Tell Me About Yourself: Preparing for an Interview
"So, tell me about yourself." When thinking about your last interview - whenever it may have been - this probably sounds familiar. For employers, it's an easy catch-all request. For interviewees, such an open-ended statement can lead to a (too) long answer.
I remember I got this request during an interview. My first thought was a panicky, "What am I am I supposed to say to that?" How could I frame my response to give the best impression of me?
I have experienced a few job interviews in my former careers and as a new graduate nurse. I've learned the do's and don'ts from personal mistakes. Regardless of the position I interviewed for, the principle of being successful is the same. The key to a successful interview is preparation for a first - and lasting - impression. Below are a few points to follow before an interview.
This is simple, but one of the most important things to do when preparing for an interview is to set the date and time. If the date or time is not convenient to the interviewer or you, the job interview will not go well. Worse yet, it may not happen. In the excitement of getting the interview-invitation phone call, it's easy to reflexively say yes to everything asked.
When I get a phone call from a nurse recruiter asking me to make an appointment for an interview, I immediately check my planner for available dates for a date uncluttered with engagements. I choose a day that does not include any exams or medical appointments.
Agreeing on a time is the next hurdle. The phrase "timing is everything" really holds true when setting a job interview. Opt for a slot between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m., or between 2 and 4 p.m. to avoid rush hour traffic.
Do Your Homework
Another important point is research. Always invest time into researching the company. It has been my experience that understanding the mission and purpose of a medical facility helped to understand how my skills and talents could contribute to goals of the employer.
Using the Internet, it's easy to check the facility's Web page to learn about its status (e.g., public or private; union or non-union). Research the level of care of the facility. Check the facility's areas of expertise and specific services it provides to patients. Also check the number of patients admitted, the number of nurses employed and staffing ratios on the unit.
Continue with research into the job position. Look for a job description and expected requirements to perform job duties of the position. Investing time to research the facility has helped me to prepare responses to questions mostly likely asked on an interview.
Responses to Questions: Practice
That leads me to something that always requires practice: responses to questions asked during an interview. A common one is, "Why are you interested in working at our facility?" I select aspects of my personal goals and incorporate them into what I have learned about the goals of the company.
"Can you tell me about yourself?" is another well known interview question, one that used to be a trap for me. I used to go on and on about my entire life, and I often missed the point of the question. The point of this question is to allow you to give a bullet list of significant events in your life that impact the job for which you're interviewing. In other words, in 2 minutes you should touch on personal experiences, such as where you were raised, plus your educational, employment and career accomplishments.
Another question that used to leave me speechless was the request to list my strengths and weaknesses. One thing I have learned is this question is not to be interpreted as a confessional. It is meant for the employer to understand what things you can do well and what (few) things you need to work on improving. Usually, I list 3-5 strengths and 3-5 weaknesses.
It has been my experience that nurse recruiters or nurse managers often ask about a difficult patient care experience. The best approach to this is to structure the answer into a problem, action and result. In other words, what was the specific problem of the patient, what did you do to manage the patient and what was the result?
In addition to preparing responses to possible questions in an interview, I prepare a list of questions to ask about the position. Nurse recruiters and nurse managers appreciate potential hires that ask questions in the interview. It scores brownie points. I usually ask what the typical nurse-to-patient ratio is for each of the three major shifts. I also ask about additional training opportunities and the process for employee evaluation.
Dress the Part
A final point is something that can't be overemphasized: attire. Trendy fashion is not the barometer to use to prepare for the job interview outfit. A blazer, shirt and slacks or a skirt are always a safe bet. I usually choose black, navy blue or dark grey for the blazer, slacks or skirt. For the shirt, white or ivory is best. And for jewelry, be conservative. Pearls work well. Usually, I tie my hair back; I wear light make-up and my nails are trimmed and manicured.
Before I earned my nursing degree, I had the opportunity to participate in the audience of a popular TV show. The theme for the show was how to dress for an interview. According to an editor for a well known magazine, an absolute must in dressing for an interview is to match the leg wear color, be it socks or pantyhose, to the color of the slacks or skirt.
The best advice I can give is to be your best you when preparing for a job interview. Good luck.