Medical assistants play a vital role in the success of the healthcare industry and the health of their patients. Your studies in the Medical Assistant Program at Prism Career Institute have prepared you for this important position, and you have all the technical and professional skills needed to achieve success. However, when beginning your career as a medical assistant, you must first interview to find the right role. Here, Prism Career Institute shares tips to help you prepare for your medical assistant job interview and land your dream job.
The Four P’s of Job Interviews
Starting your career as a medical assistant is an exciting time. Since medical assistants perform a variety of duties and can work in different healthcare settings, it can seem hard to narrow down what setting you prefer and how to ace the interview once you do. However, some of the soft skills you learned in classes will help you in job interviews. These include being prompt, professional, prepared, and practiced. You’ve developed the four P’s at Prism Career Institute and in your externship, and now they can help you get a job after graduation.
Prompt
First and foremost, it is extremely important to be prompt and arrive on time. Make sure you know how long it will take you to arrive and plan ahead for any possible mishaps. It is better to arrive a few minutes early to make a great first impression. Employers want to know that they can count on their future medical assistants to be reliable and punctual.
Professional
You should also arrive to your interview dressed professionally. Making a good first impression is a crucial part of an interview. Always wear business professional clothes, like a suit or a dress shirt with slacks or a skirt and a blazer. Makeup and jewelry should be limited, and scrubs are to be avoided even though you will wear them in the workplace. It is also a good idea to act professionally by sitting up straight, not chewing gum, avoiding fidgeting, and making strong eye contact.
Prepared
Come prepared for your interview by researching the doctor’s office, clinic, or hospital. You should also review the job description and compare the requirements with your education and experience. Be prepared to discuss your previous externship activities, as well as any volunteer work you may have done. Emphasize special accomplishments you achieved there to show the interviewer what makes you stand out. Coming prepared also means having copies of your resume and a pen and notepad to take notes.
Practiced
Practicing is an important part of prepping for your interview, as it shows you really care about the job and the first impression you make. Research commonly asked medical assistant job interview questions, and grab a friend for a mock interview. Doing so can help you feel more confident and refine your answers before facing a future employer.
You should also prepare a list of questions to ask your interviewer. Asking about the work environment, common tasks, and what they enjoy about the work shows your investment in the position. However, you should avoid asking questions that can be easily answered by the employer’s website, since these queries can make you seem careless or uninformed.
Learn More about Becoming a Medical Assistant
With these tips in mind, you’re on your way to a rewarding job that puts your medical assistant training to good use. At Prism Career Institute, students receive all the tools needed to begin a successful career as a medical assistant, from rigorous training to supportive career services. Apply online or contact us today to learn more about the Medical Assistant Program at our Cherry Hill and West Atlantic City, New Jersey campuses.