Anxiety over in-person job interview

Specialties NP

Published

I know I come here a lot seeking advice (and you have all been good to me) but I'm having serious anxiety over an upcoming interview. A recruiter put me in touch with a LTC/palliative care facility out of state. After two phone interviews they asked me to come for an interview, and are even putting me up in a nice motel. The recruiter talked to me today about things I should do. I didn't have a lot of money to spend but I've put together a "professional" outfit (though it looks kind of dowdy.). I was told to come up with a list of questions to ask, and I'm having some trouble with this. Any ideas?

I've been looking for a job for so long, I don't want to mess this up. The recruiter said not to be surprised if they send me home with a contract. I'm wondering if by having me come down there they have pretty much decided to give me a chance, or if this is just part of the interview process and they are interviewing other candidates? I just wonder how close I am to actually having the position.

Another question: if they hire me how long is it going to take to get a temporary license? How long will it be before I go down there and start working? I will be going from Tennessee to South Carolina. They are giving me an extra night in the motel so I can spend time looking around the area at housing. I'm afraid to get my hopes up, but does this sound like a pretty sure deal?

There is another thing, I was told by the recruiter they may ask what sets me apart from other people who may apply to the job. This kind of makes me feel like a deer in the headlights...what sort of answer would they be looking for? Would they be looking for something like, how much experience I have working with the elderly and those who are near the end of life and I feel like I have attained some good experience in my career that could help me in my practice? Or am I totally off?

Could someone help me put all this into a coherent presentation? I've just been to so many job interviews only to hear, "we still have other people to interview"..."we've got your number"...blah blah blah. I just feel like I should brace myself for more rejection.

Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
We got all finished up and guess what they said? The ol' "we've got one more person to interview" spiel. Never again am I going to drag my kids on a 6 hour car trip one way for this. I'm just so finished. The recruiter when he called to see how things went couldn't even believe it. I've just got to face that I'm totally unhireable as a NP. I'm beyond sick of this. Now I get to sell off some property to pay off a worthless student loan I can't even use. Life sucks for me.[/quote']

It doesn't automatically mean the worst! Will keep hope up for you.

How long has it been since you graduated and took your NP boards?

Have you done mock interviews with your recruiter?

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We got all finished up and guess what they said? The ol' "we've got one more person to interview" spiel. Never again am I going to drag my kids on a 6 hour car trip one way for this. I'm just so finished. The recruiter when he called to see how things went couldn't even believe it. I've just got to face that I'm totally unhireable as a NP. I'm beyond sick of this. Now I get to sell off some property to pay off a worthless student loan I can't even use. Life sucks for me.[/quote']

You sound like your own worst enemy Mountainare. He was probably just being honest. Maybe they flew out two of you, So? How did YOUR interview go?

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I wouldn't read too much into that. I've never gotten a job (and I've gotten plenty over the years, haha) where I was offered the job in the interview. I would be suspicious of a potential employer that did do that (it takes time to consider appolicants after the interviews are completed, check references, backgrounds, etc. IMO, if they offer you the job right away, it suggests they don't have any other serious candidates and are desperate, or they just don't care and only want a warm body.) They probably do have other applicants to interview, and saying that is not necessarily "code" for "you aren't getting the job." The fact that they paid for you to come and stay in town means they are taking you seriously as a candidate.

Best wishes!

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I agree with the others! I too was flown out to a job and they told me "they'd be in touch". A few days later they called and offered me the job. I'm actually packing up now to start on the 10th. Hang in there! I too graduated a little over a year ago and it took me a long time to find something...what did your recruiter say? Usually they have an "in" on what they're going to decide. My recruiter told me I got the job before they did.

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

I know that getting a job is the only real cure for "depression" brought on by job search stress. Still, I think you should see a therapist to help you through the process. He or she can help you with issues such as how to present yourself and how to avoid the roller coaster of emotions that come with having a job prospect, preparing, getting turned down, gearing up for the next one, etc. It's a real landmine for even the most emotionally stable individual. Few people can cope with repeated frustration, rejection and dashed hopes, again and again and again. I would reach out for professional help. I was a basket case until I found my first job. In tears most of the time, self-pitying, self-defeating. It would have been smart of me to reach out for help earlier.

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OP,

Please keep your chin up until you hear back. Make sure you send a nice thank you email to your interviewers, and remember that saying they have others to interview does not mean you won't be their choice! The provider world is very different than the bedside nursing world - employers often don't just hand out jobs on the spot. They will need to deliberate even if you did a wonderful job.

Do tell us though - how did it go?

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I just remember sweating profusely and at one point being asked if I was okay (maybe it was a hot flash, but it was sure embarrassing.)

I also remember several instances of uncomfortable silence as my feeble mind tried to think of something to say that didn't sound stupid. It was the deer in the headlights sort of thing, and I am very ashamed I didn't come off as more gregarious and articulate. I had to apologize to one of the interviewers for my nerves, and he told me not to worry, but of course that didn't look good.

All in all it could have been a lot better. And one of the coordinators wasn't impressed because she is into cocktail parties and the rotary club. She put me on the spot by telling me she was taking my family out on a drive to see the area. I think she was put off by my husband, who looks like a mountain man. I know I was kind of ashamed. We looked more like Ma and Pa Kettle. She even asked me after she saw him if he still wanted to go...

When I first got there they gave me a packet with info about their health insurance, and it's painful for me to even look at it now.

The recruiter told me he would let me know as soon as he found out something, but he sounded kind of empathetic. He seems to know something he isn't telling me....like I didn't get the job.

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.
I wouldn't read too much into that. I've never gotten a job (and I've gotten plenty over the years, haha) where I was offered the job in the interview. I would be suspicious of a potential employer that did do that (it takes time to consider appolicants after the interviews are completed, check references, backgrounds, etc. IMO, if they offer you the job right away, it suggests they don't have any other serious candidates and are desperate, or they just don't care and only want a warm body.) They probably do have other applicants to interview, and saying that is not necessarily "code" for "you aren't getting the job."

I don't think I ever offered anyone a job at the interview. Even if I liked them, I like to consider all applicants, and usually say when I'll be making a decision.

good luck

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I just remember sweating profusely and at one point being asked if I was okay (maybe it was a hot flash but it was sure embarrassing.) I also remember several instances of uncomfortable silence as my feeble mind tried to think of something to say that didn't sound stupid. It was the deer in the headlights sort of thing, and I am very ashamed I didn't come off as more gregarious and articulate. I had to apologize to one of the interviewers for my nerves, and he told me not to worry, but of course that didn't look good. All in all it could have been a lot better. And one of the coordinators wasn't impressed because she is into cocktail parties and the rotary club. She put me on the spot by telling me she was taking my family out on a drive to see the area. I think she was put off by my husband, who looks like a mountain man. I know I was kind of ashamed. We looked more like Ma and Pa Kettle. She even asked me after she saw him if he still wanted to go... When I first got there they gave me a packet with info about their health insurance, and it's painful for me to even look at it now. The recruiter told me he would let me know as soon as he found out something, but he sounded kind of empathetic. He seems to know something he isn't telling me....like I didn't get the job.[/quote']

The way you talk about yourself and your family makes me sad.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

Don't be ashamed of yourself and don't be ashamed of your family! Any workplace that judges you based on your family's appearance is not somewhere you want to work.

You didn't mention if you have done mock interviews but that might be a big help to you in feeling more relaxed and improving the way you communicate your strengths.

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

i suggest you get some professional help for your anxiety and self image. i think it would help for you to have some extra support and you could also learn skills to manage your anxiety. You got your NP: you look good on paper, you have to work on your interviewing skills, your people skills. Dont give up..get more support..best wishes to you..

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Psych.
i suggest you get some professional help for your anxiety and self image. i think it would help for you to have some extra support and you could also learn skills to manage your anxiety. You got your NP: you look good on paper you have to work on your interviewing skills, your people skills. Dont give up..get more support..best wishes to you..[/quote']

This is excellent advice, and I think it has been suggested to you previously. I truly hope you take this seriously and get some help for this, because I am afraid you are going to continue to sabotage yourself with your negative self-talk, anxiety, and depression even after you become employed as a NP. As for the job, I don't think you are out of the race yet. If they had you travel down there on their dime, offered to take you and your family on a tour of the area, gave you benefits info, etc., they must be interested in you. You won't know until you know, so try to stay positive and keep the faith. I have my fingers crossed for you!

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