You are a Speech-Language Pathologist and just landed your dream interview? Congratulations! While you likely know the key responsibilities and requirements of your role, it is important for you to make sure the setting and the organization you are considering are aligned with your goals as an SLP. This is where your questions come in!
Asking the right questions during your job interview is crucial to understanding the full picture of the position and the organization's culture. This guide covers six key questions that will help you assess whether this is the right place to make a part of your SLP career journey.
Why You Need to Ask Questions
A job interview is a two-way street. You can learn as much about the potential employer as they do about you. It's also your time to evaluate if this is the perfect SLP growth environment. Asking insightful SLP interview questions helps you:
Ensure that the opportunity matches your short term and long-term career goals
Learn about the support and resources you'll have as an employee
Understand how you can grow professionally
With this information, you'll be better prepared to decide if this is your next step as an SLP.
Questions to Ask Your Potential Employer as an SLP
Asking questions also shows curiosity, initiative, and genuine interest in the job.
1. What support systems do you have in place for new SLPs?
Starting a new job can be both exciting and challenging. However, having a supportive work environment can significantly impact your experience as a new speech pathologist. It can foster an environment where you feel comfortable asking questions, exploring new approaches, and growing into a skilled and confident therapist.
So, during the interview, ask about the onboarding process for new SLPs. Do they have mentorship groups where you can learn from coworkers with more experience? Does the company have a designated person you can talk to for help? Do they offer opportunities to explore new skills and techniques and grow professionally?
How the recruiter answers these interview questions will tell you a lot about their commitment to your success. A good answer could include clinical supervision programs, or continuing education courses. A supportive environment shows the company cares about its therapists and to see you grow in your career. This can be a great sign of a supportive and happy work environment.
2. For new graduates: What can you expect from your Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY)?
As a new SLP graduate, you're required to complete a Clinical Fellowship Year under the supervision of a mentor. This bridges the gap between your academic training and independent professional practice. Understanding what to expect during your CFY is essential for your professional development.
A good mentorship program can really boost your professional growth by providing regular check-ins, shadowing opportunities, help with challenging cases, and advice on career development. It can help you feel more confident, tackle challenging cases, and develop your skills faster. Plus, it shows the organization values teamwork and supports new SLPs in succeeding.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) also emphasizes the importance of this supervised experience with studies and showing over 70 percent of SLPs thought mentorship programs greatly impacted their confidence and practical skills.¹
3. What opportunities for continuing education and professional growth do you offer to your SLPs?
As a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP), staying up to date with the latest research and best practices is important. This will make sure that you have the best tools to help your students communicate as well as they can.
The answer to this question shows how much the company cares about your growth. Does the employer offer financial support for conferences or workshops? Do they provide paid time off to attend these events? These are signs that they want you to stay at the top of your game and value your commitment to growth.
Look for organizations that support ongoing learning through continuing education and professional groups. This shows they care about keeping up with the latest in the field. It also means they're interested in helping you grow and improve as an SLP throughout your career.
4. Can you describe the workplace culture and how it supports work-life balance for SLPs?
Our careers are a significant portion of our lives and finding a fulfilling SLP position is essential for your overall well-being. A supportive and positive workplace culture can make a huge difference in your job satisfaction even in roles that require a lot of independent work.
This question helps you understand the overall environment and support systems in place, which are crucial. Listen closely to how the interviewer describes the organizational culture. While the day-to-day work may be largely self-directed, consider asking:
How does the organization foster a sense of community among its SLPs?
What kind of support systems are in place?
How do they ensure work-life balance for their SLPs?
What flexibility is offered in terms of scheduling and workload management?
Understanding the workload and work-life balance practices allows you to get a feel for how demanding the role might be.
This can help you decide if the job aligns with your desired work-life balance. A school setting that prioritizes employee well-being often has lower burnout rates and happier staff. This helps you be in the best shape to give your students the best care possible. This can be a great place to build a fulfilling and long-lasting career as an SLP.
5. How does your organization stay updated with the latest evidence-based practices in Speech-Language Pathology?
Speech-language pathology is always evolving, with new research and intervention strategies . Staying up-to-date within the field of practice helps you provide the best support to your students.
Their answer reveals the expected standard of care at the organization. Are they committed to providing the latest treatments based on research, or do they rely on older methods? Will you be encouraged to stay up to date on new research and use the latest strategies in your therapy sessions? This can impact the tools and resources available, such as using the newest assistive technology to help students.
A strong focus on evidence-based practices reflects a dedication to quality care. This means the organization prioritizes positive student outcomes and empowers its SLPs to deliver the best possible speech therapy services. So be on the lookout for an answer that mentions ongoing professional development opportunities or subscriptions to research journals.
These all indicate a commitment to staying ahead of the curve.
6. What are the opportunities for collaboration with other professionals within and outside the organization?
You might work with a client who is presenting with unique challenges, or need some support in improving caregiver engagement and participation. Determining if the organization you are considering fosters a collaborative work environment isn't just beneficial to you professionally, but can help the clients you are working with make even greater progress.
A strong emphasis on collaboration suggests a team-oriented approach to student care. This can foster better communication, leading to more efficient service delivery and improved student outcomes. Organizations and settings that value collaboration often have established communication and information-sharing systems, ensuring everyone involved in a student's care is on the same page.
By understanding the collaboration opportunities, you can get a sense of how much teamwork is involved in the role and how well it aligns with your work style.
These interview questions are a springboard to gather valuable intel if the organization aligns with your values and career goals. So ask away!
READY TO START YOUR SLP CAREER?
At Invo Healthcare, we understand the unique needs of SLPs with a supportive environment, dedicated mentors, and ongoing professional development opportunities. Our national network offers diverse career paths, and many clinical fellows have advanced to leadership roles, showcasing our commitment to growth.
We also offer practical benefits like relocation packages and potential travel opportunities, making us an ideal choice for SLPs seeking well-rounded employment experience. Contact us today to get all the support you need to launch a successful SLP career!
References
1. "Evidence-Based Practice in Speech-Language Pathology: Where Are We Now?" National Library of Medicine, vol. 30, no. 1, Jan. 2021, pp. 186-98. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.1044/2020_AJSLP-20-00194.
