Are You A Nervous Nurse? Here are 8 Job Interview Tips to Ease Your Mind

Job interviews are stressful, no matter how confident you are. But some aspiring nurses tend to be more nervous than others. If you’re one of those people who gets a lot of anxiety before a job interview, you might worry that your nerves will affect your confidence. But here are 8 tips to help you calm those jitters and harness good self-esteem during your nursing interview.

1. Research the Employer Beforehand

Learn as much as you can about the company you are interviewing for. Your knowledge of the organization will help you stay confident because you know everything about them. If the interviewer asks how much you know about the company, you can happily answer that you know a lot!

2. Practice Answering Difficult Questions

Some recruiters can ask questions you may not be too comfortable answering. But if you practice answering them beforehand, you won’t feel as nervous on the day of. Some of these questions might include:

• Why did you leave your last job?
  
• Why do you have gaps in your resume?
  
• How would your coworkers describe you?

3. Get Lots of Rest

On the day of your interview, you want your brain to be as functional as possible. Don’t starve it of rest. Get a lot of sleep the night before so you can feel alert and refreshed the next day. Lack of sleep leads to more anxiety.

4. Research the Location

Look up the address of the organization before the day of your interview. If you have time, you should even drive there beforehand so you know exactly where to go. The most nerve-wracking feeling is now knowing exactly where your meeting is going to be held, which might make you late.

5. Know Your Strengths (And Weaknesses)

It’s almost guaranteed that your interviewer will ask you what your strengths and weaknesses are. It’s a basic question for many recruiters. Practice this by thinking about what your strong suits are. And when it comes to weaknesses, point out something that you might struggle with – but also talk about how you are taking steps to get better at it. Don’t boost yourself too high or sink yourself too low. Click here to check out more interview tips for nurses and graduates looking to get a job in the investment banking sector. 

6. Eat and Drink Beforehand

Even if your interview is early in the morning, it’s important that you are well fed and hydrated. Again, your brain needs to be working at peak capacity in order for you to feel calm and confident. Treat yourself to a nice breakfast and lots of water so you aren’t weak or hungry when you’re trying to focus.

7. Wear Comfortable Clothes

All job interviews have a certain dress requirement. But that doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice comfort for professionalism. Make sure your clothing isn’t too tight or too loose. No need to be over-the-top informality; instead, wear something practical and comfortable. Not only will you feel better, but you’ll think better too.

8. Take Lots of Notes

Bring a pen and a pad of paper with you to your interview. Not only does it make you look more professional and prepared, but it will help you calm your nerves. A lot of nervous people need something to do with their hands to help ease their minds, and this can work perfectly. Plus, note-taking can stall for time when thinking of ways to answer the next question they ask you.