Cried during interview. Did I ruin my chances?

[marrr123]

Hi everyone,

I had my first new graduate interview today for med-surg/telemetry with 3 managers. I felt that the entire interview went really well. However, I was asked what roadblock I have had in life. I told them I did poorly in high school because of personal/family issues at home. Then I started to tear up. They gave me a tissue and then I composed myself after about 20 seconds and resumed with no difficulty. I feel really embarrassed. I didn't cry because I was stressed. I didn't stutter and didn't feel any anxiety regarding the interview. I just got emotional because all these bad memories just slapped me in my face. I told them how after HS, people thought I was joking when I said I want to be a nurse because of how poorly I did but then I ended up graduating nursing school with magna cum laude. They told me how proud of me they were and one of the interviewers said "stop before you make me cry." I apologized right after and said sorry I'm not this emotional ever. Another interviewer said, "you should be, we are nurses." I really did not intend on crying. I was extremely prepared for this and had a professional portfolio with me so I just feel pretty embarrassed. Do you think I ruined my chances?

Before I left, one of them made a comment about how this was a great interview.

I really really want this job and to be a part of this facility so I'm feeling really down at the moment.

Share your input please!

[martymoose, BSN, RN]

Good luck! dont think you did anything wrong.

If for some reason you dont get this one, it was a great practice interview.

But hopefully you 'll hear soon :)

[al3x117, RN, EMT-B]

Seriously I think you rocked it! No joke! There is no shame in crying! Seriously now they know that you want to be a nurse! You will make one hell of a nurse because you truly want it.

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Here's a tip to avoid crying if you're a person who cries when you don't want to:

When you feel the tears well up, think of a math problem in your head. Anything, like "105 minus 97"

It works :)

[compassionresearcher]

Here's a tip to avoid crying if you're a person who cries when you don't want to:

When you feel the tears well up, think of a math problem in your head. Anything, like "105 minus 97"

It works :)

I cry easily, even if the situation doesn't feel that horrible to me on the inside. In fact, when I was working in the simulation lab I had to portray the daughter of a patient dying of cancer, for multiple sections of the course. I cried so realistically, the students said I should have gone into acting instead of nursing. I need to try that!

OP, it sounds like the interviewers were okay with what happened and it won't affect your chances of getting the job. It will make you stand out, for sure! I had an interview a few years ago where the interviewer (the director of the department) started crying because she was talking about an old friend who had died. I was worried she would be embarrassed and not hire me, but I got the job. :-)

[Newgrad1984]

The answer you gave I believe was probably perceived as being sincere. With many people answering with prepared canned statements this could have maybe helped you stand out. Not recommending you try it again, but I wouldn't worry about what you posted. Good luck!

[IrishCMSRN, BSN, RN]

You showed that you are a human being with feeling and emotion just like them. Nurses are not superhuman. We cry. They have cried too! Nurses cry all the time, especially new nurses. If you dont get it, its not because you cried. Dont worry about this, if anything it will be a good way to prepare you for the next time! Good Luck!

[HeySis, BSN, RN]

Here's a tip to avoid crying if you're a person who cries when you don't want to:

When you feel the tears well up, think of a math problem in your head. Anything, like "105 minus 97"

It works :)

I've not heard of that one, but I have heard of looking up with your eyes (not your whole head) and

Taking a drink of water. At one place I worked the HR manager used that... he offered people a bottle of water if he was bringing them in to fire them. I told him if he ever offered me water when we met, I'd dump it on him!! (we were actually good friends, so I could get away with that)

[marrr123]

Here's a tip to avoid crying if you're a person who cries when you don't want to:

When you feel the tears well up, think of a math problem in your head. Anything, like "105 minus 97"

It works :)

Thank you so much for that tip! I will try that next time.

[lugirl1]

I recently interviewed for a unit myself and I was asked what mistake I made during my rotation and how did I change it. The first time I told the story to the recruiter, I was not emotional but the second time on the same day I told the story to the unit manager when asked about the same question, I could not help it but to get emotional. I tried to hold back my tears but they would not stop. The managers just looked at me as if I was crazy and did not say a word. I was asked to come for a shadow day the next day which I went. By the time I got home from my shadow, I received an email expressing that they will not be hiring me. I was depressed instantly:grumpy: because I was hoping that I got the job as the hospital is a place I really wanted to work at. Like someone said in this thread, maybe the managers decided that I would not fit and would be too emotional to deal with patients as the unit is a very fast paced and busy one. If this is their assumption, I think they are wrong. Just because I shed some few tears does not mean I would crack under pressure. I made it through nursing school didn't I?

[massbaby]

Awwww don't feel bad😔. I have been a nurse three plus decades and I feel we need to see more if this. WE/NURSES are a very proud group and with that comes passion and drive. I feel it speaks a lot to your determination and desire to get a good job. Relax !! I hope you made them think about hiring in a new way. I hope you get the job !

Chin up sweetie 👍🏻

[beekee]

I cried in an interview. Got tissue handed to me and everything. I got the job. So, don't fret too much. It isn't necessarily a deal breaker.

[C0SM0]

So....did you get the job?