Between ever shifting payor rules and regulatory updates, the demand has never been higher for skilled mid-revenue cycle professionals who can truly keep up. Whether you are a coder, a CDI specialist, auditor/educator, or a HIM leader, standing out in an interview requires more than just technical skills; it’s your soft skills that will get you the offer.
We are here to help you move from just another resume to a candidate that everyone must have.
It’s the “How”, Not Just the “What”
As HIM professionals we have the credentials. But what makes you memorable? It’s the stuff between the bullet points.
- Handling conflict with professionalism. We’ve all had disagreements. Instead of shying away from this topic, share a real story. Tell me about a time you didn’t see eye to eye with a colleague and how you listened, found common ground, and landed on a solution together. This shows you are transparent, collaborative, and results/solution oriented.
- Adapting to change. In our field, change is the only constant. New guidelines? Different employer policies? Bring it on. Have an example ready that shows you are not just adaptable, but you’re proactive about learning. This shows you are resilient and a lifelong learner.
- Balancing accuracy and speed. We all know the pressure of quality and productivity. Here’s a little secret: hiring managers know you’re not perfect. So if you really want to impress us, be honest and tell us about a time where you fell short and what you learned from it. Seriously, pretending you’ve never missed a target doesn’t help your case. Showing how you problem solve and bounce back? That’s worth it’s weight in gold.
Can You Communicate… Remotely?
A huge part of our world is now remote or hybrid. Employers need to know that you can not only do the work from your home office, but that you’ll stay connected, engaged, and communicative without a manager looking over your shoulder. Your interview is your first chance to prove you are a pro at remote work.
When you’re answering their questions:
- Mention the tools you have used successfully (Teams, Slack, Zoom, secure messaging) Show them you’re comfortable working in a digital space.
- Go beyond just saying you’re a good communicator. Tell us how you do it. How do you use all of the tools at your disposal to make sure nothing falls through the cracks? Maybe you’re the type to hop on a quick call to solve a complex discrepancy instead of letting emails drag on for days.
- Share a win you had while collaborating with a remote teammate. What’s one big lesson you’ve learned about what works (and what doesn’t) when you’re not face to face?
Your Recruiter is Your Wingperson (Let them do their job)
When you’re interviewing with one of our partner clients through RCM Healthcare, here’s the deal: your recruiter handles the business side of things. That means questions about pay, benefits, and timelines come to us. Your ‘job’ in the interview is to build a real connection with the hiring manager and see if you love the role as much as we think you will. We’ll fight for you when it’s offer time.
Use your face time with the hiring manager to:
- Shine a spotlight on your experience and the value you bring
- Answer their questions about your background with confidence
- Ask questions that show you’re already thinking like part of the team
- Have a genuine conversation with the hiring manager about the team and organization
Focus on fit; let us handle the fine print. It’s a win-win.
Don’t Just Ask Questions – Ask Good Questions
You know it’s coming: Do you have any questions for us? Do not be caught off guard. Coming prepared shows genuine interest in the role, and helps you interview them to see if it’s the right fit.
Ditch the generic stuff. Try questions like:
- Can you tell me about someone on your team who you consider a top performer? What is it about how they work that makes them so effective?
- How would you describe your management style, and what does a successful partnership look like with you?
- What do the first 30 days look like for someone in this role, and can you share what the expectations are within the first 30 days?
- What kind of training or support is there for professional development?
- What is the expected ramp-up time to full productivity, and how is feedback typically given?
These questions show you’re invested, and they give you the inside scoop you need to decide if it is the right fit for you.
Share Stories, Not Just Skills
Resumes list experience and skills. You bring them to life with stories. The easiest way to structure a great story is the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
Don’t say “I’m a problem solver.’ Tell me:
- Situation: “Our team was drowning in a claims backlog after a system upgrade.”
- Task: “I was tasked with leading the team to find the root cause of the coding errors and resolve them- fast.”
- Action: “I collaborated with IT and auditors to trace the issue and I created a simple cheat sheet with the corrected coding guidelines for the team.”
- Result: “We cleared the backlog within two weeks and reduced recurring errors by 20%.”
Stories are memorable. Facts are forgettable. Be memorable in your interview.
Professionalism Isn’t a Buzzword; It’s Your Reputation
We handle sensitive data every single day, and employers want to see that you understand the importance of confidentiality, compliance, and ethical responsibility.
Weave this into your conversation by:
- Talking naturally about how you protect PHI- it’s second nature to you.
- Mentioning your familiarity with HIPAA and other regulations not as a bullet point, but as a core part of your ethics.
- Showing that integrity guides your decision-making
Your character is just as critical as your coding accuracy.
Be Prepared
Even seasoned professionals benefit from practice and writing things down. Practicing interview scenarios helps refine your answers, build confidence, and uncover areas you might not notice on your own. Writing down questions and notes to have in front of you can also help keep you on track so you don’t forget to hit certain talking points. Practicing your stories out loud, and jotting down notes ensures you sound like the professional you are, not a nervous interviewee. Have a few key points written down is smart, not cheating.
At RCM Healthcare, our HIM team provides a 30-minute interview prep session ahead of client interviews. We role-play, fine-tune your responses, and ensure you feel confident walking into the conversation. It is our way of helping you shine and land the right opportunity. Consider us your personal prep coaches.
You’ve Got This
Landing your next great role in the HIM space is about showcasing the brilliant professional you are. It’s about preparation yes, but it’s also about being authentically you – adaptable, communicative, and thoroughly professional.
Walk into that interview ready to have a great conversation. You are more than your resume.
Ready to find a role that challenges and excites you? Let’s find your next opportunity together. Check out our open roles here.