Horrible Interview :((

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I had an interview today and I totally choked. I am a new graduate nurse with no experience. I have been applying everywhere and I really want this job. I thought I was prepared but I guess not. Any tips on how to do better with future interviews? Some of the questions were: 1. Tell us a little about yourself. 2. Why did you decide to go into nursing? 3. Why do you want to work at X hospital? 4. What are your strengths? /weaknesses? 5. How do you deal with stressful situations? 6. How do you deal with conflict with coworkers? 7. and some situational/behavioral questions.

This is my third interview and still now job. I am definitely doing something wrong. Please HELP. I need some pointers on nailing my next interview. Thanks so much. I guess my nerves are having the best of me.

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I am still thinking about this interview. One of the managers said they had many more applicants to interview, and I should hear something in a couple of weeks if I am selected. WOW!!! I don't know what to think. It was at a psych hospital.

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Those are pretty standard interview questions. Write down your answers to the questions and read them out loud. Practice, practice, practice. Have a friend or family member do a mock interview with your or even practice in front of a mirror. The best way to have a great interview is to sound confident in your responses so preparing yourself with answers to those kinds of questions will help you a lot. :)

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Specializes in Emergency Dept.

I agree with the above poster. I had a really bad interview too, and was scheduled for another one at a different hospital a few days later. I looked up common interview questions and had my husband ask them to me. It helped 1) practicing saying my answers out loud and 2) having his feedback on whether it was a good answer or not and what else I should add. After a few days of practicing (he even texted questions to me while he was at work and expected me to answer!), my next interview ROCKED and I got the job!

Interviewing is just like any other skill. The only way you'll get good at it is to practice practice practice. Good luck!! :)

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.
Those are pretty standard interview questions. Write down your answers to the questions and read them out loud. Practice, practice, practice. Have a friend or family member do a mock interview with your or even practice in front of a mirror. The best way to have a great interview is to sound confident in your responses so preparing yourself with answers to those kinds of questions will help you a lot. :)

Yes.

And Google "interview questions" and you'll see the rationale for those common questions and some suggested answers

And there's no such thing as a bad interview if you use the experience of the interview as practice to better prepare for the next one.

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Specializes in OB,HH.

I feel so bad for you new grads, this job market is brutal. Ive been looking and interviewing for about 5 months and this is not how it used to be- interviews used to be along the lines of "you have a license? when can you start?" now they do all this psychobabble and there are 400 applicants and it takes forever to hear anything... or worse nothing at all.

Hang in there honey, you'll get something. Act confident even if you dont feel that way! Dont forget how valuable you are, you're a Nurse!

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Awww thank you all so much for your responses. I feel better already. Yes, I need to practice practice practice. I know I didn't do that great on this interview but I hope future ones will be better. Thanks again.

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

Keeping my fingers crossed that you hear some good news!

Those are pretty much the standard interview questions. Research other questions and think of your answers to them ahead of time. ALWAYS research the hospital and know their mission statement. What about their accomplishments? Use that information to help answer the "why do you want to work here?" question. Don't just tell them because you need a job! Is the hospital on the list of the one of the top 100 hospitals in the U.S.? (or even better, the top 10?) Do they have Magnet status? Did you have clinicals there in the past (maybe say you had a clinical rotation on X unit and you were impressed with the team work and positive morale on the unit, and that you would love to work with a group of fantastic nurses that work on that unit!) Regarding strengths and weaknesses, have at least 3 of each prepared. Try to turn your weaknesses into a strength or show how you are working on your weaknesses. For example, maybe one of your weaknesses is you don't have much experience. Turn that into a strength by stating you can gain that experience with this position or talk about attending educational seminars, etc. Don't tell your potential employer that you have no weaknesses, that's a big no-no.

Regarding conflict with coworkers...I have never really experienced a "conflict" per se, but I have experienced internal conflict. There might be something about a coworker that I do not agree with...even if they are doing their job correctly and safely, I still have that "internal conflict." I told the interviewer that I still maintain my professionalism - I don't treat the coworker any differently from other other coworkers, don't talk back to them or belittle them, try to offer them help, etc.

Situational/behavioral scenarios can be tricky...just go with your gut and try your best. A lot of my questions were based on dealing with mean doctors/patients/visitors. Again, maintain your professionalism...apologize for any delays, try to find out information and get back to them as best as you can. Don't talk back to them. And as always, if you're not sure of the answer, seek out help from other coworkers, the charge nurse, consult policies/procedures or consult your immediate supervisor.

Hope this helps some. Good luck! :redbeathe

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Melo....amazing advice. Thanks a bunch.

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