I have my first interview ever! Any advice?

Published

I'm not sure if I'm posting this in the right category - if not, I apologize in advance!

I'm an (almost) 17 year old pre-nursing student and after applying for 13 jobs at a local hospital varying from dietary assistant to PCA, I finally got an interview! :D The potential job is perfect for me and I feel it will really give me the experience I need.

I've never worked before, thus I've never been interviewed and do not know the proper etiquette for such. I definitely don't want to sabotage myself by getting anxious and stumbling over my words. My mother has been giving me tips and they've really been helping, which is why I was wondering if anyone here might have any good advice.

I do have a few questions:

1.) How can I make sure to keep my cool? I'm not the average teen in the sense that I do not use the word "like" as a placeholder, but I am afraid that when asked a question requiring thought, I might say "um" instead of calmly pausing to think.

2.) Is there any specific way I should compose myself? Correct posture is very important to me, but are there any unwritten rules on limb positioning (i.e. leg-crossing) during interviews?

3.) What should I be wearing? I'm considering a light pink ruffled blouse paired with a gray cardigan, a black pencil skirt, gray tweed heels (3.5 inches high), and a black clutch. Do the heels sound a bit too high? Since it's winter (and it's definitely snowy & cold here), should I opt for a nice pair of low-heeled boots instead? As for the clutch, should I bring a bigger bag? What kind of statement would a clutch make?

4.) When it comes to grooming, I plan on curling my hair; pinning some pieces back, and wearing very minimal make-up for a fresh look. Does this sound okay? Should I put my hair completely up?

I apologize if some of these things seem trivial; they would normally not concern me this much, but I truly want to make a good impression. Thanks so much in advance everyone!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Whoa, 3.5 inches is way too high, it will look like you want a job as a cocktail waitress. Keep it under 2 inches. No boots, if don't have dress shoes with lower heels go buy them now. I wouldn't wear anything with pink ruffles, it's not a "serious" look, it's too girlie. I'd get or borrow a suit if I were you, you can't go wrong with a suit. Sit back in the chair and try to look relaxes, cross you legs at the ankles NOT the knees. Get a bag that's big enough to hold an 8.5x11 folder (and your resume would be in the folder), don't go with a clutch (that looks like you're going bar-hopping, not to an interview). Keep your hair simple, a low ponytail or just a headband should be fine. Yes, keep the makeup to a minimum. Also keep jewelry to a minimum (you can't go wrong with a classic pearl necklace and stud earrings), don't wear your whole jewelry box or any religious jewelry. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SDU, Tele.

We're in the same spot lol. Just wanted to say congrats on getting the interview & I really hope you get the job you wanted. =)

I'm pretty nervous too as I've never had a real job. I'm working on my resume now so I will probably start applying in a few days. Practice common interview questions in front of the mirror or something! lol "Why do you want to work for this hospital?", "What are your weaknesses? Your strengths?", "What do you have to offer for the company?" and keep your career goals in mind and how you plan to come by them... I am hoping to grow within the same hospital, first as CNA, PCT and then RN...

I'll be lurking around to see if someone gives good advice that I could use too lol :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg.

Congratulations!!! Above advices are very good ones! my advice is to have a full stomach before the interview. Empty stomach can make you more nervous. Smile and a firm hand shake give them a good first impression. Most of all, be yourself. if you try to other than yourself, more than likely you will give them negative impressions. Good luck!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Whoa, 3.5 inches is way too high, it will look like you want a job as a cocktail waitress. Keep it under 2 inches. No boots, if don't have dress shoes with lower heels go buy them now. I wouldn't wear anything with pink ruffles, it's not a "serious" look, it's too girlie. I'd get or borrow a suit if I were you, you can't go wrong with a suit. Sit back in the chair and try to look relaxes, cross you legs at the ankles NOT the knees. Get a bag that's big enough to hold an 8.5x11 folder (and your resume would be in the folder), don't go with a clutch (that looks like you're going bar-hopping, not to an interview). Keep your hair simple, a low ponytail or just a headband should be fine. Yes, keep the makeup to a minimum. Also keep jewelry to a minimum (you can't go wrong with a classic pearl necklace and stud earrings), don't wear your whole jewelry box or any religious jewelry. Good luck!

I like these; you want to be professional in appearance but relevant to the position you are applying for...PCA's and dietary don't wear high-high heels.

Good luck! You seem to be a girl with a good head on her shoulders!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Awh, thanks so much everyone! I'm a bit less anxious now. :)

Good luck on eagles wings! I'm sure you'll find a great job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Tele Step Down, Oncology, ICU, Med/Surg.

Less focus on your look and more focus on prepping yourself with Positive self talk. Deep breathing/calming yourself as much as you can before you go in. I typed up some answers to standard questions and I reviewed them before going in. I also read over my letters of recommendation in the handout I prepared for everyone and it helped boost my self esteem.

Also Review some experiences you've had with complex patients so you can keep your answers brief, succinct and relevant. I had one situation where I gave too much detail on a scenario and could see the interviewers eyes glaze over and then my confidence failed and the whole interview went south from there.

Come up with some three sentence answers to those basic questions that keep coming up like "why nursing?" etc.

Go for a serious suit--and no heels. I wore my Dansko shoes with a tailored pant suit I picked up at Macy's on sale for only $68 (a steal cuz it was normally priced $200+) and I heard later that several nurses on the first panel that interviewed me noticed my shiny patent leather black shoes (well maintained but clearly slightly scuffed survivors of many long clinical hours).

Good luck--clearly you are excited about this and are being very thoughtful in your approach and therefore are already ahead of the game--go get them tiger!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I agree with the general tone of the advice above. To add:

Don't obsess over all the small details. That will make you more nervous and more likely to appear unnatural. For example: the ocassional "um..." or "like" won't kill you. It's only a problem if you do it frequent -- and you are unlikely to do it frequently if it is not a regular part of your speech. So, don't worry about it: don't panic if you catch yourself doing it once.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I typed up some answers to standard questions and I reviewed them before going in. I also read over my letters of recommendation in the handout I prepared for everyone and it helped boost my self esteem.

What a great idea! I'll definitely be needing a confidence boost! Lol.

Thanks again everyone! :) You've all been so helpful.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Definitely don't wear 3.5 inch heels! I would be stumbling over everything! You don't want to seem to clumsy. Try to wear a suit if you can, it looks more professional than a pencil skirt and a pink frilly shirt. As for the occasional "like" or "um" its okay here and there...and it's also okay to pause before answering a question. Get your thoughts together in your head before giving an answer. Even if they already have a resume on file for you, be sure to bring one anyways as well as references; so you'll need a bag big enough to carry them!

Also be sure to ask them questions! Do some research on the hospital and the position before you go on your interview, and have questions ready in your head. Questions such as what the perfect candidate looks like or if there is any room for growth in the position...stuff like that. Interviewers like to see that you are interested and know about the company you will be working for. Good luck!!

ps. a good firm handshake and eye contact is a good first impression !

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi! Good luck on your interview! Which position are you actually interviewing for? If they gave you an interview they are interested in you, so relax, take a deep breath, and think things through before you answer. You can reheorifice with your parents or friends some common questions. Be polite, look them in the eyes, open doors for them if you are taking a tour of the facilities. I think your outfit sounds cute. Don't go overboard on the ruffles. I personally like the skirt and heels but I wouldn't make them as high. Good luck again!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

good for you! i think my job at 17 was a barista at starbucks, so ata' girl!

while i agree with pretty much all the above posts, i would advise you to remember you are ONLY 17. granted, id save my 3.5" heels for clubbing. Do not pretend/lie/claim to have more training or knowledge than you do. You won't fool the interviewer. I would be honest, yet enthusiastic about it being your 1st job. def remind them (only if it is true) that you are pre/rn student who will be staying in the area (if this is true). an employer likes to know that they aren't hiring a 3month long part-timer. i would add that i am good at taking direction (aka follwing the rules when it comes to being told what to do, which being low on the pole, you will def be), very punctual (RNs hate being kept waiting, as do pretty much any other fellow employee) and once trained, a very independent worker.

and when it comes to the clothes, appearance, etc keep this in mind: in the hospital setting, a truly underqualified and bad interviewee will not get the job simply because they dressed "cute" or the part. On the same token, there have been plently of qualified applicants who ruined their chances with a crappy handshake, poor eye contact and general miserable demeanor.

i'm 23 (and a half! haha) and have only recently had my surplus of "big girl/permanent" job interviews. i can also add that doing a little research on the position duties would be super helpful so you dont ask any silly questions :-)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion