Counter Offers - To Accept or Not To Accept (Updated 2025)

So you're looking for your next position - it could be for a variety of reasons or only one, but you've found a good opportunity, received an offer for employment and presented your letter of resignation to your current employer only to have them provide a counter offer - now what?  Of course the decision will rely on what the counter offer involves and what issues started you searching for new employment in the first place.

If you were making a comfortable income and enjoyed your previous position but your manager was an absolute nightmare, likely no counter offer in the world is going to change your mind, but what if the reasons you were leaving had to do with unsatisfactory income or lack of promotion or something along those lines?   Studies have shown that the average employee stays with his employer less than a year after accepting a counter offer - regardless of the details in the counter offer.  Lets face it, if you're unhappy with your current employer things aren't likely to do a complete turn around regardless of a counter offer.

If you are considering seeking a new position, take time to really evaluate why you want to leave your current role.  Don't make rash decisions. 
* If you're really angry about a decision your manager has made, wait a week or two to determine if it was really "that big of a deal" before you start shooting your resume out to the job boards. 
* If you feel that your salary is below what you should be earning, consult websites like glassdoor.com to determine if you are in a normal range for your profession, experience and geographical location before applying elsewhere.
* If you feel like you deserve a promotion or want additional responsibility, sit down with your managers and discuss your desires.  Ask them if they see any opportunity for growth in your future and express your anticipated career path before making the decision to leave.

If you have come to the conclusion that the only good plan is an exit plan, be prepared for your employer to potentially dismiss (fire) you OR present a counter offer when they find out you're looking.  If you are open to a counter offer from your current employer - do NOT present them with your resignation until you have an offer letter in hand from your new potential employer and do NOT accept the new offer until you've determined if your current company is going to present you with a counter that is worth staying for.  It is acceptable to ask a potential employer for 48 hrs to consider their offer before you make your decision.

Here are a few additional thoughts to consider when deciding to accept or decline a counter offer from your current employer**:

* Why did you have to threaten to resign before your company recognized your hard work or the fact that you were being underpaid?
* Will your company immediately start looking for someone to replace you at a lower salary?
* How likely will your current employer be to now consistently question your loyalty?
* If layoffs come down the road, who do you think will be at the top of the list?
* If your co-workers find out about your resignation and counter - how will they feel?

Clearly these steps pertain to someone that is in a salaried - permanent role.  For thoughts to consider before leaving a contract/engagement early - keep an eye out for my next post for contractors on this subject.

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**Special thanks to Kim Cappellucci for providing her professional opinions!

HIMSS Week & How it Impacts Industry Recruitment

The Yearly National HIMSS Conference has been growing by astronomical leaps and bounds.  The first National HIMSS Convention was held in Baltimore in 1962.  In 1996 HIMSS Membership topped out at around 7,500 members, to date the society includes more than 50,000 individual members, over 570 corporate members, and more than 225 not-for-profit organizations.*  This year's meeting assembled some 38,000 healthcare professionals and 1,200 exhibitors in Orlando for a week focused on patient safety, care quality, access and affordability.**

With all this activity at the conference many EMR vendor, hospital, healthcare system and consulting firm employees are out of the office and in attendance at various meetings, booths, displays and classes in Orlando.  This means that a multitude of applicants that are awaiting feedback regarding their resume / or are somewhere in the interview process are left in limbo throughout the entire week.

Unfortunately the only answer to this dilemma is patience.  If you have submitted your resume to a job opening or are in the interview process in the Healthcare IT industry during HIMSS week, know in advance that it is possible you will not receive feedback until the following week.  Better yet, if you are in the market for new Healthcare IT employment and you are able to attend the HIMSS Conference, there is no better way to get your resume out to multiple potential employers in one place at one time.  It can be a bit tricky finding the right person to speak with at some of the various booths or in the various meetings and classes, but it is well worth the time and effort.  And... you are certain to learn things you didn't know about a myriad of topics.  Just remember to polish up your resume and bring lots of copies!

*Wikipedia
**HIMSS Website

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The Art of Paying Attention (Updated 2025)

Paying attention is an art form.  Whether your focus is required at a meeting or simply at the dinner table listening to your family, the ability to actually pay attention can be challenging.  In today's world of rapid fire news where your brain is bombarded with bits of information from all directions we are being conditioned to receive knowledge in short bursts instead of focusing our attention on one medium for extended periods. On ESPN and CNN and other similar stations even the tickers have tickers - you are being provided with information from the newscaster via his/her verbal commentary which is usually enhanced with graphics that appear to their left or right, and while you absorb this illumination you can also digest up to as many as 3 tickers that are dispersing a catalog of additional info. And don't even get me started on TikTok and other social media.

I'm noticing more and more that people are paying less and less attention, particularly to the smaller but sometimes incredibly important details.  I send numerous emails pertaining to scheduling interviews,  these emails give a specific time frame of availability and invariably many of the responses I receive will list a day or time that was not in the range of possibility.  Mind you - these emails are no more than 3 or 4 sentences long, so the critical info was not hidden away in some dissertation.  The same scenario happens frequently post telephone conversation as well - clearly people are not paying attention.

EX:  Interview Confirmation - Your interview has been scheduled for 3pm Eastern Time on Monday, Oct 1st.  Candidate cancels interview and asks to reschedule.  I inquire why and I'm told "I can't make 3pm - I asked for Noon on Monday" - I advise them that 3pm Eastern IS Noon Pacific.  

EX: Hello & thank you for your interest - lets schedule a time to talk!  I'm available next Monday & Tuesday between Noon and 4pm Eastern.   Reply:  Hi! I'll take Monday at 9am!

How does one learn to pay attention:
Focus Art 101
#1. SLOW DOWN for a moment.  Take a breath.  Read and then RE-read the email to make sure you are understanding the content and then respond appropriately.
In conversation make an effort to really listen to the other person.  It is not unusual for people to be considering what they are going to say next while the other party is speaking - if you are thinking about what you're going to say, you aren't listening to what the other person is saying. 

#2.  Eliminate distractions, don't be on the phone with one person and try to engage someone else in conversation, turn off television etc, don't text or tweet or instagram or facebook or whatever social media you prefer - FOCUS your attention on the conversation at hand. 

#3.  Make notes - did you agree to a 2pm interview tomorrow - write it down, put it in your day planner, set up an alarm on your phone etc.  If you're in an interview - take notes of job expectation, salary, potential start dates, next steps in the process etc.  Its a proven fact that the act of note taking actually helps with information retention. 

#4.  Ask questions.  Asking questions shows you're interested... however if you're not paying attention your questions will likely get you into trouble.  Take for example a conference call my colleague was involved in recently:  There were multiple vendors on the line with a single client - the client was explaining their needs in detail and when the opportunity to ask questions arose one vendor representative asked questions that had clearly been answered during the client's presentation.  I'm going to venture to guess that this particular vendor wont be winning any client satisfaction awards.

#5.  Remember that these skills aren't just important in business.  I've worked from home primarily for the last 13 years.  I remember when my kids were younger, I'd be knee deep in business and somehow I'd end up saying "Yes" to things I'd never say yes to because I wasn't paying enough attention to what my kids were asking me.   By exercising a little focus at the right time - we can all become better at paying attention. 

Now what was I talking about??  :)


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Professionalism - What it is and Why is it Important

Professionalism - What it is and Why it’s Important:

Professionalism in the simplest form of the word means showing integrity in business, to take it a bit deeper it means treating others with the same courtesy and respect that you would want to receive.

In the part of the candidate, as you are interviewing for a new role or position, it means being on time for interviews, treating others with kindness and respect and following through on your commitments.  Unfortunately not all people show professionalism as they move through the recruitment and hiring process.  It seems like some people have a blatant disregard for what effect their actions have on others.  Recently I’ve witnessed consultants quit with no notice, be repeatedly late for interviews and go as far as to accept an engagement and then completely disappear from the radar without so much as an email or phone call to politely explain why they decided to change their mind.  Not only do these actions have direct and negative results on the company and recruiter that represents the candidate/consultant but it could also have immediate and lasting effects on the career of the individual that displays such lack of professionalism.

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, the Healthcare IT industry is large, but also a very tight knit community, news travels fast in the industry and it doesn’t take many unprofessional acts to become black-listed.  Recruiters talk to each other, managers talk to each other and consultants talk to each other.  It can only take one instance of unprofessional behavior to ruin a promising career. 

Remember to take the following steps and your career should always be on an upward path:

1.       Always treat others with respect, even if they don’t return the favor.  Kill them with kindness.  This doesn’t mean you have to tolerate disrespect, it just means to take the high road.

2.      Be on time for all your interviews, meetings, phone calls etc.  If you’re going to be late or need to cancel – alert the appropriate parties.

3.      NEVER quit a job with no notice.  Always try to provide a minimum of a 2 week notice.

4.      NEVER accept a job / contract / engagement / commitment unless you are absolutely sure you can follow through and if for some reason you accept and then must decline – by all means call the appropriate people and give an honest explanation.  Hearing “Unfortunately I’ve decided this position isn’t going to work out for me” is always better than no communication at all.  Also, If you need time to make a decision, ask for it.

5.      Remember that it isn’t about other people’s actions.  You can only control your own behavior so hold yourself to high level of integrity and your career will always be on the right path.

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HIPPA - HIPPO - HIPPIE

HIPPO - Short for Hippopotamus - from the ancient Greek word meaning "river horse".  A large, mainly herbivorous mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa.

HIPPIE - (or HIPPY) - A subculture, originally a youth movement that arose in the USA during the mid-60's and spread around the world.  The word originated from Hipster - which was used to describe "Beatniks" who had moved into NYC's Greenwich Village and San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury district.  Hippies created their own communities, listened to psychedelic rock, embraced the sexual revolution and used drugs to explore altered states of consciousness. (source: Wikipedia)

HIPPA - The incorrect acronym for HIPAA - the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
See:  http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/

For years I have been receiving resumes with the acronym HIPAA incorrectly spelled:  HIPPA.
At first it was funny, then it was annoying and it is now a pet peeve.  Typically I'm forgiving of people that have just entered the industry because they may have heard the term frequently during their short employment (i.e. - new go-live support analyst) but might not have seen it written and it doesn't register when using spell-check, however... more and more frequently I am seeing this mistake made by long term industry veterans.  Just this week I received a resume from a seasoned Healthcare Technology Director with over 20 years of industry experience, yet HIPAA was incorrectly spelled multiple times on the resume.  This may seem nit-picky to some but employers regularly decline resumes that have misspellings, particularly misspelled EMR applications, IT terms or Medical terms. 

To eliminate the possibility of being declined due to simple spelling errors, have a 3rd party that is familiar with the industry review your resume prior to submitting.

HIP - Cooler than cool, the pinnacle of what is "in".  Beyond all trends and conventional coolness.  The state to which one aspires when their resume has no spelling errors.

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What "In Arrears" Means and Other Payroll Need-To-Knows!

When and how we get paid is a very important part of our employment agreement with our new employer.  Understanding the payroll and expense reimbursement process prior to hire is also extremely important.  Payroll is an area where surprises are typically unwelcomed!

Unfortunately some consultants have found themselves working for companies that do not reimburse travel expenses in a timely fashion - or sometimes they even find themselves being owed money for travel expenses and hours worked - long after the project has ended.

While it is standard practice that most company payroll occurs every other Friday, some companies pay weekly and yet others pay bi-monthly or monthly. 
The date you are paid (and reimbursed) could depend on your employment agreement.  1099 or Corp to Corp contractors may be paid on a different schedule than W2 hourly and salaried employees because they are considered a separate entity and invoicing has to occur.  For more information on employment models and how they differ see this post:  http://engagemehit.blogspot.com/2012/02/employment-models-1099-w2-hourly-or.html

With some employers, you may find your first paycheck and expense check will be "In Arrears".  In Arrears means that you will work through your first pay period without a check and will receive payment the next pay period for the first pay period you worked.  For instance: you accept an engagement with XYZ Company and start on Monday, April 1st.  XYZ Company pays on the 15th and last day of each month.  On April 15th you will not be paid, you WILL receive your first pay on the 30th of the month for the work you completed from the 1st thru the 15th.  On May 15th you will receive payment for the work you completed from April 16th thru the 30th.  (and so on).  If you complete your engagement with XYZ Company on November 15th, you will receive your last paycheck on November 30th for the work you completed from November 1st - 15th.

Your pay schedule and estimated income will be provided to you in writing by your new employer during the on-boarding process, however this information should have been expressed to you during the interview process as well.  There should never be any surprises when it comes to your financial arrangements.

Whether you are accepting a contract engagement or permanent employment, it is important to understand your pay schedule, particularly if you are going to experience frequent travel and be expected to cover your expenses up front.  Four weeks can be a long time to carry your own travel expenses, fortunately most companies are willing to provide assistance when necessary.
By asking the right questions about payroll and expense reimbursement during the interview process and again during the offer stage you should be able to avoid any unexpected confusion or financial burden with your employer.

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The Face 2 Face Interview

The Face 2 Face or Final Interview:

If you are fortunate enough to have successfully navigated the telephone interview portion of the employment process, and an in-person interview is required - the entire weight of the decision will likely be placed on the face to face (aka “on-site”) interview.  Here are the important points to remember when visiting a potential employer in person:

1.      ALWAYS be 15 minutes early! 

2.      If air travel is required to get to the potential employer site, take a flight the night before the scheduled interview whenever possible.  This will hopefully provide you ample time to get to the interview on time by avoiding any potential flight delays and traffic issues.  This will also allow you to be “fresh” and not frazzled when you arrive to the interview.

3.      Always make sure you are well prepared before you leave for the airport by having all the necessary contact info, location info, change of clothing, grooming needs etc.

4.      Have the name and phone number of your contact at the employer site handy in case you experience any travel delays/flight cancelations/highway traffic/get lost etc.  Even if you’re only going to be a few minutes late it is important to call and alert them of your delay!

5.      Have the route from your starting location to the client site mapped out in advance and review it prior to leaving.  Having a navigation tool on your cell phone or device in your car is helpful.

6.      If you will be taking a cab / Lyft / Uber make sure you have the full and correct address and that you arrange for the driver to pick you up well in advance.

7.      If you are relying on other forms of public transportation, review the routes the day before, familiarize yourself with the times the transportation is available and be ready a few minutes early… also – know your stop!

8.      Be aware of the weather forecast.  If poor weather conditions are anticipated, allow yourself extra time.

9.      Dress for success.  At the very minimum show up in business casual attire, even if the position you are interviewing for doesn’t call for it.  Make sure your clothes are as wrinkle free and stain free as possible.  Putting an extra shirt in your bag is a life saver if you accidentally spill coffee on yourself.  Think about your attire all the way down to your shoes.  Your shoes should be clean and befitting of the rest of your outfit.  (and this should go without saying, but don’t forget the deodorant!)

10.   If you wear cologne – go with something light and use it sparingly.

11.   If at all possible visit the restroom as soon as you arrive on site and double check your clothing, teeth, hair etc.

12.   Fresh breath is important, if you’ve just had coffee or a meal, brush your teeth and carry mints with you.  Stay away from gum at all costs.

13.   Upon arrival check in at the designated office or reception area.  If you are made to wait, check your notes (which you should’ve been compiling throughout the interview process) and consider what points about yourself and your experience you want to get across and what questions you want to ask.  This is also a good time to turn off your cell phone.

14.   When greeting people use a firm and friendly handshake and SMILE!!  Let them know it’s a “pleasure to meet you in person!”

15.   No matter what the environment when you sit down for your interview – whether there are multiple people present or just one – whether you are in a conference room or office – always sit up straight, DON’T FIDGET, remember to smile and be comfortable in your own skin.

16.   Bring a notepad and pen and take occasional notes about the responsibilities, names of people and titles, etc.

17.   Ask questions and be engaged in the conversation, make sure you are prepared to answer questions like the ones discussed in the telephone interview post (technical abilities, future goals, strengths-weaknesses etc).

18.   Be mindful of your responses, don’t use fillers like UMMM – AHHH – AND etc. 

19.   Everyone has the ability to feel how they are being received.  You will get a “vibe” from others.  Be aware of how you are being accepted.  If you feel you are losing your audience start to mirror them.  If they are laid back and quiet – maybe you should tone it down some.  If they are vibrant and energetic – maybe you should be a bit more expressive? 

20.   You will also be aware when you are losing their attention.  If this is happening it is possible you are talking too much.  Start to wrap up your answers more quickly.

21.   When the interview process has concluded and you are on your way out, make sure to express thanks to everyone and inquire when you will hear about next steps in the process if you have not yet been offered the position.

22.   Walk out with confidence.  Keep your head high and your shoulders straight.  Leave with confidence and a smile on your face.

23.   If you are a smoker DON’T SMOKE!  Don’t ask to leave for a smoke and absolutely do not have a cigarette in front of the building on your way in or on your way out.  This isn’t discrimination, it’s just common sense.

24.   Do NOT drink alcohol.  While it’s fine to have a few cocktails with co-workers or at company parties, when you are in the interview process there is rarely a time where it’s a good idea to drink.  There are occasions where the potential employer will take you to lunch or dinner and everyone will have a beer or beverage, but only do so if others in the group are also having a drink and limit yourself to just one.

25.   Eat light.  If you are taken out to eat, eat a light meal.  You don’t want to glom down a heavy meal and get tired or God Forbid have intestinal distress the rest of the meeting. 

26.   From the moment you arrive on site until after you’ve left the building imagine that you are being watched and evaluated because it’s likely that you are.  Don’t be paranoid but always be mindful of what you’re doing.

After you arrive back home, send an email to  your main contact thanking everyone for their time and let them know of your continued interest in the role if it has not already been offered to you. 

If for some reason you have decided you are no longer interested in the position, make that very clear in the email. 

If a face to face interview is a requirement, it is typically the most important piece of the interview process.  Being prepared will provide you with the tools you need to land the role.

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Some Recruiter Than I Used to Know

Hello All!
I don't normally plug someone else's material but I thought this video was so funny and appropriate that I couldn't help but share it.  If you're familiar with Gotye's song "Just Somebody That I Used to Know" (also sung by WOTE) you'll enjoy this parody:
http://youtu.be/Ba6Igu1MvE0

Accepting or Declining a Job Offer

Accepting or Declining a Job Offer... I picked this topic due to recent events.  My company has been involved in filling 30+ roles as part of a large client project and during the mad rush to present qualified consultants, schedule dozens of interviews and make multiple offers, I've seen and been involved with some very interesting situations pertaining to offers being accepted or declined or accepted and then declined.  More on this later.

Let me be the first to say that a Recruiter has the task of keeping the candidate informed throughout the entire interview process.  If you have been submitted to a client and you aren't hearing back from your recruiter regularly on the status of your resume.... there is an issue. 

That being said, it is the candidate's responsibility to make sure their questions are being answered.  You should assume from the beginning of the interview process that you will be offered the role.  Not only is the power of positive thinking a great frame of mind to be in, but that frame of mind will also keep you on your toes.  On more than one occasion I've had candidates that for all intensive purposes seem really excited about the opportunity they are interviewing for, right up to the offer stage and then they hesitate for days or accept the offer only to call back a day or two later and decline.  This reaction not only doesn't bode well for the recruitment firm, it also can get a consultant black-listed from the intended employer.  Now you may think "big deal, if I didn't end up wanting the position, I'll never want to work there, so who cares?"  What that mindset is missing is the bigger picture.  What about the team of people you interviewed with at the client site? What about the Manager that extended the offer?  Those people may not always be at that client site and might at some point in the near future be the same person you are interviewing with for another role at another employer.  Not to mention how many people they know in the industry that just might call them and say "have you ever heard of so & so? - she is interviewing with us right now and I wonder what you thought of her".   The possibility of this happening is very real.  I have submitted highly qualified candidates to opportunities and had clients decline interviews stating that they'd interviewed the person at a prior employer and the person accepted and didn't show or accepted and then declined so they refuse to interview them again.

Another important part of the acceptance stage starts with the initial interview.  Are you taking notes during the interview?  When the client or recruiter discusses:  job responsibilities, job title, pay rate, benefits, start dates, length of project, payment terms, travel reimbursement etc., are you writing it down?   I have had clear discussions with candidates on all of the above only to have them come back at the offer stage and say "what is the rate?" or "when is the start date?" or "how much travel is necessary?"   I have it all in my notes - you should have it in yours!

And finally, be OPEN with your recruiter!  If you have questions throughout the process ASK!  If you are considering their offer but you're on the fence - ASK questions, ask to talk to another consultant that they have on the same client site, ask for an additional interview with the client - ASK ASK ASK.  Always make sure you're making an informed decision. While there are many opportunities in our industry, the RIGHT opportunity doesn't necessarily present itself every day, you don't want to be kicking yourself for passing up a great thing.  If you need time to consider the offer - request it.  There is no harm in saying that you need 24 or 48 hours to make a decision.  The worst possible thing you can do is accept the position and then turn around and back out a few days later. Additionally, if you are involved in the interview process and you feel the position isn't for you, remove yourself from the process immediately.  Don't continue conversations with the client just to "follow-through" if you have no intention of accepting an offer if one is made.  This is a waste of your, your recruiter's and the client's time.  Navigating the interview and offer stages can be frustrating and confusing, by taking notes and asking plenty of questions you should find yourself comfortably making informed decisions.

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When Should Qualifications Trump the Almighty Degree

I find myself somewhat speechless - which makes it incredibly difficult to blog about a topic when you're rendered speechless.  Frustration is usually what prompts my posts although necessity and requests have driven quite a number as well.  I try to give each post the "24 hour rule".  I will write the post and then let it marinate for 24 hrs before I re-read it, make necessary changes and post.  This allows me to tamper down my rants from a boil to a simmer before releasing them to the universe.
Today I'm going to just wing it and see if I can potentially get some response to my quandary.

Recently a colleague of mine had an outstanding candidate turned down solely because this candidate did not carry a college degree.  The candidate met and exceeded all the other requirements and this candidate also had some very rare and difficult to come by industry certifications - however since he/she didn't have a college degree the client refused to even speak to him/her.  This is a candidate with over 15 years of industry experience, not to mention an exceptional track record and solid references.

Over the years I've had similar situations with some of my own candidates as well.  These decisions leave me flabbergasted.  In an industry like Healthcare IT where the market is tight and highly experienced candidates are difficult to find, particularly candidates that are open to relocation, I sit with my jaw dropped - wondering what the client (s) are thinking.  How can a piece of paper be that important?  To clarify I am not referring to requirements for a medical degrees - some positions require a BSN or other medical degree and that is completely acceptable, these are clients that don't really care what the Bachelors degree is in - just that the person has one.

For instance, XYZ Hospital calls their staffing vendor and explains they have a need for an Epic Optime / Anesthesia Certified Analyst with at least 2 years of build experience etc and part of the job description includes - Bachelor's Degree Required - ideally the client would prefer a degree in IS or Medical but technically any degree will do.  The client would also like this person to accept a salary of $85,000 and be willing to relocate to their area.

Since Epic severely restricts Epic certified consultants and their clients with their Non-Compete clauses - and the need in the market place for Epic qualified consultants is so deep, just finding someone with the desired Epic experience will be a challenge.  Add on to that the challenge of finding a consultant that would be willing to take a permanent role and relocate with a salary that is well below what they could make as an independent consultant or an employee of a consulting firm the likelihood of filling this position quickly is very slim.  As luck would have it, the recruiter finds a candidate with 15 years of Healthcare IT / EMR Implementation experience and over 5 years of Epic Optime experience including the required certifications.  This candidate comes highly recommended from a well respected IT Director and the candidate is excited about the idea of moving to the specified location so they're open to considering the pay rate.  However, after reviewing the candidate's resume the client immediately declines the candidate due to lack of degree.  They tell the recruiter that "it's a deal breaker". 

These situations leave me scratching my head.  Does the client not have a firm understanding of the industry?  If anyone has an answer, I'd love to be clued in.  In the current climate - thinking "outside the box" is a huge benefit.  The clients that are open to considering highly qualified individuals that do not carry a degree, or providing a competitive salary or being open to allowing a new hire to travel on site and/or work remotely as opposed to having to relocate are the clients that have a high rate of successful placements and can boast very low turn-over rates. 

As always your thoughts and opinions are appreciated!

(additional note - this week I had a professional candidate with over 25 years of Director and Project Management experience over both large and small HIS implementations - along with a clinical degree get passed over for a permanent Project Management role because he lacked a PMP certification.  Also take into account that this candidate was willing to accept the salary range AND was in the process of relocating to the city in which the hospital system was located.  The candidate had stated to me that he was willing to immediately obtain his PMP certification upon hire - and I made that clear in email to the client but they wouldn't speak with him.  This position has been open for months - still speechless)

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Interview Preparedness Pt 2 - What the Client / Interviewer should know.

Anyone that has ever conducted an interview is well aware that some are fantastic, some are amusing and some are down-right scary.  One thing we, as the person conducting the interview often overlook is what it feels like to be on the other side of the table (or end of the phone).  Over the years I have listened - sometimes in amazement - to a candidate's interview experience with a client during a post - interview follow up call.  One thing that all Interviewers must remember is that it is their responsibility to leave the person they are interviewing with a good taste in their mouth.  That means: never let them walk away with a negative impression - EVEN IF that candidate is not someone you are planning to hire.  Why?  because word of mouth travels very quickly and that candidate just might be friends with someone you would desperately want to hire.  If they leave their discussion with you feeling slighted or disrespected you can assume they will tell up to 10 people about their negative experience.  Since you represent your company - their feelings will extend to your company as well.  Simply by turning one person off you can literally turn a dozen or more people off in one fell swoop.  The lesson here is to treat everyone the way you would like to be treated.

This post pertains mainly to telephone interviews since they are used most frequently in the initial interview phase.

Here is a short list of additional points that are imperative to a successful client / candidate interview process: 
1.  Time is of the essence:  If you are going to be late or need to reschedule a candidate interview make sure you reach out to the candidate or to the recruiting firm that provided the candidate and make them aware of the necessary changes.  Every one's time is important.
2.  Know who you are interviewing! (and vice versa)  Learn about the candidate prior to the interview by researching their resume, their linkedin profile etc.  This knowledge will provide you with good questions to ask.  Also make sure when you begin the interview to introduce yourself and provide a brief over-view of your role and responsibilities so the candidate has a good understanding of who they are talking with.
3.  Be prepared!  Make sure you know which position the candidate you will be interviewing has applied for.  This might sound ridiculous but I cannot express how many times I've had a client call me to say the candidate wasn't the right fit for the position only to find out the client had not paid attention to the submittal form and was interviewing the candidate for the wrong role.  When you have multiple positions to fill and you are conducting multiple interviews it is easy to become confused. A solution may be to set aside blocks of time or a full day to only interview candidates that were submitted to one particular role.
4.  Don't put the cart before the horse: It is important to be confident there is a need for the candidate's qualifications and budget approval has already been provided.  In the Healthcare IT Industry good candidates do not stay available for long and many talented resources have been lost to another opportunity while waiting on budget approval.
5.  The early bird catches the worm:  If you receive a resume of a highly qualified candidate, make time to interview them within 48 hrs.  As stated above - highly qualified candidates are typically being courted by multiple employers and will not stay on the market for long. 
6.  Don't leave them wanting:  Once you have conducted the interview provide feedback within 48 hrs.  ('thank you but we have decided not to move forward' or 'thank you we are interested in taking the next step in the interview process' or 'thank you, we appreciate your patience as we determine our next steps' are all acceptable responses)
7.  Set aside ample time for the interview: While you may be able to determine that the candidate is not the right fit in less than 15 minutes, if the candidate IS a potential fit it will certainly take longer to determine their technical knowledge, communication skills and personality type.  30 minutes at the very least, should be set aside for each interview.  If you are working with a recruiter that is "pre-screening" candidates this will likely eliminate some of the questions you will need to ask, but never rely on recruiters to fully tech screen a candidate.
8.  Don't gang up: It's always nice to have others on the team assist in making a hiring decision but the initial interview should be one on one or two on one.  Throwing a candidate into an impromptu panel interview with multiple team members can be over-whelming for even the most seasoned professional.
10.  Ask the right questions:  After explaining the role / expectations to the candidate in detail you will want to gather the following information - Why are they interested in the role? 
Why do they feel their qualifications are a fit? 
Why are they leaving their current position? 
When can they start a new role? 
How do they deal with challenges? 
Are they interviewing with other companies? 
What, if anything might cause them to decline an offer if you extended one? 
Do they have any concerns? etc.
11.  Don't assume anything or you make an Ass out of U & Me - Occasionally I've had a client come back to me and say "the candidate looked good on paper but they couldn't explain their experience well enough".  This could mean that the candidate beefed up their resume or that they were unable to articulate their qualifications - but more often than not it is a failure on the part of the interviewer because they didn't ask the right questions. 
Frequently less-than-stellar candidates will be hired because they are exceptional at slam-dunking the interview, while highly qualified people get passed over because they didn't express themselves well enough.  (particularly with "techie" people that are used to dealing with computers and codes and not being "social butterflies"). 
As the interviewer, it is your job to get to the heart of the matter - regardless of the topic.  If you see 20 years of Project Mgmt experience on the candidate's resume but you aren't hearing enough about their Project Mgmt experience ASK more specific questions! Ex:  "I see that in your last position you were the Meditech CPOE Go-Live Project Manager - can you discuss more about how many people you managed, when you came into the process and whether or not you were responsible for budgetary projections etc etc etc"   Asking questions like "So tell me more about your Project Management experience" to someone with multiple years and multiple projects under their belt can leave the candidate stymied because they don't know where to start.  By being more specific you will learn more about their qualifications.

In our current tight market with so few highly qualified healthcare IT professionals, many believe that it is all about the salary / pay rate and less about the environment, but that is completely inaccurate.  While salary does play a part in the decision making process on the candidate's part, the general consensus is that "people go to work for people".  As important as money or location, more important than benefits or timing - having the opportunity to work in a great culture with a positive and respectful team is one of the biggest draws to a new job.  That impression starts with the first interview.  Never assume that the person you are interviewing should feel privileged to come to work for you, feel as though you should feel privileged to have their time and potentially their interest.

With the right attitude and the right list of questions almost every interview should provide you with the answers you are seeking to make a qualified and informed decision.

(For more information on Interview Tips for the Candidate / Interviewee - please see my previous "Pt 1" post)

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Professional Photos - What is right when you're looking for a job? (Updated 2025)

I have to admit, I'm often intrigued and sometimes curious as to how people choose their profile photos.  One would assume that whatever profile photo you apply to Linkedin will not be the same photo you use on Facebook or any of the multiple dating websites.  However.... lately I've seen so many sultry (thirsty) looking photos on Linkedin that I'm starting to think people are using it for purposes other than business!

I'm sure you've seen them: those campy photos of people, taken at home, often in the bathroom, shyly looking up into the camera through a vail of thick lashes, throwing that "come-hither" look, hair flowing, chest showing...and while these images certainly will work in the person's favor on Match.com, is that really the image you want to project into the workplace?

I'm sure there are a few folks out there that will disagree with me, however if people want to be successful in business they must also gain the respect and support of others in their marketplace.
I'm not stodgy by any means. A cute picture of you and your dog will pass if you don't have anything businessy. Here are a few other examples that you may want to avoid:

1.  Photos of you with your children: Actually this one can go either way,  showing you're a family person is great but it can also be used against you if you're seeking a job where some employers will make assumptions that you can't be dedicated to your job due to your personal responsibilities.
2.  Glamour Shots:  Those of you in your 40's and older should remember these.  They were the height of fashion and coolness in the early 90's...  now they're the fodder for talk shows.
3.  Beach bikini shots:  unless you're a model which most of us aren't
4.  Party(ing) Photos: Nothing says professionalism like photos of you and your friends completely trashed. 
5.  Photos of your Car, Boat, Mc-Mansion, Motorcycle:  If you aren't a car/boat/real estate dealer, a financial motivational speaker or a MLM guru.. it just looks plain egotistical.
6.  Pics of your pets: If you're in the animal industry by all means, if not and your potential employer thinks that your breed of dog (or cats in general) are the devil's spawn... you know where I'm going with this....
7.  No Pic at all:  This is the second best option.  If you don't have a good professional picture opt for no picture at all.  This might also be the best option if you are missing your front teeth.
8. Cartoon Characters: If you work for Pixar or Disney this is completely acceptable.
10. Government Party Affiliations: (or religious symbols etc) Many people are inspired to put their party's symbol or candidate's picture in their profile.  While this is fine for facebook, any site you utilize for business should be void of your political opinions unless your job is directly involved with politics and the same goes for religious affiliations etc.
11. The Out of Focus TOO CLOSE pic: This is the type of pic that people question if they forgot to put on their glasses.  The photo is out of focus, often the subject is blurry or too close to the camera. 
12.  The (I cut other people out of this photo- )well mostly: You've seen those photos where the ex or friends or co-workers or family has been hastily cut out, usually their arm or part of their face still lingers in the photo.  It always leaves me wondering who the person was and how they feel about being hacked out of the photo.  If the only great photo you have of yourself is with others, either include them or have more photos taken of yourself.
13. The Retro Pic: This involves any picture that is more than 10 years old.  Your college graduation date and/or prior work history on your profile clearly give away your age, but your photo is a picture of you when you were 20 yrs younger... the polyester suit and turtle neck are also a dead give-away.
14. Random photos of mountains or flowers or wild animals or or OR: Everyone loves nature but putting these pictures in your bio when they aren't somehow related to your profession makes it look like you're part of the witness protection program and trying to remain incognito.
15. Fishing, Jogging, Hiking, Biking, Yoga Poses etc:  Unless you're a physical trainer or an outdoors man (woman) don't include exercise photos.  It's like you're trying to make the rest of us that are tied to our desks feel inadequate.  No, that isn't my inadequacies talking. 
and finally: 
16.  The "Guns & Ammo" Photo: Unless you're in the military or one of our "nation's finest" - having a picture of yourself at target practice or gripping your AK like its your best friend is likely to get you investigated - not employed.

Good Ideas for Social - Business Networking Profile Photos:
Company Logos, Professional Pictures, Work related Photos (that do not involve alcohol - see #4), Industry related icons, no picture at all.

And for gosh sakes... SMILE!  If you look angry, grumpy or sad in your photo who is going to want to do business with you?

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Initial Interview Tips - Updated 2024 (Interview Preparedness Pt 1)

While a well-designed resume or LinkedIN profile can open the door to many opportunities, nothing can solidify or ruin an opportunity like the outcome of the initial interview. 

Over the years I've witnessed candidates with very few of the necessary technical requirements land jobs easily, and I've also witnessed candidates that are Spot-ON for the technical requirements repeatedly miss out on employment.... why?  Because the candidates lacking in requirements knew how to CRUSH the initial interview, and candidates with excellent qualifications were (for whatever reason) unable to adequately express their knowledge during the interview.  Here are a few tips for guidance:

• Be prepared for ANYTHING:  It’s become very apparent that many employers have not refined their interview process. Some don't consistently have the same people conducting the interviews.  Most are often pressed for time, and they sometimes don't even have a firm understanding of exactly what qualifications will be a good fit for their current needs.  I've sat in on interviews where the interviewer has interrupted the conversation, excused themselves, and had someone else take over mid-interview.  I've sat in on interviews where SURPRISE, there was an impromptu panel interview and there were 5 people sitting in.   I've unfortunately sat in on interviews where the employer didn't even know what position they were interviewing the candidate for.  With this over-whelming lack of consistency, the interviewee must be prepared for anything and be able to "go-with-the-flow" without getting flustered or tongue-tied.
• What to do if your time is limited: Initial interviews customarily last between 30 minutes and 1 hour.  Always be prepared to express your qualifications in 30 minutes or less;

1. Make sure you have a job description of the position you are interviewing for.
2. Take notes in advance of the interview listing examples of how your qualifications/experience are a match for the job.  With those notes in front of you, you will easily be able to recall your most important talking points.  If the interviewer says they have to cut the interview short, SPEAK UP!  Say something like: "I appreciate your time, however I feel I wasn't able to adequately explain my qualifications, could we schedule more time to speak later this week?" 
3. Since your time is limited, don't go bouncing off on rabbit trails.  Stay focused.

• If you have a specific technical ability, know how to translate your on-the-job responsibilities into words.  For instance.... if you are an Technical Application Trainer be ready to explain
• Where you've trained (classroom?, elbow to elbow?, locations? etc.)
• What you've trained (Name of the applications/technologies etc.)
• How you've been involved (curriculum build? Principal or Lead Trainer? Go-Live Support?)
• Who you've trained (Physicians, Nurses, end-users, -along with classroom size, how many people) 
• Then be ready to explain the details of your understanding of the technologies you have trained.
• A good interviewer will ask “open-ended” questions that require more then just a Yes or No answer. One such question is: "Tell me more about yourself".  It is always best to have a prepared statement for this question. Keep it short & focused to the industry.  Point out your professional timeline such as: "I entered the Healthcare industry 14 years ago after graduating with a degree in Nursing, and over the years have transitioned from nursing into Clinical Information Systems, my focus for the last few years has been in EMR Implementation Project Management." Then ask the what specifically they’d like you to expound upon.
• Prior to an initial interview with any employer you should have a firm understanding of who they are and what they do.  If you're working with a recruiter, gain as much info from them as you can and then go Google!  Research the potential employer.    Normally the last question they will ask is "do you have any questions?" and you don't want to hang up the phone and then snap your fingers and say "Darn! I forgot to ask...."
• Know the job you’re interviewing for: If you're working with a recruiter request a full job description.  If there isn't one available make sure one of your first questions during the interview is "I'm not sure I have a firm understanding of the responsibilities of the position, could you take a moment to discuss your expectations?"
• Be relaxed and be yourself: Even though the interviewer cannot see you, they can definitely FEEL you, and if you're nervous they're going to pick up on it.  Also, try to concentrate on what they're saying, not what you're going to say next.  If you are busy mentally preparing your next statement you're going to miss important information.  Do away with any unnecessary distractions during the call (including your own over-active thought processes). From a Recruiter’s stand-point;  I've conducted interviews with candidates that are so busy talking over me or mentally preparing their answer that they've missed important information like who the client is, what they pay rate is, what the job responsibilities are etc., and this will be a detriment as they move on to a client interview.
• PRACTICE - PRACTICE - PRACTICE: If you don't have a recruiter to assist you, get a friend that understands your industry and have a practice interview with them.
• It's OK to call the whole thing off: If at any time during the interview information is provided that is not in line with your employment desires, wait for a break in the conversation and express your concerns.  If it is something that you feel the potential employer might be able to modify make that request, if an agreement cannot be met, thank them for their time and end the call early.  No need to take up more of your time and theirs if it isn't a fit.  
• Panel vs. One on One Interviews: Normally the initial interview is a one on one conversation with a decision maker, but more and more frequently employers are conducting "panel" interviews.  Typically a meeting invite will be sent that will include the names and titles of all the attendees, but sometimes a panel interview will be conducted without the candidate’s prior knowledge.  The panel usually consists of one or more hiring managers and one or more team members.  They will hope to learn if you are the right personality fit for their team, and also if the you have s the right qualifications for the role.  Be yourself... you don't want to be hired to a team of folks that is expecting something different when you show up for your first day on the job.
• Don't embellish!:  If you do not have the qualifications for the position, don't try to expand your experience and "fake" your way through the areas you aren't familiar with.  You might be able to fool a recruiter, but you will not be able to fool your peers in the industry.  If you do not have some of the requirements for the position and you somehow manage to make it through the interview process, it won't take many days on the job for your new employer to figure out you're not as knowledgeable as you lead them to believe. 
• NEVER discuss your prior boss or employer in a negative light.  In all matters try to stick to the positive.  Don’t discuss your personal issues, reasons you might have been fired previously (unless legally necessary) etc.  If you absolutely hated your last boss you can say something like “There were some departmental changes and I wasn’t comfortable where things were headed so I decided to find work elsewhere”. 

Learning to easily and fluently express your abilities is the most important part of the interview process. By following the steps above, and with some practice you should master the initial interview.
Being able to talk about your knowledge, milestones and qualifications is an asset.  Who is going to "sell" you better than YOU?  If you lack confidence this will hurt you deeply in the interview process.  To gain perspective, talk to prior co-workers and ask them what stands out about your work to them.

If you're in a position where you are the interviewer & regularly conduct interviews, review the "Part 2 Post"
Best wishes in your career endeavors! 
*Copyright - Expressed permission must be granted by the blog owner to recreate, copy or use this material* - but please feel free to share the link if you enjoyed the content!