How to NOT interview for your RN/LPN job!

[musicianRN]

I just got finished with round 3 of the most frustrating interviews! I was an LPN for 15 years before I went back to school for my RN. I am currently in training for management so I have been "forced" to endure the interview process. I would hope that a nurse that was interviewing for our position would read this, but if not, I have no problem trying to help other LPN's be better or RN's suffer less.

What NOT to do:

Do NOT show up late unless you have called and told me why...and it better be good. All I can think is how many times will this happen when they are employed.

Do NOT show up looking like a hooker. If you wear a skirt, wear one that is longer than knee length and make sure you can walk in it. I am not interested in how sexy you can look. If you wear pants, make sure they are dress pants...I don't want to see your khaki's from 9th grade. If any of your clothes are tight...leave them at home. I remember one nurse who's clothes were too tight and I felt like I was watching her slowly suffocate during the interview. Also NO jeans....EVER...period!!! I had several nurses who wore scrubs and that was so much better than ill fitting, crazy looking outfits. However they were coming to or going to their regular job. If someone who was unemployed showed up in scrubs it would seem a little strange.

Do NOT come with hair that is not a natural color and piercings anywhere but your ears. It doesn't bother me, but my patients will call and say I want to talk to the nurse but not the one with blue hair, and nose rings...she looks freaky and made my baby cry. Plus if I hire you, you will have a dress code that will say no piercings, or unnatural hair color...might as well start now.

Do NOT wear stiletto heels. I love shoes as much as any woman, but I have rarely seen someone who could wear stiletto heels and walk normally. No flip flops or sandals....EVER!

Do NOT show me your tattoos. I personally don't mind them but some of my patients will not like them...so keep them covered. Speaking of covered...I don't want to see your boobs either....check your cleavage before you leave home.

Do NOT come with greasy hair, no make up, un-brushed hair or wearing pajamas. I should not even have to type that.

Do NOT chew gum, play with your hands, play with stuff on my desk, pick at the holes in your jeans, mess with your hair, avoid eye contact or look like a deer in the headlights when I talk to you. I know you are nervous and I understand, I can deal with that, but freaked out or fidgety sends up red flags.

Do NOT tell me what I want to hear....tell me the truth. Most interviewers can tell when you have practiced way to much. I always think...how many interviews has this person had without a job offer?

Do NOT make up stuff....why would anyone say they can do something then set themselves up for failure??? I would much rather you say. I have never done that, I have watched/seen/heard about but I personally have not done it. Then tell me how you are willing to learn and how you are a fast learner with an example (everyone is a fast learner in my interviews)

Do NOT complain about the problems you had in your previous job. All I see is you in my office every day whining or everyone else in there whining about you.

Do NOT tell me how wonderful you are. Tell me what things you do well and have an example to back it up.....everyone does everything well in my interviews.

Do NOT come unprepared. Go on our website and see what we are about. If I see that you have not bothered to care about us, I will assume you want a job and those are offered at other places. We are here for our patients and while the paycheck is awesome and expected, we are not here for that primarily. Find out what kind of things you might be expected to do in a setting like ours and start learning about them and then tell me about how you are brushing up on such and such because you know we probably do a lot of that. I am impressed when someone knows they don't know and are willing to remedy that and have taken the initiative to learn.

What to do.....come with a confident attitude and an awareness of yourself, your skills and your abilities. Come with a smile. Its pretty simple.....or at least I thought it was.

BTW...all of the do NOT's came from things that actually happened in these interviews. It made me ashamed of the nursing profession and seriously worried about the caliber of people the schools are turning out.

I am hoping other managers will add to this thread!

[PhotoJenic]

I am a woman, I do not wear makeup, and haven't for many, many years. You are setting yourself up for a lawsuit if you do not hire a woman solely because she is not wearing makeup. Do you require makeup of the male nurses you employ? The fact that you are a woman saying this is deeply disturbing.

[nursel56]

goats'r'us- As long as the nose piercing is small and discreet it really isn't a problem. It is the multiple eyebrow piercings, the tongue piercing that constantly clacks against the teeth or that you can't stop playing with that are distracting during the interview process.

Yeah, I would imagine so. . .now it's my turn to be like -wait----whaaaaaaat??? Someone actually did that? I'd have to hire the person who wore their bunny suit to the interview under such circumstances.

[cab66]

Wow...I have to say...that it must be nice to be soooo perfect! People go into this profession because they CARE, and maybe your superiors need to reassess your position. I understand, as most ppl do, that you need to show up on time and look professional; however, maybe ...since your so perfect...you could show some of these, "hookers", how they can do better next time! Maybe teaching, or encouraging them, (an important part of our jobs as nurses) would be more productive. We all come from different walks of life, with different upbringings, and experiences! This career is tough enough, without managers who have no compassion or drive to make this world a better place! You need to re-read your letter, because you sound like a very bitter, angry person, who...I am happy to say...works in a back office and WON'T be caring for my loved one! Colleen B. R.N.

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

This is the best concise explanation.

And I'll re-think gum chewing if you offer compassion (the same as you would to a patient who has dry mouth) and offer another interview-friendly solution? It's more discreet than a water bottle...

When I mentioned the water bottle, I suggested it to be used while waiting for the interview in the hallway or outside. I would NEVER drink it while in the interview. I would NEVER chew gum in the interview either.

Several interviews they actually offered me water but I still declined. I can drink when I'm out of that room.

But then again, I don't wear pajamas in my interviews either. I had two grandparents who hired people for 30 years, they mentioned most of the things on this list.

There's nothing wrong with being artistic, I have tattoos also, I just made sure they're all strategically placed under clothing so no one knows, because I don't want my personal life rolling into my professional life.

[nursel56]

The people who are deciding whether or not to hire you have ALL the cards. I would rather be called a judgemental meanie 1000 times than advise people to let their free expression flag fly.

On what planet does an HR person stop what they're doing and do an edition of What Not To Wear anyway? They don't. That is horrible advice.

[79Tango]

The old saying-- "You never get a second chance to make a first impression" comes to mind. As a hiring manager, it has nothing to do with "Looks" and more about "apprearance and neatness in dress. Apprearance is the first thing on the list but by no means a deal breaker either!

To me its about being on time, being professional, knowing your stuff, and being able to express yourself and communicate in a clear & concise manner. Weve hired people with miss-matched socks before! We hire tattooed/pierced freaks (I am one) but they better at least have the awareness to know the apropriate time to cover/present them. Its a no-brainer.

One thing that sends Red Flags with me is when people bring thier Vacation or Schedule request/demands to the Interview.. TACKY! I understand youve had your cruise planned or kid's spelling bee planned for the last year, but WAIT until I call you back or at least express interest in you.

There is nothing funnier than someone asking "Will I be able to have a few weeks off in March?" during the initial interview... I usually say "I think we can make that happen for you" and they never get it! They actually write it down like they are taking notes about the job... Crazy!

[Epic_RN]

I may be wrong here, and please correct me if I am, but I believe the poster who mentioned make up was referring to over doing it, not that all women should wear it. When I interview, my make up is tasteful and subtle. I think this was the point trying to be made.

[Deredain]

While I am only a student nurse working towards a second career, I have done interviewing for my current (non-medical) job. You can argue all you want that it is not right about what the original poster said, but the reality is that she is right.

1. You are being judged from the minute you walk in the door. Period. Every interviewer has a bias and it is not going to change because the interviewee does not like it.

2. If you don't care enough to take care of yourself (look presentable) then how can I expect you to take care of my company, my patients and my guests?

3. I have 50 people submitting applications for every one position that I have open. If the other 49 are dressed appropriately, how in the world do you think that your PJs, jean skirt, stiletto heels, jeans, etc. is going to keep you on equal footing with your competition given all else is equal?

4. I was once given advice to dress as if I had my bosses job. People see you that way, they think of you that way.

I think the original post was good, appropriate and timely. If you disagree, don't follow the suggestions. One day you might be my competition for a job and I will be dressed in my suit and looking the part for the position that I want to get.

[caliotter3]

I would not waste time looking for signs of a person's ability to do a job if they presented themselves in an unkempt manner. Instead I would cross them off as someone who would show the same inattention to their job as they do their own personal appearance.

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

The point of dressing and presenting yourself professionally is not about someone judging you based on looks. It is about presenting youself so that they notice your qualifications and NOT your looks, or wardrobe. You do not want to be remembered as the person who wore jeans to the interview, or the one who was smacking her gum, or the one with too much makeup. By dressing and grooming yourself professionally, you allow your resume, your personality, and your qualifications to shine through.

I am bewildered that there are people attacking the OP. Most of this is common sense for interviews. I guess common sense is nowhere near as common as it should be.

[Epic_RN]

I am bewildered that there are people attacking the OP. Most of this is common sense for interviews. I guess common sense is nowhere near as common as it should be.

Same here.... Makes me wonder if the OP hit a little too close to home for some of them

[jbluehorseh]

Hey OP I still want to hear about MR or Miss pajamas