Successful Successful Interviewing Interviewing StrategiesStrategies

Objectives•Describe how you will prepare for an interview

•Create answers to common interview questions

•Define and prepare for a behavioral interview

Everything Counts

“The person who gets the job is not always the most qualified, but they usually know how to do the best interview, and those are the people that know how to prepare.”

Expect the Call Provide a phone number where you

are reachable and can have a professional conversation

While job searching, answer every call as if it is your next employer

Make sure family and roommates know the importance of calls

Expect the Call

Make sure your answering machine message is conservative & mature

Use your best phone manners when talking with a potential employer—even if it is a secretary setting up an appointment

It’s a Two-Way Street

“It is important to sell yourself as a candidate, but it is also important to completely understand the job, know the expectations of the [employer], and to become familiar enough with the company to make an important career decision.”

-- Seven Secrets of a Successful Job Interview

Research the FacilityResearch the Facility

The Internet is the easiest resource

Know patient types

Talk to someone who works there

Ask for a job description

     

Preparing to Market Preparing to Market YourselfYourself

Think of yourself as a product

How will you market yourself?

Market Market YourselfYourself Prioritize your strengths, skills and

abilities

Showcase your contributions, what you bring to the job; these are the features of your product

Demonstrate your creativity, analytic and problem-solving skills

“I'm a great team player” “I learn quickly” “I’m flexible”

Market Market YourselfYourself

Review your resume and be able to expand all aspects

Practice responding to common questions

Rehearse your nonverbal communication

I Have It Right I Have It Right Here Here Information for the application

Professional license Extra copies of your résumé Reference sheet with names and

phone numbers Copies of letters of reference Something to take notes with A list of questions for the

interviewers

NOTNOT Appropriate Appropriate

Professional Appearance

Business attire You can't go wrong wearing a

suit Conservative jewelry No strong perfume The key is neat, professional

appearance

Timing Is Everything

• Choose your best time Reserve sufficient time Arrive ahead of time—but not

too much If you are going to be late, call Avoid having other things

planned that day

You start making impressions the minute you enter the property

Your Time to Your Time to ShineShine

Introductions Handshake: firm, but not

crushing Remember names Make eye contact Be an active listener Answer the questions asked

I Know That AnswerI Know That Answer

Tell me about yourself Tell me what area you liked best &

least at your last job? Tell me about your last employer. Why are you leaving your current

job? (No negatives!) What are your short-term and long-

term goals?

Behavioral Interview

Basis: Most accurate predictor of future performance is past performance

Process: Candidates are asked to give specific examples of when and how they demonstrated a particular skill or behavior, followed with a question to expand

Behavioral Interview

Examples Give me an example of a situation where

your colleagues disagreed with your ideas. What did you do?

Describe experiences in school or a job that were satisfying/dissatisfying. What did you learn from them?

Answer the question Do not answer theoretically; answers

should include situations and outcomes Prepare by reviewing projects,

experiences, accomplishments

Off-Limit Questions Family status Race Religion Residence Sex Affiliations Age Arrests Citizenship Health

Yes, I Do Have Some Questions

Come prepared with questions– What do you need to know when

assessing if the job is right for you– Asking questions shows interest

Questions for the Recruiter

Why is this position open? How long has the position been

open? What is the hiring process? When would you like the

successful candidate to start?

Questions for the Hiring Manager or Staff Why do you enjoy working here? How long have you worked here? What do you consider to be the hospital’s

strengths and weaknesses? Who will review me? What tools are

used? What kind of person succeeds at this

facility? What is the typical census on the unit? Have you added any new procedures,

tools or equipment in the past year?

Salary & Benefits

Allow the employer to bring up salary and benefits

Research what the market is paying for similar jobs

Know your salary needs

Follow Up

Ask about next steps If you want the job, say so Send a thank you letter

– Mention when you met and for what position

– Mention something discussed in the interview & remind the reader of your qualifications

– Include a call to action

Round Two

Remember the people you met on your first visit

Be prepared to interview with higher ups

Be prepared to interview with more than one person at a time

Tipped Off• Many eyes are on you – from

the receptionist to the parking attendant

• Any good interviewer allows for a certain amount of anxiety

• Stay focused and confident

Tipped Off

A study by the Society of Human Resources Management revealed a candidate's background and qualifications are far less influential in hiring decisions than interview performance and professionalism

About this session

• Brought to you by ADVANCE for Nurses.

• Merion Publications Inc. is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (No. 221-3-O-09), an accredited approved by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

• To take a test on this presentation, visit www.advanceweb.com/nurses