subject: Job Interview Tips For Nursing Jobs In Canada [print this page] These job interview tips for nursing jobs in Canada include information about the social and professional etiquette of the Canadian health care system. If you are not a native born Canadian understanding both the etiquette for job interviews and the social cultural norms of the culture will improve your chances of success at the interview.
The Canadian health care system is very conservative. Punctuality is highly valued and the system itself is almost rigidly structured and scheduled around appointments. Make sure that you are on time for your appointment.
It is quite likely that your job interview will be set up through a telephone contact. When the appointment for the interview is made be sure to get a name and telephone number of someone to contact in case you have to cancel. There are all kinds of reasons why you might have to cancel and all of them are unlikely, but if you are stuck in traffic or you or your child becomes ill on the day of the interview you have a better chance of getting your interview rescheduled if you call and ask to change the appointment. It would be considered rude to just not show up.
Pay attention to your appearance. Do not show off your tattoos or piercings. Either take out the rings and studs or cover up the tattoos if you have them. While pierced ears are acceptable no other piercings would be. In the everyday work of a nurse they pose a real threat to your safety and are of concern for infection control.
If you have artificial nails get them removed. They are not allowed in any clinical setting because of concerns for infection control.
It is not necessary to dress in uniform for your nursing job interview. You do not have to wear a business suit but do not wear anything "see through" and make sure there is no cleavage or other skin showing between your shoulders and your knees. Do not wear "jeans" or denim of any type.
The first contact regarding your resume will be by telephone. Make sure that you can be reached on the telephone.
If you have voice mail make sure that you return the call promptly. When you reach the person who made the call address them by the same name they left in their message. It is common to call someone by their first name even when you are first introduced. If they left their name as Kathy Smith then you can call them "Kathy" when you return the call.
When you meet the interviewer it may be appropriate to shake hands. It is common practice to shake hands as a sign of respect when introduced to someone new in Canada. If you do not know how to shake hands firmly or if you are not used to this cultural norm then you should practice. Extend your right hand and firmly grasp the other person's hand making sure that you take hold of the entire hand. Trying to do a handshake with your fingers only is considered weak.
When you meet the interviewer or when that person is talking directly to you it is a sign of respect to make eye contact. Avoiding eye contact could be interpreted as a lack of integrity and sometimes leads the interviewer to think you have something to hide.
Lowering your eyes and looking down can be interpreted as a sign of submissiveness. Nursing jobs in Canada require leadership and assertiveness and your future employer may interpret a lowered gaze as a lack of leadership ability.
The best job interview tips for nursing jobs in Canada? Present yourself as a professional with an interest in developing further in your nursing career.
Answer questions clearly and honestly. It is not expected that you know everything when you start your nursing job in Canada. Acknowledge your deficits but make sure that the employer also knows that even though you may not have a specific skill they are asking about, you have an interest in developing further and acquiring new skills in your nursing career.
It is normal for a job interview to proceed through a series of questions the interviewer has prepared by reviewing your resume. Never put anything in your resume you cannot prove, explain, or defend.
Answer all questions honestly and directly and always be prepared to answer the most important question of all.
