Are you nervous about your next interview, unsure what to say or how to answer those tough questions? No worries! The art of interviewing can be learned and mastered. It is truly about how you prepare yourself and what stories you tell about yourself. A great interview does not happen by chance; it is intentional and well-orchestrated. In this article, I will cover basic interviewing skills and share my special big five framework for answering any interview question! Here are seven tips for interview success to stand out from the rest and slay all day!‍

1. Be the FBI

You have to do some investigation work! First, you must research the company or organization you are applying for! Ensure you know their mission, vision, and values which can be easily found on their website. Why, you ask? For several reasons:

• You want to ensure that your values align with their values and mission.
• You want to be able to articulate the mission statement or values during the interview, so you show them that you have done your research.

Find out what their strategic plan looks like and focus on their goals. Most organizations have their strategic plan on their website for the public to view. If you know their areas of improvement and can speak to them during the interview, you are golden! ‍

2. Read the Job Description

Seriously! Do not play any games! If you want this job, you must know the job description inside and out! Nothing is worse than the recruiter or hiring manager asking if you know what the job entails, and you are staring blankly at them. Pick up important keywords or job junctions and be able to speak on that. Then, address how you will specifically meet those needs and requirements.‍

3. Phone Screening Pleaser

You may or may not go through this process. However, if you do, it will most likely be a recruiter that calls you to get a bit more tea on you! (Yes, the recruiter wants to know if you are worth going to the next level.) So you must be ready to sound confident and friendly! I know what you’re thinking; you are already friendly and do not want to be fake! Listen, it is not about being fake. But you have to step up your energy and sound excited about the role! In this part, you need to be able to answer these two or three questions:

• Tell me about yourself and your job history.
• Why did you apply for this role? Why now?
• How can you meet the job requirements in the job description? ‍

4. Style and Grace

Congrats! You got the call! Now you need to figure out what to wear. Whether it’s a virtual or in-person interview, you need to show up to the place with style and grace! Do not show up to the interview looking “raggedy”! Be memorable and stand out! Do not be afraid to wear a bit of color; wearing bright colors or accessories does not make you less qualified for the job! If you wear something different or bright, you will stand out, but be professional and classy! You can wear different prints; however, I strongly recommend solid colors. I suggest wearing blue because it is the most trusted and well-liked color! Whatever you wear, don’t forget to put on your confidence, which is your most important accessory!‍

5. Get to the Point That Matters

Remember, they want to learn about you in the interview; however, they really want to know how you will meet their needs and get the job done! What makes you different from all the other candidates? If you have any accomplishments, bring your receipts, and bring your stories!! People love a good story, so get your storytelling on! Have about three to five stories ready. Any story that can pull at their heartstrings is excellent because you want to demonstrate your compassion and empathy! Be clear and concise about the value you bring!‍

6. Get Ready to Pitch

Yes, you must have your pitch ready to go to execute it! What is a pitch? This is the answer to the “tell me about yourself” question. You want to be brief and concise but hit all the major points. Start with a “hook” and end with “fireworks.” Say something unusual or unexpected to start to capture their attention, then lead into your pitch, briefly explaining why you are the person for the position and the only choice. You have to bring your confidence here and speak with conviction! Your body language and your tone are extremely important. You need an ounce of personality, a dash of humor, a sprinkle of belief, and a cup of passion! Be ready to slay!‍

7. The Big Five Framework

Use these five topic categories to address any question throughout your interview:

1. Safety
2. Quality
3. Patient Experience
4. Collaboration/teamwork
5. Effective Communication

Bonus tip: Be authentic and speak from the heart, and your passion for nursing will permeate the room! If you connect with the interviewer, you got it in the bag!

To conclude, you always want to be grateful and thank them for the interview. Be confident and say, “I’m looking forward to speaking with you about the next steps. When should I expect to hear back from you?”

Now sit back, relax, and wait for the offer! Good luck!

Farah Laurent MSN, RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC, CPXP, TCRN, CPEN, CEN

Founder of Farah Laurent International Nurse Coach