Sheree Ruland has first-hand experience with horror
stories. As employment manager for TriPath Oncology in Burlington, N.C.,
her brand of “horror” tales are of job interviews gone sour.
Take the incident with one client, for example, when she ran an executive
recruiting firm. “We flew the candidate in from out of town,”
says Ruland, “and he sailed through an extensive interview process.
Everything had gone so well until he was offered a ride back to the airport
by the CEO—and he asked to stop at 7-Eleven so he could pick up
a six-pack.”
While your own interview skills may be more refined than
Ruland’s former client’s, it’s a good idea to brush
up on the do’s and don’ts of the interview process. Karen
Hart, a former nurse recruiter, is senior vice president of the Health
Care Division for Bernard Hodes Group, a worldwide recruitment and staffing
firm based in New York City. She stresses, “The candidate must maintain
a professional demeanor. Everything the individual says or does will be
considered in making the final hiring decision.” That includes keeping
your professional demeanor if, for example, you have a meal with your
interviewer—remember it’s not a social situation; it’s
part of your interview. And don’t bring your kids or other family
members to the interview, which, Hart insists, “happens more often
than you would think.”
A job interview is your chance to shine, says Hart; to
let the interviewer know you’d be the “perfect fit for the
open position.” You can increase the likelihood that your own brilliance
will be recognized by remembering the following tips:
Homework doesn’t end in high school
Career counselors stress the importance of doing your homework; that
is, learn
about the facility.
(Most hospitals and healthcare centers have Web sites.) Obtain a copy
of the job description from the recruiter or hiring manager so you
know
the qualification requirements for the position, and be sure your licensure
and credentials are up-to-date. Don’t forget to research salary
information (i.e., the standard for a comparable position in other
cities).
Your recruiter can help you with this information, or you can do a Web
search. Career advisors stress the value of knowing your own worth.
Prior to the day of your interview, update your references.
Call the individuals listed as references to confirm they still are willing
to be listed. Then verify the accuracy and spelling of each name, address,
telephone number, and e-mail address. Make several copies of your resume
and references to bring with you on your interviews.
Make it happen
Professional athletes use the technique of visualization when they practice
for competition—they mentally rehearse their moves for every aspect
of an event or game. You can use the same technique before your interview.
Walk through the entire process in your mind. See yourself meeting the
interviewer, settling yourself comfortably in a chair, and effortlessly
answering the questions that are asked.
What type of questions can you expect? The following
are a random sampling. Think about how you would answer each of these
questions. You may want to write out your answers so you can formulate
the best response; then memorize what you would say, should the interviewer
ask these questions:
“What can you tell me about yourself?”
The interviewer isn’t asking for details of your personal life.
He or she wants to know about your professional experience.
“What are your strengths and weaknesses?”
Don’t be shy; brag about your strengths. Mention your weaknesses,
too (no one is perfect, after all), but try to put a positive spin
on
them.
“What is your work experience?”
Give specifics—the number of times you’ve performed a certain
procedure, for example, or the years experience you have working in
a specialty area.
“How would you handle (a difficult
situation)?”
If possible, mention a similar experience and how you successfully resolved
it.
“Why do you want to leave your current
job?”
Focus on the positive points. Say you’re seeking new challenges,
or you’re looking for a more defined career path. Don’t
mention the problems in your current unit, or your manager’s shortcomings.
“What interested you about our hospital?”
If you’ve done your homework, you’ve learned about your
prospective employer. Discuss specifics.
“How do you stay professionally current?”
Name your association memberships, subscriptions to journals, certification
and licensure renewals, continuing education coursework, and professional
degrees.
“What do you like best and least about
your job?”
Again, focus on the positives, such as your sense of personal accomplishment,
or the camaraderie of the nurses in your unit. When addressing the negative
aspects, think of task-oriented points that are outside the primary
scope of your responsibilities.
“Where do you expect to be in five
years?”
Think in terms of what you hope to accomplish, not whose job you’d
like to have.
“Can you obtain recommendations from
previous employers?”
Come prepared with this information.
“What is your most recent salary?”
This information is verifiable. Be honest.
“What salary did you want for this
position?”
Ask the interviewer for a monetary range of what can be offered and
then request an amount toward the higher end. If no range is given,
mention that your research indicates the range of salaries for comparable
positions, and ask for a salary on the high end of that range.
“Do you have any questions?”
This is your opportunity to interview your prospective employer. Even
if you’ve already asked a lot of questions, have one more prepared
for this inevitable question. You might ask about employee turnover
rates, nurse/patient ratios, or opportunities for continuing education—or
ask for a tour of the unit and the facility.
Career advisors emphasize the importance of honesty in
your answers, but be tactful, too, especially if you’ve had an unpleasant
experience with a former manager or hospital.
One chance for a first impression
You may have hours of continuing education classes under your belt and
have so many certifications attached to your signature that it looks
like
alphabet soup, but in reality, a poor first impression can sabotage your
chances of getting the job. What’s the best way to make a good
impression? Remember:
Be professional.
Dress appropriately.
Arrive at the interview 15 minutes early.
Offer a firm handshake when you meet your interviewer.
Make eye contact when you speak, as well as when
you listen.
Maintain good posture.
Avoid annoying or distracting habits, such as saying
“um,” tapping your foot, or playing with your hair.
Thank your interviewer at the conclusion of the interview.
Finally, don’t forget the follow-up letter, which
you should send within 24 hours of your interview and which thanks your
interviewer for his time and consideration. Don’t use a form letter—it’s
important that you personally tailor each follow-up letter for the specific
interview.
Your follow-up letter not only shows your professionalism
(it’s considered a basic courtesy after an interview), it also increases
your exposure, getting your name in front of the interviewer again. And
it gives you an opportunity for a “do over”—if there
was a question you think you didn’t answer very well or a point
you forgot to make, here’s the chance to (briefly) correct that.
Your goal is to draw attention to yourself in a positive way. The interviewer
will recognize your genuine enthusiasm for the job, and you’ll have
made it clear you would be an asset to the staff. Shine on.
