Interview skills

Abstract

In the nature of things, some individuals are more comfortable, self-assured, and experienced in interview than others. However, I believe that panels take full account of any anxiety which some people may experience in this situation. Having been part of many panels for a range and variety of levels of jobs, and for other purposes, my experience has been that interviewees are rarely unsuccessful only because of their interview performance. The interview is a small, although important, part of a much wider process which operates in relation to job and other applications. The panel will place the applicant’s performance in the context of the information contained in the application and supporting papers, the responses of referees, and general impressions gained during a preinterview visit. However, one important function of many interviews is to determine the applicant’s ability and confidence to interact with other people, and to deal reasonably confidently with pressures of the type generated by ‘being interviewed’. Long-term career development, accompanied by making the right decisions in relation to applications, is a more than adequate preparation for successful interview performance. As with other professions (Hobbs, 1985) some nurses are not fully prepared during initial training for participating in interviews.