Interview Skills
Increase your chances of success with careful preparation and the right technique.
This page contains advice on general interview skills, interview techniques, structuring answers, tips on how to prepare and practice, and guidance on how to present yourself on the day.
We also have further advice on sample interview questions, managing interview nerves and video interviews.
The RCN offers members telephone interview coaching as part of their membership. You can now book this online.
Free webinar: Writing supporting statements on 26th November 2025 at 14:30
This webinar is designed to help RCN members to enhance their supporting statement technique.
Interview skills
The aim of the interview is to gather information to assess whether you have the right skills, experience, knowledge, values, motivation, and personality for the job.
This is your opportunity to show the employer that you are the best person for the job and demonstrate what you could bring to the role or organisation.
Some of the main factors for succeeding at interview are:
- Your interview technique (understanding how answers are scored, how to answer and structure your answers)
- Preparation and Practice (researching the role/organisation, revising relevant topics, preparing mock answers, practising/rehearsing thoroughly)
- Your demeanour (personality, confidence, communication, delivery, body language, etc.)
- Managing your interview nerves
This page is for RCN members only. Please log in to see:
- What and how to prepare
- Techniques for practicing and rehearsing
- Predicting interview questions
- Interview techniques
- Presenting yourself
- Sample interview questions
- how to book interview coaching
Book one to one interview coaching online
If you've been shortlisted for an interview and would like one to one interview coaching with an RCN Career Coach, you can now book online.
Use our decision-maker tool below to double check if you're eligible for interview coaching and to view the booking link.
Please log in to see the decision maker tool and book interview coaching
You will need to log into the RCN website and be in active membership to view the decision-maker tool.
