CNA Job Interview Tips

You might feel nervous if you are going to be interviewing for a CNA job.  It probably will not matter if you are interviewing for your first job in the field or are changing employers; you will be anxious about your interview.  There are some steps you can take to help you be more successful during your interview.

Before we get to that. You might want to check out our CNA Resume guide to make sure you improve your chances of getting that first CNA job interview.

A few days before your CNA interview, you should start thinking about some of the questions you might be asked during the Interview.  Decide how you will answer these questions so that you are able to give a more concise reply during your interview.  Here are some basic sample questions you might be asked:(Under each question is a special answer provided by our resident CNA expert Tanya Glover)

Why did you choose a career as a certified nursing assistant?

My Story: To be perfectly honest, I became a CNA by accident. I was working in a factory that closed down and moved to another country. Through NAFTA I was able to go to school. I was a single mother and needed quick income, so though I could have chosen a 2 year degree, I went for my certification since it only took a few months. The reason I STAYED in the field is because I love the feeling I get when I make a client feel special and happy. I love knowing that someone is cared for because of the effort I put into their lives. It just feels good!

Interviews can be easy if you try and prepare for the questions you might be asked

Good Answer : I chose to become a nurse’s aide because I love taking care of people. I had considered becoming an RN but after seeing how much the job involves paper work and very little direct care, I decided it was not for me. I would rather have as much direct patient contact as possible in order to form good relationships based on trust and caring.

Why are you changing employers? If we called your previous employer

I am looking for a new employer because I do not feel that the quality of care is as high as it should be at my current facility. OR I am looking for a new employer because I want to work in a facility that has more focus on direct care.

What would they tell me about your work?

They would tell you that I am punctual and efficient. They would tell you that I was good with the patients and their families, and that it was clear that I really cared about my job.

What are your strengths in your career? What are your weaknesses?

My strengths are focus and drive. Though my patient load can get heavy sometimes I still get all my work done with all my patients well cared for and happy. My weakness is that I get quite attached to my patients and find it difficult to deal with when they pass away.

What are your career goals over the next few years?

I plan to take some more courses, such as EKG, CNA 2, etc. to make myself more qualified to help my patients and employer.

If you witnessed a co-worker making a serious error, what would you do?

I have had this happen in the past and I reported it to my supervisor immediately. Patient safety, both physical and mental, is top priority and should never be compromised.

What can you bring to our healthcare facility to benefit?

If hired, you will get an aid that works hard to ensure proper patient care, patient comfort and patient satisfaction. You will have someone who is sincere in their caring and wants to ensure that no matter what is going on, the patients are in good hands at all times.

Quick Tip: Check out our CNA Jobs page to find extensive help on where to look for CNA jobs as well as how to improve your chances of landing that first interview

With some extensive thinking, you can come up with many samples questions to ask yourself and answer to help you prepare for an interview.  If you want to, you can even ask a loved one or friend to ask you random questions to help you prepare for your interview.

You should also come up with a couple questions that you want to ask the person conducting the interview in order to show your interest in the job.  It is even a good idea to do some research on the healthcare facility where you will be interviewing so that you know something about the mission of that facility.  Interject some of what you know during your interview.

Before your interview, you should look in the mirror and tell yourself that you are a great (or will make a great) certified nursing assistant.  Give yourself a dose of self –confidence that you can carry with you throughout the interview.  Even if you are extremely nervous, try to be as confident as possible.

When you go to your interview, you will want to be well groomed.  It is important to dress nicely as well.  You can wear a modest skirt, pantsuit or (dress pants and dress shirt if you are a man).  You do not need to dress too fancy for an interview as a nursing assistant, but you should not go in casual attire either.

If you take the time to prepare for your interview, you are more likely to be successful.  Do not be afraid to highlight your talents and skills when talking to the interviewer.  Be confident and yet polite throughout the process of the interview.  If you take pride in yourself, your skills and your appearance, you should be well on your way to being hired for a new job.