why does it seem that HR and the nursing department aren't on the same page?

Nurses Job Hunt

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So I previously posted this in another section, but didnt get any feedback. Hopefully, I'll get some more of a response here.

This thread is part rant/part advice-seeking/part seeking out if anyone else has been in my same boat.

Prior to seeking a fulltime nursing job, it had always been my belief that if you're offered an interview (within any filed--not just nursing), it meant that someone who plays a part in the hiring process had read your resume and figured you had some kind of qualifying factor and/or was a possible viable candidate.

However I am quickly learning that this is not the case. I have been on a couple of interviews and it seems that an unsettling pattern is arising--there is some kind of communication breakdown within management. One place I interviewed, I heard the interviewer who happened to be the DNS, ask the secretary "what position is she interviewing for?" so it was quite apparent that the DNS was unfamiliar with my file and had not taken any part in selecting me for an interview. As if that wasn't daunting enough, the DNS obviously was looking at my resume for the first time and right off the bat, basically told me in no specific terms that that they're not really hiring new grads! Yet, I still had to sit through the interview after that...what torture!

A similiar situation happened once again where I was called in for an interview and then it turns out that the interviewer hadn't really looked at my resume and/or wasn't aware that I didn't have hospital experience. He looked somewhat shocked and then he didn't really seem to know what direction to take the interview now that he realized that I didn't have the experience he was looking for.

Has this been happening to just me?..or has anyone else been experiencing this? Is there any actual way of salvaging an interview when rather early on, its become blatantly apparent you're not what they're looking for

It makes me almost paranoid to go on interviews now because its like running into a brick wall every time you have to be interviewed by a person who for whatever reason is expecting someone way more qualified.

I have an interview coming up for a medical office that specializes in vascular surgery. I have limited experience in phlebotomy, which given the practice's specialty, I suspect will be a very imperative skill to know. Although my resume specifically states which nursing tasks I am knowledgeable in (phlebotomy is not listed, FYI !), I cant help but to feel like I'm once again going into an interview where the employer is expecting someone more skillful.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Acute Rehab.

It's sad, but true, I guess. Just like many candidates do not prepare for their interviews, some who are responsible for either doing the interview or setting it up, alsp do not prepare.

I would be be proactive and say something to the person who is calling you like 'Can you tell me a bit more about the position?' Maybe this can open a dialogue where you can actually find out if they know what your qualifications are.

Hope this helps.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Acute Rehab.

It's sad, but true, I guess. Just like many candidates do not prepare for their interviews, some who are responsible for either doing the interview or setting it up, also do not prepare.

I would be be proactive and say something to the person who is calling you like 'Can you tell me a bit more about the position?' Maybe this can open a dialogue where you can actually find out if they know what your qualifications are.

Hope this helps.

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Oi. As for the following:

The DNS obviously was looking at my resume for the first time and right off the bat, basically told me in no specific terms that that they're not really hiring new grads! Yet, I still had to sit through the interview after that...what torture!

A similiar situation happened once again where I was called in for an interview and then it turns out that the interviewer hadn't really looked at my resume and/or wasn't aware that I didn't have hospital experience. He looked somewhat shocked and then he didn't really seem to know what direction to take the interview now that he realized that I didn't have the experience he was looking for.

YES and YES, these have happened to me!

One time I had an interview where the DON was not notified who she was about to interview- she took one look at my resume (a new grad resume) and her face just felllll. She asked me some awkward questions about "why" I did not apply to other places besides her office. She then proceeded to tell me that she ideally wanted someone with 20+ years experience :eek:

:banghead: :banghead:

I did not try very hard to salvage that interview because it was clear it wouldn't be effective...

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Totally LOLIng at the smashing head icons!

But oh gosh! isnt that the worst feeling and that "oh wow...you're a VERY new nurse" look?! its like you just been sent into Rapid waters and you cant swim!

You know...at the end of the interview, the DNS actually asked me what other places I ahd applied to as well. That was like a double conformation I was not even in the running even though, I guess to be polite, she gave me the typical: "I'll see what I can do but only candidates who are being further considered will be contacted in a week"

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Yeah, that is a really awful feeling... I work so hard to prepare for my interviews, studying about the company, etc., and to see that look... makes me feel very, very small :uhoh21: And, yeah, had the same experience with the interviewer recommending other places for me to apply. At least then I know not to expect any return phone calls :)

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That has happened to me too and after driving almost an hour to the interview! The interviewer ended up talking about his military experiences, I guess since he saw I had served.

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Some employers will interview all candidates at a certain level of the process in order to better protect the company from any discrimination lawsuits. Sometimes there is another motive on the agenda. I went to several interviews where it was obvious to me that the interviewer(s) were only trying to see what I was going to say about a workplace/situation that was high on the local healthcare gossip grapevine. When the interview is obviously looking like a futile effort, best to get some interviewing practice out of it, so you can say it was not a total waste of your time, even though you know that they were never going to give you serious consideration.

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Specializes in Psychiatric, Med-Surg, Operating Room.

I had one of those too but lucky for me it was a phone interview. Still it was frustrating and quite annoying that the recruiter wasted my time inquiring about my education, telling me about the position and then cutting the conversation short when she realized I was a new grad. But what really gets me is that no more than 5 minutes after the interview I get the standard "Thank you for applying. While we appreciate blah blah blah blah...." email.

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Specializes in pediatrics, public health.

If it became that obvious at the beginning of an interview that I wasn't going to be seriously considered for the job, I would politely thank the interviewer for their time thus far, explain that I didn't want to take up any more of their time, shake their hand, say good bye, and leave. I might add that I will keep them in mind in the future once I have more experience, but what I would not do is suffer through the rest of the interview. Life is too short.........

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This has happened to me over the phone.

I have had calls that went like this:

Person: "hello, I am calling from SuchandSuch and I just read your resume. Would you be available to come in for an interview?"

Me: ::getting excited:: "Sure! When ever would be convenient for you."

Person: "Ok, where do you work right now?"

Me: (restating whats on my resume)

Person: "Oh, so you don't have experience? I am sorry, we require X amount of experience."

UGH! After they just said they had just read my resume! My resume is very clear and written in very plain english.

:(

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Speaking from an HR perspective here.

Sad but true sometimes, human resources and nurse managers (or managers in any field) do not always have a clear communication path. One of the best recommendations was mentioned early in this thread: open a dialogue about the specific position to glean more information about the position, when they anticipate filling the vacancy and any other job-specific information. If you're looking at a specific job, be sure to ask why the position is open. Always ask direct questions, and if the hiring manager -- or, the HR employee -- doesn't have an answer, ask when you can expect an answer. One thing is for sure, HR staff appreciate directness in all communications from applicants and candidates, even when it doesn't seem that their own communication with DONs or other hiring managers is that clear! I hope this helps.

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