Need Interviewing Advise

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in LTC, Med-SURG,STICU.

The last two interviews that I have gone to I have totally bombed. I go in and I am feeling great when I arrive. The NM starts asking interview questions and I freeze up. I go into brainless no personality woman mode. On the inside I feel the total and complete panic setting in and nothing I have try will help.

The sad thing is I did not use to be this way. I use to be able to interview tlike a pro. The NM could ask any question and I could anwser in a way that showed that I was an intelligent person that could be counted on to hold herself together no matter what.

I know I want out of my current job with a passion. Being stuck at this current place of employment is depressing me more and more every day. Maybe my current mental state has me so down that I can not interview properly. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do to help myself?

One last question...When the NM asks you if you have any questions what do you ask? Beyond the what is the nurse to pt ratio, when they want me to start, and the benefits I really do not have any questions. I will get my anwsers when I start working. Thanks for your help.

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Practice answering questions! Pretend you were asked something from a previous interview, look up potential questions on the internet, etc. and practice your responses out loud. It will help keep you from struggling to think about something "smart" to say on the spot. :)

As for the when they ask me if I have any questions, I had mine written on a piece of paper in a binder. I flipped it open and if we covered them (like ratios, orientation time, computer documentation vs paper, shifts, etc), I would say "it looks like you have already covered my questions during the interview." I generally leave benefits out of the conversation unless they bring it up because that will be discussed if/when you get a job offer.

Good luck!

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I give sucky interviews too. But really, the only thing an interview shows is how well a person can answer those dumb questions. I know plenty of terrible nurses who gave really impressive interviews.

I always ask how well staff gets along, especially between the night and day shifts. The reason I ask that, if staff is unhappy and bickering, that attitude usually trickles down from the boss. Nice bosses tend to have happy staff.

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Specializes in Emergency.

First of all...congrats on getting the interviews. You're doing way better than I am. I have 100+ apps out there and can't get so much as a "thanks for the resume" e-mail. My tip, like the posts before this, practice your questions before hand but I suggset try answering questions in the mirror. I have noticed that I make some really weird facial expressions when I am searching my brain for anwers and since doing questions in the mirror, even when I can't come up with what I want to say right away, it isnt obvious on my face. That way if you do blank out, it wont be as obvious and you can recover without spilling the "omg what do I say" beans.

Good Luck on your search!

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Specializes in Hospice, Case Mgt., RN Consultant, ICU.

I know what you mean, but you are getting interviews! I have recently been attending some workshops on interviewing and resumes and on line applications from our Department of Economic Security. They have been doing these workshops because so many people are unemployed. They have lots of good information so I would check with your local employment office to see what they could suggest. Best wishes in your job search.

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Here is an excellent site to look into: How to Answer the 64 Toughest Interview Questions

It's geared toward business but can easily be adapted to any environment. Good Luck!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Your post reminds me of myself, since I generally do not perform well while being interviewed. I become nervous, frozen, and struggle with keeping my thoughts clear and managing to answer the questions. I have a difficult time relaxing when I am in the interview chair. My face often displays an emotionless, restricted affect that probably disturbs the person who is conducting the interview.

Anyhow, practicing the interview questions beforehand might help. Click on the weblink below to read up on the 23 most common interview questions. Good luck with you. I can definitely relate to how you are feeling.

How to answer 23 of the most common interview questions | Wise Bread

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