Portfolio for an Interview?

[Q.]

Hi, I'm looking for some interview advice.

Recently I secured an interview in a large healthcare organization for a Childbirth Education Supervisor. Though the title is "supervisor" the job description reads more like a "director." The position is considered a nursing leadership position and is a newly created position.

My clinical background is Labor and Delivery and I've managed various programs now for at least 2 years.

I'm wondering if it would be appropriate to have a portfolio of my work that I have done: my programs and other accomplishments that aren't necessarily highlighted in my resume.

Any thoughts? I'm really excited about this position.

[llg, PhD, RN]

As far as the abstract, since I haven't began collecting data so far, should I just provide what I have so far?

Title, question, background, etc?

QUOTE]

Yeah ... I would just do a 1-page abstract of the title, basic background information, question, and proposed methodology.

Here's another idea - one that I used to get the job that brought me to my current employer. There were some issues that were discussed in-depth during my interview for the CNS job that brought me here ( a 12-hour interview day, by the way). Those issues concerned the nature of the CNS roles, advanced practice roles in general, reporting relationships, etc. Both my propective boss and the VP for Nursing focused on those issues during my talks with them. Well ... after the interview, I went home and wrote up some of my subsequent thoughts and sent them to those 2 individuals, saying that the interview process had stimulated my thinking and that I wanted to share the results with them. The "essay" also further demonstrated that my views were compatible with theirs, but that I also had additional ideas that would enrich the hospital.

I don't know exactly what they thought of my essay, but I got the job. Recently, one of the nursing student externs that I hired this summer did the same thing. She had struggled to answer one of my questions during our interview. The next day, I received an e-mail from her acknowledging that she hadn't answered that question particularly well ... nobody had ever asked her that before. She had done some additional thinking on the subject and this is what she came up with. She also got the job and has turned out to be a "superstar" among this summer's cohort of externs.

Good luck!

llg

[TLC RN]

Susy,

I am only a nursing student with three more semesters to go but.... we were told from the start to keep a portfolio of all accomplishments for just such an occasion. We were told that it would show our organizational skills as well as our accomplishments and experience. We were also told to get letters of recomendation from instructors and professors who's classes we enjoyed and excelled in. This could be done for the areas in which you worked. I do know that it is a good way to keep track of where you have been in your career and things that you might not find important may make the difference between getting that job and them passing you by for someone else who might have that portfolio at the interview..... or at least that is what they have drilled into us during our freshman nursing courses...... GOODLUCK!!

Sally

So, how do present the letters of recommendation? I have a few good ones, but the copies I get are sent to me via email. The professor sends the original to the school I requested them to send it. Is it ok to use the copy of the letter that they sent to me w/o their signature? Or should I just start asking them to send me a copy too?

[Q.]

I wouldn't forward or copy and paste emails; I would ask the authors of the letters to generate an original letter, on school/company letterhead with their original signature. You can then make photocopies or have them assembled in your portfolio for a one-time viewing.

llg, you brought up some good points. So many times I've had questions that I struggled to answer or wasn't quite prepared for. An essay sounds like a unique opportunity to demonsrate your line of thinking. It is what they are after and honestly I think no one expects people to think "on the spot" all the time. Most interviewers aren't interested in how quickly you can answer, but the answer itself.

[Q.]

HELP!!!

For some reason I am freaking out over this interview today. :uhoh21:

It's warm out today (82 degrees already) and am struggling between wearing a pant suit (blazer) or not. I have many nice, simple button up blouses and pants but only two suits. If I didn't wear a suit, would that convey that I'm too casual?!

Help!! My interview is in 2 hours!!

[nightingale, RN]

I think dressing for the occasion is in order; if it is warm, dress for warm. If your pant suits are not for summer wear then wear something that is dressie for an interview but business like (conservative).

As I tell me beautiful daughter, a paper bag would look good on you... You will do fine in whatever you choose. Wear your smile, show your confidence in yourself, and shoulders errect girl!

When it's over... we want details....

[Q.]

I think I might be more "myself" in a simple blouse and matching pants anyway. Geez, I never had this trouble over interviews before....

I'll be sure to give details, promise. :)

[nightingale, RN]

If it is the right job for you Suzy, I sure hope you get it

[llg, PhD, RN]

I'm sorry I wasn't on-line to support you during your fashion crisis ... but I'm sure you looked just fine. You wouldn't have worn anything inappropriate.

Please let us know how it all works out. I'll be out of town (at the NNSDO meeting in San Diego) for a few days, but I will be sure to look for follow-up posts when I get back next week.

Good luck,

llg

[Q.]

Okay, I opted for the suit. I have one that's fairly summer-ish and I figured I'd rather overdress than under dress.

Anyway, just got back from the interview and it seemed to have gone well, I thought. The VP of Women's Services (my boss) said she was impressed with my resume and overall seemed to like what I had to say.

I then interviewed with the Director's of Women's Services for each hospital in the system. One of them used to be my CNS and I also just completed working with her at my current job as she was a consultant to us for a professional practice development model for nursing. So, there was an established relationship there which I think helped. Made me more at ease anyway.

They focused alot on my lack of supervisory experience; I tried to highlight how those skills can be developed but that I bring xyz to the table, etc.

They have 3 candidates (including me) and a decision should be made this week or perhaps next. It's a toss up, I think.

But the job sounds challenging! It's a new position; I'd be responsible for the prenatal programs and the staff ed programs (fetal monitoring, perinatal principles, etc) Definitely an area in which to grow. So, time will tell I guess.

I gave them my abstract of my thesis and they seemed to be impressed with that as apparently that kind of work is what they want this position to accomplish. So....keep your fingers crossed for me. :)

[hoolahan, ASN, RN]

Good luck Suzy! Don't believe that "they have X number of other candidates" garbage, they told me that so many times, and I would get an offer the next day, even when they supposedly were not going to be finished interviewing for a few weeks. They just wait so long as to not appear desperate.

I am sure you are up for the challenge.

Isn't it frustrating when they say you have no sup experience, but if no one gives you a chance, how DO you ever get it? And you DO have this experience, didn't you ever supervise an aide in the hospital? Or were in charge and made out assignments? That is all relevant (OK, not exactly in their eyes, but you plug it for what it's worth!)

[Q.]

.

Isn't it frustrating when they say you have no sup experience, but if no one gives you a chance, how DO you ever get it? And you DO have this experience, didn't you ever supervise an aide in the hospital? Or were in charge and made out assignments? That is all relevant (OK, not exactly in their eyes, but you plug it for what it's worth!)

Yeah, I was thinking of that when I was driving home. I mean, people aren't born supervisors.

I didn't use my charge nurse role as evidence of that, though that would have been good. What I did use was evidence of "indirect" leadership; ability to influence a group, consulting skills, etc.

Eh, we'll see. I'm nervous about it. I think it's a leap for me but then all jobs should be a professional stretch, don't you think?

[Q.]

Didn't get the job.

This one has me really upset. I'm really disappointed. I feel like I have two major skills: education and OB, yet one of them (OB) is being allowed to sit on a shelf and atrophy no matter how hard I try.