Nursing Interview Tip: How to prepare for a successful online interview!

In today's world, online interviews have become the new normal. We at I Work Overseas are happy to share with our valuable nurses a few tips to prepare for online interviews.

Before we begin, we must first grasp the concept of online interviews. What is the difference between online and in-person interviews? Interviews has always been one of those challenging tasks during the recruitment process.

Regardless of where the interview takes place online, face-to-face, or even phone interview, it is the moment of your first impression which could determine the outcome. There are many things that interviewers pay attention to– communication skills, your tone, body language, reactions, personality and so much more. Each one of these factors play a role when choosing the right person for the job.

Virtual interviews involve even more nuances that can make a difference, like internet connection, sound quality and even light. It is not easy to read someone virtually. An online interview can feel a little bit intimidating at first , but don’t worry, we have some pointers to assist you in acing your online interview.

Before the interview

Before the interview, learn how online conference platforms work and how to use it on your device. Schedule a practice call with a friend or family member prior to your interview. Do not leave this step to the day of the interview. Let your interviewer know if you are having technical issues with any of the devices that you are using, so that you both can adjust.

Here are a few things to pay attention to and fix during your practice call:

Make sure your microphone and speakers are fully functional. We recommend using a headset, as it can improve your call quality.
Can your internet connection handle high-quality live video?
Use a professional and recognizable screen name.
Pay attention to light–make sure you face a window or a light source, interviewer should see you clearly.
Check if your computer lags during video calls (if so, then at least you can make the other person aware or fix the issue in advance). Delays in video interview technology are possible, as are instances when the microphone does not pick up your voice well. To avoid this, try to speak clearly and at a pace that makes it easy to follow.
Your background – what will the interviewer see behind you? A messy room in the background not only is a distraction it also may give a wrong impression about you.
Make sure your camera is set on eye level.

Practice

After testing your equipment, ask someone you know to practice interview questions with you over a video call. It may seem silly, but it helps you to set the right mindset for the meeting. Practice paying close attention and speaking slowly and clearly. The more practice you get, the more confident you will be during the actual call.

Go through some interview questions!

Think of what your interviewer possibly would want to know about you and your skills. Go over some common nurse interview questions. It will only help if you have thought about the answer before to answer similar question. Here are a few questions that you can use in your preparation for your interview.

What are your best skills?
What skills would you like to improve?
What would past supervisors say about you?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Why should we hire you?

Prepare for the interview

"You are addressed by how you dress," could be the right catchphrase in this case. Make sure you dress and look professional. Yes, dressing professionally and talking to your computer may appear strange, but this is part of a strategy and most importantly, the first impression. Imagine yourself in an "actual life, face-to-face interview." What would you wear to look professional? Same goes for meeting people online. Simply put, dress for success.

As part of the preparations, get to know the company or employer that you are aiming to work for. What do they do? What are their values? What do you find interesting about the company or the new workplace? Employers do appreciate the fact that you have taken your time to look into their company and are interested in greater picture, rather than just having ‘I just need a job’ attitude.

Be punctual

The requirement to arrive early and punctuality applies to online interviews just as it does to in-person ones. It is a basic courtesy. There is no difference if you meet someone in an office or via Zoom call. If the interview is set for a certain time–be on time! It is best to be ready and prepared at least 30 minutes before the video call.

There can be a situation when one of the interview participants must reschedule, and that is okay, as long as the communication about changes is prompt and timed well. Don’t forget to confirm interview times, also considering time zones.

Punctuality is a serious factor in any interview and profession, so keep that in mind. It could turn out to be your lucky charm.

Choose a suitable location

This is one of the most crucial aspects of an online interview. A secluded room where you can block out distractions (and noises), control the lighting, and display a neutral background is what you are looking for. Ideally, make sure you have enough lighting to see you clearly, but not too bright to avoid shadows or glare. The best option is natural daylight near a window. Try to use a plain wall as your backdrop and make sure you can be seen only from the waist up on camera.

Try to keep anything that might distract you or your interviewer from being seen. Make sure you let anyone you are living with know of the interview and its seriousness. Don’t forget to put off devices you will not use or lower the volumes and notifications (think Messenger, Whatsapp notifications etc.)

Interview

Your body language and the way you speak can tell a lot about you as a person. It is a non-verbal communication and is how we read each other. Be aware of your body language and act natural. A few things to remember that could improve the feel of your interview:

Maintain ‘eye contact’. Look directly into the camera, people usually are tempted to look at the monitor at themselves but focus on making ‘eye contact’ with your interviewer via the camera. Use a post-it note at the bottom of your screen that says ‘Look in the camera’ if it helps.
Speak clearly and slowly.
Listen carefully and attentively.
Pay attention to your body language.
Pay attention to your voice inflections.
Take a deep breath and smile. It makes you look more enthusiastic and friendlier.

Ask questions

Candidates often massively miss out on this. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Show that you are interested in working with the person or company. Prepare your questions. The major purpose of interviews is to get to know applicants and find the best fit for the role, but you can also use this as an avenue to query your employer. To ask about the current state of working conditions and other issues you might be interested in. For example, you can ask for clarification on the position you are about to occupy or your growth potential.

After an interview

Now that the interview has ended. What happens now? Regardless of whether you are being recruited via an agency or directly, all you can do after an interview is finding out when you could expect feedback and patiently wait for it. It is also a friendly gesture to send a thank you email for the time and opportunity to introduce yourself or express it to the interviewer at the end of the interview.

When you join I Work Overseas, our recruiters become the main contact person for everything that may arise during the recruitment process. We are there for you all the way! Whatever happens, whatever questions or concerns you might have, reach out to us and we will guide you through the process. After interviews I Work Overseas recruiters give you feedback about how did the interview go and the next steps.

All this may feel a little bit overwhelming; we all have been there! It is not as complicated as it may seem. Take a deep breath and do your best. You got this! Sometimes your only obstacles to success are anxiety and your own overthinking. Being composed is also one of the characteristics of a skilled nurse. We hope these tips will help and wish you the best of luck in your interviews and in your future career!