Strange job interview...thoughts on this?

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Apr 28, 2009

yes this has happened to me and i got the job. good luck and keep us posted. did she say when you would hear the news?

iamablonde, BSN, RN · Apr 28, 2009

Maybe she already knows of you and that you are a good nurse and would be perfect for the job and didn't feel the need to ask you anything????? Just a guess! Good luck!

loricatus · Apr 28, 2009

I have had a few interviews like you described. There could be many reasons for it: discomfort with the HR way of interviewing, poor social skills, self centered person who is only interested in having a body, prior bad experience with someone who said all the 'right' things, a tactic to try and see how you handle yourself...

How was the interview left? Were you offered a position or was it left hanging? Either way, it wouldn't hurt for you to pick up the phone and follow up in a way that shows your interest in the position and how you can be a good fit for the unit (using specifics from what was told to you).

Personally, I prefer that type of interview rather than having to answer canned statements to stupid questions.

openheartmary · Apr 28, 2009

I would probably be optimistic regarding this interview. Otherwise, why waste her time touring the department with you. A lot of directors interview the applicants rather than HR. If this interview was at a facility where you already work, I expect she's learned from others your work ethic and performance.

It sounds like you were very prepared and excited and I'm sure that came across to her.

Best of luck to you!

ImMrBill3, RN · Apr 28, 2009

I have not had any interviews like that in any field, but it may be she already knows she does want to hire you.

For general info on this subject. I just completed most of my interview process. Two interviews one with HR and one with Head of Dept (would normally have been manager). They were both extensive and used the "behavioral interviewing" technique. I was asked to describe a situation in which ... there were at least 5 different types of situations asked about. They included stress, unreasonable customer/patient, teamwork building, conflict with coworker, noticing something "small" and intervening. I can't remember all the others but I understand its is not always the same set. So for those going out on interviews I suggest reviewing your experience and having details of a variety of situations and your handling. I hope that wasn't too off topic.

Best of luck on this position!!!

Straydandelion · Apr 28, 2009

I have had a few similar. IMO she has basically decided on a hire based on the application/resume the final factor being interview... checking the "usual factors" i.e. dress, grooming, sociability etc. *shrugs*

I think you have as good a chance of being hired as in more extensive interview processes. Good luck, but if it does't turn out I am sure you will find others. It wouldn't hurt to contact the NM in a few days either.

To answer your original question, MOST of my interviews with NM's were similar. Most of them I was hired. :)

ambermichelle · Apr 28, 2009

Of course you will know soon, but I would lean towards the view that she already thought she would hire you, and was trying to show you what they had to offer. That happened to me in my first real job (which was engineering not nursing). Being inexperienced at interviewing, I had expected to be grilled, and was not asked anything at all! Towards the end of his talk, I tried to interject some things about myself, and he just smiled and waved me off. I left not knowing whether I was in or out. I later got the letter with the offer.

Jolie, BSN · Apr 28, 2009

Is she a relatively new manager and perhaps inexperienced at interviewing?

I had a similar experience once, only I was the manager. I was new in the job and had never interviewed anyone before. I knew how to describe our unit and our needs but I was clueless as to what to ask the candidate, who was highly experienced and old enough to be my mother.

She was an excellent candidate and was hired, based upon my interview and the interview she had with a representative from the nursing office. She later mentioned how strange she thought the interview had been and we laughed about it. She said she could tell that I was new and tried to "lead" me into asking questions of her, but apparently I didn't get that at the time :)

My_brain_hurts · Apr 28, 2009

Hey that sounds like my interview! my second ever as a new nurese . I met with the day shift charge nurse/assistant manager (manager was on vacation) and he asked me why I wanted to work in ICU, if I thought I could handle nights (that was the only position they had open at the time), and then he said "Let me tell you about our unit". . . and then he showed me around the unit, introduced me to a few nurses who were there, and then we went back to the office and I was all prepared to hand him my resume and answer questions and all kinds of stuff. But when we sat down he said "So, you think you still want to work here?" I said yes, and that was that. I've been there almost 2 yrs and I love it.

I think the flip side to an "odd" interview is that perhaps they already know they'd like you for the position and there just isn't much else they need to know about you.

So good luck, let us know how it goes!!!

emmalou* · Apr 28, 2009

Most of my interviews in Australia have been like yours - I only got the formal interview process when I was a grad, and when I was going for senior positions. A lot of ward nursing mid-level interviews are just a formality as they're going to hire you anyway (in my experience), and have already seen your qualifications and resume.

Whatever the outcome - don't blame yourself! I went around for years blaming myself for stupid, weird, awkward interviews until I realised that it's just as important for the interview panel to have good interviewing skills as it is for me to interview well. Hospitals are selling themselves now as employers of choice so they should be aware of your opinion of them as much as the other way around.

Just my 2c.

Edit: For future reference, don't be afraid to be proactive in interviews either - feel free to initiate discussion about your skills and achievements.

CaseManager1947 · Apr 28, 2009

The system where I work, HR sends the interview, and the manager carries it out. does the actual meeting with prospective employee... I dunno.... hard to read people sometimes