Graduating with a new nursing degree is one of the most thrilling highlights for anyone just starting out in this career track. A degree represents hours of hard work and lots of sacrifice to achieve this goal. Congratulations to you if you have a new diploma in hand!

Now comes another tough hurdle – finding a job! With waves of new nurses hitting the market after graduation, you want to stand out to potential employers. You know you need a spotless resume and work experience to get a foot in the door, but don’t forget the power of the face-to-face interview. Once you show up, it’s game on and you need to be at the top of your game.

Here are five ways to prepare for an interview and gain confidence, too..

1. Show Up on Time

Honestly, this is so simple and yet so many people fail to do it. Do whatever you have to do, but make it to that interview on time and unruffled. It doesn’t matter if you had to take five detours to get there – when you extend your hand to introduce yourself, your interviewer should only see a cool, calm, and collected candidate. Don’t complain about the hassle, just smile and be positive.

2. Dig a Little Deeper

Being ready for a job interview means bringing several clean copies of your resume, knowing the names and contact information for references, and being ready to answer all the potential questions. But being prepared enough to impress an interviewer means knowing details about the job you are interviewing for – what the unit is like, what work is done, who the patients are, and who’s in charge. This is routine information you can find through a quick web search or a couple of phone calls. Do your homework.

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3. Know The Interviewers’ Names

You can call ahead to find out the names of all the people you will be speaking with. If you can’t pronounce the names, ask the person on the phone how to pronounce it correctly and then write it down the way it sounds. When you meet your interviewers, you’ll project confidence by not stumbling over names, and they will appreciate your extra diligence.

4. Show Your Passion

Yes, you are careful about what you say during an interview and being nervous is normal. But it’s important to show your passion about why you want the particular job you are interviewing for, so don’t be afraid to do just that. Why does this job, with this organization, and this manager appeal to you? Why do you want this particular job? If you don’t know the answer, you aren’t prepared for the interview.

5. Say Thank You

When the interview closes, thank anyone who was part of it for taking the time to speak with you. Let them know they have a great organizations and that you would like to work for them. Think of one way you would add to their organization and mention it. Leave them with your enthusiasm and your gratitude and you will honestly say you gave it 100 percent.

Julia Quinn-Szcesuil
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