Interviewing

The gateway to every job is performing well in the interview. A successful interview entails preparation, practice, strong performance and follow-up. It's okay if the thought of an interview makes you nervous; it's perfectly normal. You want to use that nervous energy to your advantage and put it towards your preparation and practice so that you can perform well.

The Two-Way Evaluation

A successful interview serves two critical purposes:

• For the Employer: To ensure you have the clinical judgment, technical skills, and bedside manner to represent their facility.
• For You: To determine if the unit or clinic supports your growth. Is the patient-to-nurse ratio safe? Does the SLP supervisor provide the mentorship you need for your CFY? This is your chance to ensure the "fit" protects your license and your well-being.

Master the Behavioral Response: The STAR Method

Healthcare recruiters love "Tell me about a time..." questions. They want to see how you handle stress, conflict, and clinical ambiguity. Use the STAR Method to keep your stories concise and impactful:

• S (Situation): Set the stage briefly.
• T (Task): What was the clinical goal or challenge?
• A (Action): What specific steps did you take? (This is the most important part!)
• R (Result): What was the positive outcome for the patient or team?

Remember to Ask Questions

At the end of the interview, the interviewer will likely ask if you have any questions. Don’t make the mistake of saying no and letting the interview end. Asking questions help you gather valuable insight about your potential work environment and demonstrate interest in the role.

Prior to the interview, do some research on the facility and team and prepare some questions tailored to your role.

Example Questions:

• Nursing: "How does the unit support continuing education or specialized certifications like ACLS or PALS?"
• SLP: "What does the collaboration look like between SLPs and the rest of the interdisciplinary team (OT/PT/Nursing)?"
• Both: "What is the mentorship structure for new graduates during the first six months?"

Pre-Interview Prep:

• Research the Facility: Know their patient demographic and mission statement.
• Review Your Clinical Hours: Be ready to discuss specific cases or populations you encountered during your rotations.
• Practice Out Loud: Research commonly asked questions for the role you are interviewing for and practice your answers.