Any advice for INTERVIEWS, will be much appreciated!!!!

chevyv, BSN, RN · Dec 6, 2008

I'm so interested in reading any replys. I graduated from a lpn program and am just about finished with the rn program. I applied at a long term care facility where everyone in my class works and got a 'thank you, but not interested reply'. I'm not sure what part of the interview I bombed, but I told them the hours I needed and explained that when I'd be finished with the rn program (may 2009), but felt it went pretty well. Afterwards, a friend told me I shouldn't have told them when and what hours I could work. She said I should have waited until they offerred me a position. I think that I should have been upfront, but now I'm not so sure....

Atheos · Dec 6, 2008

When we interview (I interview the CNAs and the DON and I split the nurses) there are some big no-nos that immediately will disqualify you.

I'll list them in order of getting you bounced the quickest.

#1 Being later than 10 minutes early. While, you were not technically late, people trying to make an impression show up early. Not doing so indicates lack of caring or even just a lack of foresight. Either disqualifies you.
#2 Making ANY sort of demand outside of what the position was posted as. Saying 'I like the day shift but I can't work Sundays' or 'I really want evening shift but I need to come 45 minutes late everyday.' Nope. See ya...
#3 Appearance - A person that can't take care of them self can't be expected to take care of someone else. By slovenly I mean dirty clothing, unkempt, not looking like they are there for an interview. I don't mean their physical attributes.
#4 Pushiness. Only get's you out of the door.

There are a couple of other but those are the immediate bouncers.

So for advice I would say go the opposite route.

Be early and presentable.

Don't make a demands.

If you have a need rephrase it. I have had someone that said they would take one of the less desirable positions because they had a slight conflict with the better one. We ended up giving her the better position. She's happy and we all benefit.

Dress nicely.

No need to be GQ'd out but look like you made an effort. I careless if you come in jeans and a polo. As long as they don't look like you pulled them out of the dirty clothes hamper and they can't smell. Yes, that happens quite a bit.

Have a great attitude.

This is self-explanatory. A person with a good attitude and a good mood tend to spread it around. MAny times interviewers are as nervous as the interviewee. I'm no professional interviewer. If I leave the interview feeling good about you then you probably will get the position. If it's awkward not likely. We have to be able to interact with family and patients. If you can't interact with an interviewer then that's not a good thing.

That's all just opinion though.

If they look at you for 2 seconds and hire you I'd walk. Quickly...

oolilxminnieoo · Dec 6, 2008

Thanks again "Stanley-RN2B." I do have a question for you though, since you conduct interviews. Do you recommend engaging the nurse manager in conversation not related to the interview. For example, she is wearing a really pretty hairpin and I compliment it and ask her where she got it? LOL. Or is that unprofessional?

Atheos · Dec 7, 2008

Thanks again "Stanley-RN2B." I do have a question for you though, since you conduct interviews. Do you recommend engaging the nurse manager in conversation not related to the interview. For example, she is wearing a really pretty hairpin and I compliment it and ask her where she got it? LOL. Or is that unprofessional?

I think it's a judgment call.

That would never bug me. Good small talk is never a bad thing.