First Job Interview!

[PediLove2147, BSN, RN]

I HAVE A JOB INTERVIEW! I am so excited, I just needed to share. It is at a children's hospital which is exactly what I wanted. I sent my resume and cover letter to the nurse recruiter in early May and instantly got an e-mail back stating they had just hired 3 new graduate nurses and even though they usually had jobs around this time with the economy nurses were staying on longer than usual. She mentioned if anything opened up they had my resume. I figured nothing would come of it but then 2 days ago I got a call! She wanted an interview. We scheduled it for Monday! It is my first "real" interview so I am so nervous. This is the job I was hoping for.. I just hope the interview goes well.

Also, quick question regarding my interview. I had several people lined up to write a letter of recommendation for me (they wanted to wait until I got an offer so they could tailor it to the hospital/specialty) and since my interview was such short notice I now only have one that my supervisor wrote for me at the end of last summer. It is a great letter but I am unsure if it would look bad since it is not recent. I knew waiting could possibly be a bad thing, I just hope I can stand out in other ways and/or they call and receive a great phone recommendation.

Sorry this was long, thanks for reading. Wish me luck! :)

[Mommycakers]

Congrats on your interview! I had one just last week so I can give some tips. For your references just update your resume and put on the bottom references available upon request. That will give you some time to get them and then send them to her at a later date. Have multiple copies of your resume with you to hand out at the interview. You may have a panel of people interviewing you. I had 3 people interviewing me.

Practice your answers to questions you may be asked so you are not surprised. Typical question: So tell us about yourself? You want to be able to highlight your strengths, weaknesses, education, accomplishments. You may have situational questions like a patient scenario. The best advice I can give for those is ask them to repeat the question if you did not hear it clearly and pause to reflect and then answer. That is where I messed up. This was my first RN interview too and I was a little nervous so I didn't even hear the entire question and I rushed to give an answer. I knew to take my time but I was trying to control so many things like not talking with my hands and not to appear nervous all while not talking too much. I tend to give too much information instead of just answering the question. Just like I am here with you.

Good Luck!

[PediLove2147, BSN, RN]

Thanks so much for responding! I too will have to try and 1) not talk with my hands 2) appear in control (except I will be freakning out inside) and 3) not talk too much.

Congrats on your interview as well. I hope you get good news!

[PediLove2147, BSN, RN]

Well I had the interview today. I think it went well, the only thing I can see being a problem is that I haven't taken the NCLEX yet.. HR stated the other applicants have already taken them. I am so excited to hear back, I don't think I can wait until next week. She said they should know by next Wednesday! :)

[goodstudentnowRN]

I wish I had an interview...sighs...still waiting on a job.

[BKCinNOLA]

Um...YAY!! Holy Moley! Congrats! I really hope it goes well for you. Obviously, let us know how it goes next week! :fingers crossed: :-)

[CAL05699]

I've had two interviews. The only advice I can give from my experience is that the nurse managers really seemed to want someone who was passionate about the work -- whether it be oncology, neurology, ER, whatever. There are so many applicants, and so many from good schools with good grades, that passion is one of the only ways you can distinguish yourself from other graduates.

[PediLove2147, BSN, RN]

Well I have received some news on the job. I am not sure if it is good or bad though.. The e-mail read as follows:

Thank you for your email. Both *** and I enjoyed meeting you the other day.

Please let me know the results of your NCLEX and at that time we can determine what nursing positions are open.

Best wishes as you prepare for the NCLEX. I'm sure that you will do well.

I take the NCLEX June 28th but HR said they would be making a decision by next Wednesday. I assume by then there will be no jobs left and it took a while for them to open up in the first place. I am just confused

[BKCinNOLA]

Ugh! I hate wishy-washy vague emails from HR, but they seem to be pros at it! They seem to have really liked you and they didn't tell you 'thanks but no thanks' so there's still hope! Just keep studying and practicing those NCLEX questions!

:fingers crossed: :)

[goodstudentnowRN]

Oh God, I am going on a job interview...Please pray for me.

[Alicia87]

Hopefully it will be good news!! Working at a children's hospital would be awesome!!

[ORRocksRN]

Well I have received some news on the job. I am not sure if it is good or bad though.. The e-mail read as follows:

Thank you for your email. Both *** and I enjoyed meeting you the other day.

Please let me know the results of your NCLEX and at that time we can determine what nursing positions are open.

Best wishes as you prepare for the NCLEX. I'm sure that you will do well.

I take the NCLEX June 28th but HR said they would be making a decision by next Wednesday. I assume by then there will be no jobs left and it took a while for them to open up in the first place. I am just confused

So

#1 Please tell us about your interview, can you share with us what they asked you and the format, was it a panel or just one person?

#2 Can you schedule your test any earlier? in another city perhaps? It sounds like they liked you but have other people who are ready to start now...i'm not sure how i would interpret that message. you can always call HR ad ask them.

good luck.