Nursing Graduates should expect to answer these Interview Questions
Questions You Might Hear in a Nursing Interview
Interviewing questions…you know why they’re so tough? Since they’re designed that way. Interviewers choose questions that are meant to stump you, just to see how well you can stand under pressure. It’s not enough to simply answer questions correctly, nor is it enough to keep your composure. You must do both. Give a clear and confident answer, keeping your calm and staying attentive. Remember, some of these questions are deal breakers. Answer incorrectly or let it be seen that you’re officially “stumped” and you will likely be written off as a serious candidate. Let’s consider ten questions that interviewers will most likely ask—and the best way to respond.
How Much Salary Do You Expect?
Be sure to look up the national and state averages to get a general idea of how much your skills and experience are worth. Usually, this question is not asked until there is a job opening, and until you’re in serious considerations. Still, some employers ask it as a means to filter out applicants who have unrealistic expectations. Don’t “negotiate” salary until a job offer has been made.
Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?
Never speak poorly of your past employer, even if you worked for Stalin. State in polite terms that you have a specific interest in the new job, and you have completed all of your goals for the previous one.
What is Your Biggest Weakness?
Honesty is the best policy, but don’t be negative in your honesty. Identify one of your most challenging obstacles, but then state how you’ve overcome it, with examples. Never bluff your way through it. Think about this in advance.
Why Should We Hire You?
This is more of a composure test, just to see how you would respond—and whether you can reiterate the points on a resume in a conversational, confident way. Learning how to do this articulately will advance you beyond other applicants who are too vague, too nervous or too unsure.
Why Do You Want to Work at This Hospital?
Don’t try to butter up an interviewer or even a facility with this question. Interviewers are more interested to know what specific interests or areas the facility has that appeal to you.
What Makes You Satisfied With Your Job?
This means your likes and dislikes. It is best to match up the favorite part of doing your last job with the job that you’re applying for. This shows enthusiasm as well as proven experience. In cases where you’re applying for a job without significant experience, it’s usually a deal breaker.
What Are Your Career Goals?
Think this one over because it’s not just an interview question, but a true glimpse into your future. Create goals for yourself, so you can track your own progress and determine when is the right time to move up, to leave, and to relocate. Employers do want to see ambition, so don’t shy away from aiming reasonably high. In other words, hospitals and clinics want to know that you will grow with them—not that you’ll leave in a few months.
Describe One of Your Failures
This is a loaded question, right? Don’t ignore the request with a fake or haughty answer. The reason they’re asking is to see if you’re honest and that you’re “real.” Remember, failure happens to everyone at some point. What they want to know is how you handle it, how you stay positive, and how you did your best in trying. Focus on how you’ve grown and what you’ve learned from the experience.
What Do You Do to Relax?
Not too honest here! They don’t really want to know about your partying ways or your drink of choice. They just want to know how you would handle with stressful situations on the job, and what you would need to do to calm down.
Do You Have Any Questions?
Usually, your answer is “no,” right? However, not asking anything may show inexperience. Ask at least two questions to show you’re interested and ambitious. When an interviewer asks if he or she has any questions for him or her, he or she wants to know that he or she has done the research. He or she needs to have at least a couple questions to ask the interviewer. Whether you have a question about the facility, or a more specific question about employment, it is better to ask something than nothing. However, ask a question that makes you look educated, not something that makes you seem like a beginner.
These ten questions can be learned easily. Don’t let them stump you! Make a good impression the first time around.
