Tele interview Tomorrow. Need your help!

Mrs. SnowStormRN, RN · May 1, 2011

DRESS TO IMPRESS - a 1st impression is a lasting one. (You're a professional)

BE CONFIDENT

Think of your best attributes now, Ive been asked my strengths and weaknesses on every interview

Do some type of relaxation technique before you go, and eat a good breakfast (brush your teeth after breakfast)

And just be yourself

GOOD LUCK!!!

HealthyNurse · May 1, 2011

You should have some specific examples in mind regarding clinical experiences or real-life work experiences that you've had. For example, a time in which you had to work together with a team, how you contributed to the team, a situation in which you had a conflict with a supervisor, team member, customer/client/patient and how you dealt with it, time in which you cared for or had to work with someone with a different cultural background than your own and how you dealt with it. Make sure that you are able to highlight the skills and experiences you gained during school and think about how you can transfer them to the working environment. As a new grad, you won't be expected to have all the technical skills, but it is more important to demonstrate that you have the ability to learn and think critically about situations. Good luck!

thebodhitree · May 1, 2011

I was recently interviewed, and another question they asked is, tell me about a time you made a mistake at work or during clinicals, what did you do about it, and what did you learn from it. Also, tell me about a time when you had a difficult patient and how you handled it. Another good idea that really impressed the interviewer is to bring a copy of your clinical evaluations for each person who will be interviewing you. And always remember to send each person a thank you note within 24 hours, but you probably know that already. Good luck to you!

Idaho Murse · May 1, 2011

Thanks for the responses guys. Any little bit of information is helpful. :)

nurse.sandi · May 1, 2011

Know some information about the company who is interviewing you.

Nurse Mentor Nancy, MSN, RN, NP · May 1, 2011

I have interviewed at least a hundred would be nurses and want to be family practice residents and agree with all of the above posts. I would add the following:

1. Don't offer any critical info about yourself. I once had a candidate say that he had accidently killed someone when he was a EMT. Not a confidence builder!

2. Know how to answer the question: What are your greatest strengths and greatest weaknesses? When you talk about your weaknesses, say how you plan to overcome them.

3. If you do not know the answer to a clinical question, don't try to fake it. Say you are unsure. Then explain what you would do to find out the information. Employers don't expect you to know it all. They want to see if you know what you don't know and will take initiative to get the knowledge and develop the skills.

4. Always ask a question about your potential employer at the end of the interview. It shows interest.

Don't forget to smile even if it is on the phone. Do the interview in front of a mirror and smile. Your positivity will positively come through!

Turd Ferguson · May 1, 2011

Hold a pen and paper during the interview, pretend to take notes even if you're not- this keeps you from being too fidgety with your hands

JRP1120, RN · May 1, 2011

I have interviewed at least a hundred would be nurses and want to be family practice residents and agree with all of the above posts. I would add the following:
1. Don't offer any critical info about yourself. I once had a candidate say that he had accidently killed someone when he was a EMT. Not a confidence builder!
2. Know how to answer the question: What are your greatest strengths and greatest weaknesses? When you talk about your weaknesses, say how you plan to overcome them.
3. If you do not know the answer to a clinical question, don't try to fake it. Say you are unsure. Then explain what you would do to find out the information. Employers don't expect you to know it all. They want to see if you know what you don't know and will take initiative to get the knowledge and develop the skills.
4. Always ask a question about your potential employer at the end of the interview. It shows interest.
Don't forget to smile even if it is on the phone. Do the interview in front of a mirror and smile. Your positivity will positively come through!

Thank you for this! I will also be graduating this month and have 3 interviews (on the same day) at a large teaching hospital that I currently work in (as a PCT). My question is, how do I get over the nerves that make me unsure of myself and make me sound like I'm babbling? I have been reading interviewing suggestions on here and have begun to jot down past experiences that will assist me in remembering events when I'm asked the behavioral questions. Practicing in front of a mirror is okay but I know me and when I'm sitting before the 3 or so nurse managers, I'm afraid I'm going to crumble. I'm terrified! Also, I know I will be dressing professionally for the interviews but is there such a thing as too much? Should I invest in a nice black or navy pants suit/skirt with jacket or is dress slacks, blouse and nice shoes the way to go? I want to look very professional; I just need the confidence to go with it. I'm interested in any advice you can share.

Turd Ferguson · May 2, 2011

Thank you for this! I will also be graduating this month and have 3 interviews (on the same day) at a large teaching hospital that I currently work in (as a PCT). My question is, how do I get over the nerves that make me unsure of myself and make me sound like I'm babbling? I have been reading interviewing suggestions on here and have begun to jot down past experiences that will assist me in remembering events when I'm asked the behavioral questions. Practicing in front of a mirror is okay but I know me and when I'm sitting before the 3 or so nurse managers, I'm afraid I'm going to crumble. I'm terrified! Also, I know I will be dressing professionally for the interviews but is there such a thing as too much? Should I invest in a nice black or navy pants suit/skirt with jacket or is dress slacks, blouse and nice shoes the way to go? I want to look very professional; I just need the confidence to go with it. I'm interested in any advice you can share.

I wore a suit and tie (all charcoal/black/white) to my interview with HR as well as the nurse manager, both were extremely impressed that I took the effort to dress so professionally (both said they rarely see anybody dress in true professional attire any more).

As far as getting over the jitters- practice makes perfect! Get plenty of nursing interview questions together (you can get plenty from this website, plenty from other websites) and have your friends and family interview you. Take it seriously- dress up, sit across a desk from them, answer like you would in a real interview. You can even have a "panel" of 3-4 of them drill you with the hardest questions you can find. The goal is that you'll become so comfortable interviewing that the interview itself will be just like you've been doing.

Nurse Mentor Nancy, MSN, RN, NP · May 2, 2011

1. i like a suit myself. skirt or pants does not matter. make it neutral. you can't go wrong with navy or black. be conservative with shoes, makeup, jewelry and fingernail length and color.

2. practice is a good idea as long as the people you pick to help you can give you constructive feedback.

3. make sure you take the role of interviewer so you can see what it is like to be one the other side. ask yourself what you want to hear and see.

4. list what you want out of a job. good management? certain hours or benefits? a specialty? a supportive preceptor and a long enough orientation? during the interview you want to see if this is the right job for you as much as they are trying to find out if you are the right person for the position. go after what you want. don't settle.

5. i have heard other people suggest that when they are nervous about performing, they imagine the people in their underwear. that has never worked for me.

what has is something called rational emotive behavior therapy. not to worry, i'm not suggesting you go into therapy. this is something you can do at home by yourself. i have since 1975 when i read the book, a guide to rational living by albert ellis and robert harper. that book is available used on amazon.com for $5.00. this version may not be as easy to read as his more recent books. below is a list and where you can find them. (you will only need one so don't bother to buy all three. look at their table of contents, read some of their pages and pick one that you like the best.)

how to make yourself happy and remarkably less disturbable by albert ellis

available used on amazon.com for $5.00 including shipping

how to control your anxiety before it controls you by albert ellis available used on amazon.com for $10.00 including shipping.

here is a quick explanation of ellis' concept: you have control over your feelings by what you say to yourself.

i teach it to others this way. a + b = c

a = the situation b = what you say to yourself c = your feelings

so your situation is interviewing for your first nursing job.

your feeling is being terrified.

what you are telling yourself to create those feelings? then change those sentences to some that will change your feelings.

the more you do this, the easier it gets. best to you as you become the best nurse you can be.

567 SeaOtter · May 2, 2011

When you describe a mistake you made & what you learned from it (on an interview) is a med error appropriate or would you be shooting yourself in the foot?