Trouble getting hired

[nurse_girl2014]

Hi, I have been a nurse for about 2 years. I worked in a level II NICU for a year and a half then I traveled to California and the hospital cancelled my contract because of lack of experience in a level III NICU.

Now I am back home in Tennessee and trying to find work, I have had 3 interviews and none of them hired me. I'm trying to get back PRN at my old job, my application is under review. But I feel like I'm having such a hard time finding a job right now. Is this common? I feel like no one is going to hire me. I know its temporary, and its a lot of anxiety. But if anyone could give me some reassurance about all this that would be amazing.

Thanks!

[caliotter3]

You are just going to have to keep on trying. When you remove yourself from a place of employment, unless you were very well thought of there, it puts a barely visible "do not touch" sign on your employment folder. They see you as some sort of disloyal, no matter the reason for your departure. If you are rehired there, nice, but still continue to seek a position where you can 'start over'. Meanwhile, be patient. Almost everyone is having a hard time getting new employment.

[nurse_girl2014]

Okay thank you. I understand that and it makes sense. I'm still trying to start over, its just hard because it feels like no one is hiring me. But I've only been home for about 6 weeks.

[Asystole RN]

If you are getting to the interview stage and are not being hired I would look into your interviewing technique.

How have the interviews gone in your experience? Were you able to answer their questions fully, succinctly, and directly?

[nurse_girl2014]

There are some questions I need to do better with. How do you recommend I improve my interviewing technique? I know one job I didn't get because they hired someone more experienced. But the other two may have been my interviewing technique.

[Asystole RN]

There are some questions I need to do better with. How do you recommend I improve my interviewing technique? I know one job I didn't get because they hired someone more experienced. But the other two may have been my interviewing technique.

Compile a list of expected interview questions and study them. Prepare statements for each of them and practice reciting them.

When asked a question like, "Why should we hire you?" you should be able to recite a well-planned statement that highlights all of your good points.

Your interview answers should not be a random response, nearly everything should be pre planned so that you can respond confidently and thoroughly.

[nurse_girl2014]

The questions I have the most trouble with are ones like "tell me about a time when you had a conflict with a co-worker" because I haven't had conflicts with co-workers really. But if I say that then I look like I never have conflicts

[caliotter3]

One time I saw a book that gave a lot of advice about answering the common interview questions as well as 'problem' questions. It was very practical. Sorry, but I have no idea what the title or author are. Perhaps you can find it and get some good ideas for interviews.

[nurse_girl2014]

Thank you that helps. I'll definitely look into it. On a positive note I feel every interview is a learning opportunity. Now to just find the right fit :)

[chacha82, ADN, BSN]

Whatever you say, put a positive spin on it. Speak well of others. If they ask you why you left your position, be honest but say positive things about it. Don't badmouth anyone. I was asked once why I was leaving a position and I said I liked what I did but I wanted to take on challenges at a new level. This was true. If they ask about conflict, be honest. Say you recognize it is difficult but you know differences can be resolved in a mature way, etc etc.

[JadedCPN, BSN, RN]

The questions I have the most trouble with are ones like "tell me about a time when you had a conflict with a co-worker" because I haven't had conflicts with co-workers really. But if I say that then I look like I never have conflicts

Have you ever had disagreements with coworkers? Maybe some situations where you wouldn't necessarily consider them a conflict yourself but could be used for the interview question, such as a coworker wanting to trade assignments/patients or something along those lines. If you truly haven't had conflict with any coworkers at all, I would personally say something along the lines that I've been fortunate enough to not have any conflicts with my coworkers at this point but if I were to have conflicts this is how I would handle it, such as respectfully speaking and listening to my coworkers to resolve the issues, etc.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

duplicate threads merged