Asking for References

[MPKH, BSN, RN]

Hi guys!

I just had my first EVER interview for a RN job, and it didn't go as well as I had planned it would be. I answered some questions brilliantly, and others, abysmally. However, I am treating this like any other learning experiences in hopes that I will learn how to turn those abysmal answers into birlliant ones...but this is not what I am here for.

At the end of the interview, the recruiter asked me to shoot her an email with some references, and I am just wondering if this is a good/neutral/bad sign? I don't think I did all that well on the interview, and I am a bit concerned about my candidacy for the job (I am not holding out for this job after some of my more abysmal answers)...so what do you think? Still a shot or no?

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

We are always harder on ourselves than other people are. Chances are you didn't sound as abysmal as you think you did on those questions. If she asked you for references, that's a good sign. She would not have asked if she had ruled you out as a candidate. Send those references ASAP and make sure they are stellar!

[MPKH, BSN, RN]

Thanks for the props. I already sent in my references who I've known to say good things about me. But I did mess up royally on the medication questions she asked...I just blanked out on them! Pharmacology was never my strong area x.X

[SweetseRN]

It sounds like it could be a positive sign! Why would she ask for you to do extra leg work if she had no intention of pursuing you further? Usually an iffy/not so good sign is just the standard "You will hear from us when we decide" speech.

Just an idea for the future though, next time have a list of your references printed out and with you. Wouldn't it have been nice to just reach into a folder and say "Here they are!"?...Just my opinion.

[MPKH, BSN, RN]

Ah thanks for the advice SweetseRN :) I usually do have my reference list ready, but this was for an out of town job, so a phone interview was conducted in lieu of a face to face.