How to Answer Interview Questions

Lisa is a new nursing graduate who has been having a hard time impressing her interviewers. She has already been on three interviews and each time she never hears back.

She does not understand what is happening with her interviews and why no one is offering her a job. Lisa needs help on how to interview for a job.

Lisa's Question:

My interview is tomorrow and I need help with how to answer job interview questions. I am a new graduate from nursing school and the position is for an oncology (cancer) new graduate nurse. We were told in nursing school that we would have no problem getting jobs when we graduate because of the shortage, but I've been on 3 unsuccessful interviews recently. There have been many applicants for these jobs and I obviously haven't stood out from the crowd.

How do you recommend I sell myself to the hospital as a new graduate nurse?

For me, just graduating from the four year program was an accomplishment in itself, as many didn't make it. I wasn't involved in any nursing clubs or organizations during school as I had to work.

I do think that I will make a great oncology nurse as am compassionate and really like to get "plugged in" to wherever I work, add to staff morale, go the extra mile for patients, staff and managers.

How do I effectively convey this?

Don's Answer:

Keep this in mind: employers are selfish and are only concerned with what you can do for them. They don't want to hear about how this job will benefit you or your career, but how you will benefit them.

To stand out in front of prospective employers, you need tell them what your own plans are for the job. How are you going to do it? How are you going to overcome any hurdles. Make sure you know something about the organization you are interviewing with by researching them on the web before your interview. Taking the time to learn how to answer interview questions like this will give you a distinct advantage over your competition.

Give them examples of your accomplishments from your past and how your efforts have benefited a past employer or organization. Let them know how you plan to take-on this new job over the next 6 months to 1 year. Even if your plan is half-baked, show them you have been thinking about it and this is how you are going to do it.

Let them know you and are not afraid of trying new things or wearing many hats. You can really build a place for yourself here if you can show them that you know how to get things done without a lot of direction.

Let them know you are a team player, a leader, a teacher, and back it up with real examples from your past. You may not realize it, but in one way or another, you have been all three of these, but if it's not obvious to you, dig deep and you will find something.

When they ask you to tell me about yourself, this is the time to tell them how you ended up in oncology school, and what it really means to you. Make it personal. But don't babble on to long.

Give yourself that extra edge and stand out by giving a firm handshake to everyone you meet and look him/her in the eye. Smile with a big grin and show your teeth. Showing your teeth is the ultimate smile and is the best and most exciting way to introduce yourself. Plus, your image will last longer in their minds.

One of the best tips I have on how to interview for a job is to keep your answers short and to the point.

Don't feel like you have to talk for 5 minutes to answer each of their questions. If they want to know more about a certain question, they will ask you.

You have just read about a real problem posed by Lisa, who has been on several interviews and has not been offered a job. She is having a hard time figuring out what to do next and how to answer job interview questions she knows she will be asked on her next interview.

Inside The Complete Interview Answer Guide, Don shows job seekers how to answer interview questions and how to interview for a job. The 201+ sample answers in the guide will quickly help you craft your own professional answers for ALL types of interview questions for any occupation.

More Interview Techniques and Skills:

Interview Help
How to Conduct an Interview
How to Phone Interview
How to Dress for an Interview