You’ve found the perfect nursing job opportunity. Your resume stands out among dozens of other candidates. Now, it all comes down to the interview. Interviewing for a new nurse job can be a nerve-wracking experience, but feeling prepared can help alleviate some of the stress. Here are our top interviewing tips for nurses to help you land the job offer:
Before the Interview
Having a successful interview heavily relies on your approach to it. Just as you studied for exams in nursing school, you should “do your homework” before going into the interview. Research the facility and even the people that will be interviewing you (Carlson, 2017). Practice common interview questions for nurses that you can expect to be asked.
Two common types of interview questions for nurses are personal questions and situational questions (Gerencer, 2019). Have your “elevator pitch” nailed down, and know what to say for the inevitable strengths and weaknesses question (Carlson, 2017). You’ll also want to make sure you’re ready to share stories from your previous nursing experiences for the situational questions (Gerencer, 2019).
If you are seeking a job through a nursing agency, your interview with the facility will most likely take place via phone or video conference. Therefore, it’s important that you choose a quiet setting where you will be free of distractions. You should
have sufficient cellular service and/or internet access so that you don’t experience technical interruptions during the interview. If necessary, it’s also a good idea to familiarize yourself with and test your video conference system well in advance of the interview.
Pro Tip: You may also want to be careful about what you post on social media prior to your interview. Employers may choose to do some internet research about you, and any misuse of social media can result in serious consequences for nurses.
During the Interview
What you say during the interview is important, but how you say it can make all the difference. If you’re doing a video interview, dress appropriately and pay attention to your body language. You’ve already made it this far, so be confident! Remember that an interview is nothing more than a conversation – if you think about it as a “test” that you must pass, it will just make you more nervous (Carlson, 2017).
Job interviews are a two-way street. After you’re finished with your part of the interview, you’ll have a chance to ask questions. This is your opportunity to figure out if this job is truly the right match for you. Asking the interviewer questions about the facility and the day-to-day responsibilities of the job will not only reinforce your interest in the position, but it will also help you determine if you are going to like working there.
After the Interview
You’ve made it through the interview – whew! If you are seeking to get the job through a nurse staffing agency, now is the time to check in with your recruiter and let them know how it went. Your agency will be responsible for following up with the facility and updating you on the status of your candidacy for the position. Make sure to check for messages every day from your agency to see if you got an offer!
Searching for the perfect nursing job can be overwhelming at times, but we’re here to make the process as smooth as possible for you. If you are seeking your next nursing position through PRN Healthcare, we are here to help if you want any extra advice for acing your interview. Remember that we want you to land your dream job just as much as you do, so don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it. We’re all crossing our fingers and rooting for you!
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References
Carlson, K. (2017, February 27). Twelve Job Interview Tips for Nervous Nurses. Retrieved April 22, 2019, from https://nurse.org/articles/12-job-interview-tips-for-nurses/
Gerencer, T. (2019, February 06). Top 25 Nursing Interview Questions & Answers [+Examples from Pros]. Retrieved April 22, 2019, from https://zety.com/blog/nursing-interview-questions/