Top 10 Interview Tips for Nurses: Nail Your Next Job Interview.
“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” ― Abraham Lincoln
Titus Leitoro, MSN-FNP, FNP-BC, FNP-C.
Nurses can increase their chances of landing their dream job if they prepare well for their upcoming job interview. Here are some tips nurses can follow to better prepare for and ace their job interviews:
Do your research. Before going for a job interview, it is important to research and learn about the company you are interviewing with. This will help you determine if the establishment meets your requirements and expectations. Moreover, interviewers nowadays tend to ask applicants about their knowledge of the company. By doing adequate research, you can answer this question satisfactorily. Researching a company today is quite easy, as you can simply visit their website and read about their services and other relevant information.
Make sure to select the appropriate attire for your interview. It is important to appear professional and neat during an interview, which can be achieved by wearing the right outfit. The best way to appear professional to potential employers is by wearing business or business casual attire. Men should wear dress pants and a button-down shirt. To further impress interviewers, men should wear a tie and a suit jacket. Women should wear dress pants or a skirt and a blouse. They can also wear a business jacket to enhance their look. For both men and women, it is recommended to avoid wearing jeans during an interview. When it comes to colors, it is best to avoid patterns and select neutral colors over bright ones to appear more impressive and professional to an interviewer.
Bе рrераrеd. Always prepare for the unexpected during an interview. Anticipate the possible questions the interviewer may ask and practice giving the most suitable answers. Be prepared for non-traditional interviews, such as group interviews, where you will be interviewed alongside other applicants. Stand out, be confident, and provide timely, well-thought-out, and well-phrased answers.
Be соurtеоuѕ. It's important to treat every employee you meet with kindness, not just the receptionist but also the parking lot attendant, janitor, and intern. Southwest Airlines used to have flight attendants anonymously assess candidates they were flying in for interviews, showing that you should always mind your manners. Remember that your interview starts as soon as you leave the house. You wouldn't be the first person to honk your horn at the car in front and make a rude gesture, only to end up sitting in front of them 20 minutes later in an interview.
Please confirm that you are able to help. Think about how you can contribute to the company instead of what the company can do for you. Focus on your skills and value proposition.
Make sure you go straight to why you are there. This іѕ nоt a fіlmіng оf “Bіоgrарhу” оn thе A&E Chаnnеl; іt is a рrеѕеntаtіоn іn which уоu are ѕеllіng уоur сараbіlіtіеѕ tо dо a jоb fоr thе соmраnу. Don’t go іntо a hаlf-hоur lоng discussion on the rеlаtіvе mеrіtѕ оf Mоzаrt and Beethoven, thе reason you lоvе/hаtе уоur fаvоrіtе sports team. The interviewer dоеѕ nоt want уоur lіfе story; thеу wаnt tо know if you are fit for their organizational culture or position.
Never dе-mаrkеt уоur рrеvіоuѕ employer. "When you speak negatively about your former or current employer, it reflects poorly on you during the interview process. Remember the phrase, 'Bad mouth thee, bad mouth me.' If you trash-talk your previous employer, the interviewer may believe that you will do the same to them if they hire you. Avoid saying negative, mean, unkind, or even true things about your previous employer that may make you look like a bad candidate, a gossip, or an ingrate."
Try not to focus on the pay at the beginning. During an interview, it is important to focus on your skills, experience, and ability to contribute to the company. It's best to save the discussion about salary for the end of the interview.
Thank you for inviting me to the interview. I am grateful for the opportunity. It is polite to express gratitude and ask questions after an interview.
It is recommended to arrive early for the interview. It is crucial to arrive at least 10 to 15 minutes early before your interview. This demonstrates to your potential employer that you are punctual and dedicated to the job. However, arriving more than 15 minutes early is not recommended as it may cause unnecessary anxiety while waiting for your turn. Being late is unacceptable and may have consequences.
