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Web site spotlight: Dos and don’ts for conducting a successful interview

Nurse Leader Weekly, February 16, 2009

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Just because you aren't in the hot seat doesn't mean an interview shouldn't take some preparation on your side of the desk. Nurse managers need to consider everything from the candidates' education, experience, and work history to their personalities, whether they are the right fit for your facility, and how well they will work with fellow employees.

But the effort is worthwhile if it results in finding the best candidate for the position at your facility. Here, healthcare experts share their proven tips to enhance the chances of a successful interview:

• Don't overlook the importance of checking references. Sharon Yopko, CPC, office manager at Associates in Neurology in Willoughby Hills, OH, who has years of experience in interviewing techniques, says one downfall in the interview process is not being thorough when checking a candidate's references. It's important to not only verify the person was employed at an organization, but also whether he or she was a quality employee. Further, ask references to describe candidates' work ethic and personality traits.
• Do prepare. "The manner in which you conduct the on-site interview sends a clear message to the candidate about your organization," says Michelle Kuehler, a consultant at Black Twig Communications, an agency that works with Cejka Search, a St. Louis-based physician and healthcare executive job search firm. The interviewees should be prepared, so consider sending an itinerary to the candidate at least one week before the interview, she says.

Editor's note: This excerpt was adapted from the article, "Dos and don'ts for conducting a successful interview" featured in The Reading Room on HCPro's online resource center, www.StrategiesforNurseManagers.com. Get a free trial membership that will give you 30 days to test drive all the exciting features on the Web site.

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