How To Nail Your First Nursing Job Interview: Do’s, Don’ts, and Common Questions

March 9, 2020

You’ve made it through nursing school. You go Glen Coco!

Now, the hard part: securing your bag.

I despise interviews. I blink a mile a minute when I talk, I’m not good at thinking on the fly, I naturally speak really fast and I say “like” way more than I should.

Yet, I received an offer at every hospital I applied to out of nursing school, and the program coordinator at the position I accepted told me months later that my interview in particular was excellent. Which was news to me, because I literally thought it was a disaster lol. It was via webcam because I was in Chicago for the summer, and I had a technology malfunction right as the interview started. I was anxious and felt like I was rambling. But, I had done my due diligence and prepared extensively for my interview. Here’s how.

DO prepare some responses to common questions.

I know people who like to wing it in interviews, because they’re naturally charismatic and feel more authentic that way. However, there’s nothing worse than talking in circles while you try to organize your thoughts, because you weren’t prepared for a question.

Of course, there’s no way to know exactly what you’ll be asked. But having responses in the back of your mind for possible questions, especially the common ones, can really help your confidence.

Some of the questions I prepared responses for are:

Tell us about yourself. (*rolls eyes* my least favorite question EVER lol)
What made you want to be a nurse?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Tell us about a challenge you faced at work or school, and how you adjusted to it.
Tell us about a time you were in a leadership role.
Why do you want to work at *insert hospital*?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Talk about a time you had a conflict with a peer, and how you handled it.
What do you bring to the table, that others don’t?
Why should we hire you?

Pro tip: when asked to talk about yourself, tailor your answer to the position you’re applying for. It’s great that your favorite color is fuchsia and you love to shop at Target, but that lends nothing to the conversation about why you should get the spot. Instead, mention volunteer experience or hobbies you have that are relative to this role, share some background on why you chose nursing, highlight some of your positive traits that make you a good fit, etc. The question sucks, I know lol, but this is a chance to really sell yourself!

Remember, the interviewer is trying to gauge things like your adaptability, interpersonal skills, and overall personality to determine if you’ll be a good fit for their unit. Of course, they may also ask specialty-related questions if you’re interviewing for a certain one–Peds or Cardiac, for example–so brush up on your didactic info as well.

DON’T over-rehearse your answers.

Don’t try to answer questions exactly how you wrote them, as if you’re reading a script. You want to sound genuine and authentic, and for the interview to flow like a conversation.

Instead, brainstorm some talking points, and pull from those to build your answers in the interview. You want to be prepared, but not rehearsed.

DO ask questions.

“Do you have any questions for us?”

This seemingly insignificant question can make or break your interviewer’s impression of you. Answering their questions adequately is only half the battle; having meaningful questions for them as well shows them that you’re truly interested in the position. Aside from that, it gives you a chance to really get the info you need to determine if the hospital is a good fit for you.

Asking questions might honestly be my favorite part of interviews. The ones I took into every interview with me are:

What are your policies on continuing education for employees?
As a new grad, what is expected of me in the first 6 months on the job?
Exactly what kind of education and support is built into the residency program?
How would you describe the culture of the hospital? The unit?
What is the nurse to patient ratio?
What challenges would you say the hospital is facing, if any?
How does scheduling work?
Based on my credentials and background, do you have any reservations about my candidacy?
In your opinion, what is the difference between an average nurse and an excellent nurse? (I’m pretty sure this was the seal-the deal question in my interviews, based on the reactions lol)
How can I improve my interview skills going forward?

Some of these may naturally get answered earlier in the interview, like number 2 or 3. That’s why it’s good to have a selection of unique questions, so you’re sure you’ll have a few to ask at the end.

DON’T use “perfectionism” as a weakness.

Chileeee, this is everybody and they mama’s weakness lol. “I’m a perfectionist” is one of those traits that’s easy to flip as both a negative and positive–and that’s why it’s super overused.

You want to do everything you can to stand out in your interview. Think about other weaknesses that you have, and figure out how they can be spun as strengths.

I believe I talked about my laid-back demeanor, and how it’s deterred me from seeking leadership positions in the past. I spun it something like this: “I know how to take the lead when necessary, but often I just enjoy being a team player. However, I’ve been working on being more assertive. This year I was elected 2nd VP of my public service sorority, and I’m also VP of my Nursing class.”

They want to see that you’re self-aware, and either know how to use your weaknesses to your advantage, or are taking action to turn a weakness into a strength.

DO research the hospital or facility before the interview.

When they ask you why you want to work there, you obviously want to have a valid answer. Figure out what their values are, so you can discuss how they align with yours. Do they have an amazing Oncology branch, or a top-rated trauma center that you’d like to work in? Bring it up. Maybe you love their model of nursing shared governance.

Show them that you have a genuine interest in working with them beyond a check.

DO send a thank you note.

It’s the small gestures that make you stand out in a big way.

After each of my interviews, I sent a follow-up email thanking the interview team for their time. I wanted to show that I was appreciative and eager for the opportunity. Bonus points for including something interesting or memorable from the interview, which will help yours stay in the forefront of their minds.

Anxiety before a big interview is normal. The best you can do is be prepared and act confident, even if you don’t feel it. You got this, love!