how to nail the interview?

nursefromcali · Nov 30, 2014

Hi I can't send PM to you. Idk why. Btw. How's your job hunting? I hope you'll find a job soon. Try to apply as walk in. Let someone critique your resume. And try to make cover letter for your application directly to the hiring manager. Regarding to your question, I apply to the medical center before as staff lvn but the day of my interview they ask me if I want to be interview as lead lvn. I accepted it and gave my best shot in the interview. So currently, I working as lead lvm now, supervising LVNs and MAs in a out patient dept. Before I got this position I work for public health department under county job for 5 months. So basically I got the LVN job for 5 months of staff lvn experience. Leadership skills before? Nope like I said I work as staff lvn under the county. So maybe I got the job maybe because how I answer their question during interview. To answer you question about what I look for MAs and LVNs, basically during the interview I choose the best applicant by answering the questions very straightforward and educated answer. In terms of how they work in other employee and how's their attitude towards to their coworkers. If you know your job description very well and have a pleasing personality. Know your working place history by getting its mission and vision. And always smile and dress for success for your interview day. Hope I can help you to my tips :)

RunBabyRN · Nov 30, 2014

Is this for nursing school? These interviews seem to vary widely. I interviewed for CSULB, and they asked us our career plans, but most of the interview was more about working together with the other interviewees, and how our teamwork skills were, communication skills, etc.

Regardless of what you're interviewing for, always appear friendly, interested and professional. Be enthusiastic, but not artificially so. Be able to answer the question, "Tell me about yourself." Don't get into your parents' divorce when you were 8 or the dog you had growing up. Go into growing up in town X and seeing nurses when you were in the hospital for reason X and thinking they had such an amazing job or were so cool or whatever your story is. Think about the things that made you want to get into nursing and why you are at this interview, what has taken you down this road, why you'll be the best nurse ever.

Be appealing to be around. Be friendly, listen intently, don't interrupt, speak openly and project your voice (don't over exaggerate, but don't be super quiet, either), show interest in what's going on, what other people have to say, in the unit/nursing program, etc.

ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN · Nov 30, 2014

You sell your personality! Let the interviewers know who you are. In the past, I have cracked tasteful jokes to allow my personality to shine. That has yet to fail me. Sure, you can study all of the technical knowledge and typical behavioral questions- but in the end, you must ask yourself, “What can I do to stand out from the others?”

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2014

You sell your personality!

But what about those of us who have dry personalities? I'm not particularly charming and I don't have a sense of humor. I have a restricted affect. Therefore, no interviewer would 'buy' my real personality even if I was selling it on clearance.

With the type of personality that I have, I am forced to put on the show, be a social imitator, and erect a persona that I think the interviewer will like.

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · Nov 30, 2014

Hi I can't send PM to you. Idk why. Btw. How's your job hunting? I hope you'll find a job soon. Try to apply as walk in. Let someone critique your resume. And try to make cover letter for your application directly to the hiring manager. Regarding to your question, I apply to the medical center before as staff lvn but the day of my interview they ask me if I want to be interview as lead lvn. I accepted it and gave my best shot in the interview. So currently, I working as lead lvm now, supervising LVNs and MAs in a out patient dept. Before I got this position I work for public health department under county job for 5 months. So basically I got the LVN job for 5 months of staff lvn experience. Leadership skills before? Nope like I said I work as staff lvn under the county. So maybe I got the job maybe because how I answer their question during interview. To answer you question about what I look for MAs and LVNs, basically during the interview I choose the best applicant by answering the questions very straightforward and educated answer. In terms of how they work in other employee and how's their attitude towards to their coworkers. If you know your job description very well and have a pleasing personality. Know your working place history by getting its mission and vision. And always smile and dress for success for your interview day. Hope I can help you to my tips :)

Thank you for sharing your job hunting tips and experience. I will be starting a LVN program in January and I love reading about other potential LVN jobs. I currently have 6 years stable CNA experience in Psych and working toward applying for a volunteer hospital job at one of the clinical sites I will be attending in the LVN program.

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · Nov 30, 2014

Is this for nursing school? These interviews seem to vary widely. I interviewed for CSULB, and they asked us our career plans, but most of the interview was more about working together with the other interviewees, and how our teamwork skills were, communication skills, etc.
Regardless of what you're interviewing for, always appear friendly, interested and professional. Be enthusiastic, but not artificially so. Be able to answer the question, "Tell me about yourself." Don't get into your parents' divorce when you were 8 or the dog you had growing up. Go into growing up in town X and seeing nurses when you were in the hospital for reason X and thinking they had such an amazing job or were so cool or whatever your story is. Think about the things that made you want to get into nursing and why you are at this interview, what has taken you down this road, why you'll be the best nurse ever.
Be appealing to be around. Be friendly, listen intently, don't interrupt, speak openly and project your voice (don't over exaggerate, but don't be super quiet, either), show interest in what's going on, what other people have to say, in the unit/nursing program, etc.

Yes, it was for a LVN program. I just found out this past Monday I was accepted into the program. I start Jan 26.

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · Nov 30, 2014

You sell your personality! Let the interviewers know who you are. In the past, I have cracked tasteful jokes to allow my personality to shine. That has yet to fail me. Sure, you can study all of the technical knowledge and typical behavioral questions- but in the end, you must ask yourself, “What can I do to stand out from the others?”

Thanks. Yes, that is exactly how I presented myself during the LVN program interview. I was accepted into the program. I am excited to finally start climbing the ladder to becoming a nurse. :)

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · Nov 30, 2014

But what about those of us who have dry personalities? I'm not particularly charming and I don't have a sense of humor. I have a restricted affect. Therefore, no interviewer would 'buy' my real personality even if I was selling it on clearance.
With the type of personality that I have, I am forced to put on the show, be a social imitator, and erect a persona that I think the interviewer will like.

I am a shy-outgoing kind of person myself and I used the "fake it till you make approach" I answered the each interview question with confidence even though I was SUPER NERVOUS.

ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN · Nov 30, 2014

Commuter-

That is difficult to believe coming from you. I have read your posts! I would buy your personality at full price! I suppose I should be clearer. Sense of humor is only a small part of one’s personality. For example, I am passionate about being a patient advocate. It would come across if we were to discuss patient safety topics/patient advocacy topics. I love to learn- hence continuing to work towards a doctorate degree. I have a partner of 14 years and five rescue pugs. I spend many week-ends transporting rescue dogs across state lines.

Make a list of your best attributes. Sell those. I would be easy and natural since you believe they are your best ones. I tend to always tie the answers to the interview questions to me. In other words, tell me a time when you went above and beyond to please a patient. After providing a time I did that, I would also include something like- I am a promoter of providing excellent patient care and service. In a competing global market, we compete through the experience we provide the patient/customer. I make it a point to go above and beyond for all of my patients, not just one. Does this make sense? I hope I am being clearer about this.

I am happy to practice if anyone wishes.

But what about those of us who have dry personalities? I'm not particularly charming and I don't have a sense of humor. I have a restricted affect. Therefore, no interviewer would 'buy' my real personality even if I was selling it on clearance.
With the type of personality that I have, I am forced to put on the show, be a social imitator, and erect a persona that I think the interviewer will like.

ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN · Nov 30, 2014

CONGRATS! For some reason I though it was a job interview! I am excited for you!

Thanks. Yes, that is exactly how I presented myself during the LVN program interview. I was accepted into the program. I am excited to finally start climbing the ladder to becoming a nurse. :)

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · Nov 30, 2014

Thank you ParkerBC. It takes not giving up and being optimistic through it all :)