Interview Guide

You have been invited to an on-site nephrology interview. Congratulations! Your lasting impressions of the practice and vice versa start now. Hover over each category to learn more about things to keep in mind as you take this next step towards landing the job you want.

General Items for Consideration

  • Only accept an on-site nephrology interview with a practice you can truly see yourself joining
  • Bring a few hard copies of your CV with you just in case
  • Be prepared to ask and answer questions (see our Interview Questions section)

Travel Expenses

  • Ask ahead of time how the interview expenses should be handled
  • Should you keep receipts and book your own travel? Or will the office manager be booking everything for you?
  • Is your spouse invited to attend and will their expenses also be covered?
  • If you are making your own arrangements, be sure to be cognizant of cost. Select a mid-sized or compact rental car, a mid-range price hotel and economy fare for your flights.

Itinerary

  • Ask for an itinerary in advance so you know what to expect in terms of timing, dress code, etc.
  • During the course of your nephrology interview, expect to:
    • tour the community
    • have lunch and dinner with your potential new employers and hospital representatives
    • tour the practice locations and dialysis units

Attire

  • Feel free to travel in whatever is comfortable to you but if you are being picked up at the airport, consider that the beginning of your interview and be dressed appropriately
  • Appropriate interview attire ranges anywhere from business casual to formal business
  • For ladies: nice blouse | skirt | dress | blazer or jacket | shoes you can walk well in but are dressier
  • For gentlemen: button down shirt | blazer | slacks | suit | tie | dress shoes

After the interview

  • Follow up with a thank you either written or emailed
  • If you want the job, tell them before you leave!

Sample Nephrology Interview Questions

You should expect to have thoughtful, honest, intelligent answers prepared for the practice, but you should not be the only one fielding the questions. This is a time that is equally important for both yourself and the practice to get to know one another to determine if your joining them is a good match. The Nephrology Connect team has assisted countless practices and physicians through the interview process.

Below you will find examples of common questions that practices ask and helpful questions for you to consider asking the practice. We recommend you think about the answers you are looking for from a practice to determine if this is a practice you can see yourself joining. Alternately, it’s important you have solid answers to questions the practice may ask you. And of course, keep in mind these are just a guide. Use your best judgement in what questions apply to you and your specific situation.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER ASKING THE PRACTICE

  • Why did you join/build this practice?

  • Why are you looking to hire?

  • What are you most proud of in this practice?

  • How do you see a new associate contributing to the current practice model?

  • Are you looking for a partner or an employee?

  • What does the practice hope to accomplish by adding a new associate?

  • How do you structure your days?

  • How do you resolve conflicts?

  • How do you manage stress?

  • Do you feel that you have time to see your family? Pursue other interests?

  • Do you have a plan for maternity/paternity leave?

  • Do you have a patient care philosophy?

  • Do you work with Advanced Practitioners? How are they utilized in the group?

  • Has anyone left the group and why?

  • How do you run the practice as a business? How are your collections, Days in A/R, overhead percentage? Do you have joint ventures? Do you have medical directorship responsibilities and how do you divide that revenue? Own real estate?

  • Have you had to buy-out any partners that retired? What is your succession plan?

COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FROM PRACTICES

  • Why did you choose nephrology?

  • What attracted you to our practice? Our community?

  • What tools/equipment do you use in your fellowship that we don’t have here?

  • Have you been on other interviews? How does our practice compare?

  • What aspects of nephrology are most interesting to you?

  • Why did you choose the fellowship program you joined?

  • Have you had much exposure to PD and different dialysis modalities?

  • Are you interested in procedures?

  • Why are you interested in private practice?

  • Tell me about yourself.

  • How do you manage stress?

  • How do you organize your patient visits? Record keeping?