Tips to Interview for Your First Nursing Job The interview is not an assessment of your education, because that is the purpose of the resume. If

you’ve gotten to the interview portion, than you’ve already passed the bare minimum education and

experience requirements.

The interview is a time for the employer to put a face and personality to the education and experience.

They asked you to come in to assess your ability to fit in with the specifics of the company.

Responding to Questions The general principle behind the interview is to find out why you would be perfect for the job. A

seemingly uninterested applicant that shrugs their shoulders and mumbles something about a dream

they once had to help people isn’t going to make a lasting impression.

They are often short in their answers and for some reason don’t expound on their answers. Too often

nerves cloud their thoughts and they don’t know what to say or how to act, which can cast a negative

shadow on the interview.

The interviewer might see this as an indifferent attitude, like the candidate

doesn’t want the job. If that’s the case, the interviewer might not want to waste

any more of the candidate’s time with call backs or job offers.

In contrast, the candidate that is attentive and focused gets higher reviews. This

candidate focuses their conversations on the experiences, thoughts and

impressions they have had to be a nurse.

They answer questions with real-life experiences as often as possible. They know

why they want that job and how it will help their career.

They show this in their demeanor and conversation. If they have nerves, they’ve learned to either not

show them at all, or work past them.

These are the people that usually get the job. They look like they want to be there and they seem to be

ready for the job.

There are a few things you can do to get ready for the interview so that you can put your best foot

forward in the interview process. They are basic.

Knowing What the Interviewer is Asking When your interviewer asks you to tell him or her about yourself, they are asking for two things. First,

they want to know who you are.

It is okay to talk about where you’re from, where you went to school, and a few other things about

yourself so that your interviewer can get a brief idea of your background. Share a few major events in

your life and allow the interviewer to interrupt you with questions if he or she has any.

Don’t put too much focus on this part. Although your interviewer wants to get to know you, they won’t

be sold just on just your charming personality or summer plans.

Second, they want to know why you are interested in nursing. What unique experiences from your past

brought you to nursing school, and now his or her office?

Be brief and concise when you tell stories. Don’t go into an overabundance of detail unless it’s

absolutely needed.

Practice answering a few sample interview questions before

going in so that you can fight away nerves with a practiced

demeanor. Sometimes, the only way to fight off the mind

numbing nerves of an interview is to over practice your part.

That way, even though your interviewer might throw you a

curve ball of a question, you’ll be more confident as you swing

your bat. Prepare in whatever way that will help you become

confident in the interview.

Confidence is key to making the impression that will get you the job. Don’t let a lack of it ruin your

chances at getting the job of your dreams after you receive your nursing degree.

Stevens-Henager College offers a nursing degree in Provo. Their courses teach students the skills they

need to make it in their careers.

These include the skills it takes to make an impression on your future employers. Consider pursuing your

nursing degree in Provo at Stevens-Henager.