Congratulations! You’ve made it to the interview stage of your CNA job application – now it’s time to wow your prospective employer with your interview skills. Keep reading to discover our top CNA interview tips and get ready to secure your dream position as a nursing assistant!
Top Nursing Assistant Interview Tips to Land the Job
1. Do Your Research
The interview stage is the perfect chance to show how seriously you’re taking an application. Review the organization’s website to learn about core values and practices, and to gain an overview of the company culture. Think about how the values apply to you and how you can demonstrate them in the role.
2. Dress the Part
Attention to detail is something your employers will be looking for in a nursing assistant. Having a put-together physical appearance for your interview is a top CNA interview tip to keep in mind. Business attire, clean hair, makeup, and nails will send the right message to your prospective employer. See this complete guide on what to wear to your next nursing interview for more tips!
3. Arrive on Time
Punctuality is essential to the role of a CNA, and if you are late to your very first meeting, it could leave a bad first impression. Whether you’re walking, taking public transportation, or driving to your interview, do a test trip or map your destination to ensure that you will be on time for your interview.
4. Show Up With the Right Documents
If you really want to show how prepared and organized you are, you should show up to your interview with all of your key documents. Items you should bring include your resume, CNA certification, and copies of any references you want your potential employer to contact.
5. Consider What CNA Interview Questions You Might Be Asked
It’s beneficial to brainstorm and practice responses to some potential questions that your interviewer might ask. But remember, interviewers can tell when they’re being answered with a pre-written answer, so it’s important to not practice too much. Try outlining the key points you want to convey in each of your answers.
CNA interview questions you could be asked on the day might include:
- Tell us about yourself.
- What lead you to becoming a CNA?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- Where do you see your career progressing in the future?
Your interviewer wants to find out more about you and they also want to see how qualified you are for the job by asking competency-based questions.
Before your interview, review the key skills on the job listing, and think about moments in your career when you’ve demonstrated these skills. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to communicate how you used your knowledge and situational judgment to make the best decision possible.
Perfecting your resume? Learn more about key skills to include on your CNA resume.
6. Prepare Questions For Your Interviewer
Your interview is the chance for the employer to find out more about you, but it’s also your chance to find out more about them! Remember to ask about the contract type to make sure the role works well for your schedule. Try to learn more about what you can expect from the day-to-day routine of the role. By preparing some questions for your interviewer, you’ll demonstrate that your priority is making sure you’re a good fit for the role.
7. Follow Up
At the end of the interview be sure to thank your interviewer for their time. After your interview, send an email thanking them again for the opportunity to find out more about the role. Many applicants fail to take the time to reach out after the interview, so this CNA interview tip is sure to set you apart from the other applicants!
Find Your Next CNA Position With CareerStaff
Now that you’re equipped with some handy CNA interview tips, you’re ready to start searching for your ideal job.
Take a look at the nationwide opportunities for CNAs by looking at our open CNA jobs today. Good luck – we’re certain you’ll secure your ideal job in no time at all!