i had multiple interviews so far and no job offers as new grad. At this moment, i just feel like giving up. After interviews I go through in my head on re-answering the questions again and i wish i had answered better. I am an internal applicant in a hospital but the more i do interviews the more embarassed i get because I cannot land the position. In addition to seeing same HR person.
Anyone feeling this way? I guess nursing is not meant to be ???
Yes, getting into school and completing the program is usually a struggle. So is landing a job. But please dont give up!! You have worked too hard to give up now. Good advice so far, to that I would add research online for interview skills specificly for nurses and keep practicing and interviewing until you land that job, and you will!! Also, are you able to view that personnel file, there still may be something in there you are not aware of, or maybe just ask HR. Either way Good Luck, you will get there.
Does your school have people that help with interviews/resume review? My nursing program had a small office that offered mock interviews and let you drop off your resume for them to critique.
I graduated in a saturated market, and the only job offer I got was the only one I had connections with. Any friends with connections you can work?
Interviewing is a skill and it takes time to develop. I agree that is it way too soon for you to be giving up yet. You have received some good advice and keep plugging away at it. Reach out to your connections and see if anyone knows of any where that is new grad friendly! Good luck!
I get very anxious in interviews as well! I remember bombing an interview of a facility I desperately wanted to work for. She was late-she “didn’t know I was coming” and I parked in the wrong place, and it was my first interview in an intimidating area (first CNA job) I was qualified, but I was so nervous I locked up. I blew it. After that, I started talking with xareee services people, and those who have had successful interviews.
1. Research the hospital. Read news, blogs, etc it helps when speaking to the management for them to see interest in the hospital.
2. You need to to be very clear about your goals as a new grad. What you want, where you see yourself in the future, what interests you have (specialty? Not sure?)
3. I research nurse interview questions. And then I type out what I would like to say. This is where it lowers my anxiety. If I go through and answer the questions and edit them, I can read them 5-6 times, and then I get excited if they actually ask the questions I answered!
4. Call HR at the facilities you are interested in and ask to speak to a recruiter. Ask them what you can do to get a new grad job. When they post jobs, if they have job fairs, or at least meet and greets. And get a feel for the hiring process. I am still connected and on a first name basis with 2 of the recruiters I worked with while trying to get a new grad position
dress to impress (I’m aure you’re doing great at this)! Less is more. Practice, and discuss with friends (preferably not fellow new grads-maybe friends in different fields if you can)
I have been offered every position I have ever interviewed for regardless of the field. I answer what they ask, but I add personal spin to it in order to get the manager to bite and show their personal bias on a topic. Then I will continue to appeal to their personal feelings on things in order to foster rapport with them. Then I’m not just another applicant in a chair to them. I’m a sympathetic, caring, multifaceted and like minded person to them. If they see you as more of a peer, or kindred spirit to themselves, they are more likely to consider you over people who are comparable or more qualified. This does take good skills in reading people and assessing their reaction and level of interest. You can also go with the old method of being really positive and peppy. Some managers will not enjoy it though. Don’t be afraid to ask the other people who have interviewed you for feedback on your interviewing style. Use hand gestures, confident posture and eye contact. Smile when appropriate and be real. Don’t do the fake interview voice and try to seem like the perfect professional. They will notice right away. They see it all the time and they will likely write you off. I know I was all over the place with my response, but I hope this helped. Thank you for your time.
Big hugs coming your way. Be positive, patient and persistent ? Do not give up. I have been through this and one day the right job appeared. Think to yourself those other jobs weren't right for me because the one I should do is coming. As for anxiety before interview, be proud of who you are and what you achieved so far ?
I’m sure it seems impossible now, but you will land that first nursing job. I would suggest reaching out to some of the individuals who have interviewed you and seeing what their reasons were for passing on you. They may or may not tell you, but its definitely worth a shot. Another suggestion I have is to use your connections. If you are an internal transfer, ask a nurse or manager who you trust and knows your strengths reach out to other managers/HR and put in a good word for you. I live in a pretty big city with over 10 hospitals in a 15 mile radius, and its amazing how tight-knit the nursing community is. A good reference could be the difference maker.
Good luck and do not give up. Your struggle now will make your future successes that much better.
Daisy4RN
2,238 Posts
Yes, getting into school and completing the program is usually a struggle. So is landing a job. But please dont give up!! You have worked too hard to give up now. Good advice so far, to that I would add research online for interview skills specificly for nurses and keep practicing and interviewing until you land that job, and you will!! Also, are you able to view that personnel file, there still may be something in there you are not aware of, or maybe just ask HR. Either way Good Luck, you will get there.