Hi all

just feel the need to vent my panic

I have a job interview on Wednesday (by phone) for the ER dept - I'm in a complete panic as 1) its been a while since I had an interview 2) ive never been interviewed on the phone and 3) i have absolutely NO clue what they are gointg to ask.

With the position im in now I was able to research - targets, gov initiatives, gov strategy etc all the factas and figures I needed policy etc etc - however im in nursing management. The job im going for is different to the area im in now and one i worked in many years ago so I have the experience. Only problem is I really have no clue what they will ask. Its not a management post just a standard ' staff nurse' post - so no point in me looking up targets etc - which Ive tried to do anyway and cant find a damn thing. I dont know if they are going to ask me 'scenario' questions, or general nursing questions or something totally different- im totally going in blind and im worried to death that i'll get stumped!!!!!!!

Everyone keeps telling me not to worry as I'll probably be fine and my experience should get me through but thats easier said than done - Im terrible with interviews as it is, im quite pathetic really and tend to feel sick beforehand


well ok ive vented and feel a little better lol - though wont be long before im a jibbering wreck again - anyone able to offer any advice at all i'd be really grateful

thanks

Sorry...can't offer advice but i can send karma.. Good luck

Don't try and speculate what they will ask you, this will only wind you up before the interview. The only way you are going to find out is when they interview you. With a phone interview there is no body language of course, so be natural, clearly spoken and as positive as possible.

Questions that may come up for an immigrant would be more about adaptability, why you want to move to another country, what your family feel about it. Don't run down your present employer or place you live. People skills and an ability to get on with others are likely to be important.

Keep your resume to hand in case you get any questions around that.

A good interviewer will ask open questions, that require a descriptive answers more than yes or no. Answer the question succinctly and try to avoid the urge to expand excessively or bring things up that have not been asked. You may also be given a scenario and asked how you would deal with it.

For staff nurse position,usually they will ask nursing scenario questions.
They may throw in a few questions about dealing with difficult patients
and their relatives.How you would deal with difficult co workers and unethical
behaviours in your unit.Hope that helps.
Good luck with the interview
Yoong

What else would they ask?

Recently I listened to a radio show on how to survive an interview. The predictable dreaded trick question that is asked is 'tell us your weak points'. The guy on radio came up with a novel idea and here it is.

First, ever so diplomatically point out you do not think in terms of weaknesness but rather opportunities for improvement. Try to sound genuine by saying one of the things mentioned by others (co-workers, supervisors) is that you tend to work too hard and take the job a little too seriously.

This will, or should, help break the ice. You are not about to sink yourself by admitting your faults plus there is no body language to be guided by.

Make sure you sound natural and sincere. Some one who is good at interviewing will spot a phony a mile off.

And never over explain. That it easier said than done. Too much detail is sometimes bad as is repetition. However don't get to the point where you respond with a YES or NO

Avoid the word 'like'. It is overused and irritating. (Like I am giving you advice on like how to manage an interview).

Control your breathing. Someone who is anxious or panicky one can detect on the phone.

Don't fret. If it doesn't work out there will be other opportunities.

In nursing is different,we prefer people to say that they are not familiar
with certain procedures and show the keeness to learn and get supervision
in performing the procedures or operate a machine safely.
Safety in nursing practice is the key issue.There are nurse educators
and clinical nurse specialists on board to provide the education and support.

Your points about being calm,sincere,able to highlight the strengths etc.
are valid.
Yoong

Thank you all so much -all you advice has been great

Surrey expat - thanks for the idea about relocation and family views etc - to be honest that stuff hadnt even crossed my mind, not sure why coz now youve said it it seems rather obvious they could ask something along those lines - probably as its not questions i have ever needed to associate with an interview before lol - thanks

yoong and surrey expat - I hope it is scenarios predominantly - preferably easy ones lol - hopefully i can pull all my A&E experience out of its dusty closet and use that.

Montreal Mike - thanks great idea about the 'weakness' thing - i hate it when they ask that question - i should be able to tie in what you said with what Yoong was saying about safety in nursing practice

Im hoping im very much 'over expecting' having been in management for 7 years and used being nothing short of interrigated at interviews not to mention the wonderful habit many interviewers have where i work of 'loving' asking the one question that causes the sweat to break out on your forehead - im hoping that when i put the phone down i can laugh in relief that its been a breeze!!!!

here's hoping eh!

Let us now how things went.

Good luck with your job interview!

Tanah,
Here is the link to the Emergency nursing forums,the nurses
there may give you some tips about your upcoming interview.
Too bad I off today,or else I would have gone over to see
the Emerg. staff to get some tips from them.
http://allnurses.com/forums/f18/

All the best,
Yoong

It may sound silly, but stand up when you are being interviewed by phone. If you have a cordless phone then maybe even walk slowly and gently around the room while you are talking. I don't know why it works, but the vast majority of people sound more relaxed and confident when they are standing up rather than sitting down.

Good luck. My advice would be practical - make sure you have a comfortable area to yourself; kids in bed or out to play etc and you have your CV (resume!) to hand for review. Also, if you can, practice some answers in your head and have some scenarios ready for examples. There are some good nursing scenarios here

http://selectmedconnections.com/inde...&id=4&Itemid=6

Good luck!

thank you all so much - the links have been great - the ER forum is very interesting and i will keep looking on there today.

Am so grareful for all your help and advice (and just general support) I have started jotting down some bullet points - nothing worse than going' blank' in interviews.
The walking round is a good one, but made me laugh as i already do that without ever really being conscious of it until i read your post- (only in phone calls where i need to 'concentrate' )

THANK YOU and will post on here tomorrow after the interview to let everyone know how it goes

Best wishes sent......x