You’re an over-achiever, and you probably work harder than anyone you know. Getting this far in your career means this isn’t your first interview.
Still, many recent grads and long-time nurses back on the job market find that the job interview comes with many twists and turns that set it apart from other interviews. Because you bring valuable expertise to the table, being prepared for your interview is absolutely critical to demonstrating your ability and setting you apart from your peers.
If you’ve done everything on this list, you will have a leg-up on all other candidates. Read on to discover four essential job interview tips for nurses.
1. Do your research
- Who is on your interview itinerary? Where did they grow up or go to school? Do they have children? Pets? Hobbies/interests? Have they won any special awards?
- Have you established your ideal minimal accepted salary, and is it compatible with the offerings of the employer with which you are interviewing?
- Do you know what to wear to the interview?
- Have you prepared a list of appropriate questions to ask the interviewers?
It’s essential to have all of these things lined up before the interview. During the interview, it’s your job to showcase your performance, past and present. Even if your record rivals that of the U.S. Surgeon General, you still have to ‘bring it’ during your interview.
In addition to letting your past speak for you, demonstrate that you are consistently following through, and that you value the time of the person interviewing you enough to have learned a little bit about them as well. In addition, this is a two-way interview. You might want to do a ‘background check’ yourself before choosing who are going to work with.
2. Establish rapport
By the time you get to the interview, you can be assured that each final interviewee for the position has the clinical competency to perform within the role. So, how does your hiring authority make a final decision?
Oftentimes, it comes down to rapport. Can you connect with your interviewer? How will your personality mesh with the team you will be working with? Use the information you identified in the first bullet to leverage rapport on a personal level with your interviewer.
If you share something in common, bring it up! It’s a great ice breaker, and an activity that moves you one step closer to your final destination, the job offer.
3. Know where the weaknesses (or perceived weaknesses) are in your resume, and be prepared to address them
If you can meet any potential objections with confidence and either turn them into positives or provide logical explanations, you can leverage those ‘weak points’. These are the cases where a little bit of coaching or preparation by your recruiter can be the oxygen mask for your candidacy.
4. Prepare for each interview as if it is the first one
Don’t just roll out of bed and waltz into the interview. Even if you have been through several interviews and believe you know what to expect, realize each one is truly unique. Prepare for each interview as if it is the first one. Preparation will always allow you to leave a better impression with your interviewers.
