Behavioural interviews

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Jan 19, 2009

Behavioral interviewing is just a different method.

You will be asked questions that begin with phrases like "Tell me about a time when you . . . . ." and they expect you to describe how you reacted. Here is the key point you need to remember for your responses

Stay "I" focused - they don't want you to respond with generalities or opinions -- they want to know what you did. They may ask follow-up questions like "How did other people react?" or "Did anyone else notice what you did?"

They will probably be asking the same questions to each person they interview. Afterward, they will assemble all the answers and determine who is the best candidate -- the one who's answers most closely matched how they want their staff to respond under the same circumstances. So, don't leave anything out in your responses or assume that they already know stuff like "I immediately contacted the attending physician"... They won't know whether you don't know or you forgot -- it won't make a difference.

There's really no way to prepare other than just try to become more comfortable talking about yourself.

Some people may feel a little uncomfortable talking so much about themselves - expecially those who tend to downplay their own accomplishments. But for this type of interview, it's all about YOU.

daelia · Jan 19, 2009

Thanks for your input, that helps me. I kind of thought it would be something like that. For most of my adult life I have been a stay at home mom and only worked 5 years in Nursing. So it's going to be tough. I am just going to try and go with the flow.