Interview went well, didn't get job, any advice?

[Annointed_RNStudent]

Hello,

I recently interviewed for a PICU position, as a new graduate internship program. The interviewer seemed well pleased with me, and the interview went relatively well, I answered all the questions without stumbling, and she told me she would like for me to come back and work with a nurse that afternoon, and now after two weeks, I did not get an offer? I can't understand why a person would lead one on to think they would get the job, and then don't? Is this common in Nursing? Does anyone think being a minority male in a very low minority population area have anything to do with it? Or because I do'nt have a BSN?

Any Advice would be greatly appreciated?

Devasted~

[Cerebrum]

Had same scenario instead it was Johns Hopkins. Felt the same way. Naturally I felt rejected, then angry, then I calmed down and reassessed. I figured they must know what they are doing but at the same time I felt they passed up a good nurse to be... does that make sense? It was my first interview... Oh well, their loss...

[LydiaNN]

I think that is this were minority or male related, you wouldn't have been asked to come in and work for an afternoon. The harsh reality may just be that they found someone they liked better.

[glamgalRN]

AnnointedRN,

I'm in the same situation you were in last August and I need your advice. I'm graduating with my ASN in less than a month and had an interview on my dream unit. It went well, and two weeks later HR called me back asking me to come in and shadow a nurse on the unit. I was so excited!! So I shadowed a nurse, and ended up loving the unit more than I initally thought I would! And now, two weeks later I haven't heard back. I called the nurse manager and left a voice message the day after I shadowed to thank her for the experience. I also called HR and left them a message a few days ago to ask them what was going on w/the position. They still haven't called me back. This is the worst feeling in the world! I seriously felt like I was teased. I thought the staff really liked me when I shadowed, I made sure I introduced myself to everyone, asked a lot of questions, was polite, etc.

I have to admit, when HR first called me and requested that I come in and shadow I sort of assumed that I got the job and they just wanted to make sure I liked the unit/staff. Even if I didn't get the job, I just wish they had the kindness to call me back and tell me they found someone they were more interested in! I'm curious- how did you find out you didn't get the job? Did they just not return your phone calls?

Well thanks for letting me rant. I look forward to hearing what you have to say!

[kimmie518]

Did she say you didn't get it, or you just haven't heard from her?

If you haven't heard from them, I would call.

But if they did go with another candidate, I wouldn't feel bad about it. If the PICU is something you're heart is in, I would apply again, or maybe go to regular peds for a little bit just to get your foot in the door.

I know in the hospital I work in, there's always plenty of candidates for 1 or 2 positions- someone will have to be turned down.

[glamgalRN]

Hi Kimmie,

HR didn't say I didn't get it. But I shadowed two weeks ago and haven't heard a thing. I called HR up a few days ago and left a message and they haven't called me back. I figure that if they were interested in me they would have called me back by now. The only other thing I can think of is that I am their second choice, and they offered the position to someone else and if that person turns the job down then they will offer it to me. I honestly have no idea.

I realize that most likely I wasn't the only candidate they interviewed, and I know as a new grad I shouldn't expect to start on my "dream unit." But I just wish they had the courtsey to call me back.

[LydiaNN]

Hi Kimmie,

HR didn't say I didn't get it. But I shadowed two weeks ago and haven't heard a thing. I called HR up a few days ago and left a message and they haven't called me back. I figure that if they were interested in me they would have called me back by now. The only other thing I can think of is that I am their second choice, and they offered the position to someone else and if that person turns the job down then they will offer it to me. I honestly have no idea.

I realize that most likely I wasn't the only candidate they interviewed, and I know as a new grad I shouldn't expect to start on my "dream unit." But I just wish they had the courtsey to call me back.

HR where I work can be notoriously slow to make a job offer after we've identified someone we want to hire. They have to process paperwork and check references. I've known it to take longer than 2 weeks.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I think that being "asked back" and "encouraged" in an interview is a sign that they are taking your application seriously and that you are one of the top candidates. However, it is not a guarantee that you have the job. With the great cost to employers for orientation, employers have been getting pickier about who they hire. They can't afford to make as many mistakes in hiring as they did in the past. The selection process may take a little longer than you would like, etc. as the hospital may be investing more time and effort in making that selection than you would like.

That said ... Human Resources should be responding to your phone calls. It is rude not to respond promptly. Unfortunately, it is fairly common in the health care industry for HR departments to be the weakest department in the building. Having worked for several different employers, I have found that to be the case. Employers who would not tolerate "bad service" from its patient care providers, housekeeping, lab, etc. will often tolerate bad service from its HR department. I don't understand it, but it is true.

Keep trying to make contact before assuming the worst.

[glamgalRN]

Thank you all for replying. I will keep you posted on my situation!