The morning I received an email asking me to schedule an interview, my anxiety went into overdrive. I had passed my NCLEX two months prior and was ready to start my new career. The best mindset going into an interview is a well prepared one.
#1 Schedule your Interview
Typically, upon being asked in for an interview, you should receive options dates and times. There is a chance that they send you a day and time and ask if you are available. If this happens, make sure no matter what time of day that you wake up early and get ready giving you plenty of time to get prepared and arrive early. If they give you options, indeed consider what works best for you. Are you a morning person or is it really hard for you to get up before noon? If getting up before noon is a hassle for you, don’t schedule your interview at nine o’clock in the morning. Try to find the best time slot that plays to the best for you. You want to ensure you’re wide awake and alert.
#2 Clothes
Rummage through your cloth and pick the best outfit at least 24 hours before the interview. I feel a good business casual wardrobe only needs a few pieces that can be mixed and matched with another part. This advice is for those who do not have to wear daily business casual clothing, even though the typical hospital nurse or any type of nurse that handles patients in the day to day care will have a closet full of scrubs. Pick out the outfit the day before. If you are anything like me and don’t wear this clothing every day, you may want to try them on to make sure they fit. If they, the clothes need it, iron them. You are looking for a first impression to be positive, wearing wrinkled clothing says that either you could find the time or it wasn’t a priority to iron the clothes.
#3 Questions
During the interview, you do not want to be at a lost for words. Being able to answer questions and have example stories to explain, will make a positive impression on the interviewers. The best way to prepare for the interview portion is to practice. Make a list of the potential questions (like this one: here). Write out all the answers, and include an example. Then in the mirror or to a family member verbalize the answers. This will allow you to articulate and find the words easier when in the interview. Also highlight keywords in your answers, so that you can access and remember those words.
#4 Location
Where is the meeting taking place? Is it at the clinic or hospital or at a centralized office? Either way, make sure you have the address and know where the location is actually located. If you are are not familiar with the area taking a drive to the site will help you find the building and look at the parking situation. The structure and parking will allow you to figure out how early you should leave based on traffic and parking availability.
Be prepared. The more time you take in getting ready and familiar with the business clinic or hospital will prove to give you the edge and professionalism that will leave a mark. How did you prepare for your interview?
Also, Read 4 Tips to getting the interview and Interview Questions