Dealing with rude people when applying for positions

[RNdynamic]

I have worked in the same hospital for 3 years. There is a certain department within my hospital that I have wanted to work in since I first was employed on this hospital in a different specialization.

A few months ago, a position finally appeared for the unit that I have been aiming for. I applied, even shadowed in the unit during my own free time to get a feel for it, and have been waiting for 3 months to hear back. That is fine; I understand the hiring process can be protracted and that interviews take time to be set up. But I was never once contacted by the manager to at least interview in spite of my existing qualifications. What do you suggest I can do at this point to improve my chances?

I left a polite message on the answering tape of the recruiter who takes care of screening hires for the unit. I very politely asked what I could to to strengthen myself as an applicant, asked what the manager was looking for in applicants. I received a voicemail back stating that it was not appropriate to call about this and that if the manager was interested, I would be informed.

Uhm, excuse me? I didn't pester HR and demand an interview. I *asked* what advice the manager had in case I didn't get interviewed this time. How am I supposed to know what the manager is looking for if she doesn't (1) post more than a little vague, canned paragraph about the position which is copy and pasted from every other position on the website or (2) she meets with me and explains a little bit about the position and what she needs.

Does anyone want to weigh in? Am I just crazy for wondering what the manager wants so that I could strengthen my application for next time a posting for the department appears, if not for this one? You would think they would want people who are trying to improve their qualifications based on the needs of the positions.

[swansonplace]

Politics is so tricky. I would not email the manager. I would try and shadow on the floor again, and would introduce yourself as a person interested in working on the floor to the manager.

[RNdynamic]

Yeah, I felt that way too. Rude, nasty people who are probably very unhappy in their everyday lives in positions where they are supposed to assist and advise others. Oh well. Live and learn. Thanks for the comments. Maybe I'll just look outside the organization instead of internally.

[Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN]

Certainly not a warm response. HR could've handled this better... me thinks.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

I left a polite message on the answering tape of the recruiter who takes care of screening hires for the unit. I very politely asked what I could to to strengthen myself as an applicant, asked what the manager was looking for in applicants. I received a voicemail back stating that it was not appropriate to call about this and that if the manager was interested, I would be informed.

My view on this probably isn't going to be popular, but here it is anyway: The recruiter isn't responsible for telling you how you can strengthen yourself. That's what career counselors are for. The recruiter's job is to find the best qualified applicants for open positions. The recruiter is also probably responsible for multiple departments, and may not be aware of what each individual nurse manager is looking for as they generally are relying on the job description. The person you should contact about what the manager is looking for is the manager him/herself.

[annajanern]

Personally I wouldn't ask HR or the nursing manager on how you can strengthen yourself as a candidate. The HR person might think your questioning his/her judgment. I would not bother the nursing manager with e-mails or phone calls. I believe you should just meet the nurse manager in person when you shadow there or introduce yourself when he/she is not busy. I would just express your interest in the job and not ask what does he/she wants in an applicant. Once you express your interest, usually the manager will tell you what is needed to get the job.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

Unfortunately, we live life forward.

(This is in reply to your quote at the bottom of your entry.)

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

They are supposed to assist and advise not candidates like yourself. They are to assist and advise the hiring managers by screening candidates.

[Gentleman_nurse, MSN]

I disagree with you Kooky Korky if you are referring to HR. They are supposed assist all customers. Those customer are applicants and managers. The response was very toxic to it's recruitment mission.

[Sun0408, ASN, RN]

It's been 3 months, if the NM was interested you would have been interviewed by now.

[RNdynamic]

You are off the point. My question isn't what would make the NM interested now, as that is already established. My question is what would make the NM interested in the future. Try to re-read the original post, if you can. You didn't understand it.

[ktwlpn, LPN]

Yeah, I felt that way too. Rude, nasty people who are probably very unhappy in their everyday lives in positions where they are supposed to assist and advise others. Oh well. Live and learn. Thanks for the comments. Maybe I'll just look outside the organization instead of internally.

Or maybe it's you-you could have a reputation in the facility that makes you less then desirable. You may be the best nurse in the building but you can lack in other areas.

[Mulan]

You are off the point. My question isn't what would make the NM interested now, as that is already established. My question is what would make the NM interested in the future. Try to re-read the original post, if you can. You didn't understand it.

I have no idea how you meant it, but this post could be taken by some as coming across arrogant and abrupt or maybe rude.

If you meant it that way, fine, but if not ..............