Did I handle this well?

[wezzie, RN]

I am a May 2010 grad and passed my boards in June and have been sending out tons of applications looking for a position for the last 2 months. I had an interview at a LTC facility about 2 weeks ago that went really well, but it was kind of strange.

After the interview, the manager left and said wait here, a few minutes later she came and took me down without saying a word and had me fill out paperwork with their employee nurse and did a TB mantoux. The HR person got my info for a background check and made comments like "we need to do this before you start orientation and we can put you on the floor", and that it would take about 10 days. I assumed an offer was going to be forthcoming based on this but no one ever said, you have a job.

That day when I returned home right after the interview, I received notice that I was granted an interview at a hospital for a position in mental health, which is my dream, the area and the particular hospital I could see myself spending my entire career at. That is scheduled for next Thursday on Aug 5th. I also have an interview at hospital for their new grad residency in another State scheduled for Aug 12th.

Well, the LTC facility called yesterday and said, "you ready to start"... lol... I said, Actually I have 2 more interviews scheduled, my last on the 12th of August and would it be ok for me to call back towards the end of the month with my final decision? I said that I didn't think it would be appropriate for me to accept the job and start orientation while I continue to interview.

She was surprised when I said that I still have 2 interviews and said, "Oh, I thought you were coming on board, but you need to do what's right for you". She did say to go ahead and call her back when all was said and done and I told her I would call on Aug. 23rd. The last interview was going to make their decision by the 20th I was told.

She didn't say we are offering such and such hours at such and such pay, with or without benefits or anything, just got, "you ready to start".. lol.. and I didn't feel comfortable asking after that because I obviously want the job regardless if no other offers are forthcoming after my next interviews and hope it's still available in three weeks if I want it, but didn't feel comfortable accepting it and continuing to interview and possibly quit within' a few weeks time.

If I get an offer from my Aug. 5th interview, I will certainly accept that over any others. It's a wonderful hospital, top 100 in the country, and I really want to work in mental health bad, but I know I can't be too picky or choosy as a new grad and will happily serve wherever I can. Even though LTC is not my first choice, I am more than willing to start there, but it would be wonderful to have at least 2 offers to choose from.

I guess now I'm just kind of nervous that they will rescind the offer before I can start, you just never know. The feel I got from the whole experience was "be glad we are offering you a job to the point we aren't offering any specific info until you start working because we know you don't have any options as a new grad".. lol

But on a positive note, all the background checks and everything is done and they have my status online as "hired", so I guess I all I can do is hope they still want me if I choose after I'm done interviewing.

Anyone else ever experience anything like this? How could I have best handled this?

[caliotter3]

I think your idea about the situation is right. Nothing was said because they assumed you are desperate. I was going through the hiring process one time and had to ask at the end what the rate of pay was. I kind of got the same impression. I would have taken the job anyway but was glad to hear a reasonable figure. Seems strange that the employer doesn't think the applicant is interested in the rate of pay or benefits.

[wezzie, RN]

I think your idea about the situation is right. Nothing was said because they assumed you are desperate. I was going through the hiring process one time and had to ask at the end what the rate of pay was. I kind of got the same impression. I would have taken the job anyway but was glad to hear a reasonable figure. Seems strange that the employer doesn't think the applicant is interested in the rate of pay or benefits.

It was strange, and now I don't have any info to base my decision on if I do get another offer. At no point during the interview or yesterdays "offer" (You ready to start?) did I feel comfortable even asking. I didn't want to come off as "what are you going to do for me if I accept you over another offer I may or may not have in a month?".. specially since I have no other offers at this point. I just wanted to be honest with them about the interviews and finish exploring my opportunities before I would commit to working there. I'd be very loyal and appreciative once I accepted and would not actively be interviewing and searching after starting orientation. It was just kinda an uncomfortable situation all around.

I just hope the "offer" still stands when all is said and done. I'd hate to pass up an actual job for an interview that results in no offer. I didn't really know how to handle it.

[caliotter3]

Concentrate on your upcoming interviews now and hope that one of them results in an offer.

[wezzie, RN]

Concentrate on your upcoming interviews now and hope that one of them results in an offer.

Thanks, I certainly will, I'm really hoping I can get my foot in the door after next weeks interview.

I would probably accept the LTC position over the out of state hospital if they do make an offer but I really want to drive out and do the interview regardless.

Now I feel too that if I do call back and say "you ready for me to start?" that they'll say.. sorry.. You blew it!!

Oh well.. what'd ya do? Can't worry about that now. Everything happens for a reason.. :)

Live and learn..

[elkpark]

When the facility called and said, "You ready to start?", I would have said something like, "Golly, I don't know; nobody has made me a formal offer or discussed salary, benefits, schedules, etc. with me. I would need to have that information before I could make a decision."

Even if new grads are desperate these days, it's pretty ridiculous to expect someone to start a job without having all the information about wages, benefits, etc.

IMO, the fact that the organization handles the hiring process this clumsily does not bode well for any future employment with them (although I can see taking this job if your other prospects don't work out, in the current employment climate). If they do end up blowing you off later on (because you kept them waiting), I would consider that a blessing in disguise ... :)

Best wishes for your upcoming interviews! :balloons:

[wezzie, RN]

When the facility called and said, "You ready to start?", I would have said something like, "Golly, I don't know; nobody has made me a formal offer or discussed salary, benefits, schedules, etc. with me. I would need to have that information before I could make a decision."

Even if new grads are desperate these days, it's pretty ridiculous to expect someone to start a job without having all the information about wages, benefits, etc.

IMO, the fact that the organization handles the hiring process this clumsily does not bode well for any future employment with them (although I can see taking this job if your other prospects don't work out, in the current employment climate). If they do end up blowing you off later on (because you kept them waiting), I would consider that a blessing in disguise ... :)

Best wishes for your upcoming interviews! :balloons:

Awesome advice!! That would have been the perfect response.

I wish I posted this earlier because I was anticipating this very thing happening based on the casual comments at the time of the interview, but never expected the offer to be "you ready to start".. lol.. threw me for a loop..

And I agree, if they want to play the power game with me and teach me a lesson because I'm a new grad and who do I think I am to "keep them waiting", then this is certainly not a climate I would want to work in at any price.

I feel better no matter what happens..

I just dread the possibility of countless hours of applications, cover letters, phone calls, trips to HR in person trying to meet recruiters, etc to secure even an interview again.. specially knowing I could have had a job.. lol.. oh well.. all for the best, blessing in disguise like you said if they do blow me off.

Thanks for the best wishes elkpark, I really appreciate that. :)

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

I had a similar incident both times I interviewed with 2 different home care companies. Both of them, on the interview, offered to have me start filling out orientation paperwork, as well as photograph me for an ID badge, even before I accepted the position.

[wezzie, RN]

I got the job in Mental Health!!

I start August 30th.. and they told me the pay, etc, during the offer.. lol.. naturally I accepted immediately. I'm so excited!!