Here are some tips that may help you prepare for a successful job interview at AMN.

1.  Prepare your credentials and other paperwork

   • Create a professional résumé that profiles important education, relevant experience and career highlights. List your job positions, key responsibilities, accomplishments, rewards, recognition, credentials, licensing and education. Ask a former manager or other mentor to review your résumé for content, grammar, format and overall effectiveness. Print out multiple copies of your résumé and keep them in a folder with your other documents.
     

   • Bring both original and copies of original identification, education and credentialing documents to provide to the Human Resources department and the hiring/interviewing manager.
     
   • Have at least two copies of your references available—one to leave with the Human Resources representative and the other for the hiring manager. Verify and update the names, titles, facility designations, addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of managers and personal references. (If you have reference letters, bring them along. Most employers use them as supplemental material, not as a substitute for references.)
     
   • Anticipate being asked for permission to conduct a background investigation. The permission form may require you to list all of your prior addresses for the past five to seven years, so keep this information with you.

2.  Anticipate the questions you'll be asked during your interview

   Find out as much as you can about AMN Healthcare by visiting AMN's Web site. Taking the time to learn about the company shows your initiative and real interest in the position. If you have friends or colleagues employed by AMN, take the time to ask them about the staff, the corporate culture and general procedures. Prepare answers for standard on-the-job type interview questions.
   
   

   • Develop an answer for one of the most common open-ended questions: "Tell me a little about yourself." This question is designed to evaluate your judgment. This is not the time or the place for a chronological biography or any self-critical remarks. It's your opportunity to reveal key details about yourself that validate why you are the right one for the job. Use this opportunity to point out the unique skills, talents and attitudes you bring, backed up with specific examples. For instance, if you talk about your teamwork or leadership skills, give an example of when you demonstrated these qualities.
     
   • Practice answering questions in a way that shows you are a problem-solver. Provide examples from your career—no matter how short—that demonstrate how you've saved money, organized projects and workflow and contributed in various ways to make your company more efficient.
     
   • Craft answers to negative situations, but frame them in a positive light. Review your experience and write down relevant examples that show how you overcame adversity and gained new insights.

3.  Practice, practice, practice!

   • Practice answering all of these questions until you feel comfortable and at ease. Don't just say what you think the interviewer wants to hear; be true to yourself. Otherwise you could be hired under the wrong expectations for a position that's not a good fit. Your goal is to prepare answers that best reflect your skills and personality. Remember to be sincere, professional and show how you've excelled in your career.
     
   • Give the job and phone interview tips a test run and stage a mock interview. Ask a colleague, friend or relative who is a manager or familiar with the job interviewing process to do a "mock" interview with you. Have them ask the same thought-provoking questions they would ask their candidates. Even if they don't work in your field, their interviewing experience is still relevant. Don't let them go easy on you; the tougher their questions the less stumped and more prepared you'll be when it comes time for the real interview.
     
   • You should also practice greeting your interviewers with a smile and a firm handshake, either with friends or in front of a mirror. Keep at it until you exude the warmth, confidence and professionalism that you want. It may feel strange at first, but it can help you alleviate jitters and appear more polished on the day of the interview.
     
   • Don't forget to get plenty of sleep the night before your interview to help you look rested and feel more alert.

Interview tips for the day of the interview

1.  Make a great first impression.

   • It's that initial impression that stands out in the interviewer's mind when they are evaluating you vs. another candidate. This is why dress, grooming, a clear speaking voice and a winning smile are important.

2.  Dress to get the job.

   • The degree of formality and what's acceptable varies, but it is better to err on the conservative side.

3.  Allow plenty of time to get to the job interview.

   • Plan to arrive early just in case an accident or something unforeseen might slow you down. This pre-planning will also allow you to arrive at the interview relaxed and prepared. If you're very early, you can use the time to review the interview tips and rehearse your answers to common questions. Punctuality at your first meeting with a potential employer is crucial!

4.  Greet your interviewer warmly.

   • Make eye contact, smile warmly and shake the interviewer's hand. This "connection" can help set the tone and get the interview started on an upbeat note. Maintain frequent eye contact throughout the interview to show your continued interest.

5.  Listen, respond and relax during the job interview.

   • It's only natural to be a little nervous, especially during your first job interview. So don't worry if you stumble on your first sentence or don't immediately get your full point across. Look for the opportunity to provide more details and demonstrate your strong points.
     

   • Relax, take a couple of deep breaths and maintain a calm, even conversational tone. Listen carefully to each question and respond to what is being asked, not to what you anticipate will be asked. Ask for clarification if needed and be careful not to rush through your answers.

6.  Your turn to ask questions.

   • Most interviewers will give you a chance to ask questions, so use this opportunity to show your interest in the position and find out key details about the workflow. Feel free to check your notes, but avoid asking questions about items that are already spelled out in the interview literature you receive.

7.  Extra things to bring to the interviewer's attention.

   • Discuss your professional association memberships and any committee positions which you've held. Mention research you've helped with, volunteer projects, published articles and continuing education.
     

   • Let the hiring manager know if you're interested in extra responsibilities such as committee or task force memberships. Express your willingness to take advanced training in subjects needed to fill in clinical competencies in the unit.

After the interview

1.  Send a thank you note after the interview.

   • Letter writing may be a lost art, but a simple thank you note shows your interest and thoughtfulness, which reinforces a favorable impression. So, if you want the job....say thank you.

2.  What if the job's not for you?

   • Send a thank you note anyway. It shows good manners and thoughtfulness on your part. Hiring managers will appreciate your courtesy and might even suggest another position at their facility or at another location.

3.  What if you don't hear anything from the hiring manager?

   • If it has been a few days, call to convey your continued interest and check the status of the interviewing process. Find out when the decision will be made and ask if there is anything else you can provide. This could be an opportunity to supply additional references, paperwork or information.
     

   • Follow up the day before the decision is supposed to be made. Be considerate of the hiring manager's time and pressures associated with the pending decision. This warmth and graciousness shows compassion on your part and could turn things in your favor.