At CONMED, we recognize that interviewing for a new job can be a nerve-racking experience. Whether it’s your first time in the job market or you’re a seasoned professional, interviews are oftentimes a make-or-break moment. Make the most of your interviews with the following tips from our Talent Acquisition Team!

1. Read the Job Description
As a prospective candidate, you should know the job description backwards and forwards. What are the requirements? What kind of experiences would be most relevant to specific mentions in the job description? Our CONMED Talent Acquisition Team recommends you read through the job description thoroughly before applying, and again right before the interview. That way, you can tailor your answers in such a way that accentuates your fit with the role as described on the job description.

2. Do Your Research…Seriously, Do It!
Researching the company you’re interviewing for is one of the best ways to prepare for an interview. At CONMED, we have an exciting history and an even more promising future. Researching about our beginnings, products, mission statement, size, and current leadership only scratches the surface of what we have to offer. Taking a deep-dive on the website and looking at pages like “CONMED Blogs” can help to inform you of current events within the company, give you insight about our company values, and give you talking points to use during your interviews!

3. Know your WHY!
After researching the company, it’s important to know why you would like to work for them and why you would be a great fit. Why do you want to join CONMED? Why do you want to be a part of the healthcare/medical device industry? Maybe you love CONMED’s intrinsic, people-centered culture or its prioritization of diversity and inclusion! Maybe you love CONMED’s dominating presence in the medical field and the difference the company makes for the lives of hospital patients and hospital workers alike! Make your why honest, unique, and thoughtful.

“This seems like a no brainer, but I'd say 95% of early career candidates aren't prepared to answer this well and about 50% of more seasoned candidates still default to a generic answer here. This question is a perfect opportunity to showcase how much you know about the company (from your research) and to sell/promote how your background uniquely fits with the organization. If the candidate answers with energy and enthusiasm about the company, this makes a strong impression!”

-Madeleine Kuderick, Lead Recruiter

4. Research Your Interviewers on LinkedIn
Another way to prepare for interviews is to research your interviewers. It’s important to standout during your interviews, and finding commonalities between yourself and your interviewer is a great way to make a personal connection and build rapport. You can also utilize LinkedIn to network with CONMED employees to find out more about our exciting opportunities and the benefits of working at CONMED!

5. Look and Act Professional, Even for Your Virtual Interviews
As virtual interviews continue to be prevalent, be sure to treat it just like you would an in-person meeting: dress professionally in a suit, make eye contact, have good lighting with the best quality video possible, and have a tidy surrounding. If you have a phone interview, be sure to treat it with the same respect: maintain a professional tone from start to finish, answer the phone by introducing yourself, be prepared to behave just as you would in a face-to-face meeting, and close with a strong message about why you would be the perfect fit for the role!

6. How You Answer the Interviewer’s Questions Matters!
While it might be tempting to head into interviews with the mindset, “more is more,” keeping your interview responses clear and concise is much more important than the length of your answers. It’s important to find the balance between having detailed, comprehensive responses while making sure your responses directly answer the questions asked. Being able to completely answer your interviewer’s questions in a timely manner demonstrates confidence and competence in the topic, and being able to clearly explain your thoughts is a necessary strength for both working in teams and for leadership roles!

7. Always Ask Questions at the End of the Interview
Coming prepared with a handful of questions is really important, but having smart questions is what separates a good candidate from a great candidate. At CONMED, we look for inquisitive and passionate workers with the right attitude to back the right resumes. Asking meaningful questions is just another way for candidates to demonstrate their desire to learn more about the company and showcases what the candidate values from potential employers. We want to make sure that you are the right fit for the job, but also that the job is the right fit for you! Asking questions helps both the recruiter and the prospective candidate have a better understanding of job-candidate compatibility.

“Of course, bring meaningful questions. Stand out by not asking the traditional ones such as, ‘What does training look like?,’ ‘What is the culture like?,’– spice it up!”

-Kristen Schlukebir, Manager Talent Acquisition

“As recruiters, we want to make sure all your questions about CONMED are answered so you feel confident and excited to move forward in our process. Bring well thought out questions to each interview so you can learn as much as possible about us and our culture!”

-Rachel Dainelli, Recruiter

8. Know Your Desired Compensation
Talking about compensation can feel uncomfortable, but it is such an important part of the interview! At CONMED, we want to make sure your needs are met by our prospective roles, and discussing compensation early on is a great way to align the interviewer and interviewee! Be sure to have a target compensation in mind for your very first interview.

9. Follow Up, Follow Up, Follow Up!
After nailing your interviews, asking inquisitive and smart questions, and delivering a strong closing statement as to why you would be a great fit here at CONMED, it is so important to follow up with your interviewer(s). Sending a brief email highlighting your biggest takeaways from your interviews is such an easy way to standout amongst other candidates and leave a lasting, positive impression on your interviewers.

10. Finally…Be Proud of Your Accomplishments!
It can feel a little awkward to brag about yourself in interviews. While humility is an important attribute, always remember that an interview is your time to talk about all of your amazing skills, accomplishments, and successes! Don’t be shy when discussing your triumphs, and don’t downplay major projects and results. Be prepared to talk about your most notable achievements and be sure to tie them back to the current role you are applying for.

“This is your opportunity to sell yourself! Don’t be modest, be proud of your accomplishments.”

-Kimberly Pence, Sr Manager Talent Acquisition

Interviewing can be daunting, but it’s a great opportunity for you to showcase your hard work and potential. Be confident, be prepared, and be passionate! Thanks for reading, and we look forward to interviewing you soon!

-Talent Acquisition Team, CONMED Corporation

Ready to start interviewing? Apply today to one of our many openings!