Interviews can be exhilarating and stressful at the same time. After all, it’s an opening to a new chapter in one’s life that will provide professional and financial wants and needs. Preparing to take an interview takes preparation. Anticipating and reviewing potential questions that can be asked will make ready the responses given; however, it is equally important to derive questions to ask the interviewee/employer. Whether taking an interview with a company that partners with school districts by contracting out or the school districts themselves, knowing the commitments of both you and the employer is crucial before saying, “Yes, I will take that job.” Here are some ideas of questions and areas to inquire about.
- Know the company and/or school district you are applying for. Due diligence into the values, mission, and qualities that the employer holds and offers is important. Ask the interviewer what gravitated them to work for the place you are applying for. See what strengths the company offers and gauge if their values and mission reflect yours.
- Who will be my supervisor and/or mentor? Encourage them to share details about their support network. It creates trust to know that you do not have to jump into something new alone. Having support at the beginning of a new job optimizes productivity and reduces the risk of mistakes, allowing you, as the new hire, to learn how tasks need to be accomplished while gaining confidence in your skills. It is also comforting to know that questions can be asked and answers will be given.
- Why is this position not filled? Why did the previous professional leave? Knowing why may paint a picture of the job if taken.
- What is the pay? Is it competitive pay to the salaries received by SLPS in the same area? Is it going to be enough for the cost of living in that region? Know the compensation, negotiate, and walk away if it does not meet a realistic standard.
- What insurances are provided? Do they meet your needs, and are they comparable to those that are offered by other employers?
- Do they guarantee a minimum number of hours? Is it hourly or by contact with students? What happens to the benefits if I fall below the hours? Having knowledge of this can avoid pitfalls that may affect you, your wallet, and your loved ones.
- What are the population metrics you will be working with? What will be the caseload size and workload size? Do they have a productivity standard? What is the size of the speech department? The shoes that are to be filled shouldn’t be too big, and the obligations that are asked should be realistically attainable and ethical. It’s never ideal to feel burned out from so much output. After all, caseloads and workloads are interrelated, but knowing one may not show the bigger picture. The students need optimal established support to succeed both communicatively and academically.
- Is there a route to specialize? Are there opportunities for growth as a clinician and as a leader? Establish goals for yourself and see if they can be met. The relationship with the employer will grow positively if a plan is established and professional goals are acknowledged and laid out to be met.
- Ask about the retirement saving plan that is offered. It’s important to set goals to plan for your future in retirement. It’s also a plus if matching is given to the dollars invested.
- Is paid time off offered? I have worked for a partnership company since I graduated, and a big pro to me is the PTO given in addition to holidays off during the school year. Even better, I can choose to use my PTO for segments of a shift to accomplish personal needs.
- Having the option to choose salary, PRN, or part-time. It can be nice for some to have consistency, while others may enjoy having more flexibility to create their preferred schedules.
- Is continued education reimbursement offered? Continuing one’s education, attaining/maintaining licensure(s), and holding ASHA’s CCCs are costly. I recommend asking to see if the employer will cover the whole or part of the cost instead of coming out of pocket for these expenses that are required to hold the title and the job.
- Ask about the responsibilities that are required for the position and ensure they will be outlined in the contract. Since working for my partnership company, I have fulfilled my obligations and have occasionally been asked to do more (e.g. building responsibilities) that were not designated in the contract. I have been able to avoid these additional responsibilities, which have given me more time to complete the tasks I have planned for and meet goals for both me and my students.
- Will I have to travel? It’s beneficial to know how much traveling and commuting will be required for the position. Travel can impact the time that can be provided to students.
Compare and contrast the jobs you are interested in because you never want to put all your eggs into one basket. This will help you choose the best fit for you!
