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Discussion

Interviewing blues

I recently graduated from nursing school, passed the NCLEX and now having a difficult time landing a residency. I had no idea it would be this hard to get my foot in the door! I have had so many interviews, second interviews even getting to the fourth panel interview. About 15 interviews in all. I graduated in MAY 2019... I have asked for feedback from a few employers and have gotten that I am a great candidate, good resume and whatnot but the competition is tough! I'd love any advice? I have applied and interviewed for Labor and Delivery residencies (womens health is my passion) but I have interviewed for other med/surg residencies as well. I spend my days when I am not working part time or momming writing amazing cover letters, emailing and pushing my resume out and applying but its starting to feel scary not landing something.

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    I graduated in may 2019 too with my RN. Even with my LPN experience I didnt get an offer until just a month ago. It is hard. But you have to continue on.

    I myself went through a good handful of interviews. I made the mistake of not really sharpening my resume to focus on what i wanted (peds), and actually displaying my clinical rotations too.

    I fine tuned my interveiwing skills by practicing with a friend on my typical answers for common interview questions. Dont memorize answers, speak from the heart.

    Sometimes who you knows matters as well... See if there is someone who works at a hospital that may be hiring, and ask for their managers contact info. It doesnt hurt!

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    Are there still grad nurse jobs out there that are not residencies? I graduated 2012 and I don't remember applying for any residencies. The hospitals all hired new grads- mainly med-surg night shift to start. We had orientation for several weeks (12?) with a preceptor and then we were on our own.

    If there are any rural hospitals within commuting distance, try there. The site of my first job still advertises signing bonuses for new grads.

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    On 10/16/2019 at 6:06 PM, 2Ask said:

    Are there still grad nurse jobs out there that are not residencies? I graduated 2012 and I don't remember applying for any residencies. The hospitals all hired new grads- mainly med-surg night shift to start. We had orientation for several weeks (12?) with a preceptor and then we were on our own.

    If there are any rural hospitals within commuting distance, try there. The site of my first job still advertises signing bonuses for new grads.

    Here in NYC many hospitals now it seems only hire new grads through residencies. I really wish they would be clear about this on job postings as I feel like I'm wasting lots of time applying to jobs that don't have any experience requirements listed.

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    If you are getting that far in interviews, then you are making it to the finale but not closing the deal.

    Remember that with new grads, it is all about "fit". They are looking for the person they most would want to work with. This makes sense of humor, eye contact, levity, professionalism, excitement and appearance even more important. On paper all new grads are the same. Its the interview that seals the deal. They can't really give you feedback because it came down to "We liked this other person more than we liked you".

    Review your interview skills and, if those are up to speed (and it sounds like they are if you got that far along), remember at the end to use tried and true sales tactics to close the deal. ASK. FOR. THE. JOB.

    "I really loved getting to meet all of you and I am super excited about the opportunity. Your team sounds great and I would love to come work with you. I hope you will extend me an offer."

    Then send a follow up thank you email stating something like "When an interview goes as well as this one did, I generally end it by asking for the position. I would like to do that now. I would be tremendously excited if you extend me an offer."

    Or some such.

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