Job Hunting - I don't understand

countrychic76 · Oct 7, 2006

Professionalism is hard to find. I have been searching for a job and been through a couple job interviews, I have been at my current job for 10 years. It has been years since I went through the interview process. I had appointment set up with a DON who started job 6 weeks prior. When I called back to make sure appointment was still set up, woman answered the phone she told me the woman left. I asked her if any positions open she told me there would be some opening up since they were firing people. That really makes me want to work for that company. Couple days later I went to another facility for an open house. They were discussing all the things that happened to the prior mentioned facility, all this while people are filling out applications and having interviews. Talk about professionalism, in a openhouse you are supposed to advocating your facility and why people would want to work there, not bring drama.

CHATSDALE · Oct 7, 2006

some people come to interviews with dirty fingernails, when they know which shift the interview is for they state that they can not work 3/ll and that some day nurse could be asked to trade with them

when i was in school for the office practice we did have dress up days when you were expected to wear clothes you would come to work in and they also had mock interviews for those nearing graduation

as for saying that people are in the 'dark ages' because they have expections for those presenting for interviews, perhaps that could have been phrased a little nicer

tizmonster · Oct 7, 2006

I am just curious and I don't want to sound evil, but recently I have had nurses come into my facility in jeans and t-shirts asking if we have any jobs available and then want to interview immediately.
I also receive calls from individuals looking for jobs who often speak to me in a rude manner as if I owed them something.
Keep in mind I try to be as pleasant as possible - REALLY! But is this something that a nurse, or any professional is now doing? I understand that there may be a shortage, but professionalism still counts for something, doesn't it?
Please help me to help you.
Thanks.
P.S. I have been recruiting for 9 years now, but mostly corporate, this is my first time in healthcare.

Hi, I too have been recruiting for 10 years, and 7 of in healthcare (nursing). I suspect that maybe people don't realise that we act as an extention of the companies we represent. I'm a CPC and have to function with the same labor laws as any employer. The thing that is totally misunderstood is we usually work directly with administrators and business managers, HR is a factor in what I do usually after the process is coming to a positive conclusion. We have relationships developed that we sometimes receive request from hiring managers that aren't posted and are very confidential in nature. It's a very fun process to help candidates define their goals and then help introduce them to those things that are important to their careers and their families. Recruiters should be focusing on what's in the hearts of the candidates, and then act on that information gathering. As far as the dress...I am assuming they just aren't aware of how strong our business relationships are with our clients. It would make a difference to me as to what type of organization I would refer an individual. I would not necessarily refer a casual candidate to a academic environment (university based hospital) - Also, part of your preparation of the candidate is how to "dress for success." Some companies would be fine with casual...but not many in my experience. That's more apparent in information technology and software development. I've actually had clients tell me not to send someone in a suit - when I was working in Information technology recruiting. Hope that helps.

marylyric · Oct 8, 2006

Maybe it's because of the way I was brought up, but I always wore my best clothing even when doing nothing but INQUIRING about jobs. It never hurts to be prepared to interview, and that's happened more than once when I've gone into a business to pick up an application........not only got interviewed, but hired on the spot!
By contrast---and I'm sorry, but I have to confess this---when someone walks into MY building to ask for an application looking as though they just crawled out of bed, their app sort of gets "lost" in transit from my desk to my boss's.
I'm not talking about applicants who get their clothes from Goodwill instead of Macy's. I don't care about that---heck, I buy some of MY stuff there as well! I mean those who wear pajama bottoms and T-shirts, don't bother to comb their hair, and walk in barefooted........or worse, bring their children in with them! That tells me they a) don't care how they look, b) probably won't care how the RESIDENTS look, and c) have child care problems that may interfere with their work. There are too many people out there who really WANT to work, for me to go to the trouble of hiring and training people who are too lazy even to make a good first impression.

I am pretty sure, if they knew how stuffy you are, about someone picking up an application in street clothes, that would be very happy the application got lost in transit, no one wants to work for anual people

Schoolnursetrish39 · Oct 8, 2006

I agree with the prior posters about the run around you get sometimes. It has taken me 3 weeks to get hired at any hospital I have worked at after an interview, I dress professional and then you have to hound HR and the Nurse manager you will have to give you a start date. The worst one was a position I moved to Tulsa for. I was late to orientation that day due to a terrible accident out on the 412 and I was 15 minutes late. I had to come back the next week this was after moving down there and relocating 140 miles from where I was. I had never been treated like that. I often wondered if it had something to do with the bonus I was paid to start there. I had never had someone be so rude. After my contract was finsihed there I had an opportunity to go to another job at another hospital. I saw that woman's name and never went in. She burned me that bad. The hospital though that I worked at down there was great just the HR dept. was horrid. Never had anything that bad happen again. I think she had some control issues,,, hehe

patricelynne · Oct 8, 2006

Hi There---Society as a whole in this country has been changing in "appearance" since the end of the 1960s. The focus on being free to do and look any way one wanted, braless or not, impacted so many aspects of life which hasn't returned to the more formal level it used to inhabit. I remember the days in the '50s and '60s when one dressed up to take a plane trip, go to church, doctor's appointments, etc. Re. the last one, the day my mother entered her OB-Gyn's office in a housedress, hair not up to par, no makeup on, was the day he took her request seriously and said "Pat, it's time for Premarin." Mom always looked dressed to the nines if going anywhere; that's as it used to be once upon a time. Hats and gloves are rare enough to be remarkable in many cities today. What a sad shame. There is no excuse for sloppiness in a formal meeting, and job interviews are just that. Some of this is a reflection of how many were raised with or without standards to aim for. Sure doesn't speak well for a sense of pride in oneself or a lady's confidence level!

elizabeth321 · Oct 8, 2006

I don't know why people are so shocked that people come to interviews etc dressed casual +/- inappropriate....I think that is the norm rather than the exception to be dressed/behave inappropriately at work. I am shocked by some of the language, behaviour that I witness at work every day.

When I see a nurse that is neat and tidy and acting 100% professional I am pleasantly surprised.

IMHO

Liz

pedi-er · Oct 10, 2006

I have been an LPN for almost 3 years working at the same hospital, same department. Not much room for advancement or change of scenery as LPN's are being semi-phased out.

The last two nursing job interviews I went to--I wore a nice set of freshly pressed pleasant scrubs. I was offered a position by both companies. :yeah:

I didn't want them to know that all my civillian clothes are jeans and tee-shirts. I have a closet full of scrubs: silly ones, pretty ones, loud ones, boring ones.....just no really nice "Hire me clothes"

Garsh, now I need all white scrubs!!!! What ever will I do?

Lovin' my job! · Oct 10, 2006

I just moved back to Vancouver and have been job hunting for over 3 months now. Looking for the right facility. Places that care and follow policies etc. It's hard. I've been on med hunters etc. I found a web site that lists all the extended care facilities in my area. Gold mine I thought! There was a place that seemed very respectable. Their careers link was not working and I was unsure if they were accepting applications. So, I emailed them a 'cover' letter. I wrote a little about who I was and what they could expect from me as a nurse and why I was emailing them. Stated I hoped I was considered for any current/future openings and attached my resume. They emailed back today. I was happy until I read it. It was generic. It wasn't addressed to me! I don't even think someone wrote it! Actually at first I thought it was an "error report" or something. How rude. Not even a "thank you for your email, were sorrey there are not postions available etc etc" I promptly emailed them back and kindly as I could expressed my disappointment at their response and said thanks - but I'll look elsewhere.

slou! · Oct 10, 2006

I don't know anything about applying for a nursing job as I am an 18 year old nursing student, but I see the same types of people in retail. I work at a children's clothing store, and have since I was 16. Even when I went to pick up the application or drop it off, I dressed nicely! I would never wear jeans, tank tops, flip flops, etc. You can go anywhere from Walmart to Good Will to find nice clothes. We have a free clothing drive at the homeless shelter I volunteer at which has nice clothes for people to wear to job interviews and get themselves on two feet.

And I know what you mean about bringing kids with them (to whoever said they see people bringing kids in)! We had one lady actually bring her daughter (about 2 years old.) to the interview, and then when my manager asked if she wanted to do it at another date when she could find someone to watch her daughter (it is a long interview process, he was only asking because the child, about 2 years old, would obviously become restless.) she said she could go and get her grandmother to watch her, who was shopping in the store. Well the grandmother is very very old and doesn't seem able to watch a 2 year old. Well, she wasn't. Grandmom ended up loosing the little girl and banging on the manager's door during the interview screaming that she lost the baby. I mean obviously we expected the mom to go find her daughter and wasn't mad that she left the interview to find her (I actually found the little girl crying hysterically hiding under a rack of clothes!) but she decided she wanted to bring her daughter and grandmother with her in the rest of the interview! Needless to say, she wasn't hired. I mean I understand that some people may not have someone to watch their children or can't afford day-care, which is why they might be looking for a job, but what do they do when they get hired? Bring their kids to work? Again, at the homeless shelter I volunteer at we do offer babysitting when you are out looking for a job..

Pupnshnooter · Oct 10, 2006

I am pretty sure, if they knew how stuffy you are, about someone picking up an application in street clothes, that would be very happy the application got lost in transit, no one wants to work for anual people

It is nice to see this thread continuing and supporting me for the most part.

I can't however see it as being anal to expect someone to be dressed to impress when they are job searching. From my own experience, after getting downsized from AT&T, I made it a point to dress nicely no matter what I was doing since I never knew who I would meet and where. Some of my best contacts were made while I was shopping.

I, as a recruiter and an HR professional, interview people for what their likes are not the job just because it is an open position. I have had much success placing those in my organization whose true dreams are to be in a certain area rather than being stuck somewhere until something else opens up. Most are grateful for my condieration and the time I take helping them with their succession planning. Maybe this is rare, but maybe I am too!

tizmonster · Oct 10, 2006

Yeah....someone that gets what we're here for.....It's not just putting people in a job. It's making sure the candidate's hopes and aspirations are given definite consideration, and making sure the client's (company) goal are achieved. It's like finding a needle in a haystack sometimes. Major thing we have to do is listen to what is people's hearts. It's very much why we've been extremely successful in our practice. The major thing I would suggest candidates to think about....they probably want to put an entire presentation together about your professional a;) bilities, and you know the confidence you gain when you know you're looking your best? It comes out in the interview that you know you've taken the time to prepare. It definitely sets you apart from others out there that don't take the time to prepare themselves for an interview. Remember...you've got just one shot with that company to make that great impression. I figure if you're going to take the time to go thru the interview process...why not do it the right way? Your professional presentation of your credentials and yourself does matter.