Did I bomb this phone interview?

[Emm_RN, ASN, BSN, MSN]

I'm looking for some honesty here, because I have a lot of self doubt.

I had a phone interview for a telephonic care manager position which I'd love to have and be able to work from home. I was very caught off-guard, as I did not receive any notice of the phone interview. The supervisor simply called and began asking me interview questions. I'm a visiting nurse, and I was on my way to go see a patient who needed me as soon as possible for wound care, so I was driving too when she called. She was very nice, and asked me first why I was looking for a change. I told her that my hours have become unpredictable and that I'm looking for more non-clinical work aimed at helping patients with insurance needs, because I feel bad for how confusing and overwhelming it must be for these patients.

Face-palm for telling her my hours had gotten unpredictable, although I did not trash talk my organization or boss.

She then asked me about my strengths/weaknesses which I answered, telling her I was a very organized person and had good communication skills, and that my weakness is a touch of OCD which causes me to initially take longer sometimes due to double checking, but that I am working on it.

She asked me about my daily duties on my job, I told her about seeing my patients and case managing, touching base with doctors/family, supply companies, etc.

She then took the last half of the interview to tell me about the position, the hours, what a typical day looked like, and what orientation would be like. The do prefer someone with home health experience which I have over a year of.

She said to look out for an email or phone call if they would choose to bring me in for a face-to-face interview, but I haven't heard anything one way or another. In our health system, we can go online to view our application status, and it says "Not in Consideration," but the last job that said that called me shortly thereafter to offer the job and said that the website wasn't always right.

I guess I'm just worried since it's been a week and I haven't heard anything, good or bad, and why did I have to even mention my unpredictable hours at my current job?! I'm normally a very good interviewer, but I think I was so caught off guard and I had patients calling me on the other phone and I didn't have time to pull off because I had to go see this patient. I hope I didn't screw this one up, I've never wanted a job so bad before.

Any thoughts- honest thoughts please- would be appreciated so that I can hopefully put my mind at ease until I hear, or don't hear, something. Thanks!

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

It is impossible to say. Consider calling them or emailing them to reiterate your interest and ask if they have moved forward yet.

[K+MgSO4, BSN]

I would of said "I am driving currently, can you call me back in X min so I am safe to talk and concentrate on this".

[Kitiger, RN]

I wouldn't have answered while driving. When I could pull over, I would have called her back and set up a time for her to call.

I know some people have hands-free calling assistance while driving, but I find it too distracting.

[HotSauce77]

I don't think she would have gone over the details of orientation and explaining what a typical day is like, had you bombed the interview. Unpredictable hours are not an bad reason to be looking for a new job, either. Employers want honesty. I don't really see anything wrong, from what you have posted.

[DowntheRiver]

Unpredictable hours are a valid reason for changing jobs. I don't see that as a negative answer.

[gemmi999]

Give her a call and just inquire, gently, about the status of the job.

My last interview I thought I for sure bombed, a week after the interview I hadn't heard anything. I called and they said they were about to call me (which, eh, probably not true) about checking references. Two weeks later still hadn't heard, I called again and they offered the job over that phone call.

You never know. The manager could be busy/disorganized/out of town/have a family situation or something. As long as you're polite and straight forward, I think calling is appropriate!

[myoglobin, ASN, BSN, MSN]

I have always tried to do as "average" as possible on interviews, cover letters, and resumes. My reasoning is that I would rather not get a job where the expectations are higher than I can deliver. Because I never look forward to any particular job I also don't have stress about any particular interview.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

I'm not sure you did anything horrible.

I would say that it was dangerous to you and to others sharing the road with you, plus not fair to you to do the interview out of the blue. So you should have said you were driving and set up a time to talk soon. Or pulled over and done the interview.

I hope you get it or another one you truly love.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

I had a recent interview where the interviewer made up her mind pretty quickly that I was not the right person, I think. Of course, she did say she was interviewing several other people later in the week.

I had asked a question because the blogs all tell you to have questions you want to ask. Well, she got ticked off about it. I know this from her reply.

She still gave me the whole tour and talked about pay, etc.

You never can tell, I'd say.

[myoglobin, ASN, BSN, MSN]

It always helps to have a job that you can tolerate, and will at least "pay the minimum bills" while you are searching for the job you want. I have always found that their was inverse relationship between my desire/need for a job and my ability to get it (that is a specific job). I've always done far better by laying a wide net and being patient, but your results may differ.

[spotangel, DNP, RN, NP]

Sounds like you were honest and tried your best to be accurate about your whys. If this is meant for you, it will come back to you! She might have been interested if she give you more information on the job. Since this is the holiday weekend,call next week or email her if you have contact information. Just say you are following up on the status! All luck and Happy fourth of July to you and all readers!