So you’ve found a travel nurse assignment that looks terrific? Don’t start packing your bags yet. There’s one thing standing between you and that job: the interview. Here’s what you need to know to ace your interview, make an amazing impression, and land the perfect travel nurse assignment.
1. Many Questions…And the One That Really Counts
Some questions are more common than others during the typical travel nurse interview. Be prepared for inquiries about your qualifications, motivations, and suitability for a particular job or environment.
Ultimately, every question comes down to one key thing: are you the right person for the job? Keeping this theme in mind throughout the interview process can help you craft the best response to even the most challenging question.
2. Do Your Research
One way to be prepared for any question that comes your way? Do your homework. Learn everything you can about the hospital, department, staff and policies. Keep all of your notes within easy reach so you can reference them throughout the conversation. Your interviewer will be impressed by your initiative.
3. Control Your Environment
The majority of travel nurse interviews are conducted by phone. While this frees you up to stay in your slippers — although many job applicants find that dressing up helps them get in the right mindset — it’s also essential to choose surroundings with minimal distractions and space to speak freely.
4. Show Off Your Personality
The ability to work with a diverse range of people, patients, and fellow healthcare practitioners is a valuable part of your role as a nurse. Letting your personality shine through in the interview demonstrates that you are a person the interviewer would want on his/her team. In addition to your skills and experience, the interview gives you a chance to show off what’s not on your resume, and to stand out from the crowd of applicants in the process.
5. Concision Counts
There’s a fine line between being informative and running on too long. Communicating in a brief yet compelling way positions you for a positive result, while rambling on can have the unhappy, opposite outcome. A two minute max response is one generally agreed upon rule of thumb.
6. Take Your Turn
An interview isn’t just a chance for the interviewer to find out more about you; it’s also an opportunity for you to find out more about a prospective hospital. Don’t hesitate to ask about everything from nurse-to-patient ratios to management styles. The more you know about the orientation process, reporting hierarchy, hospital communications and more, the better prepared you’ll be to make a decision about whether the job is right for you.
Also, don’t forget to ask about next steps in the process: this helps you be informed, while also conveying your interest in moving forward in the process.
7. End Strong
Be sure to thank the interviewer for the opportunity, and to reiterate your interest in the position. How you end you interview leaves a lasting impression!
One last thing to keep in mind in order to position yourself for success: think of the process, not as a necessary evil, but instead as an opportunity. Good luck, and let us know how it goes in the Comments section below!
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