New Grad interview: Tell me about yourself - What do I say?

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Apr 9, 2015

Talk about you. Not your accomplishments that give you pieces of paper, you.

"I worked part time while going to nursing school, and it assisted me in time management"

"I found myself drawn to my nurse ethics courses, and am proud of a paper I wrote regarding__________"

"In my clinical rotations, I really was invested in the whole patient approach to nursing. I did what I could to learn and grow by observing and participating in many clinical skills"

"I am enthusiastic, optimistic, and invested in being part of the team"

"I am a good critical thinker"

Know the mission statement of the facility in which you are applying. Know evidence based practice, and example it with a paper you are proud of.

Be willing to highlight being a team player. Learning all you can for patient outcome.

If you volunteer, are part of a group whatever personal stuff you want to add, do so.

Best wishes!

Red Kryptonite · Apr 9, 2015

Jade gave good suggestions, but I see this question as, "Who are you besides your job?"

Do you play an instrument? What are your hobbies? Where would you travel given the chance?

My own answers: I'm a runner, no marathons, I stay in the 5-10K distance range. I love to cook and to try the foods of other cultures. I read medieval and renaissance English history. I love old churches and would especially like to travel to London, eastern Europe, and Australia someday.

Things like that. People with no identity and outlet aside from work burn out quickly, and managers know that.

Don't talk about anything legally off limits for them to ask about, like religion, marital or family status, etc.

Good luck. Job interviews suck!

llg, PhD, RN · Apr 9, 2015

I take such questions as an opportunity to say anything I want them to know about me -- including the things they want to ask but can't because it is illegal if those things are to my benefit. It may be illegal for them to ask certain questions, but it is not illegal for me to volunteer that information if it is going to help my case.

I also tell them why I am interested in their job and emphasize what a good fit it would be for me and my career goals ... that I am excited to have this opportunity to be considered for the job, etc. I tell them a little about my professional career path to date, my professional likes/dislikes, etc. in an effort to reinforce what a good fit I am for their job.

Finally, I try to be pleasant -- show that I am a happy person with a stable, happy personal life -- in other words, a person who will be pleasant to work with and not bring a lot of troubles or whining to work.

Farawyn · Apr 9, 2015

I always ask, professionally or personally? And start from there. Well, I've been a nurse for 22 years, I've done this that and the other but my real passion and what I keep coming back to again and again is Occupational Health and Med/Surg, yes I love bedside nursing and I am certified bla bla...personally I...bla bla bla

Farawyn · Apr 9, 2015

Jade gave good suggestions, but I see this question as, "Who are you besides your job?"
Do you play an instrument? What are your hobbies? Where would you travel given the chance?
My own answers: I'm a runner, no marathons, I stay in the 5-10K distance range. I love to cook and to try the foods of other cultures. I read medieval and renaissance English history. I love old churches and would especially like to travel to London, eastern Europe, and Australia someday.
Things like that. People with no identity and outlet aside from work burn out quickly, and managers know that.
Don't talk about anything legally off limits for them to ask about, like religion, marital or family status, etc.
Good luck. Job interviews suck!

I always bring up my family. It's such a big part not to bring up. But if they see I've always worked consistently I don't think at my age it is an issue.

Should I not do that?

proud nurse, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2015

It may be illegal for them to ask certain questions, but it is not illegal for me to volunteer that information if it is going to help my case.

I agree. I interviewed recently, and shared some personal information. I definitely think it helped give a better picture of the type of person I am.

singwithme123 · Apr 9, 2015

I would caution you against sharing some of the personal information mentioned above. (I am a former nurse recruiter for a large health system, and I taught classes in several area nursing programs about how to go about getting that first RN job.) Employers are not allowed to ask you personal questions, such as age, marital status, where you live, where you are from, etc... They are also not allowed to make hiring decisions based on that personal information.

The purpose of a job interview is for the potential employer to learn more about your qualifications for the job being discussed, and for you to learn about the employer and the position so that all parties involved can determine if you are a good fit for the opening. Any discussions during the interview should center around these things - The company, the position, and your qualifications.

Your "tell me about yourself" response should go something like this: "I decided to get into nursing when I was 8 years old because I knew that I wanted to be able to take care of others. I worked as a junior volunteer at a local hospital during high school, then I was really excited to be accepted into XYZ Nursing Program. I worked my tail off to get good grades and learn as much as I could while I was there. I have participated in the NSNA during school, and I am so proud to have graduate with a good GPA though it was really tough. I have gained as much healthcare experience as I could through my clinical experiences, obtaining my CNA certification and working in a nursing home on the weekends, and volunteering at flu shot clinics each year. During nursing school, I realized that had a particular interest in cardiac nursing, and this is why I applied for the position on your unit. I am really excited to be given the opportunity to be considered for this position!"

Don't drone on and on and on for 15 minutes, telling every detail of your life. That is NOT what they are asking for. Make it fairly short and concise, concentrate on why you applied for the position and why you are qualified, and show enthusiasm for the position and the facility. I have been a hiring manager before, and I never cared about an applicant's hobbies, etc...

SmilingBluEyes · Apr 9, 2015

I would also add, that you do your homework. Understand the company/corporation you are seeking to work with. Understand a bit about the position and have answers as to how your being there is of benefit and will positively affect the bottom line.

That was how I broke into dialysis with no experience. I learned the different modalities, the company core values and what was expected of an incenter dialysis nurse and told the interviewer how I might be able to contribute positively to the unit and its goals.

I also gave them a vision of what I wanted to be doing/have accomplished in the next 5 or 10 years (go back and get an advanced degree or become an educator). They like not only to know what you have done/to offer but what you plan to do, how you plan to advance yourself in the years to come. It shows you have drive, ambition and vision.

llg, PhD, RN · Apr 9, 2015

Employers are not allowed to ask you personal questions, such as age, marital status, where you live, where you are from, etc... They are also not allowed to make hiring decisions based on that personal information.

That doesn't mean they don't do it -- at least sub-consciously. If a candidate can assure them that they can be flexible in their schedule (i.e. because of no competing commitments such as family needs or school schedule conflicts) ... it's to the candidate's advantage to highlight that fact in the interview. Another example is for an out-of-town candidate to bring up the fact that she has close family members living in the area, indicating a desire to stay in the area long-term.

The candidate who recognizes what attractive features they have to offer an employer and highlights them in the interview is most likely to be a successful candidate. If there are some aspects of your personal life that would be attractive to the employer, use them.

Career Columnist / Author · Apr 10, 2015

"Tell Us About Yourself"

Yes! This interview question does cause anxiety. :unsure: Probably because you know there's so much riding on your interview and this simple question. ...and you're right, there is! You have just a few minutes to make an impression and set yourself apart.

Here's how to decrease your anxiety. By being prepared. Develop and reheorifice your talking points, but deliver them without sounding reheorificed.

Also understand that You Are Special- they are not looking for Summa Cum Laude; they are looking for a Good Fit for their nursing unit. (Trust me, I'm a Nurse Interviewer for my hospital's Versant Residency Program ).

Think about yourself and your unique qualities. Next think about what they are looking for in a new nurse. Now, match the two and speak to the good fit that you are.

Some hospitals with high turnover are looking for loyalty, for instance. In that case, you will highlight your loyalty, preferably in story form.

Try the "Present/Past/Future" structure to help organize your thoughts. Here's an example:

Present: "I just passed my NCLEX and I love writing "RN, BSN" after my name! I had to work really hard in school, but I discovered a determination within me I didn't know I had! My family is so proud and that means so much to me" (reason: says you are goal oriented, speaks to family values, and conveys genuineness).

Past: " I've wanted to be a nurse: (fill in the blank: ever since I helped take care of Grandma...or... as far back as I can remember...or...since the night my little sister fractured her arm jumping off the bunk beds). After high school, I waitressed part-time while completing my nursing pre-reqs, and I got really good at multi-tasking!

I had to constantly prioritize- whether to bring the ketchup to Table A, or appease the unhappy customer at Table B, or spend a little extra time talking with Leona, my repeat elderly female customer at Table C who came in every Wednesday and seemed lonely. She always asked for a booth in my station." (reason: shows customer service (very important to hospitals right now), compassion, and prioritization skills)

Future: "What I really want to tell you about myself is...I see myself here at Happy Hospital because when I did my Clinical Rotation on 4S I noticed the teamwork and sensed the supportive atmosphere. I want an environment where I can grow professionally. And one more thing- I want to play in the Volleyball Play Offs you have every spring!" (reason: shows values alignment, work life balance, fun personality)

The new grad who prepares and nails the interview- lands the job! Good luck- you got this! :)

proud nurse, BSN, RN · Apr 10, 2015

The new grad who prepares and nails the interview- lands the job! Good luck- you got this! :)

I enjoyed reading your post, hawkesbe. I agree about coming prepared. BTW, I love your avatar. How can you not love Yetta?!!

OP, it helps to review the company's core values/mission statement. If they have a website, this can be checked easily. Try to tie your own values in with theirs if they are similar.