ONS Career Guide ONS CAREER GUIDE 2018.web | Page 6
Get That Job: Effective Interviewing Skills for Nurses
Y
ou have one hour, right now, to make
a good impression on a possible
future employer. Can you do it?
Interviewing for a new job can be a
scary situation but is a necessity in the
world of career advancement. Effective
interviewing skills can turn a mediocre
meeting into an impressive interview— and
a better chance to land the job you want.
What to Expect in the Interview Process
Companies continue to interview because
“We need to know if you’re a good fit for
the role, and if the company is a good fit
for you,” said Stephanie Barrett, RN, BSN,
OCN®, national director, oncology clinical
nurse educators, at IQVIA in Durham, NC.
“The interview process can really be a two-
way street.”
The interview process usually starts
with prescreening an application. Here, a
potential employer will look at your skills
to determine you have the minimum
qualifications needed for the job so “your
resume is really what people will be looking
at,” Barrett said.
If prescreening goes well, you might
receive a screening call or video interview:
these first interviews are used to get basic
information and an initial feel of who you
are. The screener will be versed in your
resume and skills, so be sure that you have
educated yourself about the company or
institution as well.
“A lack of preparation can kill your op-
portunity with the company,” Barrett said.
For the interviewee, this is a great time
to highlight the job description and discuss
what you can bring to the table. Barrett
warned that even though this is a phone
interview, pretend you are there face to face:
sit up straight and speak professionally.
If the screener feels that you might
be a good fit for the position, a face-to-
face interview is usually the next and last
step; this is where the interviewee can
demonstrate appropriate behavior and
delve deeper into his or her qualifications.
Depending on the company’s hiring pro-
cess, you could have one live interview or
several. No matter how many interviews
you attend with the company, Barrett said
to be sure to have a few printed resumes
on hand, as well as references and their
contact information.
6
ONS 2018–2019 CAREER GUIDE
“You can refer back to [the resume] in
the interview,” she said.
Make Sure Your Resume Is Top Notch
Your attire, your skills, and your profes-
sionalism are all important during the
interview, but your resume can also speak
volumes.
The resume is the first step in the inter-
view process and does the following:
• Piques the interest of the hiring manager
• Highlights your career experiences with
past impact
• Reflects your attention to detail and your
written communication abilities
Answering Questions
Using STAR
Situation: Describe the situation
Task: What did you implement/change
to address the situation?
Actions: Activity to address the
situation
Results: The outcome/end results
When creating a resume that has im-
pact, use creative and descriptive action
verbs (e.g., identified, created, motivated,
partnered, streamlined, innovated), and
quantify your experience at current and
past jobs (e.g., “I have cared for more than
1,000 newly diagnosed patients with breast
cancer.”). With past jobs, make sure that you
have reviewed your history and know how
to answer specific questions.
“Be able to explain why you left one
position for another or why you have gaps
in your resume,” Barrett said.
Remember to tailor your resume to
the position—it is normal to have more
than one resume for different types of jobs,
Barrett said.
If you’re having trouble cleaning up
your resume or even getting started with the
format, resume writers are available to hire
on LinkedIn and usually request $150–$250
for their services.
Prepare for the Interview
Consider what the interviewer might ask
you. Do some research on the company or
institution that you’re applying with, as well
as the company culture and the role you’re
interested in.
Although you might not know exactly
what the interviewer’s questions will be, you
can search online for questions that are asked
at interviews and practice your answers. Your
research on the company can also help you
anticipate what questions the interviewer
might ask. Some questions may include:
• “Tell me about yourself.” (highlight the
parts of your resume that you are proud
of and be enthusiastic)
• “Why are you leaving your current role?”
(if you have a bad manager, be honest,
don’t be negative, and be polite)
• “Why do you want to work here?” (know
what attracted you to this company)
• “Why should I hire you?” (this is the time
to sell yourself!)
Interviewers also ask questions that focus
on your experiences and talents, which
might include the following:
• “Give me an example of a time…”
• “Tell me about a difficult…”
• “What is the most challenging…”
• “Explain to me how you prioritize…”
• “You’ve told me that you love educa-
tion—give me an example of how you
have invested in your own learning…”
These types of questions can be difficult to
answer, but the STAR Method can help you in
shaping your answer. This method is a struc-
tured manner of responding to a behavior-
al-based interview question by discussing the
specific situation, task, action, and result of
the situation you are describing. By using and
practicing this method, you can better answer
tough questions clearly and effectively.
“Practice and preparation are key,”
Barrett said.
Don’t forget to plan and prepare for the
attire you want to wear to the interview.
You can’t go wrong with the classics (e.g.,
appropriate suits, skirts, and blouses),
but be sure that your clothes don’t have
to be constantly adjusted or that they are
revealing. Accessories should consist of