Phone Interview for ER residency...advice please!

halkogirl · May 12, 2011

I heard this advice once for doing a phone interview and it works great- sit in front of a mirror while you are doing the interview. That way you can make sure that you are smiling the whole time. It sounds silly, but if the look on your face is frumpy, your words may come out that way also. HTH!!

thebusynurse · May 12, 2011

There is tons of great advice on here, so I won't repeat what is readily available (via this site or google).

A quick tip that may help you is this:

Before your interview, scribble down little notes of key things you want to say - that way, if you get nervous on the phone, you won't forget because you can easily read from your notes to jog your memory... Remember: on the phone, they can't see you!

Also, smile! It is suppose to affect the tone of your voice. I think it is supposed to help you sound more positive.

Good luck!

2126 · May 12, 2011

I made a homework assignment for myself: I sat down before my interview and wrote down clear examples to every common question they could possibly ask. They want concise examples from your clinical experience. That way I didn't have to say...ummmm....well.....I just blurted them out and they saw I was prepared. I got through every phone interview that way. In fact, you'll start to get repeat questions. Also, have questions for the interviewer!!

Good luck!

amarilla, RN · May 12, 2011

Congrats!! There is good advice littered through AN, but here are a few thoughts from someone who has conducted phone interviews in my not-so-distant career past:

-make sure your phone is charged / plugged in

-please shut off, not just turn down, the television / radio / etc. It makes such a bad impression!

-try to minimize noise - barking dogs, cell phone ringtone in the background, so on. If you have kids or watch any, schedule the interview for a quiet time when you're alone.

-set up a comfortable space - at your desk, your kitchen table, etc - with your notes, decent light and quiet. Place phone nearby with ringer turned UP!

-make your notes, as others have mentioned, of your relevant experiences, things you want to mention, etc. As stated, it prevents awkward stammering

-the advice about smiling when you talk is right on! It works - try it!

-breathe, talk, breathe. If you find yourself talking really fast, finish your point and take a sip of water. You'll recover faster and be able to move on to the next point.

-don't smoke while on the phone. People believe the other person can't hear the inhale/exhale, and you absolutely can!

Last thought: relax. Try to 'see' the other person sitting across from you while you're talking. This is like any other conversation and you'll be just fine! Good luck!

flyingchange · May 12, 2011

One of the toughest questions I got asked for my ER externship was for an example from clinicals where I made a mistake that affected a patient. They then wanted to know what I did about it, who I told, how I followed up, etc. It was a really "on the spot" question and IMO way harder than "what's your biggest weakness".

I ended up answering with a time I left a half-tab of Lasix at the bedside that the family promised to give once they were done with Grandma (they didn't). The interviewers wanted to see that I acted ethically and with accountability for my mistake and that I learned from it.

Agree w/PP that the best thing you can do is sit down and write out some of your best clinical experiences so that they are freshly in your mind when you are casting for an example.

Oh, another question was what nursing skill that I needed to develop the most. I answered with Assessment, because, in my mind, that's a lifelong skill and the ED is a great place to see all kinds of presentations and do all kinds of assessments within a short time.

Good luck!

MECO28, BSN, RN · May 12, 2011

Thank you so much for all of your helpful replies! I like the mirror idea and I will definately spend some time writing out some notes in case I get nervous and tongue-tied. And I will be holding my good-luck charm in my hand the whole time! Can't hurt!