The best preparation you can do before an interview is to prepare for the questions you might get asked. The unfortunate part is that they can ask anything and catch you off guard. Sometime they will start off by saying “I like to do informal interviews” and then you don’t know where to draw the line because of course you want to be professional. Or sometimes they will say “just relax, we are just going to have a conversation.” That makes me tense up because then I can’t relax! Is anyone else like that?
Interviewers will likely ask you why you chose this position. If you do not have any specific reasons, they may think that you’re not passionate about the position. Find 2-3 points why you find this position rewarding and emphasize them during the interview.
Now they can’t be certain how you will perform if you were hired, but they can assess your competency. For example, he or she may ask about a particular situation and how you would handle it. How do you approach a complicated client? Think of an example you’ve encountered and how you resolved it.
Besides being competent in your field, interviewers will dip into your personality. They want to know what kind of person will be joining their team and if it will mix in well with others. Do you have good judgment, are you kind, do you have a strong moral compass? Questions such as confrontations with co-workers, what happened and how did it resolve? Any disagreements between superiors or inferiors and how did it end? And they will wonder how responsible towards yourself and others. Reminder: It is ok to be proud, but it counts more to be compassionate. When you are part of a team, you need to work together. You have to be able to listen to others, help each other out, ask for help, and work together to find a solution. Don’t act like you are a superhero. You are human, you make errors.
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Note: When I prep for an interview, I take a notebook and make notes. I write down the company’s name on top then write down it’s mission. I try to memorize it and link it to my own beliefs. Does it ring true to what I believe in? How can I incorporate the mission statement into one of my interview questions? I write it down then highlight my answer, because you need to take it to heart. If you are going to be part of this company, you need to be emotionally involved because you will be representing it.
[line] Critical Tips & First Impression Points [line]
Be aware of nonverbal cues that can affect your interview. Make sure you make eye contact, smile in between answers, be aware of your posture, don’t fidget. Use hand gestures, but don’t over use…you’re not conducting an orchestra.
Most importantly, when you meet your interviewer give a firm handshake. A handshake is another first impression point. I cannot emphasis enough how much a firm handshake can make or break a professional relationship. It conveys an open, friendly attitude, while sending a message of confidence, importance, and interest.
There are three first impression points: your appearance, the quality of your voice (speak up and be confident), and the words you choose. I made a list below on key adjectives you can use.
[line] Interview Questions[line]
So how do I prep for questions?
Fear not, my fearless babes, because I have curated my top interview questions that have been asked with sample answers. Whether you are interviewing to be a sales associate, paralegal, editor or a registered nurse position. You can use these questions to be fully prepared. Note: I’m answering them as if I were interviewing for a nursing position. They are sample answers and do not mean I experienced the situation. Could be from stories I heard or read in books or completely made up.
Why did you pick this position? Why did you select your chosen major? This question is a nice opener to find out where you came from and where your intentions are. My interest in nursing began when I was little girl. My grandmother was in the hospital and I noticed the nurses coming in and out, caring for her. They were like angels, they were so kind and compassionate, I knew I wanted to be like them. I volunteered in a hospital in high school which confirmed my career path. I realized that nursing was the perfect fit. Being able to contribute positively to the community is the best reward.
Tell us about yourself. Don’t tell them your life story, tell them about your professional career. Where it started to where you are now and what your plans are. Interviewers are looking for someone with ambition. I am organized and determined. Within a year, I had extensive nursing experience in medical-surgical unit, serving oncology patients. I learned skills that have been since sharpened. I learned the valuable aspect of team work by working with fellow nurses, physicians, and aides. I have seen the end of life and was able to work with families during the hospice process. It has made me a stronger person.
Why are you leaving your current position? This is a digging question, but it also looks into your professional road. Are you leaving because you didn’t like it or are you leaving to grow mentally? It is key to be honest in this question but connect it back to how it will make you better. This would be a good place to mention the company’s mission statement in this answer. I am looking to grow my knowledge and expertise into a new field of nursing. I honestly cannot see myself growing there professionally. I believe that my talents are best suited here where I can continue to grow and learn. I like the fact that this is a teaching hospital where continuing education is fostered. I am extremely organized and received many recognition from patients and colleagues for remarkable care. I know my strengthens will make me a better nurse as an employee here.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Again, this looks into your ambition. Are you looking to stay static? Or do you want to grow? How can this company be part of your future? How will your future impact the company? In other words, will you be benefiting both sides? In 5 years, I see myself as a nursing supervisor somewhere in the hospital. I would like to hone my leadership skills and be able to influence other nurses to become better versions of themselves.
What do you least like from your job? This is a tricky question. Don’t use this time to gossip about your negative co-worker or your horrible boss that never granted you a vacation. It is important to take a negative situation and make it positive. There was nothing about my last job that I hated, but there were some things I liked less than others. The commute was tiring and got less and less sleep. Working night shift was not only stressful on my body physically, but mentally as well. That is why I am looking for a day time position.
What would you say is your greatest weakness? This looks into your personality, but it also shows how well you are at resolving problems. My greatest weakness is not delegating enough. I know it can be a problem but I have been working on getting better by asking for help. Sometimes we do not have an aide on the unit, so sometimes I will ask another nurse to help me out. I know when I don’t ask for help, my patient care takes a back seat because I start cutting time with each patient. By asking for some assistance, I am able to have one on one time with my patients.
When do you feel most satisfied with your job? This is a personality question. It also tells the interviewer if you are passionate in your career. Nobody wants someone who brings their F game to work. They want A game, everyday. I feel the most satisfied with my job when I am able to make someone’s day. Even if I did something small for them, knowing that I touched their lives shows that I did my job, not just as a nurse but as a human. Nobody likes to be in the hospital, so when I can truly connect with someone means the world to me.
Where do you get your motivation from? This question looks into your passion for your career. My motivation stems from my patients. My goal for every day is for my patients to be as healthy and happy every day. I want them to be involved in their health. This motivates me to keep working harder with them. Patient centered care is something I truly believe in. When patients are involved in their own care, their outcome is much more positive.
What would you say are you important qualities when it comes to your job? The answer to this question takes a look into your work ethic. What do you prioritize? What kind of worker are you? My most important qualities include adaptability, critical thinking and emotional stability. It is important to be able to adapt to any situation. A patient’s condition can change at any second. As a nurse, you need to prepare yourself for any situation. Critical thinking is important because you need to think quickly and accurately when time is not on your side. Emotional stability is a tough one for me, but a key quality. It is difficult to witness a dire state, but remembering to be strong for the patient and the patient’s family is imperative.
Why should we hire you? Here’s your pitch. Be honest. What is your secret sauce? I am a hardworker with exceptional remarks from former patients, their families, and colleagues. I am no where near perfect but I give my shot at work everyday. I believe that you are only as strong as your weakest player, therefore teamwork is imperative to my everyday. I try to make myself better for my co-workers and patients.
[line]Do you have any questions for me? [line]
I didn’t mention it before, but you can take notes during an interview. If need be, if you wrote down questions you want to ask the interviewer, go ahead and do it. It shows that you are prepared and organized.
When they ask “do you have any questions?” DO NOT SAY NO! They will think you didn’t do any research or that you are simply not interested in the job. Plus, it gives you insight if you should even take the job. YAS girl, not only are you selling yourself to the company, they should also sell their company to you!
Story: I had an interview where the interviewer/manager of a particular unit tell me off. She told me reasons why I had enemies at my then current job and why I seem to have a hard time finding a “home” or specialty in nursing. She was all about transparency. She kept saying that. This was the longest interview I ever had…2 hours. (My shortest interview I ever had…9 minutes.) Anyway, this interviewer spent so much time bashing me and telling me she wouldn’t consider me for a part time position that I KNEW I wasn’t going to accept the position. Why would I want to work in that kind of environment, on top of a manager like that? Two days later she emailed me back OFFERING the part time position. I knew she was in a rush to hire, because they were in need of nurses. But I declined and said I decided to chose a different direction.
And my 9 minute interview? I don’t think this manager even wanted to interview me. Her body language told me right when she met me, like she didn’t have any time. Literally asked me 3 questions. Gave me a tour of the unit and showed me the door. I looked at my phone when I left the unit, exactly 9 minutes.
You win some and lose some. Their loss.
So what kind of questions should you ask? Thankfully, I will not leave you hanging…
- What is a typical day like?
- What is the typical nurse to patient ratio?
- What problems is this company/unit currently facing?
- What projects are currently running?
- Is there a current turnover happening? Why did the last nurse leave?
- Is there any educational opportunities available?
- Are there opportunities for promotions?
- What is the orientation process like?
- What is the next step?
- What are the personalities like in the team?
- What would be my primary challenges be if I were selected for this position?
[line] Other Tips to Remember [line]
Make a list of your strengths and weaknesses and be able to recall experiences that speaks to each strength and weakness. Make sure you stand out from the rest.
Think about some adjectives your friends or former bosses would use to describe you. ( Kind, compassionate, determined, persevering, etc.)
If you don’t understand the question, ask politely to reword it or tell him or her that you do not understand the question.
Body language is so important during an interview. Make sure you body is facing the interviewer. Do not fold you arms, place you hands on your lap. And remember to smile. If you crack a joke, make sure it is tasteful.
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Do you have an interview coming up? Did you find this post resourceful? Let me know below!
Or, do you have any interview tips to share? Comment below to share with everyone else!
