How to be confident without appearing arrogant

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I am usually confident when it comes to what I know and I really do believe I will be a great nurse, but how can I remain confident without appearing to be arrogant? I have no nursing experience since I'm a new grad, but I have previous healthcare experience and am in my late 40's and have raised 3 children. So my days of being self deprecating and unsure are behind me now and I find it much easier to be confident than when I was younger. My classmates always say I'm confident and nurturing at the same time and normally I am. Nevertheless it's been 4 months without an offer and now I worry that I will seem desperate and try to over sell myself at the next interview and come across as arrogant, because quite frankly I AM desperate for a job. I don't want to let my desperation be so obvious and I think I might get a call to interview soon. Any suggestions?

Specializes in ICU, Geriatrics, Float Pool.

Easy way to tell if you're being arrogant v. confident: you consider yourself to be special, talented, and amazing but have no hard evidence to back that up. The opinions of people who are obligated to love you do not count here. It should be a red flag in any interview.

( Just to be clear this isn't aimed at the OP, it's just a general rule of thumb.)

Specializes in ED, PACU, PreOp, Cardiac.

I haven't read the book by Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, but she is on the TED channel giving a speech. The posts after talk about how it is a refresher for her book. It was an interesting perspective.

Specializes in Operating Room.

Dont despar! Something will come through for you. Just look at it as a lesson/review of yourself.

Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
Legally to my knowledge interviewers can't even ask if you have children. Unless you have a gap in your work years that only kids can explain don't bring them up.

If the INTERVIEWEE brings up the topic of their kids, that's a whole other picnic.

Specializes in Gerontology RN-BC and FNP MSN student.

Hi heartsgal- I suggest being yourself, that way your comfortable. Others can sense when your at ease with yourself and confident of your role as a nurse. Or if your insecure or unsure it probably shows too. Best wishes!! I hope you get landed in the perfect job for you!:yes:

Specializes in Med-Surg, Infusion.

Update: I went to a small rehab hospital in my area on Thursday that I would really like to work at for the 3rd time, but it's the first time to meet the CNO and it was a cold call. A classmate who was an lvn before has been working there since June, but now she's dropping to prn because she got hired at a hospital. The front desk lady remembered me and even hugged me (she is a super sweet lady) gave me a visitor pass and let me go back to see the CNO. She was not happy at first that I got back to see her and adamant that she was not hiring any new grads presently, so I pressed on and kept smiling even though I felt like falling on the floor and crying. Then she slowly started asking me a few questions and all of a sudden asked me when I wanted to come in for an interview. I was rather shocked because she looked like she was thinking and then she told me she liked my attitude and on my way out after we made the appointment, said she's been known to hire people based on attitude. I am praying that I can sell myself in my interview and land this job! I appreciate all the advice and suggestions you gave me, because I used them believe me. Thank you! :)

Specializes in Med-Surg, Infusion.
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