Ultimate PA Job Interview Guide

You’re a physician assistant looking for a new position. Whether you’re already employed or starting from scratch, it’s a daunting proposition. One of the most intimidating aspects? The interview.

But with the right preparation you’ll be able to exude confidence and show off your skills to a potential employer, whether face to face or over the phone. And the PA Career Coach is here to help! Check out our Ultimate PA Job Interview Guide below, and you’ll be negotiating your new PA contract in no time.

Show off your skills exercise

You want to quickly illustrate to the interviewer that you’re the right fit for the job. For each position you’re applying for, create a skills match list. Draw a line down a piece of paper and on one side write a bulleted list of at least five position requirements that employer is looking for (based on the job description). On the other side, list the corresponding skills, traits, and experience you possess that fit those requirements. Think of this list as what you’ll want to share at the interview and be remembered for.

Professional objectives exercise

What does your dream job look like? You should know before you walk into an interview. Not only will the interviewer likely ask the question, but you should also be assessing whether this position is right for you. List your PA career goals and priorities. What do you most want to accomplish, and in what field? Whom do you most wish to serve? What’s your ideal work setting? With what sorts of team members do you want to work? And, equally important, what sorts of positions and or employers do you want to avoid?

Identify your success stories

An job interview is basically you selling yourself as the interviewer’s ideal candidate, and to do that you need to feel comfortable bragging a little. (Note: I didn’t say bragging a lot.) Write down four stories of professional success to share with a potential employer. What achievements are you proudest of? How and when have you made a positive difference as a PA (or PA student)? Which of these best corresponds to the requirements of the job you’re currently applying for? At least one story should be about a challenge you surmounted/transformed into a positive outcome.

Create and practice your elevator speech

In 60 seconds, you should be able to explain why you want the specific job you’re interviewing for, what makes you a great fit for it and what you intend to contribute if hired. Go!

Work your network exercise

Consider contacts in your network who may know the employer and can boost your application with a positive word. Write them down and reach out to them. LinkedIn can be a wonderful resource for this! New graduates: rotation sites are excellent first job resources.

9 PA Interview Questions to Prepare For:

1. Tell me about yourself. (Hint: answer by talking about the professional “you” and sharing your elevator speech.)
2. What are some of your strengths and weaknesses?
3. What relevant experience do you have to offer for this position?
4. What are some of the challenges you’ve faced as a PA (or new graduate) and how did you respond to them?
5. What are your salary expectations?
6. Where do you see yourself in five years?
7. How soon can you start working?
8. Does supervision mean the physician must be here at all times?
9. Can we bill for your services?

How to Research an Employer

Researching an employer empowers you in many ways. With insight into an employer’s situation and culture, you can more effectively pitch your skills, strengths, and abilities to its audience. You will be a more confident, engaged and engaging interviewee coming from a place of informed curiosity about the practice/institution you are speaking with. Ideally you’ll be able to gain some information about the individual(s) who will be interviewing you and build rapport based on that.

Using a combination of Internet resources (such as DocInfo, where you can research physician disciplinary records for a small fee) and your local PA community (via state chapter, local PA programs) research the reputation of the employer. Is it a stable or high-turnover employer? What is the reputation of its physicians? Financial stability? Patient care ethos?

8 Must-Ask Questions for the Employer:

Coming prepared with your own questions is a great way to show you’re savvy and frame the discussion in a way that highlights your abilities and how you offer solutions to the employer’s problems and address their current needs. They can also help you gauge potential trouble areas. Sample questions include:

• What challenges does the practice face? What goals does it have for this year and for five years from now?
• How would you describe the financial health of the practice/institution?
• Is the practice familiar with PAs? Would you say it has an expansive or more restricted view of delegation? Are there questions about the PA profession I can address or clarify?
• What is your philosophy of patient care?
• How many PAs have been in this position in the last few years?
• What are the prospects for growth and advancement?
• Will you be offering a written contract and will I have a chance to review and negotiate it?
• How do you envision my role and how I might help the practice achieve its goals? (Have your own answer to the second question ready!)

Other suggestions

• Be ready to share up-to-date information on PA state licensure (with special attention to the specifics of supervision and prescribing scope of practice) and the essentials of billing for PA services. Bring handouts on these topics from AAPA’s website for first-time PA employers.
• Stay “present” and attuned to the interviewer. Listen to questions carefully and pause before answering challenging ones.
• Practice talking about stories/examples that illustrate your strengths, abilities, and experiences. Also ones that show a challenge you overcame and how.
• Avoid criticizing former employers and colleagues, no matter what happened. Avoid any exaggerations or distortions of your abilities and work history.
• Current PA employees can offer great insights into the employer and the quality of professional life it offers. Ask to meet with them if possible.

Remember, the interview process is a two-way street! This is your chance to learn whether this is an environment where you will thrive as a PA. It’s an opportunity to investigate an employer’s patient care philosophy, vision of team practice and whether it is a high-quality, collegial work setting. Be alert to your gut first impressions regarding the practice and its personalities. Collegial relationships are the lynchpin of PA practice and key to your quality of professional life, so consider carefully the quality and tenor of communication during your interview.

About the Author: Jennifer Anne Hohman is founder and Principal of PA Career Coach, a service dedicated to helping PAs create thriving careers through individualized professional advocacy. She welcomes your professional practice questions at pacareercoach.net or by email at pacareercoach@gmail.com.