Advice for Getting a Job as a Nurse
Whether you just graduated from nursing school or have been in the field for years, you’ll want to make a good first impression at every job interview. Getting ready for the interview can help you feel more sure of yourself. In this article, we talk about important things you need to know for a successful nursing interview. Getting a Job as a Nurse
Advice for nurses on interviews
Here are some things to think about before, during, and after your next nursing interview.
Earlier than the Interview
Wear professional clothes.
Choosing what to wear for an interview ahead of time saves time and energy on the day of the interview. You can find out what the company’s dress code is by looking at pictures of people on the website. Most of the time, it’s best to wear classic clothes or clothes that fit the industry. But you should always choose something that makes you feel good about yourself.
Find out about the company and the role
If you are invited to an interview, look into the company. You can easily find the company’s website online by doing a search. Click on “History” to find out why they started their business and what their goal is. Make sure that their values match yours and that you could see yourself working there for a long time.
Look over the job you applied for and the qualifications it asked for. You might want to write down any comments or questions you have. Make a list of things you want to learn if you just finished nursing school. Doing this will help you figure out what the company needs so you can give correct, relevant information and ask questions that are useful.
You can start a conversation about what you like about the company and role and what you hope to get out of working there based on the information you find.
Practice common interview questions
You might want to make a list of common questions and answer them with a friend. This strategy lets you hear how you sound when you talk and gives you time to think of a good answer. You will be able to speak clearly and easily on the day of the interview.
- You want to be a nurse, but why?
- What is your favorite thing about being a nurse?
- What do you want to get out of this job?
- What are some of your good points and bad points?
- In 5 years, where do you see yourself? In 10?
- Why did you leave the job you had before?
- Do you work better on your own or with a group?
How do you deal with pressure?
In a nursing job, you might have to respond quickly and well to patients and staff. When you answer the questions you’ve practiced, it shows the interviewer that you’ve done your homework and are ready. This could make you stand out from other candidates if it’s a desirable trait for the job they’re trying to fill.
Compose questions to ask
At the end of the interview, you may be given the chance to ask your own questions. You might want to make a list of questions based on what you’ve learned. Think about what you want to get out of this job besides a paycheck. Here are some things to think about.
- What will a new nurse have to do on a daily basis?
- Promote from within? Is there room for growth?
- What are some problems that people in this job have to deal with?
- What traits do you want a nurse to have?
- Do you have any worries about me because of what I’ve learned or done?
- How do you like working for this company the most?
- How does the hiring process go from here?
- Asking for more information shows that you did your homework and want to learn as much as you can.
Make a lot of copies of your resume.
There is a chance that the interview for a nursing job will be with more than one person, either one at a time, in a group, or on a panel. If you print out and give each interviewer their own copy of your resume, they can look over your skills and ask you more specific or technical questions. With this extra step, the process might move along faster. This can also show your interviewer that you are ready for professional situations, which is an important skill for a nurse to have.
Before an interview, take care of yourself.
Consider going to bed early the night before an interview so you can wake up on time, ready to go, and in a good mood. Drink water to stay hydrated and refreshed, and eat a balanced breakfast to stay energized and on task. A few easy steps will help you get ready for a great day when you wake up. Self-care helps you feel good and ready to handle the stresses of an interview.
During the meeting,
Get there on time.
Make a map of where your interview will be the day before. Plan your route and give yourself enough time to get there with at least 10 minutes to spare. Don’t forget to think about what time of day your interview is and how traffic usually is at that time. If you get there early, the interviewer might be impressed, which could set a good tone for the rest of the meeting.
Bring paper and a pen
During an interview for a job as a nurse, you may hear technical or role-specific information. You can write down important facts and questions if you have a notepad and pen handy. Taking notes shows that you are a good listener and can remember what was said or done.
By paying attention, the interviewer can see how important this job could be to you, which can only help your chances of getting it.
Act like a pro.
When you get there on time, shake the person’s hand firmly and thank them for agreeing to meet with you. Keep your eyes on them and smile to show that you are happy and glad to be there. As soon as you get to your office, sit up straight with good posture and try to stay calm.
If you want to be a nurse, you may have to deal with tough situations where you need to stay calm. If you follow these tips, you’ll have a professional attitude, which may be important and useful in the medical field.
Answer questions honestly
Your resume tells the interviewer about your skills and experience, but this meeting gives them a chance to see how you act and how you handle yourself. Answer the questions they ask you as truthfully and well as you can.
Share what you learned from school projects or internships if you just graduated. The answers can be about anything you’ve done or seen. The person interviewing you needs to know why you want the job and how your experience is relevant. When you answer honestly, you give a real picture of who you are and why you are the best person for the job.
After the meeting,
Thank the person who interviewed you.
At the end of the interview, shake their hand and ask for their business card so you can contact them later. Thank them for their time and tell them how much you want the job. You’d like the whole thing to end on a good note.
Send a personalized email to say thank you.
The next day, send a personal note. Go over a few of the most important things you talked about in the interview, as well as what you found interesting or what you’re excited to do or learn in this role. Once more, thank them for their time.
This note brings everything together and makes it seem like you want the job and are the best person for it. It also helps the interviewer remember you and gives you a better chance of getting a callback or another interview.
