I bombed my interview

[Danygirl]

Hello All,

I've been a nurse for about 15 years and I recently interviewed for a leadership position. I've been bedside the majority of my career, but I have taken on leadership opportunities such a as charge nurse and education partner. My problem... I recently interviewed and I totally failed. I prepared for weeks and I had real situations to speak of. Well... it's like I couldn't talk, I didn't articulate my thoughts well and I totally froze during the process. I truly love the institution I work at and I still have the desire to step into a leadership role.

is that even possible after making such a bad impression during the interview?? Thanks for your input.

Respectfully,

DanyGirl

[klone, MSN, RN]

Interviewing is a skill, and skills develop through practice. Just keep putting yourself out there, applying and interviewing, and over time you will get better at it.

[cleback]

Apply, apply, apply to positions you don't even really want to get practice interviewing. They even say not to have the interview for the job you really want first, because they assume you'll benefit from a "warm up".

[beekee]

I could give you several really embarrassing interviewing stories (that all involve me). The above posters are correct: Practice, Practice, Practice! Your state may have interview practice sessions at the unemployment office. Your alma mater may offer interviewing help to alums. Friends may be willing to do mock interviews with you. Or, just apply to every where and anything!

If you feel bad about wasting the interviewer's time, reframe your outlook. I'm a horrible interviewer, so to advance, sometimes I need to take little baby steps to get there. So, I may not be thrilled about the job, but I look at it as an opportunity to possibly gain skills that I wouldn't otherwise have, thus improving my chances at a job I want in the future.

[NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN]

Apply, apply, apply to positions you don't even really want to get practice interviewing. They even say not to have the interview for the job you really want first, because they assume you'll benefit from a "warm up".

This is so true. I found out that one hospital chain used the exact same format for their interviews and questions based on the application personality test that you fill out once and it counts for all applications within their network. The first interview I didn't know what to expect. They also must have all reviewed my app around the same time because I had three different facilities within their organization lined up for interviews all in three consecutive days. Well, I didn't feel the first one went that well, but the next two I got offers for, probably because I checked myself after the first interview and ended up getting the same questions from different people for the other interviews.

[OpinionatedCNA, CNA]

Keep trying and putting yourself out there and eventually you're bound to get where you want to go.

I understand; just got back and recovering from an absolutely terrible interview I had earlier today, feel pretty crappy now... but you can't let things like that get you down.

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Don't put yourself down! We have all been there done that! Interviews are very stressful and nerve racking to say the least, especially if you actually want the job!

As others have said practice, practice, and practice some more. In my experience I have also found that when interviews don't go well it seems to be that I do not click with the team or the nurse mangers, because I have interviewed and had great experiences when the person I click with the person I am interviewing with. There is such a thing, in my opinion as chemistry during an interview.

Annie

[nursej22, MSN, RN]

Have you considered taking an improv class? This may sound silly, but my old boss recommended it when I started teaching. It will help with nerves, and make you aware of how you are perceived.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Anything is possible. Your interviewer knew you were nervous and can perhaps get passed that. As klone said, interviewing is a skill that takes practice.

I've had a gazillion, blew one of the earlier ones so bad.. I laughed at myself all the way home. Got a call back though!

Good luck.

[TriciaJ, RN]

Did you actually get turned down for the job yet? I ask, because you can't always tell by how the interview felt. I have had interviews where I had such a rapport with the interviewers I knew I would be working with them soon. And then didn't get the job. I've had interviews that I bombed horribly and then just wanted to crawl into a hole. And then got a job offer.

I'm not saying to go out and blow interviews. Just that you never really know until you get that phone call. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.

But you did get good advice to apply for lots of jobs to practice. I'm not saying to skip that. I'm just hoping you won't have to for a while.

[Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN]

They probably know who they really want already.Why would you want to leave the bedside,it is not real advancement to be sandwiched in between management and your ex co workers.You could keep trying but you do not sound glib enough for that.Good luck .