Interview tomorrow - Need tips!

jcabrera7195 · Mar 24, 2011

If you were social enough-like me- and met someone (opened a door) while you were doing your clinicals, they should recognize you and may want to offer/give you the job. Now, don't be shy and be yourself. This is the job you want and therefore, prepare yourself with plenty of time to answer and look at the recruiter directly on the eyes. Be cool, smile and make yourself be liked. Make a little joke or share a funny experience. Dress formal and do what I do: think of yourself as if you own the place. I hope it helps you and I wish you the very best. You worked hard for your career and you're now just one step away.

BrookeeLou_RN · Mar 24, 2011

Do not talk about NO experience.. talk about what you have to offer, willing to learn, good worker, life experiences with time management.. that kind of thing....You need to sell yourself, of course they n=know you are new..you did just train there! But tell them what they do not know about you ( and only good stuff, LOL)

Relax and you will do great. Remember to post afterwards so we can see how you do.

cieloarge · Mar 24, 2011

Thank you for replaying! :) I am taking notes as a type!

jcabrera7195 · Mar 24, 2011

I had forgotten to mention about the 'no experience' thing. Experience is knowledge gained through time in a specific field. If you don't have experience on your field yet, don't worry, you will get it wherever you start, am I correct? If they like you, they would love for you to start acquiring 'that' experience at their company. If not, there many places out there where would love to have you start your new career.

missladyrn · Mar 24, 2011

You can do this! When they ask about yourself, you tell them your strong points. You are a hardworker, dependable, punctual. You are willing to learn and a hard worker.Make sure you research the hospital. Know their goal statement or motto, know any awards they have earned. Read the whole webpage. Smile and be friendly even though you will be nervous. Be honest. When they ask you your biggest weakness (they will) , turn in into a positive. Google this question and read up on it. When they ask why they should hire you, have your answer ready. (I am a hard worker, I want to learn, I am really interested in this position, I am dependable, love to learn, team player).

Just be friendly. If they like you , you are in! Be confident, you worked hard in clinicals and you do want to do a good job. You want to learn. Forget the no experience, that just means they can train and mold you the way they want you. If they ask about it, tell them you are open to learn THEIR way and have no bad habits from other places.

Knock em dead! Bring a copy of your resume, and a copy of a list of references with contact numbers. :)

vampiregirl, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2011

As a nurse who supervises CNA's, I can tell you my basic expectations are to keep my residents safe, clean and well positioned (if they can't position themselves). I also want them to be able to prioritize care, be detail oriented, and use common sense. Good communication with the residents, other CNA's, with the nurses and other departments is also essential - we are all here for the same reason, to provide care to the residents we serve. Even though there are huge differences between working with children and other age groups (I'm not sure what setting you are interviewing for), many of the same characteristics that make a good parent can be applied to caring for residents. Punctuality, honesty and genuineness are some of the important personality characteristics that I look for.

I have some wonderful, seasoned CNA's that I couldn't function without. I also have some brand new CNA's who I am so grateful to have. Do they make mistakes? Yes, and they learn from them. Are they a little slower than some of the more seasoned ones? Yes, but I'd rather have someone take a few more minutes and do the job right, than just rush through it. I have one new CNA who gets a little quicker everyday, but still does the same quality work. I love their enthusiasm and their willingness to learn. Every CNA was new once. Good luck.

purse · Mar 25, 2011

I worked at a grocery store since i was 16, and was promoted... and promoted blah blah. I applied for a pca job at a LTC facility, and blantely told them I had no experience. Although, I tried to relate my other job to just basic things like "dealing with people", "stressful situations", etc etc. I also talked more for how I had a passion for working with elder residents, and talked about how I wanted to eventually be a nurse in a LTC facility...got me the job=)

purse · Mar 25, 2011

oh and also, they will prob ask you questions that would seemingly require a negative answer for example "what would you say your biggest flaw is?" turn it into a positve like "I have a problem not being able to finish things, i will stay all day until something is perfect."

droider · Mar 25, 2011

be relaxed and super polite! dress nice! haha