Weird interviews

I don't think that asking a candidate about their strengths and weaknesses and long term goals is a goofy question. Wouldn't you want to hire a person who has some sense of direction, who wants to aspire to something other than punching the clock and collecting a paycheck? The strength and weakness question reflects the candidates ability to ascertain their own abilities and identify areas for improvement. Not one of us will ever be a perfect nurse- there will always be something that we need to improve upon and something new to learn. The savvy professional recognizes their weaknesses and learns to compensate. I would be wary of an employer who DOES NOT ask about strengths, weaknesses and long and short-term goals.

Do you mind if I ask why you think those questions are goofy? Those are pretty customary questions that I feel are asked in not only most nursing interviews, but any job interview.

These are the same questions I got during one weird interview at a nursing home, and I'm a new grad. No questions about my long-term goals or anything like that. To top off this weird interview, the DON basically said the morale is low, the facility is in the sights of the State, and there is rapid turnover (she was only DON for 6 weeks when she interviewed me) at all levels. Maybe this is a place that needs people right now.

I have been in all these positions.

I have interviewed, and been the one performing interviews.

I do not give "canned" answers to these questions.
EVER. This is a golden opportunity for you to realistically address both your strengths, and areas for improvement.

Address your strengths. For example "I am very good at rhythm interpretation, but feel I need to spend time becoming current on the most recent medication recommendations for different arrhythmias" Followed by "What inservice/continuation educational opportunites do you offer?"

I was able to say, for example, that time management was one of my strengths. Be able to answer the question "how do you deal with stress", as well. And no canned answers! These are serious questions, and your answers demonstrate your degree of thoughtfulness and seriousness, LOL ( and the LOL is sarcastic, here, but no offense intended, just heartfelt advice.)

If you cannot realistically address strengths and weaknesses, it a sign of inexperience OR lack of insight. Give some serious thought to both what you have to offer and what you need.

The RN job market is tight. Good luck, and take it seriously. Your job and future may well depend on it.

I've had weird interviews, but really only one or two. Both were with people unaccustomed to interviewing and who stated that they were just filling in for someone else. Believe me, it showed. They asked me almost nothing about me, so that at the end of the interview I wondered how they would know if I would be a good employee or not! What I learned from that is to take charge in the interview if the interviewer is floundering. Then it becomes my job to tell them why they should hire me. It's up to me to make my case. It's even necessary to interrupt, politely of course, to get the message across.

Has anyone else been in an interview that is drifting off course? How did you handle it?

But, interviews can feel really strained and unnatural if you are not being genuine. It's a fine line, though. I think that's why preparation is so important. I really need to think about typical interview questions to come up with answers which really feel "true" and "real" to me. I have to believe in what I am saying. I find that if I try to "wing it," I get in trouble. I'll say something that gives the wrong impression, or doesn't really address the question.

I am a big fan of those books you can check out by the armload from your local library, like "100 most asked interview questions", and titles of that nature. I sit down and write out my responses and try to make a little script. For ticklish subjects, like why I left my last job, it is helpful to have a pretty well-memorized script, so I don't say something I wish I hadn't!