by Noor Ul Ain Janjua Zaidi, RHIT
Mastering Job Interview Series Part-2 (Final)
Thank you for your patience—Part 2 is finally here!
Job interviews can be nerve-wracking, but the right preparation makes all the difference! In this blog, we’ll break down different types of interviews you might encounter in the Health Information Management field, share some examples, and provide a Mini Workbook to help you track your progress. Think of this as your personal interview toolkit—designed to boost your confidence and set you up for success.
At the end of this article, you’ll find a link to the Mini Workbook. This editable template will help you track your job interviews, analyze your performance, and refine your strategy for future opportunities. Let’s go!
Types of Interviews & How to Ace Them
1. Phone Interview
Often the first step, this interview focuses on your qualifications and fit for the role. It is usually conducted by a recruiter or hiring manager to determine if you should move to the next stage.
Example: Lisa, a candidate for a Remote HIM Coding Specialist position, has a phone interview with an HR recruiter to discuss her experience with inpatient and outpatient coding before advancing to the next round.
Practice Questions:
- Can you walk me through your experience with medical coding and compliance?
- How do you ensure accuracy when coding for inpatient and outpatient services?
- What interests you about working in Health Information Management?
2. Problem-Solving Interview
This interview assesses analytical and critical thinking skills through real-world scenarios. Candidates are expected to demonstrate how they approach challenges and devise solutions.
Example: Muhammad, applying for a Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) Specialist role, is given a scenario where physician documentation is inconsistent with coding guidelines. She must analyze the issue and propose a solution to improve compliance.
Practice Questions:
- How would you handle a situation where physician documentation is incomplete or unclear?
- What steps would you take if an audit uncovered multiple coding errors?
- Describe a time when you had to troubleshoot an issue with electronic health records (EHRs).
3. Group Interview
This involves multiple candidates being interviewed together to assess teamwork, communication, and leadership skills. It is common in roles that require collaboration, such as HIM leadership or coding teams.
Example: A hospital conducts a group interview for several Coding Compliance Auditors, where candidates must discuss strategies for improving coding accuracy and reducing denials.
Practice Questions:
- How do you handle conflicts when working with a team of coders?
- What role do you naturally take in a group coding audit?
- Can you describe a situation where you had to collaborate with different departments, such as billing or compliance?
4. Behavioral Face-to-Face Interview
This evaluates past experiences to predict future behavior. The interviewer asks about real-life situations to assess your skills and problem-solving abilities.
Example: Yuhang, a HIM Manager candidate, is asked how he handled a situation where his team faced a backlog of incomplete medical records.
Practice Questions:
- Tell me about a time when you had to meet a strict coding deadline.
- Describe a situation where you had to train a new hire on coding guidelines.
- Give an example of how you handled a difficult provider regarding documentation queries.
5. Video/Zoom Interview
With the rise of remote work, video interviews are now common. Candidates must ensure they have a professional setting and handle technology effectively.
Example: Zuberi, applying for a remote Health Information Analyst position, interviews via Zoom with a panel of managers from different hospital departments.
Practice Questions:
- What steps do you take to prepare for a virtual interview?
- How do you ensure HIPAA compliance when working remotely?
- Can you describe a time when you had to troubleshoot a technical issue during a remote meeting?
Highlights of Mini Workbook: Your Interview Preparation Guide
Step 1: Identify Your Interview Type
📍 Research the company and role to determine the likely interview format.
Step 2: Prepare Responses Using the STAR Method
🌟 Situation: Briefly
describe the context.
🌟 Task: Explain
the challenge or responsibility.
🌟 Action: Detail
the steps you took.
🌟 Result: Share
the outcome.
Step 3: Practice with a Partner or AI Tool
🎤 Conduct mock interviews
to refine your responses.
📝 Get feedback to improve
clarity and confidence.
Step 4: Post-Interview Reflection
📖 Note down key questions
and your responses.
🔎 Identify areas for
improvement.
📩 Send a follow-up email to
express gratitude and reiterate your interest.
Practice with AI tools: https://himalayas.app/advice/best-ai-interview-practice-tools
Mini Workbook: https://ohima.memberclicks.net/assets/docs/blog/Mini%20Workbook%20for%20Interview%20Prep.pdf
About the Author
Noor Ul Ain Janjua Zaidi, RHIT, serves as the Leadership Development Project Leader on the OHIMA FY24-25 Board of Directors and is a participating member of the Blog Committee. With five years of volunteer experience at OHIMA in various capacities, Noor has consistently contributed to advancing the organization's initiatives.
