New grad job woes - question (long)

[Kringe38]

I do realize the job market is tough right now and employers have their pick of whoever they want to hire, yet I can't help but feel perplexed ever since I started looking for work. I have interviewed multiple times at the facility where I want to work, and they never hire me. What am I doing wrong? I just want to know why they are passing me over so that I might have some idea of what I need to work on or try to do better, but I'm afraid to ask because it might sound too desperate.

I dress nicely and modestly. I take baths. I'm not insane, I don't think! I don't eat puppies in my spare time. I am quiet, so I probably don't come off with a lot of pizazz. I am almost 42. I try to play up my strengths - hard worker, fast learner, reliable, will be there on time when I'm supposed to be, team player, etc. But I always get shut out.

In the most recent interview I went to, which was a group interview, we were told that "most of us" would get hired for one of the 2 floors they were interviewing for, and if not, they would pass along our name to the nurse manager who was still hiring on another floor. Well, I didn't get chosen, and I had already interviewed and heard nothing back from the nurse manager who was supposedly still hiring on the other floor. Sigh. I wanted to tell them, oh please don't pass me over and send me to the other nurse manager I already interviewed with! But that would have sounded too desperate. It really hurt to get my hopes up over the "most of us would get hired" line, after already having been rejected so many times, only to be rejected yet again.

I just don't get it! I graduated in May, got my RN in June, and still no work as a nurse. I'm beginning to feel that I will never be a working nurse, just a nurse in name only.

[AndiSN]

I am not a nurse yet but when I went searching for my student nurse tech jobs the thing that I found that helped me the most was making a connection with the interviewer, smiling (genuinely), and remaining professional. Balancing those 3 things is key. If I walked in excited about an interview and formed a bit of a bond with the interviewer (your sense of humor can help you there as long as you keep it professional) it usually went well. I have been turned down for positions (by the nurse manager) but had an HR person search for positions for me just because she liked me. Their jobs can get boring day in and day out doing the same thing. If they have a bit of fun with you in the interview then they tend to remember that you broke up their day a bit and it makes you look like a good person to work with. I haven't always naturally been outgoing but when I was a single momma several years ago I just decided I didn't want to be isolated and figured out that I just had to get out there and talk to people. That carries over in many aspects of my life, including professionally. It's hard at first but I really think anyone can do it.

[princess pickles]

I feel your pain. I graduated May 2010. Still no job. I am 42 also. Had one job I was suppose to start last week, but a week before the start date I got a call that due to budget issues (they are in a building program) they had to drop my group and the September group. Very heartbreaking!! Anyway, before all this, I did ask some of the interviewing people what I could do and some gave feedback. This was helpful and yet I am still unemployed!

[Kringe38]

I feel your pain. I graduated May 2010. Still no job. I am 42 also. Had one job I was suppose to start last week, but a week before the start date I got a call that due to budget issues (they are in a building program) they had to drop my group and the September group. Very heartbreaking!! Anyway, before all this, I did ask some of the interviewing people what I could do and some gave feedback. This was helpful and yet I am still unemployed!

Oh no, that has got to feel like a punch in the gut! To finally be told you have something and then have it yanked away. This whole Job Search thing is very much a roller coaster. Hopes up! Hopes down! Hopes up! Hopes down! Sigh.