this presentation gives you excellent picture about how to succeed in the interview.

1. Successful Interviewing

2. • Once you know that you have gained an
interview with a potential employer, learn as
much about that specific position and the
organization as you can.
• Be sure you have information regarding the
organization’s mission statement and other
public statements.

3. Preparing Your Questions for the
Interviewer
• It is helpful to write out your questions so that
they are clearly stated, and so that you do not
forget items while in the tense atmosphere
that often exists in an interview situation;
• for example, “How and when will I learn of
your decision?”
• Remember that an interview is a chance to
sell yourself to an employer, a chance to
present yourself as a valuable addition to their
nursing staff.

4. Dressing for the Interview
• The minute you walk in the door, people start
making assumptions about you.
• Being neat and well-groomed is always
essential. In most instances, such as applying
for a position at hospital, you would wear
business-like clothing, such as dress pants or
skirt and shirt or blouse.

5. Things to Take With You
• Take several copies of your résumé with you to
the interview. You may want to refer to it or you
may find it appropriate to leave a copy with
someone.
• If you have received your nursing license, take
that with you or in states with a paperless system,
have your license number.
• Take along black pen to fill out any forms, and a
note pad with your questions listed and a place to
make personal notes of important information
obtained during the interview.

6. • Never appear at a job site wearing leisure or
sports clothing or body piercing jewelry other
than the earlobe, pants with holes in the legs,
or flip-flops.
• Avoid the use of strong cologne or perfume.
• In all instances, your hair should be clean and
neatly styled. Do not chew gum while in the
interview.
• If you smoke, avoid smoking immediately
before the interview so that the odor of
smoke is not apparent on your clothes or
person.

7. Arriving at the Interview
• Plan to arrive at an interview early. This gives
you time to check your appearance and focus
your thoughts.
• If you carry a cell phone, turn it off before the
interview. Having it ring in the middle of the
interview is disrespectful to the interviewer.
• Greet your interviewer with a smile and firm
handshake and establish eye contact and
maintain it throughout the interview.

8. • Wait to be asked to sit down before you take a
chair. Do not put anything of yours on the
interviewer’s desk other than your résumé.
• Be serious but do not forget to smile and be
pleasant.

9. • Some interviewers focus on asking questions
about your past experiences and your future
plans. Others focus their questions on specific
accomplishments and problems encountered in
your past nursing experiences.
• Presenting hypothetical problems for you and
asking you to provide appropriate nursing
responses is common. See Display 4.6 for a list of
questions you might reflect on as you prepare.

11. • Be sure to answer questions that are asked
• You will need to look around the group, being
sure to make eye contact with each individual,
if you are interviewed by a group of people
• While replying to the person who asks the
question, glance at others as you make your
point.

12. • Before proceeding, seek clarification, but be
careful that your manner of asking for
clarification does not offend the interviewer.
• If you are asked to present questions, ask
professional questions first. E.g: you might ask
about the overall mission and philosophy of
the organization, its organizational structure,
and how authority and accountability are
determined.

13. • Before you leave, be sure to ask when you can
expect to know the results of your interview
and how you can follow-up.
• State clearly that you are interested in the
position and hope to be hired (if that is true).

14. Telephone and Online Interviews
• Do not mistake these telephone or online
interviews for unimportant or casual
conversations. Plan for them in the same way
that you would for an in-person interview.
• Prepare and have all your materials at hand.
• The one advantage is that you do not need to
worry about your appearance.

15. Interviewing Errors
• The first relates to making a negative comment
about a previous employer. If asked why you left
a position identified on your résumé, be careful
not to use this as a time to vent your frustrations
about the employer or the employment situation.
• You may be labeled a troublemaker.
• You may be asked why you would like this
position. This is no time to talk about repaying
your student loans, make your car payment, or
even meet the monthly rent. Instead, focus on
professional issues related to this employer.

16. • Some interviewers will refuse to have children
in the office thus arrange for baby sitter.
• Watch your nonverbal responses.

17. Follow-up Strategies
• Always follow up after your initial inquiry. If
you were granted an interview, follow up with
a letter.
• If you did not obtain an interview, you should
continue to contact the potential employer
• After your interview, write a brief thank-you
letter to the person who interviewed you. If a
group interviewed you, direct the letter to the
person who seemed to be in charge.

19. Resignation
• When you decide to leave a nursing position, it is
important that you provide the employer with an
appropriate amount of time to seek a replacement.
• The more responsible your position, the more time the
employer will need.
• Give a reason for your resignation and the exact date
when it will be effective. Comment about positive
factors in the employment setting and acknowledge
those who have provided special support or assistance
in your growth (Display 4.8).

20. • If you are resigning because of problems in
the work setting, you may find it wiser to
address those in person, separate from your
letter of resignation.
• Avoid attacking anyone personally and do not
make broad, sweeping negative comments.
• Try always to leave with appropriate
professional relationships intact.

22. Thank You
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