CNA interview

Wiggly Litchi · Jun 18, 2018

Be professional, dress smart.

In all my interviews, I've never been asked why I wanted to be a CNA - usually I'm asked to tell the interviewer a little about myself instead. I will have a heavy focus on work ethic & skills in this part:

Do you have good time management skills?
Do you like to be punctual?
Do you work swiftly, accurately, and maintain patient safety while doing so? (don't worry that you've not had much pt experience - you did have clinicals though, so that counts!)
Are you compassionate and care for the wellbeing of your patients?

The CNA interviews I've found aren't really as challenging as say, one for nursing, but put effort into it anyway. Speak clearly and confidently and I think you'll be okay :)

Moe.CNA · Jun 18, 2018

Be professional, dress smart.
In all my interviews, I've never been asked why I wanted to be a CNA - usually I'm asked to tell the interviewer a little about myself instead. I will have a heavy focus on work ethic & skills in this part:
Do you have good time management skills?
Do you like to be punctual?
Do you work swiftly, accurately, and maintain patient safety while doing so? (don't worry that you've not had much pt experience - you did have clinicals though, so that counts!)
Are you compassionate and care for the wellbeing of your patients?
The CNA interviews I've found aren't really as challenging as say, one for nursing, but put effort into it anyway. Speak clearly and confidently and I think you'll be okay :)

Wiggly Litchi,

Thank you for your advice and that was helpful. I have actually been preparing almost the same info I got through out my preperation.

I'm super excited for the interview but I'm a little shy person which affects my confidence although I would be prepared very well it just brings me confusion being shy, but I'm working on controlling it cause I don't want to get it as weakness during performing my job.

I just wanted to ask: Do I have to go through probation period in case I got hired?

Wiggly Litchi · Jun 18, 2018

I just wanted to ask: Do I have to go through probation period in case I got hired?

No worries! And probationary periods depend on the facility; you are free to ask about these at your interview. The interview is a time when you can gain information about the job too. You'll generally be asked at the end if you have any questions, and this would be a wonderful time to ask about probationary periods, pay rate, benefits/holidays etc.

As for confidence - fake it 'til you make it!

I was so nervous when I started in healthcare; I'm pretty introverted, but now, I'm more confident when I'm at work and in my scrubs than I am in a casual social setting.

You will have bad days.

You will make mistakes.

But you'll also learn from these things and become stronger for it.

Good luck!! Tell us how it goes :)!

Moe.CNA · Jun 18, 2018

No worries! And probationary periods depend on the facility; you are free to ask about these at your interview. The interview is a time when you can gain information about the job too. You'll generally be asked at the end if you have any questions, and this would be a wonderful time to ask about probationary periods, pay rate, benefits/holidays etc.
As for confidence - fake it 'til you make it!
I was so nervous when I started in healthcare; I'm pretty introverted, but now, I'm more confident when I'm at work and in my scrubs than I am in a casual social setting.
You will have bad days.
You will make mistakes.
But you'll also learn from these things and become stronger for it.
Good luck!! Tell us how it goes :)!

Thanks for your help. I will do my best to be professional during my interview lol. It's my start though but I keep a positive attitude regarding it. I will let you know all about it :) . Tnx.

Moe.CNA · Jun 19, 2018

Hi Wiggly Litchi. I just got back from my interview about half an hour ago. It just went great I think. I was surprised cause I was interviewed by 3 people there! The DON! The HR and the Administrator... ! I got confused at first to be honest I thought I wouldn't make it good. However they were nice which made me feel comfortable and there were a lot of question and I think they liked me cause they were impressed by some answers. Anyway, after the interview I went along with the HR to look around the facility it was interesting. thank you for your help :).

Wiggly Litchi · Jun 19, 2018

I'm so happy!! Thank you for letting me know how it went~ I was thinking about you today and hoping that everything went well!!

I will keep my fingers crossed !

Editorial Team / Admin · Jun 19, 2018

Good job on the interview, and good luck to you!

nightlightnurseaide · Jun 19, 2018

Be professional, dress smart.
In all my interviews, I've never been asked why I wanted to be a CNA - usually I'm asked to tell the interviewer a little about myself instead. I will have a heavy focus on work ethic & skills in this part:
Do you have good time management skills?
Do you like to be punctual?
Do you work swiftly, accurately, and maintain patient safety while doing so? (don't worry that you've not had much pt experience - you did have clinicals though, so that counts!)
Are you compassionate and care for the wellbeing of your patients?
The CNA interviews I've found aren't really as challenging as say, one for nursing, but put effort into it anyway. Speak clearly and confidently and I think you'll be okay :)

Be professional dress smart

Yeah

If I was a DON I would hire someone that looked like he came from a hard days work. Maybe not smelling but sweating and a little frazzled looking shows me they are willing to work, but make sure they know you've been working so you don't seem crazy

Wiggly Litchi · Jun 19, 2018

Be professional dress smart
Yeah
If I was a DON I would hire someone that looked like he came from a hard days work. Maybe not smelling but sweating and a little frazzled looking shows me they are willing to work, but make sure they know you've been working so you don't seem crazy

I was a hiring manager and no way.

If someone can't make the minimum effort to at least shower or dress smart (only time I would let this slide is when the interviewee just came straight from another job - even then, I would expect them to look presentable) then it shows me that they are going to give me the minimum effort for the job.

Moe.CNA · Jun 19, 2018

I was a hiring manager and no way.
If someone can't make the minimum effort to at least shower or dress smart (only time I would let this slide is when the interviewee just came straight from another job - even then, I would expect them to look presentable) then it shows me that they are going to give me the minimum effort for the job.

Wiggly Litchi guess what happened to me when I went to the interview?! You know since I was going to be interviewed and I didn't have the right clothes for it, I only had the shirts so I had to buy the shoes and pants, so I got off my current job at 1:00pm and the interview was at 2:00pm and to get to the interview site was 20 minute drive so I had to rush everything so I can be ready and not get late for the interview. You know my pants were new and they have the brand and price tag on them! Since I was in so much hurry to get it done I forgot about the tag that was on the back of my pants! I went to the interview met people there and even took around in the facility and got back home and the tag was still on my pants! My sister in law pointed that out to me as soon as I got home and I was lol omg! I'm sure they noticed that but no one pointed it out to me maybe they just avoided embarrassing me :).

Wiggly Litchi · Jun 19, 2018

Haha that's actually adorable as heck; If the people interviewing you saw that, then they'd also note that you absolutely went out of your way to make sure you looked decent.