Travelers have a lot on their mind; they have all the responsibilities of everyday workers, with the added bonus of being on the road all the time. Employment measured in months, not years and every new position comes with another round of interviews to undergo. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of interview tips!
The skilled recruiters here at Triage can help you find the best positions and land the interview, but once you go to interview, it’s up to you to show the hiring team why you’re the person they’re looking for and all in one or two short phone calls!
See what it takes to be a traveling medical professional!
The Basics
Before we delve into the specifics of negotiating as a traveler, there are a few general interview tips anyone could use when trying to get a job. We’ve culled a few of the best of them and they’re certainly something anyone (including a traveler) should consider.
- Don’t forget phone interview etiquette — most companies in the medical field conduct their interview via phone, so it’s important to understand how a phone interview works. Make sure you’re in a quiet area, give your full attention to the interview, have some basic information about the company on a piece of paper to refer to and make sure you speak slowly and enunciate if the connection isn’t great.
- Don’t forget your solid examples — it’s very likely you’re going to be asked about situations you handled well or poorly and this is especially true for the medical profession. Think about some of your most memorable experiences working in the field and show how they’ve given you experience not every professional has. Practice your answers by saying them out loud to yourself in front of a mirror (along with the answers to the most common interview questions) so you’re not flustered during the interview.
- Do Your Homework — you should also do some key research on the hospital before the interview happens. Is it a dense urban area, or near colleges? How big is the hospital itself? Is it a specialized hospital (like a children’s hospital) and if it is, does it match your expertise? What is the patient load?
- Do Drink the Water – before and during a phone interview, make sure to wet your whistle so your voice transfers more clearly across the line.
Once you have a grasp of things every job seeker needs to keep in mind, you’ll be better set to tackle the more specific aspects of interviewing for allied or travel nurse jobs whether it’s over the phone or in-person.
Be Confident, But Flexible
Are you an RN? Then you should know how valuable you are in the job market. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts more than half a million job positions will open up between now and 2022, making it the second-best job to have in terms of demand. Other medical positions boast similar stats. The very fact that traveling jobs exist in your sector is a testament to the demand!
On the other hand, hospitals and nursing homes do not want to have to train a young grad right out of the gate. They want to hire you because of your experience, adaptability and flexibility. These are crucial skills to convey to the interviewer while on the phone. A long list of job demands and a rigid schedule will not win points with many interviewers.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Important Questions
One way to show how much you know about your position is to ask job specific questions:
- How many beds does the facility have?
- What is the record-keeping or charting system like?
- Is there any training or guides provided?
- Is there a patient to pro ratio?
- What is the schedule and overtime policy?
- Have they had experience with travelers in this UNIT before? (chances are the organization or facility itself has since they’re working with an agency)
Show ‘em You Care!
If you’re sure that the position you’re interviewing for is the one you want, then you’ll want to put your best foot forward at the interview. One way to set yourself apart from the other candidates is to demonstrate the warm and cheery personality commonly associated with a good bedside manner. Bedside manner is so important to healthcare that a strong one can actually improve a patient’s health. Show the interviewer that you’ll be as friendly with patients as you are with them, you’ll have a much better time landing the job.
Detailed answers show that you’re actively listening to the questions and understand what will be expected of you if you land the job. Remember, your interviewer is trying to fill a vacancy. By asking the right questions, exhibiting your adaptability and flexibility and showing off your desire to continue learning and growing in the position, you will help them solve a very pressing problem.
Do you have a favorite interview story? What’s your fool-proof way for nailing a phone interview?