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Appearances count. And they count even more when it comes to a nursing job
interview, where your first impression may be your only impression. With that
in mind, the following tips can help make all your interviews for nursing
positions a success.
Dress professionally
You are presenting yourself as an experienced nurse in a demanding field. Your
interviewer will interpret pride in your appearance as evidence that you are
someone who is mature, responsible and attentive to detail. For example, dress
in freshly pressed, business-appropriate clothes. Clean and/or polish your
shoes. And dress modestly. It’s a sign of respect, both for the nursing job
opportunity you hope to win and for the person taking the time to interview
you. If your grandmother would disapprove, then it’s time to rethink your
outfit. Need another reason to be well-dressed? It will do wonders for your
confidence.
Make eye contact and speak clearly
You are a critical care nurse. As such, you will have to communicate with
patients and family from a wide range of backgrounds. Your ability to connect
during a simple nursing job interview helps demonstrate that you can
communicate critical information under pressure – an essential skill as you
grow your nursing career.
Do not assume that your interviewer knows who you are
When filling nursing positions, many companies routinely use computer-based
resume scanners to screen applicants and reduce large numbers of resumes to a
more manageable amount. In addition, your interviewer probably has many people
to interview and limited time to prepare. These two realities may combine so
that your nursing job interview is the first time your interviewer has seen or
heard much of what makes you special.
You must be able to explain your goals, previous jobs in nursing and other
qualifications quickly and concisely in order to make a positive and lasting
impression. A good strategy is to demonstrate your knowledge of the facility
you are applying to. Go online before your interview and do a little bit of
homework to show that you are a strategic thinker who plans ahead. Even better,
try to locate someone you know who works there and who is willing to provide an
insider’s perspective for you.
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