Prepare for Interview

Your nursing education prepared you for all types of clinical situations. And hiring prospects for a new nurse are very, very promising. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for nurses is expected to grow 6% a year through 2032—faster than the average for most other occupations.

But getting your dream assignment isn’t a guarantee. Even with the ongoing nursing shortage, employers want to select the best possible candidate for every position. You will have to pay attention to every detail of the application process to be invited to interview, even before being considered as a potential team member.

How much do you know about getting the job you want?  Are you ready to impress employers, get hired, and launch your career?  If so, read on.

Before you begin filling out applications

There is much, much more to getting a position as a nurse than with other jobs. You’ll need to show that you can demonstrate your ability to provide outstanding patient care with integrity and diligence, even as a new nurse.

1. 1

   Start your Nursing Portfolio.

   Your Nursing Portfolio is proof of your professional development throughout your career. It demonstrates your attention to detail and commitment to continue learning.

   Even before your first position, you already have documents to include and show to potential employers during interviews:

   • Personal information (name, address, proof of citizenship, etc.)
   • Immunization record
   • Proof of current BLS/ACLS with expiration dates
   • Proof of licensure
   • Transcripts, diploma, graduation awards or recognition
   • Committees, projects, leadership roles from school
   • Letters of recommendation from professors or instructors
   • Volunteer work, both personal and professional
   • Statement of your personal goals and mission in nursing
2. 2

   Develop a professional resume and cover letter.

   Use a template from your word processor or a resume website. They can make your resume appear professional and visually attractive.

   You probably have more experience and skills than you think. As a graduate nurse, you can emphasize medical knowledge gained in clinical rotations and mastered skills, such as starting peripheral IVs or performing assessments. Possible items to include on your resume include:

   • Goal objectives. Example: Dedicated newly licensed registered nurse with an excellent academic record and experience from hands-on clinical placements. Possesses a strong understanding of team collaboration, infection control, and HIPPA regulations. Seeking to leverage skills, enhance health care quality, and provide outstanding patient care in a challenging role.
   • Hard skills: Patient assessment, medication administration, IV insertion, ECG monitoring, EHR, patient and family education, etc.
   • Soft skills: Critical thinking, communication, empathy, adaptability, problem-solving, collaboration, etc.
   • Languages: If you’re bilingual or conversational in a second (or third) language, be sure to note this.
   • Internships or extra clinical experience outside the nursing curriculum, including volunteering.
   • Hobbies or interests that demonstrate a balanced lifestyle and well-rounded personality.
   • Previous employment, even unrelated to health care, can show responsibility and commitment.

   A cover letter usually accompanies your resume. Here, you focus on why you’re the ideal candidate and how your application specifically fits with the position. You can include relevant information—professional or personal—that will help the recruiter see you as a unique fit for the job.

   You can use the cover letter to emphasize your willingness to learn, work alternate shifts, or relocate (if that’s a possibility). Point out how your values are a match for the organization.

3. 3

   Clean up your social media.

   Check all your platforms and get rid of any unprofessional or questionable posts and pictures. It’s also good to delete political opinion posts. According to Harvard Business Review, up to 92% of employers look at candidates’ social media. About 67% will use social media to research candidates, and 54% admit that they have eliminated candidates based on social media posts. Although this practice may not be legal or ethical, it’s how employers can find out information that they’re not allowed to ask during an interview. Enough said. Clean it up. Now.

4. 4

   But polish and shine your LinkedIn profile.

   If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile, create one as soon as possible. Follow tips from here and here to make an awesome profile that employers will actually want to read—and 87% of them will. Once your profile is online, you can join interest groups, follow favorite companies and organizations, and connect with other professionals who might be contacts/references/mentors/employers. It’s a powerful tool for your career.

Got an interview invite? Great! Now what?

Good news! Your application (supported by a strong resume and cover letter) has been reviewed and now you’ve been invited to interview for a position. Now it’s time to prepare to dazzle your potential employer.

1. 1

   Research the organization.

   Whether you’re interviewing at a major university medical center or a small private clinic, you’ll be miles ahead of other candidates if you take time to study the mission statement, history, organizational structure, services provided, and public comments. Every institution has a website and social media posts, so dig in. Find out about leadership, departments, populations served, and community presence.

   If you’re fortunate enough to know someone who works there (or did work there), ask about the workplace culture and how administration interacts with employees. Check out online nursing forums, too.

2. 2

   Read the job description.

   This is a crucial step; do not assume that you’ll be a fit for the position. A job description lists the tasks that you’re required to do, as well as the skills needed to succeed. As a new nurse—or a nurse transferring from another specialty—you won’t have all the skills, but you can be prepared to talk about what you do know and what you’re excited to learn.

3. 3

   Dress appropriately.

   Business casual is perfect when interviewing for a staff position. Dress pants and a button-down shirt, blouse, or sweater (not tight-fitting) are fine. Shoes should match the outfit. Keep hair, nails, and makeup conservative. No jeans, scrubs, or flip-flops. Leave elaborate or expensive jewelry at home. Of course, you know that everything should be clean and wrinkle free.

4. 4

   Be on time.

   Arriving late for your interview sends a message that you’re not reliable and can sabotage your chances of being hired. Allow more time than you need to arrive (whether in person or for a virtual call) for the interview, at least ten minutes in advance. You want to appear calm and confident. If you find you won’t be available at the scheduled time—traffic delay or technical difficulty--always call or communicate and explain.

5. 5

   Ask questions.

   One of the major complaints of interviewers is that candidates don’t ask any questions, either during the interview or at the end. Responding “no” or “I can’t think of any” when you’re invited to ask questions indicates a lack of interest or enthusiasm about being hired.

   As the interview proceeds, you should be able to think of something you want to learn more about—after all, this could be an important step in your career. Experts recommend that you ask two or three questions, even if you fully understand what the job entails. Here are some suggestions:

   • “How do you prepare new nurses to succeed here?”
   • “Can you tell me about the orientation process?”
   • “How long does orientation last? Would I get a preceptor/mentor?”
   • “What are the opportunities for continuing education?”
   • “What advice would you give to a new nurse working here?”
   • “What is the nurse-patient ratio?”
   • “Is there any flexibility in scheduling?”
   • “How often do staff nurses float to other units?”
   • “What medical record system is used here?”
   • “Are there on-call requirements?”
   • “What is the overtime policy?”
   • “Do you offer tuition reimbursement?”
   • “What challenges do nurses face here?”
   • “Why is this an excellent place to work?”
   • “WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP IN THE HIRING PROCESS?”
6. 6

   Send a thank-you email.

   Be sure to get the name of each person you speak with. Ask for their business card or write their names down. Be sure to spell their name correctly. (It’s okay to take notes during the interview.) As soon as possible after the interview, send a short (2-3 paragraphs) email to each person, thanking them for taking the time to meet with you. Remind them of your strengths and let them know you’re interested in and excited about the position. Offer to answer any questions or provide more information.

   Sending individual thank you emails creates a positive connection with each person. It also demonstrates your communication and follow-up skills. A survey of Human Resources managers showed that only 25% of candidates send a thank you email, yet 80% of managers found them helpful when making hiring decisions. Taking a few minutes to thank people can have huge benefits.

What to expect during the interview

You’ll probably be most nervous about the actual interview. You’ve planned and prepared for as much as you can, but now people are going to ask questions that will determine if you’re going to continue the hiring process.

No worries. While you can’t know specific questions, you can become familiar with the types of questions and how to formulate your answers. Much like studying for NCLEX, you’ll use your education and critical thinking skills to come up with an appropriate response.

You can expect several types of questions, as the interviewers evaluate if you’re a good fit for the organization and the position. Practice answering these questions in a brief way; two or three sentences are sufficient. Some candidates like to make flash cards with the question on the front and a response on the back.

It’s okay to use examples from your personal life when responding to non-clinical questions. As a new nurse, your best experiences may come from outside your nursing education. Most of all, BE HONEST with your answers.
 

• Why did you decide to become a nurse?
• Why do you want to work here?
• What are your nursing strengths and weaknesses?
• What are you passionate about?
• What would your nursing instructors and/or fellow classmates say about you?
• Describe yourself in three words.
• List three skills you can bring to this position.
• Describe a time when there was a miscommunication with an instructor or team member during a clinical experience. How did you resolve it?
• Tell us about a time when you had a problematic patient. How did you handle it?
• Have you cared for a patient from another culture or a non-English speaker?
• What accomplishment are you most proud of?
• How do you set priorities?
• What would you do if you saw a team member make a mistake?
• Tell me about a time you failed.
• How are your time management skills?
• Can you explain a situation to a patient or family without using medical terms?
• Describe your idea of excellent patient and/or family education.
• Tell us about a time when you were under a lot of pressure. How did you handle the stress? What was the outcome?
• What do you do when you don’t know the answers?
• Do you enjoy being a team member or do you prefer to work alone?
• If you’re hired, what will be your biggest challenges?
• What are your professional goals?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?
• Why are you the best candidate for this job?
• Do you have any questions for us?

Determine if the position is right for you, too

It’s important to remember that interviews really are for both parties. It’s not just if the organization wants to hire you—you’re also deciding if it’s all a good fit for you, too. Don’t be intimidated. If you find that the culture or policies aren’t a good match, it’s totally acceptable to drop out of the interview process AS SOON AS YOU DECIDE.

Do it politely with a brief note to the hiring manager; simply thank them for their time and consideration. No details are necessary, but you should state something like, “I’ve decided to pursue other opportunities,” or “At this time, I don’t feel the position is right for me,” or “I’ve decided to accept another offer.”

Do not burn bridges! As your career grows, the organization may be the perfect place in the future. Here’s a sample email for discontinuing the interview process:

Hello, [hiring manager or appropriate person],

Thank you for considering me for [position] with [organization]. After careful thought, I have decided to go in a different direction.

I appreciate your taking the time to tell me about the position and [organization] and wish you success in your search for the right candidate.

Regards,

[Your name]

About the Author

Winona Suzanne Ball

Nursing Adviser, RN | MHS, Governors State University, IL
Full member of the American Nurses Association. Learn more