One of the questions I am most frequently asked is how do I prepare for an interview, and over the years of both being interviewed and interviewing I have built up a stockpile of questions and interview tips. There are many websites out there that can help you prepare, and I have included some of them as links here.
One of the easiest questions to prepare for is "tell us about yourself" it's a way of breaking the ice at interviews and you will usually get some sort of variation of this question. What are they looking for with this question? I like to see a good mix of professional information with outside interests. One suggestion would be to start with your professional career, with your hopes and goals for the future and then add a little of your other interests as well. One of the most interesting interviews I held was with a young lady who had traveled to Africa volunteering with a health organization. It was a great talking point of the interview and put her at ease before we started asking the more challenging questions.
Other fairly routine questions would be about your good points and bad points, why you want the job, what differences you think you could make.
Basic Interview Good Practice
First impressions are vital, especially if the interview panel are spending a day interviewing applicants. You want to be able to stick in their minds as a professional and capable nurse. Make sure you are well dressed, if you wear a suit it gives a good impression, you've made the effort and want to impress. If you don't have a suit then smart clothes are vital.
Unless you have absolutely no other option don't go to the interview wearing your uniform, if you have to work then take smart clothes with you to work and change although I do appreciate this isn't always possible.
Preparation for the interview is very important, make sure you read the job description and know what the job is all about if you can arrange an informal visit so you can meet the manager and staff, this shows that you are keen and gives you the chance to see where you may potentially be working. It also gives the manager/interviewer a chance to meet you and that way when they come to interview you, they will already know who you are and therefore you will be a little more memorable.
Try to prepare information that is relevant to the job you are going for. If it is a specialist role then research the current trends and government targets/guidelines for that role.
Top 12 Interview "Do's" For Nurses And Healthcare Job Seekers
1 ). Research the healthcare organization/hospital before you go, and think about why you would like to work there. A prospective employer will take into account the amount of effort that candidates have taken to prepare and research the company prior to attending the interview.
2 ). Take any documentation with you that your prospective employer may want to see e.g. NMC Registration, Identification, Certificates, Hep B immune status.
3 ). First impressions count! You should wear smart, clean and appropriate clothing.
4 ). Make sure your mobile phone is switched off as soon as you enter the building.
5 ). Prepare answers to common nursing/healthcare interview questions
6 ). Plan your route in advance, allow plenty of time to deal with delays or traffic jams and take down contact details of your interviewer in case of emergencies.
7 ). Review your CV or application form. Know it inside out and take a spare copy to brief yourself before the interview. This can be used as a replacement should your interviewer not have one.
8 ). Make sure you have a good understanding of topical subjects e.g. The Patient's Charter.
9 ). Maintain good eye contact with the interviewer, speak clearly during conversations
Always let the interviewer finish speaking before giving your response.
10 ). Be enthusiastic and smile. Use positive body language.
11 ). Think about some questions you can ask at the end of the interview. Relevant ones will demonstrate that you are a serious contender for the role.
12 ). At the end of the interview, shake the interviewer's hand firmly and thank them for giving you the opportunity to attend the interview. Always ask for feedback.
There is also a link within that advice that is useful for preparing a CV, although more and more NHS jobs are now online applications and CV's are not requested.
Interview-Preparation-for-Qualified-Nurses.pdf
