What should I bring to the interview?

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I got a call today to interview for a novice nurse program. It's only 2 days away! The nurse recruit said within 5 days they received 120 applicants for 30 open spots. She said 3 people will be interviewed each time and to "bring something that will help you stand out". What should I bring?

The only thing I can think of is a copy of my resume to give out. Anything else???

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Specializes in Medsurg, Public Hlth, School Nurse, Acute Rehab.

Wow, this is hard. What do they expect you to bring? I brought my resume with me but they never asked to see it. I honestly don't know. I wasn't told to bring anything. Maybe you can bring recommendation letters if you have a copy of them, some awards from nursing school if you got any. A list of goals you wish to accomplish as a new grad while at the facility during your first year. A list of long term goals for the next 3-5 years. Candy for the interviewers perhaps? Hahaha. I don't know.

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

I brought extra copies of my resume as well as my last performance evaluation from my previous job and a list of references, typed out. You could bring any letter of recommendations that you may have, too. They didn't ask me for anything even though I offered.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.

This is a second career for me, so I brought evals from my last professional job with pertinent, transferable skill phrases highlighted. When the opportunity to answer a version of the question, "What can you bring to the table?" came up, I said, "I can tell you myself, or I can let my previous supervisor tell you for me. Can I read you something from my last evaluation?"

If you don't have previous job evals available, you can go with what the PPs said. All good ideas, IMO.

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Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

I'd bring stapled packets of important information. Include your resume, cover letter, transcripts and copies of your license and certifications. Bring several of these, as you want to have one available for each person that you meet.

A helpful tip: put your picture on your resume. If they are interviewing so many people, it will be hard to remember the faces. If you provide a picture, they will more easily associate your professional qualifications with you personally. You will become a person rather than just another resume.

I think candy, chocolates, or cookies is a good idea too. Nobody dislikes candy! (Make sure you bring some sugar free in case you have a diabetic there!)

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