Phone Interview Questions

What are three of your career accomplishments so far?

1. First and foremost, graduating from Morningside College 2. Being named to the Dean's List during both of the hardest semesters of my college career 3. Being able to maintain a job for nearly six years and remain a full time student without my grades sacrificing.

What does a normal day at your current job look like?

After arriving and clocking in around 4:30, I prepare for the night by retrieving the sign-in sheet for patients and rearranging any toys that may be out of place. Children can arrive anywhere between 5:00-6:30, so once they arrive, I actively engage with them by doing a number of activities that range from playing board games to coloring. Once parent(s) return from group, they sign-out on the sheet once again, placing it in one of the two binders that hold patient information, pick up any remaining toys that may be out of place, and tell each patient to have a good night. If no children arrive by 6:30, I stay and spend the remainder of the time cleaning toys to limit illness

What is the minimum starting salary you will accept?

Anything between $10 and $11

What is the most difficult part of this position?

Because I don't have much experience in position like this, I think the most difficult part of this will be getting used to some of the duties I am not familiar with, such as scheduling patients and inputting billing information - but I feel confident that I will be able to master all responsibilities this job requires with time and practice

What are you ideally looking for in your next position?

First and foremost, I am looking for a position that is in a medical setting. In addition to that, I am looking for position that also allows me to expand my knowledge of medicine and continue strengthening my patient communication skills while still being able to interact with therapists, specifically PTs

What is the most important part of this position?

Having good communication skills, especially with patients

How would you describe your work style?

I am a very hard worker; I continuously demand that best out of myself - especially with my work. I'm also always ready to fulfill my duties and constantly meet the expectations of those around

What knowledge areas are your strongest? What could you learn more about?

I am fairly educated on all things related to the human body, as I hope to go into an occupation that is centered around it. I've also taken classes, such as anatomy and physiology, that are centered around the workings of the body

What are you looking for in a job?

I am looking for a job that allows me to continue strengthening my patient communication skills, challenges me in ways my current job doesn't, and involves interactions with therapists.

How do you see yourself contributing to this position?

I am very dedicated and motivated individual who always tries to remain positive in life. So I see myself contributing to this position by bringing my positive attitude to work every day and remaining motivated and dedicated to help provide the exceptional care UnityPoint Health - St. Luke's is known for

How are your interpersonal skills?

I believe I have great interpersonal skills. I am a team player who is very dependable, always willing to listen and help

Do you have any questions for me?

I do have a few: [1.] Out of curiosity, what do you view as the most challenging part of this job? [2.] I noticed that the last job responsibility states that you'd assist therapists with patient care activities as needed in this position. Do you happen to know what some of those patient care activities would be? [3.] One last question I have is what is your time line for getting back to candidates about the next steps in the interview process?

Tell me about your experience in this position?

I don't personally have any experience in a secretary position, but I have performed some of the responsibilities required for this position at my current place of employment. For example, greeting patients, setting up and organizing patient files, answering any questions regarding childcare services, and maintaining a clean space and are all some of the responsibilities I perform daily at my current job

What professional tasks do you excel at?

I have very strong organizational and time-management skills, so I always excel at professional tasks that require these skills. I am a person that heavily relies on my little planner that I typically always have it with me. I've also had to effectively split my time between being a full time student and a part-time employee for almost six years of my life and I've had to in a way where neither my school work or my duties at Jackson suffer.

How do you prefer to be managed?

I prefer to be managed by someone who is a stronger leader and isn't afraid to be honest with their employees, but who is also understanding and supportive

What makes a job fun?

I think having passion for what you're doing, and being around individuals who share the same passion, makes a job fun

What leadership skills are your strongest? Your weakest?

I think my listening skills and motivation are my strongest leadership skills. I can be shy at times, but I am constantly working to strengthen this weakness by forcing myself to be in situations where I am not able to be shy

What would you like to be doing in three years?

I would like begin studying to become a physical therapist in next three years

What do you want to get out of this job?

I'd like to gain experience in the medical field and build strong professional relationships with the individuals who help provide some of the best care in Sioux City.

What are your strengths?

I'd say my greatest strength is my dependability. I'm an employee that you can always count on to be present, on time, and ready to meet the day's needs. I also have strong organization and time-management skills

What are your weaknesses? How can you overcome them?

I'd say my greatest weakness is that I can be shy at times, but I've been working on this particular weakness by placing myself in situations where I'm not able to by shy - for example, my internship where I have to speak with patients

What normally frustrates you most about jobs?

If the job lacks structure of communication between employees and managers

What are your goals for future professional development?

My major professional goal is become a licensed physical therapist

What normally frustrates you most about managers?

Personally, lack of communication is something that frustrates me the most because it can impact my ability to perform my expected responsibilities efficiently

What is something you wish you had done differently at your previous job?

Speak up more on some of the situations that impacted my work directly - specifically speaking up more about the lack of communication /before/ problems occurred

What do you dislike about your current or previous job?

There was a major lack of communication, which made it hard to perform my duties effectively at times

What was it about the role (or ad) that attracted your attention?

There were quite a few things, actually. The job is in a medical setting, close to home, fits my interest, has responsibilities that will allow me to strengthen my weaknesses, and has some interactions with therapists (specifically PTs)

What are your professional goals?

To become a physical therapist, and potentially work with injured animals, specifically dogs, further into the future

What does the perfect manager look like to you?

To me, the perfect manager is someone who isn't afraid to be honest but is also understanding and supportive

How can you apply your knowledge and skills to this job?

Well, I have spent hundreds of hours in a medical setting through internships, so I am very familiar with the company protocols and commonly used medical terms. I have also performed some of the job responsibilities for this position at my current place of employment, so I am already comfortable performing them for this position, too. Through already being familiar with some of the job duties as well as applying my past professional experiences, I'll be able to excel in this position.

Why do you want to leave your current job?

When I first started at Jackson Recovery, I wanted to be a teacher and thought working at a daycare would be good practice for that field. But, as I went through high school and eventually college, I decided physical therapy was the job for me instead. So I am currently looking for a new employment that allows me to be in an environment that better suits my interests

Do you have any other skills or knowledge that might be helpful but aren't on your resume?

Yes, I am a proficient typist and a quick learning when it comes to computer programs and all things technology. I believe these skills will be of help when learning the scheduling system used in this position as well as the typing/computer duties mentioned in the job responsibilities.