being a team member, etc.

[CTnewgrad826]

I am a new grad and on an interview a few weeks ago I was asked about how I am a member of a team/how I contribute to a team. I was also asked about how I was involved with the other members of my nursing class throughout school (beyond class/clinicals obviously). Just curious as to how you would answer these questions, especially the second one. Thanks!

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

I am a new grad and on an interview a few weeks ago I was asked about how I am a member of a team/how I contribute to a team. I was also asked about how I was involved with the other members of my nursing class throughout school (beyond class/clinicals obviously). Just curious as to how you would answer these questions, especially the second one. Thanks!

I was asked about working as part of a team when I interviewed for my current job. I started off by explaining that I take direction very well. I enjoy helping my coworkers. I may have also then explained that my natural tendency is to help others including take the lead if I need to. I told them that I can work in any position on a team, as leader or follower.

I've never been asked about my nursing school friends/ activities. If I were, I'd probably explain that I had a close knit clinical group. We always helped each other with difficult tasks, such as repositioning a pt with a tracheostomy or assisting with messy bowel movements. Everyone had different strengths and we learned from eachother. I'd probably give examples of how I taught others how to insert. Foley since I was first to do this. But also, I learned more about wound care from another gal who was used to helping with wound care as a CNA. If try to focus on the camaraderie during clinicals.

If the interviewer were truly asking me about off campus activity, I'd focus on explaining the benefits of our group study sessions. Perhaps Id mention the volunteer activities we did together outside of school such as our non profit volunteer work. I wouldn't tell them about my social activities. However, I do socialize with my friends from school still. But what we do is our business.

Hope this makes sense.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Questions about your personal life, including any friendships with fellow students - are completely off-base. It is illegal to ask you any questions that are not directly related to BOQ (bona-fide occupational qualifications). However, if you first "volunteer" information, the interviewer can pursue that line of questioning because you have opened the door. Bottom line - don't open the door.

If you are asked personal questions, you can politely reply "I prefer not to answer personal questions" or if they don't take the hint -- "Is this relevant to job qualifications?"

[CTnewgrad826]

Thank you for the responses! I mentioned about clinical groups as well as study groups/our schools SNA to cover a little of everything. Not sure if those are considered "personal" or not but I guess if asked again I would focus on just clinicals unless they asked more.