Are you a nursing manager? I have a question for you.

[Dazglue, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN]

So I've been at my facility for about 8 years. For a while now I've been trying to get into a particular department. In 8 years, I've applied for a position about once or twice a year. As a matter of I fact, I stopped applying this year because I came to the realization it's just not meant to be. Anyways, I got called in for an interview on this unit this week. Immediately after sitting down the first thing the manager said was "I've received several of your applications over the years." She sounded really annoyed and let out a big sigh. So my questions for managers, Is it really a bad thing to continuously apply to a job? Do you guys ever get annoyed from the same person applying?

[caliotter3]

Were I in a manager's position, at some point I might be moved to call a frequent flyer applicant in for a heart to heart just out of concern.

[AJJKRN]

I applied for my current position three times. Each time the manager was wanting to hire me but because of the nature of my job (float pool) if I was up against most qualified applicants...say a nurse with 20 years experience and well known throughout the facility... I would get moved to the back burner. She continued to encourage me to apply.

If anything, the manager or HR should have reached out to you to let you know what would strengthen your candidacy. If the manager keeps getting your app though then you must be checking off all of HRs expectations.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Is it bad to continuously apply?

It depends on a few details we don't have about why you are not being selected. Applying a 2nd or even a 3rd time is OK because you might have been qualified, just unlucky in that some super-qualified person applied at the same time. And applying a 2nd or 3rd time shows significant interest. However, at some point, the manager may feel that you are being dense in "not getting the message." There is some reason you are not being selected and you probably won't be selected unless you fix whatever problem there is. Repeated applications at that point just become annoying and awkward.

Once an applicant is reject for a 2nd or 3rd time for the same job ... that applicant should investigate why they are being rejected so that whatever weaknesses there are can be addressed. Continuing to do the same thing (apply) over and over and over without ever changing anything -- and expecting a different result is not productive and can make you appear "politically/interpersonally challenged" -- not a desirable quality in a job applicant. So, yes, at some point you should stop applying until you have addressed any issues that are holding you back.

Note that the previous poster said the manager encouraged her to apply again. Have you gotten such encouragement from the manager? Was there a special reason you did not get the position before that had nothing to do with your qualifications? In such situations, then re-applying is OK. But without those special circumstances ... 2 or 3 tries is enough.

[Dazglue, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I've never been contacted by anyone concerning my application so I don't know what my weaknesses are.

[Dazglue, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Thanks for the responses everyone. I really appreciate it.