Interview Tips

[OncRN2015, DNP, APRN, NP]

New grad starting the job hunting search and wondering if you all have any tips for interviews for nurse practitioner positions. Also, I was wondering if you could share some experience with the hiring process as I have noticed that it seems to be a bit different than when I was a RN. For example, I have received 2 informal phone "interviews" from 2 different people within 1 network. I now have an appointment with 1 of the clinics where I will meet the physicians and medical directors and then they would like to take me to lunch. None of the phone calls nor the appointment next week feel like a formal interview, so I am wondering if there will be one? Also, I am kin to sending thank you letters after interviews, but honestly, I am a little lost as to who would be the best person to give these to. I plan to write a short thank you e-mail to those who had called and talked to me, but I am unclear who I should write a letter to in the clinic. Should I send an individual letter to each medical director/physician etc or a letter to the entire staff at the clinic? Any useful tips would be appreciated. Thanks!!

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

This has been my experience:

1. Phone interview with practice manager (in a private practice) or brief interview with HR (in a hospital)

2. Second interview with MD and NP (private practice) or other NPs that would be potential co-workers and supervisors (hospital)

3. Shadow experience (both private practice and hospital)

4. Formal offer and negotiation

[mangopeach]

I'm a new grad NP - I just went through a whirl wind series of interviews and phone calls. So glad all that's done!

So I had some varied experiences-

The job I eventually took- First contact was a phone interview - This was with the Community outreach program president

Then I was told to fill out an application online -then HR manager contacted me and had a 2nd phone mini interview -

Then they offered to fly me in for interview ( This is in another state)

Day of interview - I met with the MD in charge of the the out patient clinic, practice manager, HR manager and Community outreach program manager -All separately.

Total of a 3 hr interview

It was a pretty laid back interview though. It really was more about what the organization was about and seeing if I was going to be a good fit.

I sent everyone a thank you email after the interview.

They sent me an offer letter by email a week later.

On other interviews

Job#1 I interviewed with only the practice manager - that one disturbed me - but hey I'm a new grad so what do I know? I figured I should be meeting with an MD or NP as well. So I was turned off by that. I asked who would be my direct supervisor and she said me. I found it all Strange.

Job#2 Interviewed with HR manager and Medical Director - this was the job I almost said yes to. HR manager contacted me first. I had a phone interview with HR manager then 1 week later went in for in person interview. HR manager asked the usual Tell me about yourself, Greatest strengths, weaknesses, etc questions. Medical director asked me clinical questions - /diagnosis/meds. This was the only time I was ever asked those questions in an interview.

Job#3 Interviewed with a solo practitioner- I knew I was not going to take that position- He bad mouthed his current NP during our interview. Her contract was expiring and she did not want to renew. I wonder why? Anyway - we talked on the phone a few times before I went in for the actual in person interview. Our conversations were really friendly prior to me going in person. I was just really turned off about the way he spoke about his current NP.

As far as Thank you emails - I would send it to everyone you have been in contact with through out this process, including the people that interviewed you over the phone.

Good luck!