How to ace an interview and get hired if you're a new graduate with no experience?

JulieCVICURN, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2011

Dress well. Do not, I REPEAT, do not wear scrubs. No matter what anyone else tells you. Wear a nice pantsuit or at least a conservative "dressy" outfit.
Come prepared with a resume and a list of references. If you have no work experience, ask your instructors if they will allow you to use them. A letter of reference from one or two people that know you in a professional/educational capacity wouldn't hurt either.
If you are applying at a hospital, they should have a preceptor program. Mine, for ICU, was 12 weeks. I would NOT ask for 4-6 months preceptorship. Most places would probably consider that extreme, although I don't know what other facilities offer. And don't mention that in the interview - it would seem like you're already anticipating needing remediation before you've even started. Believe me, you'll be ok if you go with their program. Having said that, I'd advise you to not take any job that doesn't offer some sort of preceptorship to a new grad. I've seen some horror stories on this site! A hospital knows that a new grad needs a lot of training.
You present yourself as confident, but open about knowing that you have a lot to learn. You should appear willing to do everything from empty a bedpan to holding a little old lady while she pukes or bleeds out all over you. You should paint a picture of yourself as having a positive attitude and as a team player.
You should not try to fake it or pretend to know anything that you don't.
Bring a list of questions to ask. Some good ones: How long will I work with a preceptor? Will it be the same one the entire time or will I get someone new every day? Do you provide scrubs or do I provide my own? Do you have mandated overtime? How often is someone low censused on this unit? Do you computer chart or paper chart? What sort of scheduling is done? Self scheduling? How many weekends am I expected to work in a month? What's employee turnover like at this facility? Why is it so high/low? How about in this specific unit? What sorts of patients will I be caring for?

Good luck.

willowRN · Mar 7, 2011

thank you so much! You're very helpful. God bless you!

roser13, ASN, RN · Mar 7, 2011

Do not tell the interviewer that you will "require" 4-6 months of preceptorship. I'm not sure why you want to mention that, but you honestly do not know how much time on orientation you will need. You do not want to (a) give the impression that you feel that you're a slow learner or (b) that you're rigid in your training "requirements."

The facility will orient you according to their standards. If during or after orientation, you feel a need for more guidance, then is the time to discuss it.

Katie5 · Mar 7, 2011

Bring a list of questions to ask. Some good ones: How long will I work with a preceptor? Will it be the same one the entire time or will I get someone new every day? Do you provide scrubs or do I provide my own? Do you have mandated overtime? How often is someone low censused on this unit? Do you computer chart or paper chart? What sort of scheduling is done? Self scheduling? How many weekends am I expected to work in a month? What's employee turnover like at this facility? Why is it so high/low? How about in this specific unit? What sorts of patients will I be caring for?
Good luck.

I applaud you on the other suggestions, but these questions seem a bit out of place.If this place meets OP's other requirements, I would suggest you get your foot in the door. Do you provide scrubs or do I get my own? This to me is trivial. and the answers to all these will come after acceptance (when you're also settled and reasured of having the job).

Questions like what is expected of an employee?The hospital's goals? are things that need asking.You're selling yourself to the interviewer. They are trying to buy your product but need to know that your product is what they want.Read up on the hospital, and have some information on them.Then ask away. Pay attention to,because sometimes, discussions arise from what interviewer may mention.

rn4ever? · Mar 7, 2011

1.Dress in a business attire/business suit.

2.Don’t ask about money and salary the first time you meet your interviewer. At one point, I became an interviewer. If somebody asked me right away about money the first time I meet her, and she is not even hired yet, it’s a big turn off for me! Sure everybody needs to earn a living, but please don’t just focus on that, you’ll find out eventually.

3.You can find out from the interviewer about their orientation program. If it appears too short for you, you can discuss/ with request an extension from you manager after you have been hired.

4.Make sure you have an intelligent question to ask when she asks you if you have any questions to ask her.

5.Unless she gave you an offer on the spot, consider that you are trying to impress the interviewer at that point. She didn’t hire you yet so don’t like an employee asking for benefits, overtime, when you can take time off, and stuff like that.

rkitty198, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2011

They are goint to ask you questions like:

What are your faults?

What things do you need to work on within yourself?

What are good qualities about yourself that will make you an asset?

I did peer review interviewing and this always seemed to throw people off. I had one prospective employee tell me that there was nothing they would change about themselves, no faults. Granted that can show that someone has a good self-esteem, but we all have faults. Things you can say:

I am hard on myself

I am a perfectionist

Think about these questions and how you would answer them.

noahsmama · Mar 7, 2011

They are goint to ask you questions like:
What are your faults?
Things you can say:
I am hard on myself
I am a perfectionist

I was specifically advised not to say that I'm a perfectionist as my "fault". Too obvious that this fault is not really a fault. And I'm not actually what I would consider to be a perfectionist. I think someone should only give this answer if it's really true AND if they can give specific examples of how being a "perfectionist" has had a negative impact on their work, plus steps they've taken to correct it.

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2011

How do I go about mentioning that I have no job experience and this is my first job if ever without sounding less competent?

Don't you fill out employment history or give them a resume when you apply? Unless you've embellished heavily to the point of lying on your resume, they know you are a new grad.

How do I request the need for preceptors 4-6 months? Should I mention it during the interview?

You ask them what their orientation process is and if it's individualized, if it's ever extended, what is done during orientation, and what post-orientation support they offer new grads.

How should I present myself in an interview if I am a new grad with no experience whatsoever?

You research the company you are applying for, and find out what their mission/core values are and think about how you can further that. You think about your clinical experiences and things that you handled well/interesting experiences you had as a student. You look up common interview questions online or here and come up with good but honest and genuine answers to them.

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2011

Things you can say:
I am hard on myself
I am a perfectionist

I think the perfectionist line is so overused that even if it is true, I wouldn't use it. The way to handle "what are your weaknesses" is to think of a true weakness you have and use that BUT include what you have done and are doing to overcome that weakness.

Rach553 · Mar 7, 2011

As someone who was recently in your position, I feel like most of the advice given is helpful. I went through a couple of interviews before I was hired. I agree it is really helpful to research the hospital/facility before the interview. I had my best interview when I was able to fit my strengths to the hospitals core values. Also, it was helpful in answering the question Why is this facility the right fit for you.

I wouldn't worry about telling them you are a new grad. As someone else said unless they didn't really look at your application they already know that. I would make sure to ask questions about the what the typically orientation process is. A follow-up question to this would be are they willing to adjust orientation time if needed.

For the weakness question I agree with others that say use something that is true to you. Many of my friends would say they were inexperienced and I think that is kind of cheap/ cheating. I would say that I tend to be more passive (aka shy) in new situations. I would then follow it up with how I have gotten past this in past jobs. I think using something more personal shows you can be introspective and know what you need to work on and are willing to work on improving.

Finally, make sure you act confident!

rkitty198, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2011

I am not telling the OP to lie, I gave examples and told the OP to think about what to say.

Its more like thinking to say something that is a positive and negative.