Online Interviewing Tips for Travel Nurses

Learn what is an “online interview” and tips for acing your next one.

How many of you have done a phone interviewed groggy and half asleep? As many night shift nurses know, sometimes you have to make yourself available “any time” during the work day (ahem… while you are sleeping) so that you can connect with the hiring manager and get that next travel job offer.

Hiring managers have similarly voiced their frustration about setting time off the floor/unit to call Travel Nurses for phone interviews only to find the nurse is really not available or interested, unable to come to the phone or the “voicemail is full”.

Surely, there is a better way to connect and conduct travel nursing interviews, right? Enter technology innovation: the online interview.

Breaking down what is an “online interview”

Nowadays, you can either have a traditional phone interview or your Recruiter may inform you to expect a online interview. It is worth noting that your Recruiter may use these terms interchangeably: “online”, “virtual” or “video” interviews. There are two types of online interviews: one is a live video interview and one is a online pre-recorded interview.

Check out 7 Questions You Should Always Ask on a Phone Interview

Virtual/Live Interview

Due to the pandemic, most people are now more familiar with Zoom, Google Hangout, Go-To-Meeting or Microsoft Teams video calling. It’s a process where a candidate can use video interface using a mobile device or laptop to connect live with the Hiring Manager for an interview -it’s a video call. As a candidate, you will be speaking and seeing the Hiring Manager in real time (face-to-face) for your interview.

Here are some tips:

1. Prepare your environment- be somewhere quiet and free of distractions. Separate yourself form other people and/or pets. Ensure you are in a “tidy” space as well- no messy kitchens or bedrooms.
2. Make sure you have good internet connection.
3. Jot down any questions you may have before the interview.
4. Have a pen and paper next to you to take notes.
5. Dress the part- you want to be well-groomed, well-dressed and overall put together.
6. Speak slow and clear. Give yourself a moment to absorb the question before responding.
7. Look directly at the camera.
8. When listening, nod and keep eye contact with the camera to show you are engaged.

(Hint: Most Hiring Managers are not fans of of video calling either, which leads us to the next type of interview…)

Online Pre-recorded Interview

With this type of virtual interview, the hiring manager pre-records interview questions that are then uploaded into a portal. Your recruiter or the hiring manager will send instructions to you via email with the link on how you can access and log-on to the interview. Because this is not live, you can log on and complete the interview at your convenience (coffee in hand and wide awake).

Here are some tips:

1. Make sure your recruiter has your correct email address.
2. Know that the link may have a 24 or 48 hour expiration – the hiring manager expects you to complete the interview within this time frame otherwise, they may move on to other candidates.
3. Make sure you have good internet connection and there are no distractions for 30-45 minutes.
4. Follow the directions on the email.
5. You will be required to enter a username and password to enter the portal.
6. Expect a pre-recorded video or a list of questions to answer.
7. You will be directed to answer a serious of questions. Be aware there is often a time limit to complete each question, but you are often given more than one chance to record your response.
8. Try to imagine you are having a live interview as that may helpful to not feel unnatural in this sort of setting.
9. Be sure to speak clearly and thoroughly answer each question.
10. You may also be required to answer questionnaire as part of the interview.

Once you’ve completed either type of online interview, contact your Recruiter to share feedback. Once we’ve confirmed you’ve completed the interview portion, we can follow up and ask for the offer.

As a travel nurse staffing company, Go Healthcare embraces the online interview technology as it can expedite the connection between you and the next travel job that you want. We hope this gives some clarity to understanding what to expect for your next interview. What has been your experience with online interviews? We would love to hear your feedback.