CNA Jobs: Interview Do’s and Don’ts
Congratulations on completing CNA training and passing the CNA Certification exam. You have really come a long way in your career as a certified nursing assistant and you should be proud of yourself. Now is the time for you to start looking for CNA jobs to apply to so that you can get your foot in the field.
Once you apply for jobs at nursing facilities and you secure an interview, it is critical for you to prepare as much as you can. Your resume has already impressed the hiring manager and the interview is your chance to really sell yourself for the job. Below are some helpful hints for those who are looking for CNA jobs and are preparing for interviews.
What To Do During an Interview To Land That CNA Job
Make a Lasting Impression With a First Impression
From the moment you step into an office for an interview, you are being judged based on your appearance as well as character. Your first impression can truly be a lasting impression. To offer a good impression, it is important to put effort into your appearance.
- Do dress conservatively and professionally. Your clothes must be neat, clean and well fitted.
- Do groom your hair and make sure hands and fingernails are clean. Cleanliness is important in any medical facility and patients want to know their caregivers are clean.
- Don’t wear jeans, t-shirts, provocative clothing, sneakers, short skirts and so on.
- Don’t have heavy makeup and too many pieces of jewelry.
Focus On Accomplishments Rather Than Duties
If you are going in on a CAN Job interview, the person interviewing you already knows what duties and responsibilities you have held in CNA internships, CNA training and previous jobs. The key is to sell your accomplishments.
- Do talk about awards, achievements and any recognition awards you have received for your skills or accomplishments.
- Do talk about what you achieved on the job that allowed you to go above and beyond your normal duties.
- Do talk about your relationships with patients, facility managers and so on and how you contributed.
- Don’t list your duties and responsibilities because these do not show your skills and what sets you apart from others.
- Don’t provide vague answers and examples. Always show specific examples of how you contributed to a team. Interviewers like to hear scenarios.
Be Prepared for Questions and Be Prepared to Ask Questions
To be prepared for questions for CAN jobs, go over your resume and just be confident. One way of being prepared with questions to ask a facility is knowing about the actual facility.
- Do listen carefully to what the interviewer is asking. Ask for clarification for unclear questions.
- Do be positive in your answers. If an interviewer asks you to name a weakness, provide a weakness that can be turned into a strength.
- Do write questions to ask the interviewer and be sure to pay attention to responses that may answer a question.
- Do research about the company’s history, their goals and their mission.
- Don’t flower up any answers; just be direct, honest and to the point.
Keep in mind that your CNA job involves helping people, being kind and having attention to detail. These are qualities that you want to bring up during your interview. Always be confident and professional because every facility wants to know that you can handle someone else’s life. As long as you prepare for your interviews, you will ace them with confidence.