The good part about preparing for an interview as a future FOX clinician is that there is a lot of advice available. The bad part about preparing for an interview?

There’s a lot of advice available.

It can be overwhelming figuring out how to prepare yourself. You could spend endless hours scouring the internet for sure-fire ways to ace the interview — only to have some of the information contradicted by your best friend.

Recruiters can be helpful, but only to a point. Their job is to check your qualifications against the requirements. Your resume matters. But a job offer is contingent on more than your educational and professional history.

I interviewed five FOX regional directors who play a major role in the hiring process. I asked them how a FOX job candidate can make a good impression on the hiring manager during an interview.

So skip the internet scour and tell your best friend you appreciate (but don’t need) the help. Here are the five tips you need, right from FOX hiring managers themselves.

1. Align Yourself With FOX’s Culture and Mission

Jennifer Basile BS, OTR/L, Regional Director

Even though you have completed your formal training and education — and have the credentials after your name to prove it — there’s more learning to do before you are hired. If you are applying for a role with FOX, we want to see you have done your research on us and can demonstrate how you are an ideal fit.

We’re proud of our unique culture at FOX, which includes the following four pillars:

Team spirit. We have high expectations for ourselves and each other. We’re all working toward a shared goal.
The eradication of ageism. We believe all people are strong and capable, regardless of their age. We set the right goals for our patients to help them achieve optimal wellness.
The exchange of abundance. We create exceptional interactions with our patients and each other. We give more than the recipient expects — and receive more back than we expect!
A culture of respect. We provide tools and opportunities for our clinicians, partners, and patients. We work hard to make sure all members of the FOX team feel valued and positioned for success.

Each of these pillars captures an essential part of FOX’s identity. If you want to be an outstanding candidate, you’ll be able to show us that you both understand and exemplify these core values.

The FOX website has a large library of resources for potential new hires, including articles, videos, podcasts, and webinars. Proactively engage with our free online FOX education. Spend focused time exploring, reading, and notetaking. Highlight words, phrases, and ideas that resonate with you, and be prepared to talk about them.

When you become a part of the FOX team, you also become the face of our organization in the world. We want you to be an excellent representative of our culture and an embodiment of our mission statement. Show us you will be.

2. Express the Energy Your Desired Role Requires

Patrick Ruppe PT, MSPT, MS, Regional Director

Be aware of the kind of energy you bring to the interview. Being personable is much more important than memorizing our mission statement. What you say is important, but bear in mind that those interviewing you are tuned into your non-verbal communication as well.

We want to get a glimpse of how you, as a clinician on the FOX team, would interact with patients and colleagues. Now is the time to let your personality shine.

If you anticipate being nervous, run through mock face-to-face interviews. Practice the small gestures that make a major impact on the hiring manager:

Make eye contact. Eye contact communicates your attention and care.
Smile. Smiling demonstrates friendliness and warmth.
Share relevant personal anecdotes. Show us who you are with well-chosen stories — don’t just tell us your work history and experience. That’s what your resume is for.

Your patients will benefit from all of these gestures. We want to witness them first.

If you have a virtual interview, take measures to make sure things run smoothly. Update and test your technology, stabilize your camera, and tidy up your background. The details of your space communicate your energy, too! You ought to dress professionally, just as if we were meeting in person.

3. Demonstrate Your Affinity for the Older Adult Population

Oksana Buniak PT, DPT, LSVT, Regional Director

If you are exploring a career at FOX, then you have a specific story we want to hear: Why geriatrics?

As hiring managers, we want to verify you have knowledge about the practice, but we also want to hear your “why.” Rather than providing a lackluster general reason, be specific. Tell us about:

An older adult in your life who matters to you.
An issue in geriatrics that you care deeply about.
A time when you were able to meaningfully support an older adult.

Because FOX clinicians make house calls to their patients, you could also describe why this model of care is good for you and your future patients.

4. Interview Your Interviewer

Audra Vellucci PT, MPT, Regional Director

Your upcoming meeting with a potential employer can feel like waiting to be interrogated. That can add up to a lot of pressure and anxiety. Empower yourself and mentally turn the tables. You are the interviewer, too.

As you are preparing for your interview and studying the resources available (like these success stories) on our website, note things for which you have a genuine curiosity. Compile a running list of related questions and choose a few that seem interview-worthy.

Don’t think of asking questions during an interview as a show of ignorance. It’s quite the opposite. Asking questions is a compelling way to show us you are serious about wanting to work with FOX. We are able to detect real interest and see you’ve done your FOX research.

Plus, asking good questions of your FOX interviewer can confirm that we are right for you.

5. Extend Sincere Appreciation by Email

Lukas Starck MS, OTR/L, LSVT, CDP, Regional Director

Sending a prompt email thank you to your interviewer is an easy win. It’s a good move, 100% of the time.

The email should be short and courteous. Make sure you read over your message carefully for errors and indicate your continued interest in FOX.

If it’s a toss-up between you and another candidate, and you write a thank you and the other candidate does not, guess who will get the offer?

Ready to Start Your FOX Career?

Committing to a job at FOX begins before your first day on the job. The FOX regional directors encourage you to take these five tips to heart. When you do, you’ll feel more at ease during the interview — and much more likely to make a strong, positive impression on the hiring manager.

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