5 Tips to Nail a Travel Nursing Phone Interview
For many travel nursing jobs, your phone interview is one of the final steps to being hired for the position. It is a key part of proving that you are qualified for the role and it’s also your chance to find out details about the role and negotiate any changes you might want.
We strongly encourage that you use the interview to ask any questions you have about the role, but remember, the interview is ultimately the chance for your potential employer to see if you are a good fit for the facility. We’ve put together our top five tips on how to prepare for and nail a phone interview to set you up for success.
1. Do Your Research Beforehand.
Going into a phone interview with a clear foundational knowledge of the facility itself and the job details will not only show a sense of professionalism, but will also show that you are very interested in the role.
Spend some time before the interview to read up on the facility and types of patients it serves. Remind yourself of the job details and what will be expected of you. The job description on Nomad is a great place to start and you can click into the Facility Profile to learn more about where you will be working.
Having these details will also help inform you on questions you might want to get answered. Ask about things like block scheduling or the patient ratios if that information isn’t clear. If you want to negotiate, the phone interview is the best time to do it. Remember, after the interview, these details will be non-negotiable and set in your contract. So make sure to ask about anything that isn’t immediately clear.
2. Prepare Your Interview Space.
While it may be more convenient to take a phone screen during your transit or in your break room, the importance of a quiet interview space is paramount. If your interviewer has a hard time hearing you or the connection isn’t strong, that sends a negative signal to your interviewer about your commitment to the position.
Find a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted and set aside the time to make sure you can be in that place during your interview. Have your CV readily available so you can reference it if needed. When talking about your experience, make sure to highlight your most recent experience that is actually relevant to the job.
3. Be Honest About What You’re Comfortable With.
During your interview, you will likely be asked about what procedures you are comfortable with and how recently you’ve done them, particularly if you will be asked to perform very specialized procedures. This is crucial because the interviewer is paying close attention to your experience to ensure that you are qualified.
Be honest with yourself and the interviewer in your answers so that you don’t get caught by surprise on the job with a procedure you haven’t done in a few years. That will ensure that you go into an assignment feeling prepared and can easily get integrated within the unit.
4. Be Personable!
The person on the other end of the line may be your interviewer on the call, but if you end up taking the position, they will be someone you see at work! You could be speaking with a hiring manager, the nursing manager or even the head of HR.
Don’t forget that this is someone you may actually be interacting with on a daily basis, so don’t be afraid to be personable! Smile and make a joke. Make some small talk. And at the end of the call, don’t forget to express your thanks for their time. Building a relationship with your interviewer will leave a very positive impression and kickstart a relationship that you may continue to cultivate while on the job.
5. Have Clear Availability For Your Interview.
When scheduling a phone interview, make it clear what times you are available. Simply saying things like “I am free tomorrow afternoon” or “Call me anytime on Wednesday” are too vague and put the pressure on you to be available for a large span of time.
Instead, pick a few hours that are convenient for you to be near your selected interview space, when you know you will be free. Your interviewer will then be able to find a time that matches with their schedule so that you both know exactly when to expect the call.
Once you’ve submitted your application, send a message within the message thread stating your availability. This message will be passed to the facility and they will be able to call you at a time that works for both of you.
Make sure to also keep an eye on your phone and check your voicemail. Often, interviewers will leave a voicemail if they can’t catch you. By calling the interviewer right back or contacting your Nomad Navigators with your call availability, you can ensure that your application will continue to be processed and increase your chances of getting the job.
Phone interviews are a crucial part of the application process, but they don’t have to be a stressful one! Taking the time to learn about the facility and being prepared to answer questions about your experience will help make your phone interview feel more like a great conversation.
If you’re ready to submit your next application, click here to search for and apply for your next job!
Best of luck,
The Nomad Team
nomadhealth.com
Originally published at blog.nomadhealth.com on September 12, 2018.
