PICTURE THIS: You have just gotten an interview for your dream nursing interview post graduation. You feel completely qualified, but have never undergone an official interview for this type of position, or you haven’t been interviewed in a long time.

This nerve-wrecking reality is more common than you might think. In fact, almost everyone experiences this at some point in their nursing career. College Atlas has created an infographic (click image to right for full size) featuring some killer job interview tips. We’ve broken some of these tips down and tailored them to the world of nursing to help you land the nursing job you’ve worked so hard to get!

Nursing Tips 101: How to Get the Job

What should I wear?
70 percent of employers claim they don’t want applicants who seem overly trendy, and about 65 percent claim that the clothing you wear is a major determinant. So how do you dress for a nursing job interview?

· Avoid brightly colored clothing
· Look professional: don’t wear jeans
· Wear an appropriate, fitted suit
· Wear your attitude right: Make eye contact, stay positive, and give the employer a firm handshake

Men and women both should avoid heavy perfumes (you won’t be wearing colognes to the job anyways!) Men should keep facial hair maintained and cleaned. All in all, look professional, clean and always wear a smile!

How do I prepare?
A nursing job interview isn’t the same as your college, burger joint job interview. With that being said, being prepared is crucial for success. There are several items to bring along with you, such as a notepad and pen, your cover letter, resume (several copies), certifications and license, your CPR certification card and references.

What kind of questions will I be asked?
Aside from the items you prepare, you can also practice answering some common questions asked. Some of these include:

· What are your methods for stress management?
· What leadership roles you have taken on?
· What is your ideal working environment?
· How do you prefer to communicate?
· Explain one of the times you have experienced conflict within the workplace and how did you solve that conflict?
· What prior experience relative to this position do you have?

It’s important to practice your dialect before the interview. 38 percent of employers claimed that first impressions are determined by the quality of the interviewee’s voice, confidence and grammar and 7 percent based the decision on the choice of words used.
Prior to the interview, learn about the hospital or healthcare facility by doing some research on their website, if possible. See if they are actively participating in projects or involved in other organizations and briefly discuss this with the interviewer to show genuine interest in the company.

After the interview…
You will be relieved; the hardest part of landing the job is over! Immediately after the interview, write down your feelings, impressions and thoughts especially if you have multiple interviews lined up.

Be sure to follow up after a week with the employer and always send a thank you note. For some tips and examples on proper follow-up letters, check out these tips from Examiner.com.

Nursing interviews can feel overwhelming or daunting, but they don’t have to be unbearable. Conquer the stresses involved with the interview process by preparing with the tips listed above. Showcase who you really are, and not who your employer wants you to be. If the job doesn’t feel right, it might not be the job for you! Check out the infographic from College Atlas below for additional tips for acing your nursing job interview, good luck!

Share with us your interview stories below!