Rejected from dream job

[yoganurse22]

So I have about a year and a half of med surg nursing under my belt. I made it through two rounds of interviewing and a shadow on my dream unit and got good feedback from everyone until I was told today that I was not chosen. I guess I would just like to hear your similar stories on this topic. I guess I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up too soon? It just seems like they spent a lot of time and energy interviewing me to not end up choosing me. I've been "rejected" from job opportunities before but never after having gone that far into the interviewing process. I'm basically just disappointed and kicking myself for being so upset over it but any kind words/similar stories to share would be appreciated!

Peace and love.

[chacha82, ADN, BSN]

Keep your chin up! The good news is that you made it through 2 rounds of interviews and had a positive shadowing experience. A year and a half of experience is just not as much compared to others. If it's your dream job, chances are it's someone else's too. I doubt you did anything wrong - they are probably just going with someone who is more experienced. Two of my coworkers recently applied for the same position on another floor. One has been a nurse for over a year, the other has been a nurse for fifteen years and has worked as charge, etc. Who do you think they will pick? If it's still your dream job, apply again in a few months if they continue to have vacancies. Concentrate on building a strong resume and look for leadership opportunities where you currently are.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

I had the same thing happen - shadowed in IR, spent several days with them, all the team members expressed excitement that I would be joining them and told me how perfect I was, including the manager. Then my hiring got nixed by a higher up with no clinical experience, who saw my background wasn't in IR and felt I would not be a good fit. The team and I were all upset about it.

Fast forward four years later - I am in a much better place and my regret and pain over that rejection is gone.

Keep your ear out and stay in good contact with them. Be happy, collegial and friendly when you see them. Wander in and visit now and then. You have a good chance of being chosen next round and if that doesn't come along, something else will.

[NurseKait_11, BSN, RN]

Well...

I really dislike when people are lying into my face. I understand that's what HR and management are living and breathing with and that nowadays lying became a socially acceptable and even expected behavior but it doesn't make it right.

Thank you note? Maybe. Goodies? H*** no. And I would really, really evaluate if I want ever work in place where people are lying to each other.

I think what this poster is trying to say is that she hates when Hiring managers or whomever they interview with tells people that they did a great job and give candidates great feedback, but then turn around and not offer the job... If I am understanding correctly, it feels like lying.

But there can be so much more going in to hiring process and not everyone is out to get you or managers are always lying to your face. You could be honestly doing a great job and getting good feedback, and yet something goes on that you're not hired. Sometimes, that's just the way it goes. You can't take it personally, as frustrating it may be. Instead, ask what you could have improved on to make you a stand-out candidate next interview.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

I think what this poster is trying to say is that she hates when HR tells people that they did a great job and give candidates great feedback, but then turn around and not offer the job... If I am understanding correctly, it feels like lying.

But there can be so much more going in to hiring process and not everyone is out to get you or HR people are always lying to your face. You could be honestly doing a great job and getting good feedback, and yet something goes on that you're not hired. Sometimes, that's just the way it goes. You can't take it personally, as frustrating it may be. Instead, ask what you could have improved on to make you a stand-out candidate next interview.

Generally in healthcare and in my experience, HR is not involved in the hiring decision. We tell them who we want to hire, and they extend the offer and go from there.

[NurseKait_11, BSN, RN]

Generally in healthcare and in my experience, HR is not involved in the hiring decision. We tell them who we want to hire, and they extend the offer and go from there.

You are so right. I edited my post. I was trying to understand what the other poster was saying when she referenced people lying to her face. But you're right! It's not really HRs decision. I have been interviewed by some HR people and then again by a manger but yes, the managers often make the final decision!

[DowntheRiver]

At my current (dream) job, I just wanted into this hospital system so I applied to any and every job. I went through 2 HR interviews and 2 manager interviews only to be rejected. I applied to one last position on a whim, got the the HR interview, aced the manager interview, and was offered a new job within a week. I beat out like 4 current employees as well who wanted to transfer within the hospital. So, it does happen! Don't give up. It took me having 3 years total experience to get my dream job so just keep working hard. Also, do send that thank you note to the manager!

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Okay....inquiring minds "must" know....what kind of job requires 13 interviews? Could they really have that many different things to go over that it required so many? The most I've ever had was 3 interviews per position so I just can't imagine how I'd respond as they were asking me to schedule interview #10, 11, 12.....

Nurse manager of CCU in a private hospital. Two interviews with HR, one with the current manager and assistant managers, one with a staff committee, one with the stepdown unit's management team, one with the management team of the other ICU in the hospital, one with the helicopter team's management team, one with the CEO of the hospital and the rest with various cardiologists in their offices off site. The interviews were scheduled for my days off, which meant I gave up my days off for interviews for about three to four weeks. In the end, I was so relieved not to get the job -- I went out to celebrate with the other three "losers".

[ERnurse19]

Same thing happened to me! I applied for my dream job at a different hospital and got the job! Then I actually received a phone call from the job that did not hire me about 6 months after being rejected asking if I was still interested. So anything is possible!

[jrbl77, RN]

I once got what I thought was my dream job. It turned out that I was placed into a position I never should have never been in. Did management support me, no. Turned out to be a big disaster. Moral of the story, the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence!

[CRCollins515]

There was a better candidate, simple as that. They conducted the interviews, narrowed it down, and chose the more experienced or knowledgeable applicant. You were not "rejected" and they did not "lie to your face". Being a nurse means it is time to grow up, accept you will not always get your way, and show appreciation that you were selected for the interview process. Find your maturity, send that thank you note, and wait for the next opening.

[T-Bird78]

I worked in a small doctor's office and the manager brought in two nurses, about two weeks apart, for a working interview and to see how they got along with the team. I asked if we were expanding because all the nursing positions were filled, and she said no. That makes you concerned, knowing she's interviewing people for one of your positions!

I had an interview with a peds office right out of nursing school, my peds/OB teacher had pulled some strings to get me the interview. I interviewed with the manager, the nursing supervisor, the head physician of the practice, and was told to come back Monday to shadow the LPN. They called HR and told them to fast-track me through the orientation process and sent me straight to the corporate HR office to fill out the paperwork and formal application. They had my ID, my W2, my SSN, copy of my BLS card, all the forms filled out, the whole nine yards. On my way home from there they called me and told me they'd given the job to a candidate with peds experience. THAT made me mad because I was essentially hired, then I had to call the corporate HR and tell them I had to cancel my orientation they'd rushed to get me in. Don't give up, just keep working and your dream job will come to you!

[lashawn04]

I've interviewed for what I thought was my dream job and did not get it. I've also interviewed for positions, got rejected, then got an offer after the first choice didn't work out.

I have shadowed at a place I thought I would love, and ended the interview process immediately after because I knew I wasn't the right fit.

I've also accepted a job that was not in my area of expertise, I thought I would hate but took out of desperation, and ended up loving it and cannot see myself anywhere else.