The demand for qualified nursing staff is high, and the healthcare field is growing at a rapid pace. This comes as great news for students soon entering the healthcare industry and seasoned nurses looking to expand their careers. Being in such high demand virtually guarantees you’ll find the job of your dreams.
Or, does it? You still must ace that interview and do so in a way that impresses the healthcare organization’s recruiter. Your skills can be impeccable and your work history glowing, but failing to come across in a knowledgeable, confident, and professional manner in your interview may work against you.
Interviews are anxiety-producing events, and your interviewer understands you are only human. One wrong answer or hesitation will not shut down your chances. But consistently hesitating and providing answers that are vague or open-ended may demonstrate that you are unprepared, lack necessary understanding, and even leave the interviewer feeling that you present a poor attitude. Open-ended answers and hesitation on your part can lead to more questions and potentially shine a light on your weaknesses.
Keep The Three C’s Front and Center
There’s a well-known formula that professional career coaches often use. It’s referred to as the “Three C’s”. They stand for Confidence, Competence, and Credibility. They are essential qualities in healthcare and help ensure a successful interview with the outcome you want. Here is a breakdown of the three C’s:
- Confidence: When you believe in your abilities, you exude an authentic confidence that’s contagious. Your interviewer can’t help but feel you’re not only prepared, but you are comfortable in your knowledge and skills. If you feel any hesitation about your skills and knowledge, work on honing them so your confidence increases.
- Competence: Your competence comes from how comfortable you feel performing your job. If you’re a seasoned nurse or a nurse with some experience, share some of those experiences in your interview. You will be asked. Students have their clinical experience to help them convey competency.
- Credibility: Credibility is essential for a successful interview. When you are honest, transparent, and authentic in your answers, your work ethic comes through. A competent healthcare candidate establishes trust and reliability. Remaining professional, respectful, genuine, and positive in your interview earns tremendous favor with your interviewer.
Arrive Prepared
Make sure to do your homework before the interview. Research the healthcare organization online so that you are familiar and have a basic understanding of their brand and workplace culture. When you arrive with some knowledge of the healthcare organization’s brand, you demonstrate that you’ve done your homework.
Research the job posting before your interview. Understanding the job description with close attention to detail prevents you from being caught off guard. Nursing roles and responsibilities are a little different between organizations, and if you are applying to several positions at the same time, it can get confusing. Knowing what is expected of the healthcare candidate ahead of time helps determine any gaps in skills you may have and gives you time to work on them.
There are Common Themes to Interview Questions
Nurses have to think on their feet, and often with no time to spare. Given that, the questions you are asked as a potential healthcare candidate are quite different from those in other fields. Because patient care is at the center of what you do, much of your interview focuses on your knowledge and, especially, your soft skills when it comes to caring for your patients.
As a member of a patient’s care team, you will work with other healthcare professionals. You must be able to work well with others and let your ego take a backseat. Because these healthcare interview questions are behavior-based, they are best answered with examples from your real life as a nurse. The interviewer is trying to get a glimpse of how you react in certain situations that may challenge you, your patient, or your team.
Embrace the STAR Method
When answering these types of healthcare interview questions, it’s best to keep in mind the STAR method. This acronym applies to a well-known method for formatting your answers while telling your story. Here’s how it works:
Situation: When asked a question, think of a situation from your nursing life that is similar and has a successful outcome.
Task: What was your task in the scenario, and how did you contribute to the success of the outcome?
Action: How did your actions figure into the successful outcome? Now is not the time for humility. Shine a light on yourself and let the interviewer know how wonderful you are!
Result: How was the situation resolved? How did you contribute to the resolution? Was there any follow-up?
Practice the STAR method when answering practice questions and the results will be twofold; you will have your answers fresh in mind and your self-confidence will grow as you realize how your nursing skills contribute to successful patient care.
The Top Interview Questions Healthcare Candidates Get Asked
The purpose of your interview is to find out if you are a good fit with the healthcare organization. There are basic questions, questions specific to the position, and a deep dive into your skills as a healthcare professional. Anticipate questions about your strengths and weaknesses, experiences, how you’ve handled challenging situations, and difficult patients. You’ll be asked about your understanding of the advancements in healthcare, your career goals, and what drew you to the specific job for which you are interviewing.
Here we offer a breakdown of the top interview questions for healthcare candidates and how to nail them.
“Tell me about yourself.”
While not really a question, this prompts the healthcare candidate to reveal not only who they are professionally but also as a person. Recruiters and hiring managers see this as a way to gain insight and not only from your answers. Your body language and the tone of voice you use also convey how you see yourself. Present a confident nurse in every way.
Many interviewees consider this question difficult, and here’s why: it’s very vague. When you aren’t sure how to answer, you risk rambling on and losing the thread along the way. But don’t be intimidated. Consider the interviewer a new acquaintance who is curious about you. Offer broad answers, but don’t act like you’re hiding or doing anything.
“What drew you to a career in healthcare?”
The purpose of this question is so the interviewer can gauge your passion and dedication to your chosen profession. A career in healthcare, for many, is more of a calling. They feel called and honor-bound to care for those who are in need. It’s much more than a job.
When you’re asked what drew you to your career, answer honestly and talk about your mission to help others. Discuss how you hope to contribute to healthcare and the ways in which you’ve already provided care. Convey authenticity and avoid surface-level answers. In other words, speak your truth.
Highlight those aspects of your profession that hold value for you, personally. Was there an event that contributed to calling, or inspired you? Talk about what drew you to this particular healthcare organization, too.
“What do you consider your greatest strength?”
For those more humble individuals, this can be a difficult question. Begin by focusing on your professional strengths. Try to avoid those common skills among the healthcare candidates, such as punctuality or organizational skills. These are simply expected attributes and won’t work to set you apart from your competition.
Instead, highlight those strengths that work toward the betterment of the healthcare organization. Are you able to empathize with your patients? Do you approach solutions to problems from different perspectives? Do you manage your time wisely and prioritize in order of importance? What soft skills do you bring to the job?
“What is your greatest weakness?”
This is another two-fold question. By highlighting your weaknesses, you demonstrate a degree of self-awareness that’s necessary for the job. Obviously, you will want to answer as it relates to your potential job and not highlight personal weaknesses. For example, a tendency to over-commit or a propensity for perfectionism, either of which shows you have problems delegating. Do you struggle with multitasking? That may be a weakness in a setting where you must juggle many things at once.
“How do you see the future of healthcare?”
This question uncovers your desire to contribute to healthcare in a meaningful way.
If you’ve researched the healthcare organization, then you can steer your answers toward their healthcare initiatives. Discuss innovations in a positive way, and any technological advancements that improve the healthcare horizon.
Include the many ways these innovations will help the community served by the healthcare organization. For example, the aging population or children, or the differing needs of a diverse community.
Share your thoughts about research and any recent developments that apply to the healthcare organization. Stress how your contributions will strengthen the healthcare organization and the community it serves.
Again, lean on your knowledge of the organization and steer your answers to their specific focus.
“What do you do to stay informed on current healthcare advancements and events?”
Your interviewer is looking for healthcare candidates who are and remain engaged in the industry. Try to be specific and speak to those advancements and events about which you feel passionate. Discuss membership in any professional organization, professional publications you read, industry blogs that interest you, newsletters you subscribe to, and other ways you stay up to date.
“How do you handle difficult patients?”
This is where your compassion, empathy, and professionalism come together. A healthcare professional must remain calm in the face of a difficult patient. Discuss specific ways you use to diffuse tension and cite real-life examples when you’ve dealt with a difficult patient. Stress that many times these difficulties come from a place of fear on the patient’s part and how you help them understand their unique situation and support them in the process.
“How do you handle difficult family members?”
Again, many family members are afraid for their loved one. Let the interviewer know you answer questions as truthfully as possible, always keeping in mind the patient’s wishes. This question (and the question above) offers you an opportunity to highlight your interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with patients and their family members.
“Describe a time when you went above and beyond for your patient.”
This prompt provides insight into your sense of responsibility to your patient and your dedication to your job. Highlight events such as returning to work early or staying late to provide for your patient, taking the lead in an emergency, following up with family members to obtain a clear medical history, and advocating for your patient when you felt strongly about their needs.
“Why our healthcare organization?”
When your interviewer asks this question, they are looking to see why your healthcare organization stands out in your job search. By understanding your motivation, they are better able to determine whether or not you are a good fit for the company, whether you want long-term employment with them, or if you are simply looking for a job until something “better” comes along. If you’ve done your due diligence and researched this company, you will know their mission statement and understand a bit about their vision.
Connect your answer to their mission. Let them know how your passion and direction relate to their healthcare organization.
Do you want to provide the aging population with compassion and care? Are you called to care for the more vulnerable population? Is pediatrics a passion? Connect to their needs when answering this question.
“What are your career goals?”
Most healthcare organizations are looking for healthcare candidates who have long-term plans for their careers. Many times, these hiring managers prefer someone who is goal-oriented and eager for professional development. But don’t forget they are most interested in your short-term goals and how their organization fits.
Let them know your short-term goal is to secure the position they offer, but ultimately, you would like to advance within their organization.
After the Interview
After your interview, don’t forget to follow-up. A polite thank you and follow-up within a few days of your interview helps the hiring manager gauge your interest in the job. It’s not only a good practice to get in the habit of, but it could make all the difference in getting the job.
For more on how you can nail your interview and get the job you want, please contact BOS Medical Staffing.
