‘Here are my top tips for your interview’ | Nursing Times

Now, I’m just a few months from qualifying, I’ve had three interviews and, most importantly, I have a job role as a community learning disability nurse. So, all that worrying and, as cliche as it sounds, it all worked out in the end.

As some of you will be looking for that perfect job role, or in a year or two will be in this position and looking for a role just right for you, I thought now would be the perfect time to talk about some of my top tips for your interview.

“Be aware of the local policies and national guidelines; be aware of any recent news stories and updates”

First, read the application and look at where your skill set is and how you would be just fabulous for the role. Go blow your own trumpet! Tell people how amazing you are, all of the skills that you have and why it should be you that gets this role.

Remember this is what gets you through the door and ensures that you get that interview. People can only judge you based on the information that you give and so give it all.

Prepare! Be aware of the local policies and national guidelines; be aware of any recent news stories and updates and refresh on subjects like safeguarding.

If you are asked to prepare something for the interview, put in the same level of effort you would if it was something you are employed to do. This will ensure that you feel ready for the interview, you have done everything you can before the day and you go in feeling confident.

Find your routes and find the parking in the local area, this will ensure that you go feeling stress free and that you know how you will get there and park and can prepare for any delays or walking time that maybe needed.

Now, you’re at the interview so let your personality shine through. Your skills and attributes have got you here, but your personality will allow people to establish who you are, and whether you would be a good fit for the team.

The best personality that you can have here is yours, don’t try to be a person you are not because the best you is the true you. I would say that being able to show your personality will also allow your passion to be evident and shining through, and passion is infectious and shows that you want to be the best nurse you can be.

But, I would also tell you to be OK with being nervous and feeling a little anxious. Because if I tell you I felt cool, calm and collected when that door opened and the interview started I would be lying.

I did my prep, and I knew how I would get there and I felt ready as I could. Then it started, and I would like to say I can hide the nerves, unfortunately for me a creeping red rash up to my back gives me away and the more I am aware of it the worse it gets.

But I acknowledged that I felt nervous and that interviews are not something I find easy; and you know what, the nerves subsided some what. Because actually it is a normal feeling. Although next time maybe a polo neck would be a good option.

Now the waiting game, the part truly out of your hands! For me the part I disliked the most. I knew that I had done all I could, and that is the key part; you can’t do anymore.

Regardless of the outcome, my advice to you all would be all interviews are good interviews. You may get that job that you really want. Or, you have had experience being at interview, and will be a step to a role you may not have seen yet.