If you’re looking for an LPN job, it’s important to be prepared for the interview. You’ll likely be asked a variety of questions about your experience, skills, and qualifications. In order to help you prepare, we’ve put together a series of tips on how to ace your interview for a potential LPN job.
Research the Company
LPNs should research the company prior to the interview. This will help you understand the company’s culture, values, and mission. You should go on the organization’s website and read through their about page, and look for information on their social media platforms. Look for recent news stories or press releases that will give you insight into what the company is currently working on, and how it may impact your role.
Learning about these details will show the interviewer that you are interested in working for the company, and not just any organization. It will also give you a chance to ask questions about the company during the interview that you were not able to figure out during your research, which can help create a dialogue and build rapport with the interviewer.
Dress Appropriately
Even though LPNs wear scrubs while working, you should dress in professional business attire for the interview. This means wearing a clean and pressed button-down shirt or blouse, dress pants or skirt, and closed-toe shoes. You should avoid wearing anything that is too revealing, has offensive language or images, or that is otherwise inappropriate for a professional setting.
It’s also important to make sure your hair is neatly styled and you have minimal jewelry. You want the interviewer to focus on your qualifications and not be distracted by your appearance.
Arrive Early
LPNs should arrive 5-10 minutes early for their interviews. This will give you time to fill out any necessary paperwork and get settled in before the interview begins. It will also allow you to use the restroom and check your appearance in a mirror to make sure you are presentable.
If you arrive too early, it’s important to not hover near the interviewer’s office or desk. Instead, find a place to sit quietly until it is closer to the start time of your interview, or simply wait in the car until it is time to go in.
Be Positive
Throughout the interview, be sure to keep a positive attitude. This means smiling and maintaining eye contact with the interviewer. It’s also important to avoid crossing your arms or legs, as this can make you appear defensive.
Try to relax and be yourself during the interview. The interviewer is trying to get to know you and determine if you would be a good fit for the position, so it’s important to be genuine in your responses.
Practice Answering Questions
Leading up to the interview, you should start practicing your answers to common interview questions. LPNs may be asked about their experience, why they are interested in the position, or what they think sets them apart from other candidates. We put together a resource on some of the most commonly asked LPN interview questions for reference.
Ask Questions
At the end of the interview, you will likely be given an opportunity to ask questions. This is your chance to find out more about the position and the company. Some questions you may want to ask include:
- What are the day-to-day responsibilities of this position?
- What type of training will be provided?
- What are the opportunities for advancement?
Asking questions shows that you are interested in the position and the company. It also allows you to gather more information that can help you make a decision about whether or not the job is a good fit for you.
Avoid Asking About Salary
You should avoid asking about salary during the interview. This question is best saved for after an offer has been made. Asking about salary too early in the process can give the impression that you are more interested in the money than the job itself.
If the interviewer does bring up salary, you can simply say that you are open to discussion after an offer has been made. This will show that you are serious about the position and are willing to negotiate later on down the road.
Follow up After the Interview
Once the interview is over, be sure to send a thank you email to the interviewer within 24 hours of the interview taking place. This shows that you appreciate their time and are still interested in the position. You can also use this opportunity to reiterate your qualifications and explain why you would be the best candidate for the job. This small step often steps candidates apart from the competition and can make a big impression.