Phone interview

[Running-rn]

Has anyone had any good experiences interviewing over the phone? Were you aware the interviewer was going to call? What questions/responses were asked/given? I'm so much more of a fan of in person interviews that don't involve me developing Macy gray voice!!

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

I have done two phone interviews. The first, the nurse recruiter called to set up a time to do the phone interview. The second, the recruiter emailed me available days and times that the nursing manager had available. Once I set up a time, the manager called at the arranged time and did the interview.

Phone interviews are the first step. Once you make it to the second round, you have a face to face with either the NCM or peer-peer interview with staff nurses.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

I agree with Don; in my experience, phone interviews are the first step to the in person interviews; most were approach via email to set up a time, then the interview conducted on an agreed upon time.

[kiszi, RN]

I had a phone interview recently and it wasn't bad. She called me at a previously agreed upon time and asked the usual questions. It felt a little less formal and less nerve-racking than usual. All I had to worry about was my voice! It's nice not to have to focus on body language and fidgeting, etc. I guess it went ok because I have an in-person meeting next week!

Phone interviews seem to be getting more common these days with more people relocating or commuting long distances for work.

P.S. this may sound silly, but I don't always project well over the phone, so I recorded myself answering pretend questions before my interview to make sure I sounded coherent. Worked for me!

[wanderlustnurse88, RN]

For my first nursing job, I had only a phone interview as the hospital was 8 hours away. It was nice because I prepared by making notes about the hospital, my strengths and weaknesses, questions for them etc. I was able to have them in front of me in case I drew a blank on a question so I could quickly glance at my notes. I ended in getting the position. I wouldn't read off of them, as it might come off sounding reheorificed, but it was nice to have as a back up.

[mariebailey, MSN, RN]

Phone interviews are really just in-person interviews without body language as far as interview questions go. I have done many interviews for which I was offered a 2nd, in-person interview as a final candidate. The commonality: I did all of them in my underwear. During 1 interview, my cat came into the room, jumped up next to me, & meowed loudly into the phone. The interviewer said, "Was that a cat?" My cat was not offered a 2nd interview, but I was! I turned it down b/c salary was too low. My response is probably not helpful, but I enjoyed reminiscing. Good luck!!!

[kiszi, RN]

My cat was not offered a 2nd interview, but I was!

Hahaha *snort* Too funny! Also the bit about interviewing in your underwear. I read once that you should dress nice for a phone interview so you feel the part, but I say the heck with that! Wear what's comfortable and makes you feel like yourself.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

My cat was not offered a 2nd interview, but I was!

It would have sucked if your cat was offered a 2nd interview, but you weren't