hmm. messed up on interview?

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Hi everyone!

I hope this is a good spot to ask for some input/advice.

I just had an interview today for a Public Health Job where I would be working as a school nurse and vaccination well child clinics! The job is one that I really really want. I am a fairly recent grad, graduated from BN last June and have been working on a medical floor for experience.

In particular, I had practiced in the Public health area as a student nurse during my final practicum last year.

This is the 2nd time I've been to an interview for this position, last time was right when I had graduated, and I did not do much prep work, so the interview went quite crummy.

But this time, I have researched up as much as possible, and have done lots of practicing interview questions in my mind for the last while before the interview.

I did find that the interview went quite well! But....when it got to the end, and the manager asked, "do you have any questions?"

I don't know what i was thinking! I just heard myself say "so how did I do?"

At the time, it didn't seem so bad, I still thought it went well. The 2 managers seemed a little surprised, one of them chuckled and smiled, and the other one did give me some positive feed back, and commented that "You did well, you offered a lot of good examples from different standpoints".

hmm....sorry for the long post! It's been on my mind, and I need some input/advice from fellow nurses.

I am again second guessing myself. I have debriefed with several nursing friends and mentors, and they all tried to assure me it is alright.

Just another thing....I also informed them I am getting married soon....was it proper to inform them I may need time off for honeymoon???

hmm...thanks everyone!

greatly appreciate any feed back!=)

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My first reaction is don't worry bout it!! Here is why. You obviously are an outgoing, caring person. You were being yourself, right? If I were an interviewer, as long as the person is qualified, then the next quality I look for is sincerity. Besides that, if you are going to be at a school, you want to be someone who "keeps it real". I am a firm believer that professionalism does not...or at least SHOULD not equal stuffism...you know, being all stuffy! She asked if you had any questions afterall, right?

I would find it endearing and genuine.

As for the honeymoon info...I think that also is good to mention. It is not as if you are asking for a ton of time off, right? Maybe 2 wks??

No, I think if you are qualified, then your off the cuff, honest replies might even seal the deal. Maybe they find open communication endearing!

If you don't get the job, maybe that is ok too...who wants to work for someone with no sense of humor!!!

Please keep us posted as to the outcome.

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Specializes in l.p.n.

i think you did ok. If it is me I will think this is humer to break the tension. Good luck

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I asked for feedback on my interviewing for both jobs at the VA. I would have been offered both jobs so I don't think it was terrible. More than likely you will be offered a job.

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

I would view your question as an icebreaker and a sign of enthusiasm.

Don't sweat it!

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I don't think I would have told them about the honeymoon and wedding.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

It is appropriate to tell them about the honeymoon and wedding. Most hiring agencies would prefer you tell them that. They want to know if they have to be ready to have someone else cover some shifts. It usually doesn't affect overall hiring if they want you anyway.

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

It's good to tell them about previously planned time off. Otherwise if you ask for it, they might say you can't have it! Imagine not being able to take your honeymoon or having to work on your wedding day!

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thank you everyone for replying! i really appreciate it!

i somewhat feel more reassured in a sense...but i guess its outta my hands now and it's their decision if they would like to hire me or not....so i hope i did well! crossing my fingers!

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Personal information such as needs for time off should be disclosed only after an actual job offer is made. Otherwise it looks like you are assuming too much.

Asking how you did would have been better after seeking more information about the company or program that you were interested in working for. They want you to be as interested in them as they are in finding the right person. You will always do better in an interview if you approach it as a mutual interview rather than you trying to get them to hire you.

At your next interview, don't mention the upcoming nuptials. You can negotiate time off when you actually have a job offer. This is also when you would bring up salary and negotiate that. Doing so too early is never a good thing and can be a kiss of death. This is in any industry, not just nursing.

Have questions prepared about the company or program beforehand, even if you already know the answers. Base these questions on the research you have done. For example:

-Your website mission statement says you put the patient first always. How does this translate in the day to day activities of the staff? How are patient complaints handled?

- What are the future plans for the company/hospital/program? What challenges do you see coming up that I may personally have an impact on through my employment with you?

- I enjoy face to face time with the patient and am a stickler for accuracy in detailing the visit. Will those skills mesh well with your corporate policies? How?

- How would you describe the day to day environment in which I would be working?

- As a young nurse, I am interested in growing as a professional. What would you say the biggest challenges are to this position and what advice would you give a new hire?

Two of the biggest interview mistakes made are disclosing personal information inappropriately and not having any questions about the organization. They want you to be as interested in them as they are in you and they don't really care what challenges you are facing personally until they decide that they want you. Once they make that decision, you have leverage. They have established your desirability. Until that point it will only sour things.

Interview tips:

http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-1571-Interviewing-Eight-Worst-Things-to-Say-in-an-Interview/?sc_extcmp=JS_1571_advice&SiteId=cbmsn41571&catid=iv

http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-1778-Interviewing-How-to-Answer-10-Tough-Interview-Questions/?sc_extcmp=JS_1778_hotmail1&SiteId=cbmsnhm41778&ArticleID=1778&GT1=24000&cbRecursionCnt=1&cbsid=ba2f7ad8d0654ae0a5212adc31902607-287161742-JJ-5

http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-1324-Interviewing-Leave-This-Info-Out-of-Your-Interview/?sc_extcmp=JS_1324_advice&SiteId=cbmsn41324&catid=iv

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hmm. then i would also like to seek out, have anyone actually been successful in getting a position when you thought you didn't do your best at your interview??

my concern was just the ending.....which is a big part i know.

but overall, i'm confident i answered the questions fairly decently.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

The more interviews you do the better and more comfortable you will become. It is entirely possible you could still get the job, but those links have pointers for the next interview you go on. Keep your chin up!

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