When it comes to interviewing for allied or travel nurse jobs, more often than not, you’ll be doing so over the phone seeing as you’re not in that particular location yet. It can be difficult, though, to get used to the idea of trying to portray your best qualities over the phone to the interviewer.
Many individuals are used to the traditional in-person interview where first impressions are determined from appearance and body language. Although phone interviews don’t give these same possibilities, the facility can still determine whether you’ll be a good fit for the position from the impression you give over the phone. How can you have the most successful phone interview ever?
1. Focus and Remove Distractions
You may think having a phone interview means less attention needs to be spared but this is far from the truth. Have you ever been on the phone with your SO, best friend, or mom and you can tell they’re distracted? Interviewers can sense the same thing.
Before calling into the interview make sure to remove all distractions from the area you’ll be taking the interview. Put your dog outside, go into a different room than your cat, and turn off the Gilmore Girls. You may also want to consider taking notes with a pen and paper for the call as opposed to a computer so you aren’t tempted to hop on Facebook while listening or scrolling through your email.
2. Prepare
Once you get your phone interview scheduled, take the time to prepare and we’re not just talking about an hour beforehand. The interviewer will certainly be able to tell if you’re scrambling on the other end of the phone. Try making a cheat sheet for answers to commonly asked questions like:
- “What do you bring to this position?”
- “How do you stand out from the other applicants?”
- “How do you set priorities in your work?”
- “How much supervision do you want/need?”
Also be sure to have your resume handy and references in order so you’re able to quickly address any questions the interviewer may have.
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3. Know What You Want
This phone interview is just as much for the facility to interview you as it is for you to interview the facility. Make sure to have a list of the questions you want to ask on your cheat sheet as well like:
- “What’s the shift?”
- “Why is there a need for a traveler?”
- “What type of support staff is available, if any?”
- “What’s the orientation process?”
Know what types of shifts and job you’re expecting from this opportunity and convey that to the interviewer. This is your chance to get to know more about the facility itself and find out if it’s a good fit for you. Make sure to do your research about the place beforehand so you can address any concerns you may have or answer any relevant questions.
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4. Really Listen Before Responding
When talking on the phone, it’s sometimes difficult to know if the person on the other end is finished making their point. Make sure to take a second before answering each question to ensure the interviewer is actually finished. Don’t dominate the conversation, let the interviewer guide the chat. Answer questions to the best of your ability but don’t turn it into a monologue.
5. Follow Up Afterward
Common courtesy, is to follow up with the interviewer with a thank you for their time and the opportunity to speak with them. You can do this with a personal thank you note or an email. You’ll also want to make sure you follow up with your recruiter, as well. Let them know how the interview went and if you’re still interested in the position after learning more about the job and the particular facility itself. This will also help your recruiter gauge compatibility for future assignments so they’ll able to pick out positions you’ll be the most interested in than others.
Bonus: Smile! Whether you believe they’ll be able to hear it or not, having a smile on your face can change your whole outlook for the conversation. Also, don’t even think about eating or drinking during the interview!
What other tips do you have for the best phone interview ever? Did we leave some out? Let us know! @TriageStaff