Preparation is the first essential step towards a successful interview, read below for some items that you need to think about. During your interview you will be scored on the following aspects
| APPEARANCE | It is important to look presentable and professional. Wearing jeans is not acceptableTypically, nursing candidates should wear professional interview attire. A suit would be ideal, but if you are a new nurse or if you are applying for an entry-level position, you may be able to get by with a shirt and tie with slacks for men, or dress pants (or tailored skirt) and a blouse for women. Whatever you wear, be sure that you appear neat and well-groomed. Clothes should be pressed, tailored, and preferably in neutral colors with a simple or traditional design. Keep accessories to a minimum as well. |
| ATTITUDE | The people interviewing you are evaluating how you’re interacting with them. If they don’t like you and how you’re interacting, you won’t get the offer, regardless of your CV or skills. That’s why you must approach the entire interview process with a positive attitude. This positive attitude should show throughout the process, and you can help it show in the following ways:
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| CONFIDENCE | You must show the employer that YOU believe in YOUR OWN skills.They will only offer you a job if they see you believe in yourself and that you will be able to learn quickly when you arrive. Even if you feel unsure of yourself you must convince the employer that you will be able to take charge of the care staff and manage any nursing situation that comes your way.This can be expressed in so many ways. Look the interviewer in the eyes, shake their hand firmly. Be chatty and lucid, sit with good straight posture with your hands on your lap, be precise in your answers do not ‘Um and ah’. Confidence comes with experience, so tell the interviewer about difficult situations that you negotiated in your previous jobs, perhaps even mention your world travels or a time you held a position of power within an organization. Make sure you mention any situations where you had to take responsibility or managed staff or situations by yourself.
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| COMMUNICATION SKILLS | Your english might not be perfect but you should convince the employer that your positive attitude, likability and nursing skills will make up for the lack of words. You must also convince the employer that you will be prepared to work hard on your english and that your english will keep improving.Explain to the employer what you are currently doing to improve your english and that you intend to sign up for a english course as soon as you arrive in the UK (it is free in England and we will assist you with this)
NEVER APOLOGISE FOR YOUR ENGLISH, you can say I know my english is not perfect yet but since I understand everything – I know that I will have no problem working as a nurse and I will keep improving my english if I get this opportunity. By the time I come to the UK I might just have perfect english like the Queen! (just watch and see J)
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| MOTIVATION | Make sure you have a strong answer about the reasons why you want to find work in the UK. You must convince the employer that it is something you have thought about and that you are really motivated to take up and stay for a long period in their employment.Reasons why people in general consider the UK
MAKE SURE THE EMPLOYERS KNOWS THAT YOU ARE KEEN TO WORK FOR THEM, not just any employer in the UK. Convince them that you have done your homework and visited their website or spoke to people about the Company before you decided to come for the interview.
It is always good to give the employer a compliment about something that impressed them about the company. For example your website was very informative and made me feel really god about applying for a job with your company or I am impressed with the training program and support I hear you offer your nurses.
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| SKILLS & EXPERIENCE | It is important to focus on telling the employer only about skills that are relevant to the job. If you have worked as a midwife or dental nurse, it will not help you to sell your skills as a midwife because they do not need midwives or dental nurses in the Care homes. In this case you have to convince them that you have worked in previous jobs with elderly people and that you really enjoy caring for people’s most basic needs. They are looking for KIND & CARING nurses who is really wants to take care of their elderly residents. SOMEONE who will be loyal to their company and SOMEONE who will work hard and be prepared to learn and improve their skills to become the best nurse they can be. |
More tips
- Make sure you get the name of the interviewer and greet them friendly using their first name something like “Hello Pat, Hello Yvonne, THANK YOU FOR SEEING ME TODAY” or I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THIS INTERVIEW”
- Try to smile and relax THROUGHOUT your interview
- Sit upright AND look the interviewers straight in the eyes, it is important that your show them that your are enthusiastic and excited about the opportunity.
- If you don’t understand – ask them to PLEASE REPEAT THE QUESTION
- Be honest and truthful
- Don’t answer questions with a “yes” or “no”. Expand and explain whenever possible giving details about yourself and your experience, which relate to the position.
- You must at no point say “sorry my English is not good” – rather say something positive, like
“I am still busy improving my English and I practice every day. I know in the UK I will improve my English even more!”
