Implementation: Phase 3

Tips for Interviewing

Preparing for interviews is key to obtaining a nursing position in your area of interest. Gone are the days when you can walk in, fill out an application and start the next day. The whole interview process is much more complex. The employer's goal in an interview is to see if you are the best person for this job. Your goal is to see if this is the right fit for you and to create a two-way conversation as much as possible. Interviews are like a stage performance in which you are the star, and practice makes for a better performance. Practice with friends, colleagues or career professionals.
The essential ingredients for ensuring success are as follows:

• Research the position and the organization. Employers expect you to know about their mission and values and the medical services they offer and to understand their niche in the health care marketplace. Plus, you need to have a good understanding of the job and qualifications they are seeking in an applicant.
  
• Be able to articulate what you bring to the table. State your strengths and most valuable assets, for example, "I have over 10 years of med/surg experience, and I'm skilled at working with elderly patients, who can be demanding at times."
  
• Visit the organization ahead of time. Notice how people interact and how they are dressed. Network and talk with others to learn what it's like to work there. This will help you in learning about the organizational culture.
  
• Dress for success: Your appearance is the first impression. Dress professionally: a nice pants suit, dress, skirt and jacket, or suit. If in doubt, talk with the recruiter about this.
  
• Be prepared to be screened over the phone first. Keep a file by your phone at home that has your résumé, accomplishment statements, and other data to refer to when you are called so that you don't blank under pressure.
  
• Behavioral interviews. These are the most common form of interviews these days. They are usually conducted in person either by a recruiter or manager. The theory goes that past performance determines present performance. Be prepared to answer questions geared at uncovering information about how you've handled an angry patient or how you've handled conflict with a co-worker.
  

Also, remember to always state your experiences with a positive spin even if something negative happened to you. You can do this by saying what you've learned.

Typical Questions During An Interview

• Tell us about your background and experience.
  Sample answer: "I have worked in a variety of settings including pediatrics, postpartum and nursery units. I have excellent nursing skills and a great bedside manner with patients. Also, I am willing to go the extra mile to take care of my patients, and I received an award for giving exceptional service on my last job."
• Why are you interested in working here?
  "I have had the opportunity to speak with other RNs and physicians who work here, and I like what I hear. I've heard that nurses have more time to focus on patient care, and that's what's important to me. Plus this hospital has an excellent reputation in critical care. That's my area of expertise."
• Describe how you handled a miscommunication with a patient.
  "I had a situation where a patient thought I had promised them more pain medication and they told the night nurse what they thought I had said. After reviewing my chart notes, I went to speak with the patient. First I asked her what she heard me say about getting more medication. I actively listened, I remained calm, and I apologized for the confusion and then went through medication instructions again and the patient was appreciative."
• Tell me about a strength.
  In this question you want to pull out your best qualities and attributes. "Patients have told me that I am great at explaining medical procedures in plain English, and they tell me how much they appreciate that.
• Tell me about a weakness:
  What you need to do here is select a quality that could be interpreted as a strength or select a weakness you've worked on. For example, "I tend to be too detail oriented and so I've had to learn to correct that." Or "I used to have a tendency to rush around too fast. I've learned I can actually accomplish more by slowing down and prioritizing."

Other Possible Questions

1. How would you describe your leadership style?
2. What has been your greatest challenge in working on a patient care team?
3. How do you delegate when you are the charge nurse?
4. How do you resolve conflicts with staff you are supervising?
5. How are you at handling organizational politics?
6. How do you handle patient complaints?
7. What would you do if you don't agree with the doctor's orders?
8. Tell me about a situation where you had to convince another person of your point of view.
9. Describe a situation where you successfully dealt with a difficult doctor.
10. What would your last manager say about your work performance?

Ending the Interview

In addition, be sure you prepare some questions that you would like to ask the employer. This indicates that you are interested in their organization.

Some Good Questions to Ask

1. What are the most important qualities you are looking for in an applicant?
2. What are some of the challenges of the job?
3. What's a typical day like around here?
4. Who would I be working with?
5. What are the next steps in the interview process?

At the end of the interview, restate your enthusiasm about the job and be sure to ask the interviewers for their business cards so you can send thank-you notes to all of the people who interviewed you. Try to send thank-you notes within 48 hours if you want to stand out as an applicant.

Here are some Web sites for further help:
www.jobsmart.org,
www.pse-net.com/interview/interview.htm , http://minerva.acc.virginia.edu/~career/handouts/interviewing.html
www.western.edu/career/interview/interview.htm

Also check out our recommended reading list for further resources.

©NurseWeek Publishing