Helpful Interviewing Tips for Healthcare Professionals
Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and Physical Therapists (PTs), this means you!
Like them or not, there are tips that can really increase your chances at a job interview – especially in healthcare facilities. Remember, your first impression is everything… so your blue hair may be warmly accepted after you’ve worked somewhere for a while, but it could influence someone’s opinion of you when you’re being compared to a handful of other strangers all vying for the same position.
1. Resume
Always bring your resume with you on a job interview. Don’t assume your interviewer printed a copy!
When creating your resume be sure to check for typos.
Have someone else proofread it before you submit it to a potential employer or staffing agency.
Make certain your current address, phone number and email are included on your resume. We have received resumes that had the wrong phone numbers listed – and even some without a phone number or email address!
2. Dress for Success
Most of us have been told since we were kids that first impressions mean everything… and while maybe we were too young to understand it then, we know now it makes all the difference in the world. An interviewer often determines if they like an applicant based on their first impression, which is often determined by that candidate’s appearance.
As a healthcare professional, you should consider dressing in professional attire.
Men should wear a shirt and tie with slacks.
Women should wear a dress, skirt and blouse or slacks and a blouse.
Most agencies and employers will approve of scrubs if you are a Registered Nurse, (RN) Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Physical Therapist (PT) or Occupational Therapist (OT).
If you do decide to wear scrubs to an interview, wear solid colors. Avoid wearing scrubs that have any kind of print or characters on them and try to stay away from bright, loud colors.
Remember, your interviewer isn’t just judging whether you’d be a good fit for the facility; in healthcare, employees are often public-facing. Hence, your interviewer is also judging how you’d be perceived by their patients… but hey, no pressure!
3. Grooming
Your hair should be properly groomed. For some, that means changing to a more conservative hair style, but isn’t it worth it in the long run? Until you’ve got the job, avoid wearing loudly-colored hair, e.g. red, blue, green, purple, etc.
If you have tattoos, cover them up and remove any piercing(s) other than conventional ear piercings.
Accessories should be like your attire – professional. Anything bigger than an inch or two is a bit flashy.
4. Avoid Electronics and Phones
It is best to turn off all electronics and cell phones before arriving to an interview.
If your phone vibrates during an interview, resist the temptation to look! It’s just not professional, and you’re in a situation where everything is either a point for you or against you.
When it comes to your phone, how you react during the interview leaves an impression of how you’d behave with your phone if you got the job… and no one’s hiring “social surfers” nor “text message technicians”!!
Sell yourself – many others can perform the same tasks, so you need to show them why you’re the best choice among them! Be prepared. Ask questions and always be courteous.
