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The ideal interview is a two-way street, allowing the employer to convey information to you, the interviewee, about the job and the organization, while you have the opportunity to discuss your qualifications and the information on your resume. The interview is the most important element in the job search process. It is a time to assess the "match" between you and the employer. The employer will be assessing your background, skills, personal style, and interest in the position/organization and supplying you with information about the job and the organization. You will be providing the interviewer with information on your skills, your level of commitment, and your experiences, while at the same time eliciting enough information to ascertain whether or not the particular job/organization is right for you.

Good news! Being invited to an interview generally means that the potential employer already thinks you are qualified to do the job. This probably means that your cover letter and resume were effective. The interview, therefore, will not only determine your qualifications for the job, but it will also be chance for the interviewer to find out what you're like and to assess how well you would fit into the organization. It is quite common and natural to be nervous before an interview. Typically once you get into the interview room and settle down you will realize that you are just having a conversation with a colleague in the field. You've gotten to this stage on your own merits. Just keep up the good work!

The basic rule of thumb of interviews is that you need to articulate convincingly why you should be hired and why you are interested in the position. The following qualities will enhance your ability to come across professionally and effectively in an interview.

Communication and interpersonal skills. The ability to write and articulate ideas and information and to interact with patients and colleagues.

Clinical skills. The ability to assess, communicate and address the patient's physiological issues as well as his/her emotional state. Demonstrate solid critical thinking and judgment. Discerning what is needed in terms of resources and referrals.

Self-awareness. An understanding of your strengths and weaknesses (areas needing improvement). Willingness to set and attain realistic goals.

Personality. A sense of humor, cheerfulness and flexibility in new situations. Enthusiasm to accept challenges is particularly important.

Accomplishments. Make sure to consider academic, extracurricular, clinical and personal achievements.

Knowledge. An understanding of the organization and the career field.

GENERAL POINTERS:

Be prepared. Know as much about the position/hospital/organization as you can. Ask for a copy of the annual report/informational brochure/job description and peruse the website prior to the interview. Ask colleagues, friends, and faculty about the organization. The more you know, the more focused your answers will be. The Career Services library includes many guides to hospitals, health care consulting firms, private agencies, professional associations, and other categories, in which you can get general information on organizations of interest.

Know yourself. Think honestly about your strengths and weaknesses, your work style, skills, and goals. Be prepared to address what excites you about your career choice.. Take the time to review your resume thoroughly and identify highlights that demonstrate various skill sets and point to your passion for contributing to quality patient care, whether though direct care, administration or some other function. Be prepared to comment on your strengths and weakness/areas for improvement. Regarding strengths, always have a specific example or story to back up what you claim to be a strength. Regarding weaknesses, keep a positive attitude and indicate what lessons you have learned and how you have improved. Think about how you can answer difficult questions accurately and positively to enhance your qualifications for a job.

Be prompt and professional. Arrive early. If you don't know where the organization is located, call for directions ahead of time. Anticipate traffic, parking problems and general unforeseen difficulties. If you know you are going to be late be sure to call and let someone know. To be more comfortable, you should arrive approximately 10 minutes early. Allow yourself the time to read your resume one more time, catch your breath, hang up your coat and get into the right mind set for the interview.

Dress appropriately. Wear clothes befitting a person employed in the organization in which you hope to work and also clothes in which you are comfortable and feel you look your best. In general, you can be more flexible than the standard gray flannel business suit, however, you should look professional. For women: a skirt and jacket is fine. For men: a suit and tie are recommended. You can err by overdressing, dressing casually, or being too trendy - keep adornments such as cologne, jewelry etc. - to a minimum.

Be honest. Let an employer get to know you. Avoid pretense. You want to be sure that you and the employer know what to expect if you are hired.

Be positive. Never say anything negative about past experiences, employers, or courses and professors. Employers, like anyone, tend to generalize: if you didn't like "x", you are a negative person and won't like me either. Figure out what was positive about an experience and talk about that. Be positive about yourself. If you wouldn't hire yourself, neither will the interviewer. Be enthusiastic. If you are genuinely interested in the job, let the interviewer know that. There is no need to sound desperate, just interested.

Demonstrate interest. This can be achieved by doing research on the organization prior to the interview. It can also come across by asking questions during the interview about the job, the organization and the people it serves. When asking questions, be sure that the answers will give you information that you don't already have (or should have) and that the questions are genuinely of interest to you. Be responsive to what has gone on in the interview. If you have prepared and listened well, you should be able to come up with thoughtful questions which impress the interviewer. See the list of sample questions to ask; you may want to prepare a few questions in advance, but an insightful comment based on your conversation can make an even stronger statement.

Anticipate the types of questions to expect. See our list of sample interview questions, which is accessible via the link at the end of this page. Questions about how you would handle particular scenarios are quite common. Examples of possible scenarios include a difficult patient, a tough judgment call, a team conflict, etc...

Be ready for anything! Interviews in health care settings, in addition to the traditional one-on-one format, may involve several interviewers at a time, meeting with different staff successively, or even observing the setting for some length of time. Questions about how you would handle particular scenarios are quite common. Examples of possible scenarios include a difficult patient, a tough judgment call, a team conflict, etc...

Salary and salary negotiation. The issue of compensation should not be mentioned by the interviewee during the first interview. If the issue of compensation is broached by the interviewer, you should try to determine what the employers anticipated salary range will be. If your expected salary is within that range you can simply say that the range seems appropriate (if the range that they mention is lower than is acceptable to you, you may decide if that is the time for you to say so).

Try to put off any specific salary agreements until after you have been offered the job since that is the time when the employer has committed him/herself to being interested in you. Never make an ultimatum ("I will only accept the position for x salary") unless you honestly intend to walk away from the position. If you accept the position at less than your stated minimum, you lose credibility. A Career Services Nursing Salary Survey Report is available online; this report lists salary ranges and averages for M.S.N. and doctoral graduates.

Practice. Good interviewees aren't born; they're made. Make an appointment to role play an interview by calling (215) 898-4381 or practice with friends. Practice answering the sample interview questions on the next page. Practice can make a big difference in your confidence and comfort in fielding questions.

Follow-up. Always write a thank-you note within 48 hours of an interview. See the section on follow-up correspondence for details.

SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:

To view sample interview questions, click here.