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Talking About Your Credentials In a Job Interview

Talking About Your Credentials In a Job Interview

by Linda Andrews -
Number of replies: 6

I posted this on some 'Medical Coders Talk' group, but it's worth saying here:

Here is one important thing to remember. When you are in an interview with someone who has and/or prefers AHIMA credentials, don't talk about any other credentials.

The reverse is also true. If the person interviewing you has AAPC credentials, let them lead the conversation. There are people who have very strong, negative opinions of one organization or the other.

You usually won't know about their strong feelings until you open your mouth and say something that offends them, so let them do the talking about credentials. In fact, ask them for their recommendations. Get their opinions. You may learn something. Just don't promote your credentials with a heavy hand until you know more about the person who is interviewing you for the job.

Re: Talking About Your Credentials In a Job Interview

by Deleted user -

Great tip, Linda. Thank you!

I would've went in blazing with all of my credentials and never thought about this aspect. It's little helpful tidbits like this, that you won't get at other schools...


Thanks again!

Lauren

Re: Talking About Your Credentials In a Job Interview

by Deleted user -

Thanks, Linda! I have one question. Should we only include the preferred credential for each potential employer on their specific resume? Some employers want either a CCS or a CPC. In this instance, should both credentials be listed? (I guess that was two questions.)

I never would have thought about this aspect of job searching!

Re: Talking About Your Credentials In a Job Interview

by Linda Andrews -

You should include all your credentials on your resume. If the first thing out of the interviewer's mouth is, "Well...I see that you have a CPC..."   That's when I would probably be on alert that they may not LIKE that CPC.  I would probably say something like, "I would really like to get your recommendation on which credentials I should focus on next. Should I work toward a specialty credential? Which one would you recommend?"  

That should bring the conversation back to what THEY want, and not what you have that they don't like.

Listen to their recommendations. They may give you some very good advice. They may even surprise you by going back to the credential in question to say that they have one and were looking for someone who has it.  On the other hand, they may go back to say that they think it's worthless and nothing but AHIMA credentials are acceptable.  You never know who will be sitting behind that desk interviewing you and what their strong biases might be. Let them lead the conversation.

Re: Talking About Your Credentials In a Job Interview

by Deleted user -

This is such great advice! I never thought of that before. I just started, but I hope to remember this when the time comes! Thank you!