<p>You just received a call from a potential employer about a nursing interview for a job overseas. You are probably thrilled and nervous at the same time – and rightfully so. An interview presents the best opportunity to market yourself as the ideal candidate for the job. A lot relies on how you present yourself during the interview and the <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/job-interviews-hr" target="_blank">answers you provide</a>. Before attending the interview, prepare yourself with these nursing interview tips and advice, and learn some of the dos and don’ts to help you ace the interview. Adequate preparation starts with understanding what employers look for when hiring nurses. </p>
<h2><a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/job-interviews-hr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">What HR Really Wants to Hear</a></h2>
<p>Employers use interview questions to determine whether you are the right fit for the job. Here are the top 4 nursing interview tips and advice that employers want to know during the job interview include:</p>
<h3>1. Motivation</h3>
<p>Most interviewers about your motivation for pursuing a career in nursing. When an employer asks questions like “why did you pursue a career in nursing?” they want to see where your passions and interests lie. Healthcare employers seek to work with nurses who are passionate about positively impacting others through quality and safe patient care. </p>
<p>When asked the question of why you chose to become a nurse, focus on:</p>
<ul><li>What you love about nursing</li><li>How taking care of patients resonates with you</li><li>Personal experiences that compelled you to pursue a career in the field </li></ul>
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<h3>2. Working Style </h3>
<p>Your working style is important as a nurse. Employers want to know how you relate with patients, management, and coworkers. They might ask questions such as:</p>
<ul><li>How would you deal with a patient’s complaints?</li><li>Describe how you would deal with a difficult colleague</li></ul>
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<p>These questions aim at identifying your problem-solving skills, team working, communication, and collaboration skills. When answering questions about your working style, discuss how you would deal with a situation by drawing on experience or creating a hypothetical scenario.</p>
<p>For example, if dealing with complaints from patients or family members, demonstrate how you acknowledge and deal with the patient’s concern. </p>
<p>In terms of dealing with coworkers, interviewers want to know whether you are a team player. Healthcare is dependent on collaboration between nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals; therefore, you must demonstrate your willingness and ability to collaborate. </p>
<p>Speaking ill of your colleagues or emphasizing that you are always right indicates to potential employers that you are not a good team player. You could also draw on past events to demonstrate how you collaborated with other healthcare personnel to benefit your patients positively. </p>
<p>Potential employers also want to know whether you fit within their organization’s culture. You need to identify and communicate what sort of working environments you perform best in. </p>
<h3>3. Skills and Experience </h3>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="535" src="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_1293505813-1024x535.jpg" alt="Skills and Experience" class="wp-image-12420" srcset="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_1293505813-1024x535.jpg 1024w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_1293505813-300x157.jpg 300w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_1293505813-768x401.jpg 768w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_1293505813.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>Provide your potential employer with a verified education credential to prove your knowledge, skills, and training</figcaption></figure>
<p>Employers want to know that you have the right skills and competencies required for their job vacancy. Some of the core skills and competencies that will help you <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/tried-and-tested-ways-to-pass-your-job-interview" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pass an interview</a> include:</p>
<ul><li>Empathy and compassion</li><li>Communication skills</li><li>Interpersonal skills </li><li>Collaboration skills</li><li>Mindfulness and attention to detail</li><li>Critical thinking </li></ul>
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<p>Some of the questions interviewers will ask to gauge your skills include:</p>
<ul><li>How would you handle a disagreement with a doctor? </li><li>How would you handle a disease outbreak? </li><li>What experience do you have in this specialty?</li></ul>
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<p>You can provide your potential employer with a <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/trueproof-how-to-share-your-verified-credentials" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">verified education credential</a> to prove your knowledge, skills, and training. To demonstrate your relevant experience, present your verified work experience credentials to the recruiters. </p>
<p>What <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/pass-an-interview-new-graduate" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">if you’re a new graduate</a>? If you are a new graduate, you can still position yourself as the ideal candidate and land the job by preparing adequately for the interview. <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/work-experience-do-you-need-it-to-get-a-job-abroad" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Experience</a> requirements will depend on the employer as well as your field experience. Pre-pandemic KSA was processing <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/guide-register-health-practitioner-saudi-arabia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">professional nursing licenses</a> for fresh nursing graduates. </p>
<h3>4. Working Under Pressure</h3>
<p>Dilemmas are often expected in healthcare environments; whether it’s a surge in emergencies or the emotional and physical stress of the career, potential employers want to know whether you can take care of yourself and work well under pressure. </p>
<p>Questions about how you handle a crisis at work or the emotional and physical toll of the job are behavioral questions. When asked the question, draw upon your personal experiences. </p>
<ul><li>Did you handle a crisis in your previous or current job? How did you deal with a particularly stressful event?</li></ul>
<p></p>
<p>On handling the emotional and physical toll of the job, provide information about how you cope with urgency and quick thinking under stressful circumstances. Add specific examples of how you have dealt with similar scenarios in the past. </p>
<h2>How to Prepare for an Interview </h2>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_1729715380-1024x535.jpg" alt="How to Prepare for an Interview " class="wp-image-12418" width="610" height="318" srcset="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_1729715380-1024x535.jpg 1024w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_1729715380-300x157.jpg 300w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_1729715380-768x401.jpg 768w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_1729715380.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px" /><figcaption>Share a link to your myTrueProfile with recruiters or potential employers ahead of time</figcaption></figure>
<h3>1. Do Your Research</h3>
<p>Research is an integral part of interview preparation. You cannot ace a nursing interview until you understand the job. Some of the things you need to know include:</p>
<ul><li>The required qualifications</li><li>The organization, including its mission, vision, culture, and values</li><li>The skills and experience the organization values </li><li>Decision-makers in the organization </li><li>News and recent events about the organization </li><li>The organization’s clients, products, and services</li><li>The organization’s salary figures, hiring process, functions, and duties</li></ul>
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<p>Researching early allows you to remain calm and present yourself as an ideal candidate who understands the employer and has the skills, values, and experience that fit the organization. </p>
<h3>2. Prepare for Questions</h3>
<p>Preparing for an interview can be daunting. If you feel nervous about your interview despite doing your research, you should review and familiarise yourself with the most common nursing interview questions and answers. </p>
<p>Analyze each question and think about it before writing down your response. You can develop your answers from your work experience or coursework. Think outside the box to really stand out from the other candidates. </p>
<p>Identify <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/five-questions-to-ask-during-a-job-interview" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">questions you would like to ask your employer</a>. Most interviewers end the interview by asking you any questions you might have. It’s essential to take this opportunity to ask company- and role-specific questions. You could discuss company culture, team dynamics or even ask about the next stages and the timeline for the application process. To visualize the role, ask the interviewer what a typical day would look like for somebody in this position. </p>
<h3>Some best practices when asking the interviewer questions include:</h3>
<ul><li>Ask concise questions that require more than a yes/no answer</li><li>Do not ask obvious questions whose answers you can find through research</li><li>If the interviewer has yet to mention this information, ask about salary and benefits once you are in the negotiation stage of the hiring process.</li><li>Ask the interviewer if they have any concerns or questions about elements of your digital CV. This will show them that you appreciate transparency, welcome feedback, and be willing to learn and collaborate. It might also give you the chance to shine a light on specific accomplishments. </li></ul>
<p></p>
<h3>Other nursing interview tips and advice include:</h3>
<ul><li>Wear professional, well-fitted, and comfortable clothing on the day of the interview. Doing so will allow employers to visualize you in the new role subliminally. </li><li>Arrive early on the day of the interview. Check your travel time, directions, public transport, and parking amenities ahead of time. </li><li>Bring printed copies of your resume and references. If the interview is remote, share a link to your <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/build-a-digital-resume" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">myTrueProfile</a> with recruiters or potential employers ahead of time. </li><li>Be confident. Take some deep breaths and believe in yourself. </li><li>For <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/five-best-practices-for-online-interviews" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">online interviews</a>, test run your computer, internet connection, microphone and webcam for smooth communication</li></ul>
<p></p>
<h3><a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/five-common-mistakes-avoid-job-interview" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mistakes to avoid during a job interview include</a>:</h3>
<ul><li>Dressing too casually</li><li>Being underprepared</li><li>Interrupting the interviewer</li><li>Forgetting a copy of your resumé and its details</li><li> Giving generalized responses. Be specific and concrete in your answers and provide an example where possible. </li></ul>
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<h2>3. Ace Your Interview </h2>
<p>Implementing thes nursing interview tips and advice will set you up for success. Now that the chance to work abroad is within reach after your invitation for a nursing interview, preparation is key. Familiarize yourself with the common questions and answers that interviewers ask during an interview. Review your resumé and answers during your interview preparation. Share your <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/ultimate-digital-cv" target="_blank">digital CV</a> with your interviewer in advance of your interview. On the day of your interview, make sure to dress professionally, arrive early, be confident and polite. Most importantly? Breathe and smile. Good luck! </p>
<h4>Ready to get started?</h4>
<p>In preparation for your interview, <a href="https://member.trueprofile.io/login" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sign up</a> to TrueProfile.io today to create a powerful online resumé that will help you <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/whitepaper-how-to-build-a-resume-that-will-fast-track-your-career" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">build trust with employers</a>.</p>
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