Let your enthusiasm shine through during your interviews. Too many nurses mistakenly hide their personality behind a chilly, so-called objective professional demeanor. Instead of being remembered for being professional, these applicants look like they have something to hide. Recruiters want to hire nurses with a passion for their practice and for helping their patients. Your enthusiasm defines your values. Be prepared to describe your best day at work, your favorite patient, and the coworker or supervisor you admire most. Praise for coworkers and a positive attitude are infectious. Avoid criticizing others because it portrays you as someone who is never satisfied and doesn’t fit in.

Every employer wants to hire nurses who are team players and easy to work with. Remember to highlight personal characteristics, such a sense of humor or dependability, that make you a desirable coworker. Make sure you can back up each positive trait with an example of a situation when having the trait in question made a difference. When giving clinical examples, always explain why you acted as you did. Nurses need keen skills in critical thinking. Clinical decisions may seem routine to you, but explaining how you arrived at the proper decision will show that you exercise sound judgment.

Be clear about what kind of position you are looking for. Recruiters don’t look for “good” nurses. Instead, they try to match the nurse’s skills and interests with the needs of the job. Their task is easier when you know what you want. If you’re moving to a new practice setting or a new clinical area, be prepared to explain why. Remain positive. What draws you to the new area? Avoid negative comments about your former practice areas.

Tailor your cover letter, resume, and interview to demonstrate how you can meet your prospective employer’s needs. Every employer needs nurses who help meet the organization’s goals and mission in a professional manner as part of a team. Give examples that show how you can benefit the organization.

Your reputation can be strongly influenced by what people say about you. Keep a portfolio of cards and complimentary notes from patients and their family members. Include commendations from employers, written references, and certificates of completion of continuing education programs. Don’t forget copies of articles you’ve published.

Enhance your reputation by presenting yourself well during every telephone contact and face-to-face interview. Be cordial, polite, and patient with everyone you meet. Arrive prepared and on time. Dress in a fashion suitable to the organization and position you are applying for.

Treat the interview as a conversation in which you listen, as well as talk, and ask questions, as well as answer them. Although you prepared examples in advance, allow the interview to unfold at the recruiter’s direction. At the suitable time, cite an example you’ve prepared to illustrate a trait that creates a positive reputation.

Throughout the interview, feel free to ask questions to clarify any uncertainty you may have about the topic at hand. Also ask questions to gather information that you may need to decide whether you ultimately accept the position. Interviews are your best opportunity to learn about your prospective employer and the position.

You create a positive reputation by describing and presenting yourself, as well as being described by others, in a professional manner that meets the needs of your prospective employer. Employers look for flexible, enthusiastic nurses who work well in teams and exercise sound professional judgment. But they also want nurses who share the organization’s values. Remember to express your personal and professional values and show how you will be an asset to the organization.