If you didn't get the job after interviewing, did you ever call to find out why?

PAERRN20 · Aug 20, 2009

It may have been you, but I doubt it. It's tough out there. I wouldn't beat yourself up over this. The manager may have had applicants with years and years of experience. It wouldn't hurt to call human resources and ask why they didn't hire you. Also, you could find out if you can be considered for the new position if there isn't an issue they have against you. It is hard to believe that just a year ago they were offering bonuses and now even night jobs are hot commodities. It will get better. Best of luck.

Orca, ADN, ASN, RN · Aug 20, 2009

I tried it once, and I'm pretty certain that the response was a lie. Now, my tactic is to ask what I could have done better or what areas I might need strengthening in to improve my chances of being hired. Most employers are far less defensive (and less inclined to lie) if you approach it from the angle of wanting to learn so that you can improve yourself professionally. If you do call, call the nurse manager whose unit was doing the hiring. People in HR seldom have the information necessary to answer questions such as the ones you want answers to.

Before you beat yourself up too much, bear in mind that the current economy has thrown a lot more people into the job market. When we do interviews, our applicant pools are noticeably larger and more skilled and experienced. I was on a panel about two weeks ago in which we interviewed 12 people for one position. Five of them were worthy of hire. It isn't just you.

Ms. Nurse Assistant, LPN · Aug 20, 2009

I had no idea that you can call and find out why you weren't hired for a specific job. Usually, after you have been interviewed, human resources or the interviewer is hard to get in contact with; they stop answering or returning your calls if they didn't find you right for the job.

LetUrLightShineRN · Aug 20, 2009

My experience with Human Resources administrators is that they do not share the reasons you weren't hired with you when you call. This year, for the first time in my life I have put forth great effort to get hired into positions I was overqualified for only to be rejected almost immediately via email, or I heard nothing back. It was discouraging but I realized that the job market is simply flooded with applicants, many of whom are talented, well educated, and even experienced. I called one of the prospective employers earnestly trying to discover what it was that they were looking for so that I could possibly reapply in the future. The hiring manager seemed uncomfortable and gave me a prepared speech about how they would keep my application on file and that I should feel free to reapply in 1 year. It was not informative to call. An employer is not going to tell you if someone gave you a bad reference. If you really suspect someone gave you a bad reference you could always have someone call and ask for a reference about you. Then you will find out what they are really saying. 99 percent of employers will give only limited and specific info about a former employee during reference checks because they don't want a lawsuit. They usually confirm your job title, and dates of employment and that's it. Some will confirm your starting and ending salary but even that is rare.

I say just keep your chin up. It's a numbers game now- like college boys hitting on every girl in the bar until someone finally takes them up on the offer. You might have to settle for a night shift, or part time, or per diem, or a different hospital, whatever. It's all temporary the economy is not static and it will improve eventually. Just keep focusing on the horizon and enjoying the things that you're blessed with now. ( That's what I'm trying to do)

Best of luck!!!:wink2:

SandBetweenMyToes, BSN, RN · Aug 20, 2009

I agree wholeheartedly with all of the above responses. I would add, however, that it is never a good idea, in my personal experience, to give reasons why your employment may be difficult for management (i.e. you needing to coordinate shifts with your husband because of child care issues). I used to be in PR, and all things being equal, especially with a wealth of applicants, I would avoid someone who offered that kind of info in the initial interview. In the beginning they are looking at reasons to reject you (to whittle down the applicant pool) and you gave them that reason. It's not lying to withhold that information, at least until after an offer has been made. Then, you are in a position to artfully negotiate terms, but not before. I hope this helps.

caliotter3 · Aug 20, 2009

When I hear nothing back or when my inquiry results in them telling me that they have no idea who I am, then I have all the info that I need. I try to waste no more time on undesirable employers than they choose to waste on me.

Lacie, BSN, RN · Aug 20, 2009

Hi Delana, we meet again LOL. I'm going through the same issue and wonder if my previous administrator is being vindictive at this point. But I have to consider the job market right now also. I have in the past done what another poster stated and have a friend who can do a good acting job and ask for references. I know when I was doing the hiring I wasnt permitted to ask how many children, age, etc. Also on reference checks I only would confirm if they worked for me and if rehireable. Most days now they ask for fax request and confirmation before providing any information. Hang in there!! Do you have Maxim in your area? I have an interview on Tues for not only home health but they also are having Immunization clinics all over the state starting Sept 15. Check with Careerbuilder also as that's where I found the add for the central florida area. I have no home health experience but they are willing to talk to me at least and to be honest I'm thinking per-diem or prn is probably the way I prefer to go at this point anyway as long as I can pay my bills in the end :)

Orca, ADN, ASN, RN · Aug 21, 2009

Speaking of references - an employee I terminated during the probationary period due to poor work performance and bad attitude listed me as a reference. I have to wonder what kind of thinking went into this person listing the DON at a place he got fired as a reference for a future job. It made me wonder what the rest of his references are like - if he even has any. I doubt that I am the first person to let him go.

I told the caller the truth - that I could not in good conscience recommend him to another employer.

Orca, ADN, ASN, RN · Aug 21, 2009

I would add, however, that it is never a good idea, in my personal experience, to give reasons why your employment may be difficult for management (i.e. you needing to coordinate shifts with your husband because of child care issues).

I completely agree. If an applicant starts laying down conditions before the job is even offered, I get the impression that the person will be high maintenance. I have heard applicants say - during the interview - that they need a certain shift and certain days off. Don't give a prospective employer any sign that you are inflexible, or that everything has to be your way. That tells the employer that you are more interested in your own wants than the job.

An employer is far more willing to work with you if you show a willingness to do things you don't necessarily want to do. Once you have established a good work history with that employer, you may well get what you want. You can't expect your new employer to rearrange the schedules of everyone who is already there in order to give you what you are asking for.

The last position we interviewed for was a night position, and several people took themselves out of contention by openly expressing their distaste for the shift. Two applicants asked about jobs at my facility (mine was not the one with the vacant position - I was just on the interview panel). One of them was the front-runner for the position - until I pointed out to the hiring DON that based upon her statement she would be applying for transfer as soon as a position opened up, and we would be interviewing all over again. Showing an employer that you are already looking for a way out isn't a good idea either.

As a manager, my primary task in hiring is to meet the needs of the unit. Hiring someone who is going to be unhappy from day one is not a good way to go about that.

Moogie · Aug 21, 2009

To the OP---while it certainly hurts to get a rejection letter or telephone call, at least you heard something. It's been my experience as of late that potential employers never follow up with applicants. I understand that the job market is tight. However, when an applicant gets to the interview stage and is rejected, it should be common courtesy for HR to get in touch somehow with the applicant to tell him/her simply thanks for the interest but someone else got the job. It is very frustrating and stressful to be kept in limbo. "Oh, we'll let you know either way if you got the job or not" and then you never, ever hear back. Come on. How hard is it to do an email to at least the candidates that were interviewed so they can get on with their lives---and job searches?

I had a prospective employer tell me that someone would absolutely, positively call me at 10 AM Tuesday. It's Friday. A week and a half later. Guess who never called? Caller ID shows me that no one called either the land line or the cell when I was in the shower, walking the dogs, watching daytime game shows, whatever. Ah, well, I guess I dodged a bullet because if an employer is that discourteous to a potential employee, how would it treat someone who has been employed for a while?

This whole thing reminds me of dating---back in high school. You meet a guy, he says he'll call, and he never calls. Okay, not just high school---middle aged men do the very same thing (as do middle aged women, according to friends who have done online dating in recent years.) At any rate, it's rude.

The economy is bound to improve eventually but even if recovery is slow, the aging Baby Boom generation is going to create a demand for nurses that will be unprecedented, not only because of increased health demands but also because nurses of that generation are going to start to retire. I wonder how the facilities that today are turning away nurses will treat applicants then? I certainly won't be jumping at the chance to work at an institution that was rude to me, refused to call me (even if the news wasn't what I wanted to hear) or downright lied to me. I have a hunch that others might feel the same way.

DeLana_RN, BSN, RN · Aug 21, 2009

Thank you all for the valuable feedback, which has enlightened me. I can pretty much figure out the hiring manager's concerns and yes, I did give her a reason not to hire me. It seems that new grads can be more desirable than experienced nurses with young kids... So be it, I can't change what happened. However, I did learn from it and it made me realize that that I need to make some childcare arrangements (which I have).

Maybe it was all for the best, after all - a friend who works in the hospital (different floor) just told me that the annual confidential nurse evaluations have been released for all units and this particular manager didn't get very good ones. Maybe that's the reason for the fairly high turnover in her department (which had concerned me, to be honest).

Again, thanks and good luck to everyone!

DeLana