To smile or not to smile-from the interviewer

elkpark · Aug 24, 2015

I would say you never know. I've had interviews where the interviewer seemed only barely interested, but I got offered the job. I've had interviews in which the interviewer was all smiles, v. animated, v. enthusiastic about all I could contribute to their program, and then I never heard from them again. Apparently, different people just have different styles of interaction and that doesn't mean anything substantive.

As far as length of time to hear back about an offer, that, too, can vary greatly. Different employers do things differently. I've gotten calls within a few days of the interview, and I've heard back from employers weeks and weeks later, long after I had given up any hope of getting the job. You just can't tell ...

advsmuch08 · Aug 24, 2015

I suppose reading body language can be helpful but I wouldn't read that deep into it. Some people may smile to be polite while other people are just happy people. Interviews I've done best on were ones where it felt like a flowing conversation rather than an interrogation.

Hoozdo, ADN · Aug 25, 2015

In the "good old days" you would get hired right at the interview. I miss those days when nurses were more in control of their destinies.

allnurses Guide · Aug 25, 2015

The only way to know if you are going to get a job offer is a phone call containing a job offer. You can guess at the "vibe" of the interview and often it will be accurate, but just as often it won't be. There aren't any crystal balls of behavior or any handbook of secret signals to give a candidate to let them know whether or not the job will be offered. The outcomes are as varied as the jobs and the people who work them.

OCNRN63, RN · Aug 25, 2015

You and me both.

elkpark · Aug 25, 2015

In the "good old days" you would get hired right at the interview. I miss those days when nurses were more in control of their destinies.

I've never been offered a job in an interview, and I would consider it a serious "red flag" if I were. Suggests to me that the employer is really desperate and doesn't care about who they hire. What about background checks, checking references, etc.?? All that gets done after the interview. What kind of place hires someone without checking references and background?

Hoozdo, ADN · Aug 26, 2015

I've never been offered a job in an interview, and I would consider it a serious "red flag" if I were. Suggests to me that the employer is really desperate and doesn't care about who they hire. What about background checks, checking references, etc.?? All that gets done after the interview. What kind of place hires someone without checking references and background?

Every hospital system in my metro area used to hire at interview prior to 2008. The backround check and references used to occur prior to the first day of orientation.

Dogen · Aug 26, 2015

I had an interview where at the end the interviewer showed me around the unit, introduced me to a couple of charge nurses, and then said something to the effect of, "This has been great, I'm glad we met." Never heard from them again.

My current job, the interview felt like the NCLEX. They asked me to define terms, to list the parts of a mental status exam, and to discuss which professional practice model I follow. It was a total third degree. And they called me a week later with an offer.

I also had an interview where I was asked, "If you were a cookie, what kind of cookie would you be?" When we got to the "do you have any questions for us?" part I asked what the fudge was up with the cookie question. Supposedly it's like the random questions a border guard asks: it's not what you answer, but how. I didn't get that job, and I was okay with it. Ask me what kind of damn cookie I'd be...

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Aug 26, 2015

I had an interview where at the end the interviewer showed me around the unit, introduced me to a couple of charge nurses, and then said something to the effect of, "This has been great, I'm glad we met." Never heard from them again.
My current job, the interview felt like the NCLEX. They asked me to define terms, to list the parts of a mental status exam, and to discuss which professional practice model I follow. It was a total third degree. And they called me a week later with an offer.
I also had an interview where I was asked, "If you were a cookie, what kind of cookie would you be?" When we got to the "do you have any questions for us?" part I asked what the fudge was up with the cookie question. Supposedly it's like the random questions a border guard asks: it's not what you answer, but how. I didn't get that job, and I was okay with it. Ask me what kind of damn cookie I'd be...

The cookie question is a version of a personality interview. I would have had a ball with that one.

These questions are an excellent way to test problem solving skills.

I was questioned "how many quarters does it take to reach the moon".I answered, can I use a calculator and are the quarters stacked flat or upright. " I got the job.

I would be a fig newton... strong but flexible.

Wrench Party · Aug 26, 2015

I think it depends on the interviewer. One was very friendly and smiled, another was more stoic and verbal.

Both full time offers I received recently came within the business week. Interviewed on a Monday, had offers in by Friday. Now the per diem position I suppose I was hired technically after the phone interview, but I had to wade through 2 hours of paperwork on that one at the agency and do U/A in a cup during onboarding.

But generally, I have asked for a time frame, especially if I have to arrange to resign from a position. A week in my area seems to be standard for callbacks, depending on whether they do references and background check before or after.