The Interview

[nurse]

I just finished nursing school and want to go in to OR nursing in NYC. I've heard that its tough to get into the specialty in addition to the fact that just getting a job these days is difficult especially if you have no experience.

I was wondering if anyone has any advice for a new grad? What can be expected on an interview? how do you discuss topics such as shabbos? Wouldn't such things make you undesirable in a recruiters eyes if you discuss it right away on the interview, especially when there are 200 more people waiting to be interviewed for the same job?

Any advice or input would be appreciated!

[achot]

Prepare a clear resume, you might need more help with that,
Dress appropriately, come well rested and groomed, come a bit early but dont push for an earlier appointment
answer questions intelligently, dont volunteer extra information. dont bring up things that are not important at the time- for example we had a nurse ask about the kashrus of the kitchen on the first interview.
Turn negatives into positives, never say I cant , say i am available for ,,,every sunday and holidays like xmas and new years, try to make it sound like you are flexible when actually preserving yourself for Shabbat= we have arabs who want friday morn free so they say, we are available every thurs night to work (knowing that they cant work a morning after a night shift)
When asked the ever popular, what is your weakness, turn it into a positive, I tend to work thru lunches or something like that,
Be Honest about everything!!
A thank you note after the interview is nice
Im sure there is more,

[medic09]

Don't forget to daven.

Good luck!

[lazer]

- Try to be warm and personable. Hiring for entry-level positions are often done on the basis of 'How well with this person get along with the other staff? Are they willing to learn?'

- Let the interviewer take the lead and listen carefully. In your responses, try to tie in something about which you are passionate. When you talk about something which excites you, the real you comes out. The overall impression will be of a dynamic person.

Most of all, use 'protekzia'. The fact is if someone there knows someone who knows someone who knows you makes a difference!

Please update us. Hatzlacha!

[nurse]

Thanks fro the info!

I was wondering if anyone could share their interview experience? Does anyone have any questions they weren't prepared for on the interview? how did you handle it?

Thanks again!

[achot]

May 27, 2009 23:08:14 GMT -5 medic09 said:

Don't forget to daven.

That would be the more!!!

[chanab]

I don't recall most of the exact questions, but especially as a new grad you want to push any exceptionally good clinical experience you had - especially OR experience if that's where you want to get a job. They also ask about strengths, weaknesses, if you had a bad clinical experience how did you handle it? The oddest question I was asked was how fast I can type. I was kind of floored, how did I know how fast I could type? I'm fairly certain I underestimated myself. The point being that with many facilities going to computer charting, it was a valid question and questions on computer skills should be something you have responses for. Good luck!!!