Interview I bombed at hospice today

[Marshall1]

I've been trying to get into hospice for some time now..most places want hospice experience..I finally landed an interview - went this a.m. and from the beginning it was disaster..the 2 people who interviewed me seemed uncomfortable once they realized I had worked somewhere else for a short time..I was honest about why I left..I was intimidated by someone in management there and when this person realized that in someone she would not let up on them - including making comments about people have "mental problems" because they didn't react etc like she wanted. After several months of this I resigned. I didn't go into detail w/the people I interviewed with but I was honest..because #1 I thought I should be and #2 I could tell they already knew people where I use to work. After telling them I was new to the field of hospice and found the management style and company size a little overwhelming for my first hospice job the interview got worse..there were several periods of silence, they hardly looked at me..the more this happened the more nervous I became (I really wanted this job!) and the more I talked and stammered. The interview lasted maybe 30 minutes total..I basically got up to leave - politely - because I didn't know what else to do and felt more embarrassed as time went on. One of the people did asked me for references as I was leaving..nothing was discussed regarding pay, etc. The other person made a comment that they would be in touch soon. I have no idea what went wrong other than I told the truth to a question they asked. They seemed excited to meet me when they called for the interview but like I said, once I was there today..it was..different. I have been upset ever since I left. I really believe I would make a great hospice nurse..for a variety of reasons..and all I want is a chance to prove it at a company that is smaller is scale. When did interviewing change to feeling like an audition? I am disappointed in myself..after all these years and tons of interviews over time, I should not have let the uncomfortable situation get the best of me. I blew it and dread even more continuing working in the hospital where I do NOT want to stay:crying2:

[leslie :-D]

After telling them I was new to the field of hospice and found the management style and company size a little overwhelming for my first hospice job the interview got worse..

i'm not sure i'm getting this straight.

you told the interviewers that you felt mgmt style and company size (for job/company you were interviewing), a little overwhelming?

if so, that 'd likely be your downfall.

employers want to see enthusiasm, confidence, and humility.

and, to clarify, you told them you were intimidated by a mgr at previous place of employment?

honesty is an admirable quality, but we also need to screen what we choose to share, or not.

no one wants to hear anything neg re previous employment.

bottom line, it sounds like you were seriously nervous, and ended up shooting yourself in the foot.

still, i'd send a thank-you, including asking for feedback from the interview, since you had hoped to market yourself better.

in that note, add your positive qualities and why you believe you'd be ideal for job.

wishing you very best.

leslie

[caliotter3]

I agree with what Leslie said on this one. Remember that you are trying to sell yourself in a positive manner. The interview is almost always not the place to go overboard with honesty. You can assume the interviewer will find the negative way to look at what you have said.

[SoCalRN1970]

I agree with the above posters. I will say I have interviewed at so many agencies over the years. I have not always opted to work there but my success rate for call back or offer is has been about 80%.

I am not special, but you learn the rules of interview early on.

When you leave a place you described it's imperative not to mention them in a bad light. I had an office very much like yours. I worked there a year. I had a clash with my manager who pretty much called everyone nuts.. I knew the agency was having financial issues.. so I used that when I said why I was leaving. I also know the office closed a few months later.

I worked at VITAS. One of the largest hospice companies around. I was a manager. I worked there a year. I was coincidently giving my RN's their annual reviews and standard 3% raises. I noted 2 of them were making more money then me... THEIR SUPERVISOR. I presented this to my immediate manager and told her how concerned I was. I got a HOSTILE response. It was so bad I packed up my things and walked that day. I could not stay another month working for a manager who yelled, intimidated and even mentioned "your husband is working.. " to me. I walked. But I always told interviewers I left due to a better opportunity. ( grant it my manager was wrong, and I even took her response to corporate level... nothing happened.... )

Its better to paint them in a bright light. You left because there was not room for growth. You wish to pursue your education and would like to have a company that fosters this etc.

I wish you the best of luck.