Facing a nursing interview? Here are some tips to help you achieve success!

You will eventually have to go through a job interview, regardless of the position you’re applying for—whether it's a promotion, a new internal position, your first employment, a nursing agency listing, or a role in a different field.

The secret to being selected for an interview is to have a strong resume or CV. There are numerous online tools that may be used to learn how to write an excellent resume. You should devote time and effort to creating your resume.

Make your resume the document that represents you while you're not there, even if you're simply contacting an agency for the first time and have no specific role in mind!

The “best of the best” applicants will typically be chosen for an interview. Those who fulfil the job description in terms of experience, abilities, training, and personal qualities will be considered. You will face stiff competition because many candidates share the same educational background, professional experience, skills, and accomplishments. Always keep in mind that the job interview process for you, the candidate, should begin far before the interview occurs. Take the time to prepare. In this blog we will offer some advice which will help you ace the nursing interview.

Top tips to stand out among the crowd

• Create a rapport

  Initial impressions matter! Shake your interviewer's hand firmly, smile, and make eye contact. Before the interview gets going in earnest, be ready for some small talk. Be assured, friendly, and engaging because this is an excellent opportunity to put all the techniques you know for making people feel comfortable (nurses do this on a daily basis). Make eye contact with the interviewer at all times; it shows confidence, and interviewers appreciate this. No matter how anxious you are, keep your head up and your eyes on the task at hand. You won't do well on the job if you're hunching over or staring out the window.

• Become knowledgeable

  Make sure you are familiar with the organisation you are applying to before the interview, whether it is a hospital, medical practice, health centre, or nursing agency you are listing with. Social media platforms and websites are great resources for keeping up with current organization-wide happenings. You'll be in good stead if you demonstrate an interest in and familiarity with your potential new employer.

• Know who you are

  Your resume has been written, but how well do you actually know it? Any potential employer will review your resume during a job interview. He or she will have studied it and developed inquiries about you based on it. By the time you reach the interview stage, your employer may have even contacted one or more references. In light of this, make sure you are an authority on the information on your resume so that you can elaborate in length on any part of your work experience. One of the finest methods to ace your job interview is to speak intelligently about each of your past positions you held.

• Show that you are a good fit for the job

  You need to sell yourself at the interview so that everyone knows you're not just interested in the position, but also the right fit for it. Therefore, if the position for which you are seeking requires “leadership” abilities, “attention to detail,” “ability to make decisions swiftly and under pressure,” or “create rapport,” then you must be able to support yourself with specific examples that demonstrate these qualities. Make this a habit for any important characteristics or qualities you note in the job description.

• Be ready for “tough” questions

  You are aware of those questions, “What is your strength/weakness?” Why should our company hire you? or “Explain how you handle disagreement.” These should be connected to your professional background and the position you are looking for. You can get some inspiration for how to respond to these questions in an interview from some reliable online resources that offer solid samples of responses.

• Be genuine

  There will always be plenty of other opportunities in case you do not fit this particular role, and that’s the case at the end of the day. In interviews, authenticity comes through, and potential employers can tell when you’re uneasy. Keep it brief if someone asks you about your personal life. Additionally, keep in mind that prospective employers will view your social media profiles. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is current and that everything on your personal Facebook or Instagram page accurately represents you.

Conclusion

If you attended several interviews and didn't get the job, don’t worry, just like anything else, they get easier the more you do them. There is always something new to learn from each interview encounter, even though the majority of potential employers—including nursing agencies—tend to have a very typical interview structure. However, if you go into the interview well-prepared, self-assured, and qualified for the position, you might even get the job!

If you are thinking of an international career in nursing, get in touch with us at MWT Education Consultancy. We’re always happy to help!