Advice Needed!!

[kellie0924]

Hello! I have an interview on the 29th at a local hospital for the birthing center, I am so excited but nervous! I have had some interviews before in this area and obviously not had any luck to date. I was told that I need to sell myself more, which I am thinking of ways to do that. I was just hoping to get some advice, I would really appreciate it!!

[This Jenn RN]

Tell them you like to be part of a team and teamwork is a high priority to you (hoping that it is). Thats what my managers always like to hear when hiring. Multi-tasker, fast and eager learner.

[LRC_RN]

I was told the same thing once in the past and they told me that even though I never had a job in the same type of ward that I should really try to prove that I could transfer my skills from med-surg, etc. from the past to the job I'm trying to get. (i.e. think about skills from your past jobs/placements that could be transferred to the job at the birthing centre - i.e. therapeutic communication skills, organization skills, teamwork skills, time management skills, etc.

GOOD LUCK! :)

[kellie0924]

Thanks for the advice! Yes teamwork is very important to me, where I am now and the teamwork here is outstanding. I am bilingual, so I try to play this up as well. I am going to practice with someone so maybe that will help.

[tyvin, BSN, RN]

Be confident but not arrogant, sit up straight and be extremely aware of your body language from the moment you walk into the room. You need to gauge the interviewers need for eye contact ... don't cross your legs or your arms. Don't wear perfume and goshe jewelery. Simplicity tells a story of no nonsense, straight forward, conservative worker.

Don't play the teamwork card to the point that it appears you can't do anything on your own. Gather a short list of "buzzwords' to use during the interview that are used in that area of nursing. Ones that encompass what you want to say with as little as possible. Being succinct translate into efficiency. Walk into the meeting prepared for the test of your life ... it could be. First impressions are everything. Believe it or not they make up their minds the moment they shake your hand and look into your eyes ... leastwise that's been my experience.

Also, what color will you select for the clothes you will wear at the interview? Pink is out, black is depressing, orange makes people hungry. Yellow is nice as well as light blues and beiges. Nothing too fancy now.

All very good advice so far but you also want to stress confidentiality and make sure you now what the acronym HIPPA actually means. And last but not least ... why do you want to work in a birthing center? Was this a fluke and you saw the add or have you been pursuing this as part of what you want for your future. If so what have you done to prepare for this course in your life? Then it could be what do you plan on doing to improve in this area ... you just don't know what they are going to ask you but good luck to you.

They need to know that you will stay and are able to learn.