Nursing Interview Tips

This guide provides a broad range of Nursing Interview Tips for nurse professionals. These tips enable you to view the entire interview process from resume preparation through dealing with a counteroffer after you resign. Download the 19-page guide here.

The touchstones for successful interviewing are developing a strong resume, and detailed preparation for interviewing questions and answers. But what about the things that can go wrong? And there are many. This guide discusses some critical elements of the interview and opportunities to exploit them. However, regardless of how well of a conversation you had, things outside of the interview itself can derail your efforts.

Sometimes minor things speak the loudest.

So what are these things that happen outside the interview? Here are a few of the pitfalls and pratfalls:

  • You being interrupted by someone else, barking dog, or a phone call during a phone interview,
  • An offhand but unprofessional remark made to your interview escort fed back to the interviewer,
  • Your attitude and overall conduct,
  • Not maintaining positive interest throughout the entire interview,
  • Ordering the wrong food during a meal, and
  • Poor follow-up after an interview.

The interview is a process of building value, and it begins with resume preparation and continues through conversations with your prospective employer. This may include one or more telephone interview followed by an onsite visit. The value you build comes from how well you prepare and the mistakes you avoid.

Smile and reflect passion for your work, and for the interview process. Maintain good body language and eye contact.

This guide of nursing interview tips covers a wide range of critical preparations to make, including:

  • Research your prospective employer,
  • Interview questions to ask and answer,
  • Preparing for phone, video, and on-site interviews,
  • How to gracefully handle not being selected,
  • Your resignation, and
  • The best way to avoid a counteroffer.

Many new and unanticipated challenges have emerged from transformational changes in today’s healthcare environment. Your ability to thrive in this time of change is critical. During today’s healthcare interview, it’s essential to demonstrate your ability to adapt proactively and rapidly.

Your Accomplishments as a Story

???? Remembering that you are telling a story enhances your success as an interviewee. You are the only person who can tell the story effectively.

Remember that you are telling a story with the specific goal of making a positive impression by explaining your past success. You are the only person who can tell the story effectively.

Some healthcare professionals do not “sell” their professional strengths, leadership skills, or other aspects of their background during an interview. Many are reluctant to claim credit for individual contributions in the results that emerged from a team effort. However, it’s not bragging if you present accomplishments as a story of your contribution as part of a team. It’s the only way to get the job.

The interview is the opportunity for a broad discussion about the accomplishments introduced in your resume. You need to describe the exact situation you encountered, the goals you had to reach, and the barriers you overcame, the improved patient outcomes, or money you saved.

Finally, you can expand upon the actions you took and your results. Your resume might include this type of accomplishment:

“Designed and implemented a $4.2 million, 16 Suite, Surgical Services Department, worked with hospital operations and architect, purchased new equipment, and trained staff while my VP & CFO resigned. The project was completed under budget, on time, without any staff turnover.”

Now is the time for you to launch a concise, compelling, attention-grabbing story that demonstrates your leadership skills. Do not forget that the way you present yourself during the interview is as impactful as your educational background, experience, and resume.

Lastly, remember that the outcome of an interview is not personal so being offered the job or not is a business decision and not a reflection of your self-worth. The organization’s responsibility is to hire someone who fits the organizational culture and is results-driven, has the expertise to address current challenges, and has the creativity, flexibility, and strategic vision needed to ensure the organization’s future success.

Sections in this Guide

The sections in this guide cover preparations for a successful interview and include:

  • Your Accomplishments as a Story – good stories have a beginning, a challenge, a good outcome, and a setup for a sequel,
  • Research the Opportunity – be ready to ask the right questions,
  • Research Yourself – how does the world know you,
  • The Interview – identify what you need to convey about yourself and learn about them,
  • The First Interview – pointers for phone and video interviews,
  • The On-Site Interview – do not arrive empty-handed,
  • A Few Basics – dos and don’ts of things that can derail an otherwise successful interview,
  • If You Want It, Ask For It! – if you don’t, they will think you’re not interested,
  • Using Your Recruiter – use the recruiter as an intermediary for additional feedback,
  • After Your Interview – how to continue the conversation and keep the door open,
  • Now What? – offer or no offer, what happens next,
  • Acceptance – make a graceful transition; the counteroffer test, and
  • In Closing – final thoughts.

Download “Nursing Interview Tips”

You have just read a short overview from the 19-page guide “Nursing Interview Tips.” This guide reflects more than 25 years of experience guiding nurse professionals through career advancement interviews.

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