Successful Interview Tips

The purpose of the interview is to evaluate the personal qualifications, experience, attributes, and any intangibles that provide the PVCC Paramedic Education Program the likelihood of the individual’s success as a Paramedic student.

The interview is scheduled after the candidate passes the entrance written examination. The interview panel includes the Medical Director and members of the Paramedic faculty.

The Paramedic student candidate should be able to:

  1. discuss the roles and responsibilities of a Paramedic.
  2. discuss the professional attributes of a Paramedic, including:
    • commitment
    • accountability
    • loyalty
    • empathy
    • ethics
    • patient advocacy
    • integrity
    • self-motivation
    • appearance and hygiene
    • self-confidence
    • patient care
    • time management
    • self-discipline
    • teamwork and diplomacy
    • respect
    • careful delivery of service
    • signs of stress
    • stress management
  3. define effective communication.
  4. describe critical thinking and how it relates to being a Paramedic.
  5. list the skills in a Paramedic’s scope of practice.

Be prepared to answer these questions:

  1. Why do you want to be a Paramedic?
  2. Describe the PVCC Paramedic Education Program schedule and subject matter.
  3. How have you prepared to enter the Paramedic Education Program?
  4. How will attending a Paramedic Education Program affect other commitments in your life?
  5. What challenges do you expect as a Paramedic student?
  6. How have you prepared to be a successful Paramedic student?
  7. Describe Community Paramedicine and how it may impact the future of EMS.

Describe assessment and EMT standard of care for one of these adult or pediatric medical emergencies:

  1. chest pain
  2. difficulty in breathing
  3. altered mental status
  4. stroke
  5. seizure

Good ideas to keep in mind for the interview:

  1. Know where you are going, arrive early, and allow time to park.
  2. Dress appropriately; business casual is the norm: do not overdress or underdress.
  3. Listen carefully to each question.
  4. Speak up and modulate your voice.
  5. Direct your responses to each member of the interview panel; use good eye contact.
  6. Clarify a question if needed
  7. Consider your response before you say it.
  8. Provide supportive or explanatory statements with your responses
  9. Use good posture
  10. Thank members of the interview panel upon exit
  11. Just prior to the end of the interview, you will be asked is there anything you would like to add, or do you have a question for the interview panel.

Avoid…

  1. Not being prepared
  2. Poor grooming
  3. Arriving late
  4. Aggressiveness
  5. Monopolizing the interview
  6. Rambling answers
  7. Name-dropping
  8. Slang
  9. Inappropriate humor
  10. Showing familiarity with a member of the interview panel