234 unit 3 | Professional Issues
include the following (Knight, 2005; Muha &
Orgiefsky, 1994):
■Dress professionally. Do not wear sandals or
open-toed shoes. Minimize jewelry and makeup.
■Be professional and pleasant with everyone,
including secretaries and housekeeping and
maintenance personnel.
■Do not smoke.
■Remember your manners.
■Avoid controversial topics for small talk.
■Obtain answers to questions you might have
thought of since your first visit.
In most instances, the personnel director or nurse
manager will let you know how long it will be
before you are contacted again. It is appropriate to
get this information before you leave the second
interview. If you do receive an offer during this
visit, graciously say “thank you,” and ask for a little
time to consider the offer (even if this is the offer
you have anxiously been awaiting).
If the organization does not contact you by the
expected date, do not panic. It is appropriate to call
your contact person, state your continued interest,
and tactfully express the need to know the status of
your application so that you can respond to other
deadlines.Making the Right Choice
You have interviewed well, and now you have to
decide among several job offers. Your choice will
affect not only your immediate work but also influ-
ence your future career opportunities. The nursing
shortage of the early 1990s has led to greatly
enhanced workplace enrichment programs as a
recruitment and retention strategy. Career ladders,
shared governance, participatory management, staff
nurse presence on major hospital committees, decen-
tralization of operations, and a focus on quality inter-
personal relationships are among some of these
features. Be sure and inquire about the components
of the professional practice environment ( Joel, 2003).
There are several additional factors to consider.Job Content
The immediate work you will be doing should be a
good match with your skills and interests.
Although your work may be personally challenging
and satisfying this year, what are the opportunities
for growth? How will your desire for continued
growth and challenge be satisfied?Development
You should have learned from your interviews
whether your initial training and orientation seem
sufficient. Inquire about continuing education to
keep you current in your field. Is tuition reimburse-
ment available for further education? Is manage-
ment training provided, or are supervisory skills
learned on the job?Direction
Good supervision and mentors are especially impor-
tant in your first position. You may be able to judge
prospective supervisors throughout the interviewbox 14-2
Do’s and Don’ts for Interviewing
Do:
Shake the interviewer’s hand firmly, and introduce yourself.
Know the interviewer’s name in advance, and use it in
conversation.
Remain standing until invited to sit.
Use eye contact.
Let the interviewer take the lead in the conversation.
Talk in specific terms, relating everything to the position.
Support responses in terms of personal experience and
specific examples.
Make connections for the interviewer. Relate your
responses to the needs of the individual organization.
Show interest in the facility.
Ask questions about the position and the facility.
Come across as sincere in your goals and committed to the
profession.
Indicate a willingness to start at the bottom.
Take any examinations requested.
Express your appreciation for the time.
Do Not:
Place your purse, briefcase, papers, etc., on the interviewer’s
desk. Keep them in your lap or on the floor.
Slouch in the chair.
Play with your clothing, jewelry, or hair.
Chew gum or smoke, even if the interviewer does.
Be evasive, interrupt, brag, or mumble.
Gossip about or criticize former agencies, schools, or
employees.
Adapted from Bischof, J. (1993). Preparing for job interview questions.
Critical Care Nurse, 13(4), 97–100; Krannich, C., & Krannich, R. (1993). Inter-
view for Success.N.Y.: Impact Publications; Mascolini, M., & Supnick, R. (1993).
Preparing students for the behavioral job interview.Journal of Business
and Technical Communication, 7(4), 482–488; and Zedlitz, R. (2003).How to
Get a Job in Health Care.N.Y.: Delmar Learning.