INTERVIEW READINESS CHECKLIST

1 Ask open-ended, probing questions to understand how well the graduate can 'Sizzle'
SELF-SIZZLE themselves and determine their commitment to the process
 "What made you decide to study for a career in healthcare, why did you choose the ____ degree
CHECK program?’
 "Based on your work experience, let's review your transferable skills."
 “Describe your other skills, your life skills, that would apply to this position” (family finances, home
schooling)
 "If you were to go to an interview for a receptionist position, sell me on how and why you are
qualified."
 “How soon are you able to start interviewing? If offered a position, how soon could you start
2 Evaluate graduate's interview confidence/areas of opportunity
 “Tell me more about your last interview? How did it go? What areas do you wish you would have
PRE-INTERVIEW
been more prepared”?
READINESS
 “On a scale of 1-5, 5 being the highest, how confident do you feel going on an interview tomorrow?
CHECK Why?” -Ask questions to f
 “Tell me more about your ability to interview right now, do you have everything you need like an
interview outfit, transportation or childcare?
 “What is your weekly schedule like now and what are the best days and times for me to schedule
interviews?
 “Describe your “virtual” interview space and comfort level with Zoom or Phone Interviews”
 Confirm the set-up of a “job hunt only” professional email. Confirm professional voice mail. Explain
professional use of other social media
 Ask Pre- interview questions- see handout

3 Ensure accuracy by verifying current address, phone number and “job only” email address
 Confirm list of professional references and contact information
RESUME
 Confirm the accuracy of the employment history
CHECK  Ask if any information is missing and ensure none of the information is more than 10 years old
 Add additional skills, classes, certifications

Be intentional with your questions: they should be open-ended and specific - no details left
4 behind
 "From head to toe, tell me about your interview outfit."
APPEARANCE  "Tell me about any visible piercings you have."
CHECK  "Tell me about any visible tattoos you have when you are wearing a shirt."
 "What type of hair style do you have and what color is your hair?"
 "Are you concerned about how your teeth look when you smile or talk?"
 "Is there anything else special, different or unique about your appearance that we haven't discussed
yet?"
 ASK FOR A PICTURE
5 Advise your graduate that there will be employers who are smoke-free and only hire non-
SMOKING smokers
 "Do you smoke?" / "Does anyone in your household smoke?"
CHECK  (If YES) - "Do you/do they smoke in the house? In the car?"
 Ensure the graduate understands the importance of being freshly showered, with clean clothes and
teeth
6 Make sure the graduate understands the content and vocabulary on the resume
 Using the skills section on the resume, probe for the graduate's ability to explain a few of the terms
EDUCATION
and qualifications listed there
CS Training 1/8/2021
 INTERVIEW READINESS CHECKLIST
CHECK  Ask about any other certifications or on-line courses they may have taken
 Utilize the Resume Keywords and Commonly Used Medical Terms job aids
 Graduates can also be referred to Academic Coaching for a brush-up session or Live Lab (ext 7999)
7 If this is a Welcome Call, set the expectation that short interview preps will be part of the
SET INTERVIEW process before every interview
 Ensure the graduate sounds confident and natural; if they sound canned or uncomfortable, use
QUESTION
coaching exercises
CHECK  Base Interview questions on the specific interview details from the JO
 "Tell me about yourself." / “Why should we hire you for this position?"
 "Do you know how to research a company?" / "Do you know why this is important?"
8 Ensure graduate has reliable transportation, or a transportation plan
TRANSPORTATIO  Do they have their own car?
N CHECK  Do they have a current license and registration?
 If they do not have their own car- what is their mode of transportation
 Discuss transportation plan, UBER, and other strategies
9 Find out about ay barriers that would prevent graduate from securing a position ?"
BARRIERS TO  “Most places will do a Background check that could go back a far as 10 years, and/or a Drug
EMPLOYMENT Test, will either of these be concern, or is there something we need to be able to have a plan
CHECK to discuss with employer?”
 “Tell me about any concerns, issues or conflicts that would keep you from interviewing
ASAP? Is there any obstacles to you starting a job or anything that would interfere with
Starting a job ASAP?”
 “Do you have any events coming up, such as vacations, surgeries etc that we need to plan
around”
10 Find out if there are any physical/mental or environment requirements that need to be
SPECIAL addressed
REQUESTS OR  “Are there any special requirements, such as slower passed environment, or restrictions,
REQUIREMENTS such as standing for long periods of time, that I need to know about to insure I find the right
working conditions for you?”
 “What modalities are you comfortable working in”
Pharmacy Plasma Peds Hearing centers Vision centers Veterinarian Call
Centers
WFH Hospital Urgent Care ER Billing Front Desk Elderly Care Other

Email grad Send a follow-up interview confirmation

Next "Readiness Update
Notes & New Before
email to the grad with all the details.
Overview" email
Steps Zoho Sizzle ITVAsk for a reply as an added layer of
and next steps confirmation

CS Training 1/8/2021