Whether you’re new or an experienced travel nurse, you’re bound to go through the interviewing process regularly. For the very fortunate few, going on a job interview isn’t a stressful activity, but for the majority of us — a staggering 93% of job seekers — feel anxious and nervous before a job interview. One good way to combat interview nerves is to prepare for your upcoming interview properly, ensuring that you exude confidence and honesty while showcasing your skills and achievements.

Preparation goes beyond simply reviewing your CV, memorizing answers to common questions, or practicing responses out loud in front of a mirror. Each interview can introduce new scenarios and unique expectations, and travel nurses can take this as an opportunity to learn about the facility and whether it’s a great fit for you.

In this blog entry, we listed several useful interviewing tips for travel nurses. We hope that this serves as a guide

Travel nursing interviewing tips

Be ready for behavioral and clinical questions

To ensure that you’re what they’re looking for, healthcare facilities will ask a mix of behavioral and clinical questions, especially ones that would prompt you to draw from previous professional experience. The interviewer will likely ask you to provide examples of how you demonstrate specific valuable traits, such as flexibility, adaptability, and reliability, during your assignments.

Come prepared by researching the facility to learn about its history, values, and culture, as well as understanding the role you’re applying for and its main requirements. Jot down specific challenging situations you’ve overcome at work using the STAR method, which allows you to describe the situation (to provide context), your task or role in relation to the event, the actions you took, and the result of your actions.

Make sure your responses highlight your strengths and achievements

Whenever appropriate, don’t hesitate to share the hard and soft skills you’re good at. For example, if you have great communication and decision-making skills, make sure that you highlight that when you’re asked about how you successfully resolved a challenging issue that required escalation or patient communication.

Dress professionally

It’s important to dress properly and comfortably for your job interview. Doing so will help you feel more confident and professional, helping boost your chances of landing the job. Your clothes don’t have to be new, but they have to look pressed and polished. Make sure that your clothes are free of any pet hair or stains. It’s also a good idea to prepare what you’re going to be wearing days in advance so that you won’t have to rush on the day of your interview, as this can add to your pre-interview stress and anxiety.

Make a good first impression

Getting to the facility early will not only help you make a good impression on your potential employer, but it will also give you several precious minutes to calm down and do a few breathing exercises before you even go up to the office. Plan your route and parking in advance to ensure you arrive at the interview on time.

Before you enter the interview room, make sure that your phone is turned off or on silent mode. When you greet your interviewer, smile and give a firm handshake. Don’t forget to listen actively and mind your nonverbal communications during the interview —make sure to maintain proper posture, slightly lean in to express interest, and maintain eye contact.

Avoid sharing too much personal information

In the process of answering questions, you might be tempted to share personal information, such as skills that are beyond the scope of what the job requires, your religious views, or other personal anecdotes. However, it’s wise not to disclose too much personal information during job interviews, especially if it’s not relevant to the role or the conversation.

Remember that it’s a two-way conversation

You’re not just being interviewed — you’re interviewing them, too. Treat the interview process as a conversation between professionals that should mutually benefit you and the facility. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, such as the following:

Questions to ask during a travel nurse interview

• What is the staff-to-patient ratio in the unit?
• How flexible is the facility when it comes to schedules?
• Do you have weekend schedules?
• Can you tell me about the unit I’ll be assigned to?
• What is your floating policy for travel nurses?
• How many hours are guaranteed per week?

If you’re working with a travel nurse staffing agency like Meda Health, here are some useful questions to ask your recruiter:

• What reimbursements and stipends do you offer?
• Do you offer referral bonuses?
• How often do employees get paid?
• What are the benefits employees can enjoy?
• What kind of support do you provide employees?

Looking to work as a travel nurse at Meda Health? Explore our job openings here.