Interview for CNA position--no job experience, how can I seem condfident?

[JennNHD24]

i am interviewing for a CNA position (and to get trained through them so they know i have no nursing experience).

I have NEVER had a part time job though other than an internship with elementary school kids so I don't know what to say when they ask. I am 19 and a freshman in college. I didnt work through high school because i was more focused on my studies.

I plan on stressing that I care about the dignity and respect that older patients deserve, how I have wanted to be a nurse from hearing my mother's stories about it and visiting her at work, how I am precise and can overlook any type of unpleasant sights and smells that accompany maladies of residents in order to provide them with the best care.

What should I literally say when they ask "What would your last employer say about me?"

Should I say, "I've never had a job." or "I've never had a job but other people would tell me i am ...."

Any other tips? Like what kinds of questions they will ask? I am so nervous! I really want this job!

A good friend who has worked for the company knows me and has talked about me there, and she said the job is basically mine and they are waiting to post the job until they meet me. I dont want to mess this up!

Thanks in advance.

also should i bring a resume w/ no experience?

[IHeartPeds87]

Hi! Good luck with everything :)

First off, definitely bring a resume. Just because you haven't had work experience doesn't mean that you don't have skills you should be higlighting. Google "resume for first job" or "skills based resumes" as pointers about how to start this. You have things: you have a high school diploma, you have internship experience CAREGIVING (I would USE that word!) and you have your enthusiasm. I would play these up.

Talk about how you developed patience through working with children and being a caregiver for them. Patience is key in this field.

I would stress about how you are interested in nursing as a career choice and are confident that you can handle the "bodily fluids" so to speak because you were around your mother's work place. I would stress your enthusiasm because that speaks volumes: as a person interested in the field of nursing this isn't just a random minimum wage job to you; rather it is a stepping stone for your entire career.

You don't have job experience....so play up what you do have and hope for the best!

[rachmdav]

I completely agree with "Wanttobeanursesoon." You took the words right out of my head.

Good luck at the interview!

[NightOwlNurse]

My suggestion: 1- You clearly already know you will do well in this position. You have listed some reasons why. Write those down and then add to that list, drawing from the things that others have said to you about why THEY think the job and you are a good fit. People who know you may be able to give you some extra 'selling' ammo. 2-Pretend for a moment that you are the interviewer. What are you looking for? If a candidate does not have previous work experience, what kinds of things would you want to see from them in order to know they are The One? List those qualities. 3- Find points of overlap between items in list one and 2 and memorize them. During the interview, these are the points you want to find ways to be sure you communicate. Keep in mind that your interviewer wants you to be The One just as much as you want that: For you it means you got the job, for him or her, it means 'Oh thank goodness, that task is over and we found a great candidate'. 4- Cruise the web for general job interview tips. There are standard things that are done/asked in almost all entry level job interviews: Be ready for them. One of my first jobs was as an aide in a locked psych ward. I got the job because in the interview, my interviewer asked a few questions, and then just ... stopped. Didn't say a word. 10 minutes ticked by. I focused on not fidgeting, on keeping my breathing steady, on keeping a pleasant relaxed smile on my face, attentive but not demanding. That got me the job, because in that environment, requirement number one was the ability to handle stress. Found out later that its a well known technique for weeding out the nervous and pushy. Anyway, a quick web search can prepare you for common interview techniques and how to respond. 5- Don't flinch over what you may see as 'missing' bits. Almost every characteristic can be a plus or minus, depending on how it is viewed. Example: No previous work experience. Why is that good? Because the facility doesn't have to un-train bad habits taught elsewhere. Etc. Also, you actually DO have previous experience in pretty much every aspect of the job. They want people who will get the job done well and quickly, with a good customer service outcome. You have supervised kids and managed to get out without the parents lynching you - this means you have the ability to keep focused under pressure, to get the job done well and quickly, and to keep the customer happy along the way. Sounds good to me. Truly don't think you'll need it but: Good luck.