Because she assisted with a code, Linda was 20 minutes late for her job interview. She had to borrow a lab coat to cover a stain on her uniform. And she forgot her resume, which wasn’t updated. Nevertheless, she was sure she’d get the position in the home health department. She had put in five good years of medical/surgical nursing for this hospital, and the recruiter would understand — it’s time for a change. She scheduled an appointment to discuss the job with the recruiter at 3:30 p.m. on a day she was working, so she wouldn’t have to get dressed up or come in on her day off. She didn’t have a free minute during the shift to even think about the interview. By the time the interview started, Linda was so tired that she let the recruiter do all the talking while she fought to stay awake. She couldn’t tell the interviewer why she wanted the position in home care except to say she disliked her head nurse. When she was asked for the names of four references, she blanked and said she’d have to send in some names later. Finally, the session was over, and Linda left with great expectations, hoping for a speedy transfer. Instead, she received a letter notifying her that she didn’t get the job. Linda wondered what in the world had gone wrong.

Whether you’re a staff nurse, a manager, or an advanced practice nurse, interviewing is an important opportunity to market yourself for career advancement. Whether you’re , starting a new career, or seeking a promotion, the key to a successful interview is careful and thorough preparation. If two candidates have almost equal qualifications, it may not be the most qualified, but the best-prepared candidate who gets the offer. The better prepared you are, the more likely you’ll be chosen over the competition. This holds true for internal interviews as well. Don’t assume because you’ve been working at an organization for a number of years that you will get the job. Take a businesslike approach to interviewing, and keep in mind that interviewing is a skill that needs to be developed. Begin by thinking of an interview as a self-marketing strategy to promote a product — you. At the same time, you are the salesperson making a pitch to the customers. One way to convince customers that you are the best person for the job is to convince them you have the skills to do the job, are a fit for their company, and you really want the job.¹ Just like a salesperson, you need to articulate the specific benefits of hiring you for the job as opposed to just describing your general profile. For example, instead of presenting yourself as an RN with five years of experience, emphasize that you can manage the care of five to six patients and take charge of a unit, as well. To represent yourself realistically, think about your knowledge, skills, and abilities beforehand. Ask a trusted coworker or supervisor to identify your top strengths, and then record three of your most marketable strengths on a card to take with you to the interview. Repeat your key strengths several times during the interview.

Types of interviews

Setting up the interview

When you schedule your appointment, find out as much as you can about your future interviewer, such as title, department, and contact information. Ask about the interview, such as where it will be conducted, who will be participating in it, how long it will take, and what you should bring. Schedule your appointment when you’re at your best — early in the day if you’re a morning person or in the afternoon if you’re not. Don’t forget to get detailed directions and parking information ahead of time; a trial run to the facility at the same time of day as your interview is helpful if you’ve never been there before. It’s a good idea to or curriculum vitae (CV) and to get an application form ahead of time so you can complete and copy it before you go. Check your interview materials for any mistakes or misspellings and have someone else review them for another opinion. For information on how to write a CV, go to .

Interview questions: Be prepared⁴

Get to know the organization first

Besides marketing and promotion for both the recruiter and the job candidate, an interview provides an opportunity for screening, finding a match or fit, and simply getting acquainted. Regardless of the type or purpose, following some basic guidelines can improve your chances of getting that important job offer. Research your prospective employer. Doing your homework pays off. You’ll be more successful and at ease if you prepare in advance for each interview. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to arrive at an interview without any background information on the organization. Search the organization’s website and check the American Hospital Directory for information about the institution’s financial state and utilization data.³ In your search, it may be helpful to find out the number of beds or patient visits, the size of the staff and the annual budget, the specialties or services offered, the age of the organization, and its accreditation status, which these sites can provide. Check nursing publications’ annual career guides, review the organization’s advertisements in the newspaper, or go to the reference section of the public and institution’s libraries to obtain as much information as you can about a potential employer and the job, including the practice role, specialty, and setting of interest. The advertisements will also provide information about other available positions, nursing salaries, and benefits. You may also want to get a copy of the job description, organizational chart, philosophy of nursing, mission statement, strategic goals, and employee and patient handbooks from the nursing, human resources, or public relations departments. Conducting interviews by phone or in person with people who know about the agency’s reputation, work environment, corporate culture, and competitors can be extremely informative. From what you learn about the organization, figure out why you’d want to work there so when you’re asked, you’ll have a concise answer.