What should I bring to an interview?

CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Jun 26, 2009

Hello,
My brother (who's in business) says I should bring a nice portfolio to keep my things in. Preferably one with my university name on it. Now, what kind of things should I bring to an interview that would go in there?
So far, I can think of: Interim permit, Questions to ask interviewers, a copy of the questionnaire i filled out and clinical reference forms i submitted, copies of my resume and cover letter and reference list (how many of each of these should i bring btw??), and maybe a teaching plan i made as an assignment when i was as tutor (not related to nursing but i dont have anything well put together as far as nursing school teaching plans and such for some reason...). Are these the things I should include and am I missing anything you can think of? And are you supposed to give extra copies of things only when prompted or asked?
Thanks!!

I like the idea of a portfolio. Much nicer looking to an interviewer than a bunch of loose papers precariously paper-clipped together.

I didn't bother with a University logo-embossed portfolio, and just used a plain one.

Inside the portfolio, have a pen (or two), a pad of paper for notes, copies of your resume & reference list (4-6 copies of each - 1 for you to refer to as needed, others for your interviewers), copies of anything super-duper that you did during school that might be brag-worthy.

You may or may not want to bring along your interim permit, copies of ACLS/BLS/PALS cards, copies of your nursing diploma or proof of passing NCLEX. Those sorts of things are more valuable with followup interviews or HR orientation meetings.

During the interview, don't be shy about sharing "supporting documentation" that you're a great candidate. If you wait until you are asked, you may NEVER be asked! In my case, the brag-worthy thing was a 13 page orientation packet I put together for my college's accelerated BSN program. Ask your interviewer(s) up front if they'd like another copy of your resume/reference list.

On the pad of paper, I tend to write questions I've got for the potential employer, and a list of my strengths/weaknesses/biggest achievements (these are handy to refer to as needed during the interview).

spongebob6286, BSN, RN · Jun 27, 2009

i brought couples of resumes and a cover letters. a pen of course. and you really gotta market yourself!

DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP · Jun 30, 2009

"Bragging rights"

Things such as certificates (Dean's list, any professional type meetings attended, etc), letters of recommendation from both faculty and any past/present employers, outstanding papers you have written, etc.

MAKE SURE to have copies for them to keep if they want them. I once saw a candidate interviewing for the same position I was. She had a portfolio of stuff, and had the nerve to ask the recruiter to copy it for her... Wow!

Good Luck to you!! :yeah:

MissBrittanyRN · Sep 17, 2009

If you have copies of excellent performance evaluations from previous employers, that would be nice to have, if an appropriate time occurs that you may offer them. You would have to be creative about how to work them in, especially because mine are bulky packets lol :-)

EmilyLucille523 · Sep 19, 2009

My portfolio was what caught their attention, they were really impressed with it. It was a plain, black leather case (used to be a planner and I pulled everything out of it). I had all my immunization records in it, my licenses, my diplomas, degrees, certificates, Honor Society induction, photos of my graduation (just 2), a newspaper article where I was featured, my resume, reference lists, reference letters from both employers and instructors, my clinical evaluation forms, my letters of scholarships, and my transcripts.

They were impressed with the organization of it mostly.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Kitty Hawk, ADN, RN · Sep 19, 2009

We were actually required to create a portfolio in my program. It's basically a 3 ring binder. We were required to create a cover art for it with the name of the school, our name, grad year. I'm leaving it as such. We had to create a table of contents.

In it we have sections divided and tabbed for projects (teaching plans, care maps that you mentioned). We were required to write 3 main short essays(3-5 pages) of why nursing, what it means for us, and what we saw our goals to be. As others have mentioned, I plan to just give them copies of those so they don't feel that they need to sit there and go through it, plus I want them to see "who" I am, my papers do back up what I'm prepared to tell them about myself.

I also have my honors certs, my ACLS, CPR and also importantly I think, is our skills checklist. That way they can just see upfront as I have stated on my resume, list of skills provided on request. We also have instructor commentary as we were always required to have some new addition each semester. There's also a section for misc. skills such as computer and and section for CEU's.

Overall I wasn't sure I would use it as to me it almost came across as a dorky looking "brag" book. :rolleyes: But seeing what seems to impress interviewers, I've been told those that use it, they are impressed and true, all the info is right there.

Oh and I have sheet protectors over the pages to make for easy flipping!

Good luck!