topics. Let me explain.
In general, an interviewer has maybe 30-45 minutes to devote to this phone interview that is either happening in between meetings, or at home on his/her own time. If during those minutes the interviewer learns all he needs to and decides to bring you on board that’s great. If on the other hand, you start asking too many questions on the phone, the interviewer may not have enough time to collect all the details he needs during that short time. Afterwards, a decision might be made that you aren’t what they are looking for. This decision may be arrived at, not because that is in fact true, but rather because the interviewer bases their decision on what you got the chance to say you can do, rather than what you can REALLY do. The only questions that are important for you to ask before the phone interview is concluded are major, job specific questions that are critical to whether you are interested in the job.
FACE TO FACE INTERVIEWS
Getting There
If you are driving, make sure you have good directions and allow extra time. Bring a road map along, just in case. The only thing worse than arriving to an interview late, is being so sweaty and stressed that you are thrown off your game for the rest of the day.
If you are going for a direct hire position, find out if you will need to fill out any employment applications beforehand. Also allow plenty of time for parking and finding your way around the facility.
If by chance you are traveling to the interview by plane as part of a trip to the area, carry your bags on the plane instead of checking them. We had a candidate once show up for an interview unshaven and disheveled because his bags were lost by the airline. Try to arrange to fly in the night before so that you are fresh and rested for the interview.
If you are picking up a rental car, make sure that you have a credit card. Most major car rental agencies will not rent to you if you do not have a major credit card in your name. If you are fresh out of college, make sure you are old enough to rent a car (this is most frequently 25 years but some of the agencies will rent between 21 and 25 and charge a surcharge) … before you get to the rental counter.
Preparing Yourself
As a starting point, it is critical to understand that the impression you make in the first few minutes of the interview generally sets the tone for your success or failure for the entire interview. Be punctual (preferably ten minutes early); maintain eye contact as you speak; have a firm, friendly handshake; never smoke or chew gum.
We assume you know the basics of dressing appropriately. Men should wear a white shirt and tie. Women should wear a conservative blouse and skirt or slacks. Although most positions will not require you to be quite so dressed up, once you get the job, you are there to make a serious impression. Be sure your hair is neat (for guys - beards or moustaches groomed). Tie back or wear up any long hair.
A final comment on appearance and grooming: A full beard on men (even one that is well trimmed and groomed) has, in our experience, killed more employment opportunities than we care to remember.
Obviously, you have to make the decision about how committed and interested you are in the position. And we can generally get feedback from the client on their attitude in this area. If you have a mustache or long hair, these should be conservatively trimmed. Women should avoid overly bright colors, heavy make-up, and wear a minimum of jewelry. Obviously, individualism is great, but the rules by which the business world operates establish the rites of passage that coincide with interviewing and making career transitions.
Be sure to subscribe to our blog to guarantee that you will not miss Parts 1-5 of this series. This is just one of the many PediaStaff resources available on their website.
As part of the media department here at Altimate Medical, I wear many hats. Sometimes that includes participating in events for employees, like Family Photo Night. Employees gather up their families and bring them in for a quick 15 minute photo session, complete with hot apple cider and cookies. I really enjoy photographing the families, especially the kids!
This is a 5 Part series on Interviewing Tips for Physical Therapists a resource available from PediaStaff:
Part 1: Preparing for the Interview. Part 2: Phone vs. Face-to-face Interviews.
Part 3: During the Interview.
Part 4: Answering & Asking Questions.
Part 5: Following up after the Interview.
You have been offered an interview for a direct hire (permanent) position as a pediatric physical therapist, occupational therapist, or therapy assistant. Congratulations!
This 5 part series will help you prepare for this interview and improve your chances of landing a great job. Please note, that while some of the advice offered here may seem obvious to you, it might not be obvious to everyone, and we would rather share things that sound basic rather than omit something that we assume you know.
BEFORE THE INTERVIEW
Research the hospital, clinic or therapy provider in advance so that you may be as informed as possible about them. Nothing is more impressive or expresses your interest more dramatically than being knowledgeable about the organization with whom you are speaking. Even if you live in the town where the job is located, and think you know all there is to know about the employer and the area, you might do well to do some extra homework.
Here of some of the things you should research. Those items below that you can’t find answers to ahead of time make perfect questions to ask during the interview. Most of this information can be found either by spending time on the client’s website, or by “Googling” the organization’s name and reading articles you find online. Your PediaStaff recruiter will be able to help you collect much of this information, but whatever else you can learn on your own will only serve to help you even more!
THE COMPANY/ORGANIZATION:
• By the numbers - the number of clients served, number of therapists, number of administrators, square footage of the facility.
• Reputation - How is this employer perceived in the city/town compared to other therapy providers?
• Administration - A visit to the organization’s website will generally be quite helpful.
• Recent awards and honors the organization has received.
SPECIFIC JOB QUESTIONS TO HAVE ANSWERED BEFORE THE INTERVIEW
• Why is the job available?
• Exactly where is the position located? Is affordable housing available within a reasonable distance of where you will work? Is the location where you will have to live in a safe environment? Is the location of the job accessible to public transportation?
• What is the client population makeup and caseload?
• Is there a supervisor over your area or will you report directly to the Director or Assistant Director?
• How many hours am I guaranteed (or can I expect) per week?
• Is paperwork done by computer or manually, and will you be provided with all the tools I need to succeed?
• Email address of the interviewer so you can send him/her a “thank you” note.
All of this will not only create a stronger image of you in the interview, but likewise will provide you with a better basis for evaluating the opportunity if an offer is made. In addition, there are some answers that if you have them ahead of time may cause you to decide that an interview is not desirable for you. Again, work with your recruiter to make sure you have all these answers before you decide to accept the interview. Your time and our client’s time are both quite valuable!
Be sure to subscribe to our blog to guarantee that you will not miss Parts 2-5 of this series. This is just one of the many PediaStaff resources available on their website.
As parents, we know dinnertime’s important. We want to serve well-balanced, tasty meals, and we want to spend quality time as a family. Yet it can be a challenge for busy moms and dads to pull this off every evening. Try these 9 strategies for getting dinnertime under control. You may even notice your more peaceful evening meals having a positive effect on the rest of your life too!
1. Plan meals ahead. I know, it sounds tedious. But here’s a quick way to do meal planning that takes just minutes. It’s a small investment of time, with a big payoff in terms of the time and energy you save throughout your week.
Cayden can see his family better and engage in the conversation when he sits "up" more in his EasyStand Bantam.
* On the weekend, write down a list of the meals you’ll serve during the coming week. Get input from your spouse and kids. And have the calendar handy, so you’ll know which days you’ll need to have something quick and easy on hand, and which days you’ll have time for a dinner that needs a little more preparation.
* Once you have your plan, make a list of the ingredients you’ll need, and keep it handy for your next trip to the grocery store.
Once you get into the meal planning routine, it will feel effortless. And there’s a bonus: your entire week will feel amazingly more streamlined and organized, even in ways that have nothing to do with cooking. You’ll save money on the grocery bill, too!
2. Consider grocery delivery. Is there grocery delivery in your area? Once you’ve planned your meals for the week, it’s easy to take your list to the computer and place your order. Especially for those weeks when things get really hectic, this is well worth the delivery fee!
3. Prepare ahead. Starting to cook dinner when the kids are already tired and hungry — and when YOU’RE tired and hungry — is really hard, especially if this is your pattern day after day. Are there other times during the day when you’re in the kitchen and can do a little preparation towards dinner? Washing, chopping, and cooking ahead, done in small moments here and there throughout your day and week, can help your dinner preparations go much more smoothly.
Try this: When you come home from the grocery store, do a few little food prep right then and there. Wash the lettuce. Rinse the grapes. Shred some cheese, grate some carrots, do some peeling, chopping, slicing — whatever you have time for. Kids might enjoy helping with some of this.
4. Double batch. When you do your weekly meal planning, plan one meal that’s easily double-batched. Package the extras in single servings for easy reheating when you’re in a time crunch!
5. Many hands make light work. Team up with friends or family, buy ingredients in bulk, and have a cooking day every other month. It’s fun, and everyone takes home a variety of dishes to freeze and enjoy over the next days and weeks.
6. Start early. How long does it take you to get dinner on the table, from start to finish? Start 15 minutes earlier than usual. By building in extra time, dinner preparations will feel less rushed. You’ll have more patience for the little interruptions and incidents that crop up every day around this time! You and the family will feel more relaxed, which in turn sets the mood for a happier evening meal together.
7. Spark some conversation. Dinnertime conversation is an important way we form strong family bonds. To get the conversation going, buy or make some conversation cards. Or use photos, drawings, pictures cut from magazines, or even small objects for a quick and easy way to get family members of all ages and abilities talking. Keep the topics light and fun. No matter how your family communicates, conversation starters like these help get everyone involved.
8. Choose your battles. Do you find yourself being the “manners police” at dinnertime? Decide which dinnertime rules are important to you, and which ones can you overlook. By taking some of the pressure off your kids, you also take some of the pressure off yourself. Allow yourself the pleasure of simply enjoying your children’s company at dinnertime. Save the correcting and the teaching for only when it’s absolutely necessary.
9. Get as much help as possible. -Give your kids small jobs according to their age and abilities. Over time, they’ll master these jobs and be a real help in the kitchen. Make a game out of it, use a sticker chart, make up songs … this can actually be fun!
- Have a plan for how and when your spouse will pitch in. What tasks? Cooking? Cleaning up? And on what days?
- I’m willing to bet there are people around you who wish they could help you out somehow. Some of these folks would be happy to bring over a meal from time to time. If you’re not comfortable asking, have a friend organize this for you.
- Is there a healthy takeout option near you? Once in a while, in a pinch, get an entree and serve with your own sides of fresh veggies and fruit.
What dinnertime strategies work for your family? How do you keep dinnertime healthy, stress-free, and fun?
And if being able to complete all of the steps required to make my mom’s alfredo sauce, a.k.a. “white” sauce, that delicious worth-the-possible-heart-attack butter, cream, and parmesan cheese creation with only the use of these curled up fingers, arm muscles that work at 50%, AND sitting in a wheelchair the entire time, I figure that‘s still impressive…right?
Cooking for me has been quite the learning process in the years since acquiring my spinal cord injury. I grew up watching my mom impress all of her friends several times a year with fabulous dinner parties, replete with crab legs, homemade pastas, and fancy champagnes. And when I got hurt at 14, my dreams of one day emulating my mom’s own fabulousness felt like a dream that would never come true. I could see no possible way how I could ever entertain as a C6 quadriplegic.
And of course, through occupational therapy sessions and by meeting other people with disabilities baking cakes (long story), I was proven wrong. Many quads, paras, and people with a myriad of other mobility disabilities cook everyday. Sure, watching me cook may freak some people out because I hold, pour, stir, open packages - and everything else - differently (and use my mouth quite a lot), but as long as the food is cooked properly and is tasty when it comes out, what does it all matter?
For a lot of cooks with disabilities, many have found ways to change their recipes to better suit their abilities. A great example of how this can be done is at Thanksgiving. Instead of baking a full (and dreadfully heavy) turkey, why not bake a few turkey breasts? They’re easier to manage for people with decreased upper-body strength because they‘re lighter, and yes they really do taste just as good (just don‘t let them dry out).
And it’s good to know your limits. I once knew a C6 quad who attempted to remove a pot roast from the oven, lost her hold on it and the entire thing came spilling out of the pan and onto her lap. She suffered multiple 3rd degree burns, but she eventually healed up. Please…don’t let this happen to you.
Never forgetting this story, I prefer to cook stove top-based recipes, from sauces to basted eggs to stir fried rice to chicken breasts sautéed in yellow onion, cooked in cream, red whine and fennel. There are more than enough stove-based recipes to keep me busy cooking for several lifetimes. If you’re not sure how to find stove-based recipes, Google “skillet meals” and thousands (not an exaggeration) of recipes will be at your fingertips.
Another trick I’ve learned is to prep. I frequently have my caregiver take down certain pans, glass plates, blenders that are stored above the fridge, anything that I know will give me a hard time if I try to do it later on my own. It might be more mentally taxing to have to prepare so far ahead of time in the day, as I frequently find myself doing so 10am discussing with my PCA what needs to be taken down or cut up so I can cook after work. But to say, “I cooked that!” and know in my heart that it’s the God’s honest truth - THAT - makes it all worth while.
Last month I hosted my first dinner party. I invited seven close friends and served roasted chicken encrusted in rosemary, sage and thyme, along with roasted red potatoes, onion, and zucchini. It went great, I had no leftovers, and the best part? Looking down on my party in 3rd person that night (don’t you ever do that?), knowing I was finally emulating my mom’s fabulousness. It was an amazing “I finally conquered that!” experience, an experience everyone with a disability needs to have happen at least once in their life.
Members that look forward to 2 days a week.
Pottery and art projects that utilize their abilities.
Staff and volunteers that go the extra mile.
Therapy equipment that keeps their bodies strong.
A chaplin that makes the members see things in a new light.
New friends. Old friends. Long-time friends.
Living life to the fullest with Multiple Sclerosis.
This is what I saw at the Fairview MS Achievment Center. Take a look at the video to learn more.
Give us your thoughts on this video. Do you know of any similar programs offered in your area?
The cleaning couple, Jim and Twyla, are retiring from the Altimate Medical Team after eight great years. When first offered the position they planned on only taking the job for a few years. Now eight years later they decided it was time to retire. Twyla told us at the party, “A couple years tuned in to eight and a half!”
Jim and Twyla are the parents of Mike Bavier, Production Manager at Altimate Medical, but they are like family to all of us, we are a close knit team. Jim agrees, he told us during the party, “You have all become like family to us.” They will definitely be missed!!
And if being able to complete all of the steps required to make my mom’s alfredo sauce, a.k.a. “white” sauce, that delicious worth-the-possible-heart-attack butter, cream, and parmesan cheese creation with only the use of these curled up fingers, arm muscles that work at 50%, AND sitting in a wheelchair the entire time, I figure that‘s still impressive…right?
