Is this interview process unprofessional?

[raindrop]

I applied for a job and within 2 hours I got a call from a recruiter for a phone interview. He told me the manager will not be able to interview me for a full week. I really wanted the job and so I waited and did not apply elsewhere. I interview with her and it went well. The interview was on a Monday. She said I should hear from the recruiter by Wednesday to schedule me for a peer interview. I hear nothing on Wednesday, so I called my recruiter Thursday morning. He finally called me back Friday at 3pm to schedule the peer interview. He said he just heard back from the manager about scheduling it, hence the delay.

Peer interview was then on Tuesday. They had my resume, and instead of talking about the unit, unit goals, pros/cons of the job and working there, they were giving me an actual interview which I do not think was appropriate. They are not qualified for that and that is not what a peer interview is supposed to entail. I went along with it. As they were walking me back to the lobby, in the elevator, etc, they were glued to their personal phone, texting. I tried making small talk such as “is that the hospital chapel” and I was given a “mmm hmm” with they’d heads still down at their phone. Again, this was on Tuesday.

Wednesday, I heard nothing.

Thursday morning, a generic email arrived, to paraphrase : “thank you for applying, your credentials look impressive but we’ve decided to interview other candidates.” Applied? How about interviewed?

Boom. That’s all. No follow up.

A friend interviewed for a job at the sane place, but a different recruiter. She was called and told she didn’t get the job but was offered an interview w a different department.

I waited a full week for my first interview. And then a full week for my 2nd interview. And now that’s it?

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Never put all your eggs in one basket. Even if granted an interview, keep looking.

What happened isn't all that unusual- HR can tell you one thing, but they don't know the reality of what happens with a nurse manager's schedule. They can promise all they want, but that doesn't mean their promises are realistic.

As for the peer interview, it may be the policy of the facility that all interview questions must come from a vetted source. That's how mine is- whether it's peer interview or manager interview, those conducting the interview are given a list of questions to ask. According to HR, it's to facilitate each candidate getting an equal chance and not having it skewed by not asking each person the same questions.

Your friend may have interviewed very well and had an impressive resume that made them want to consider offering another unit. But your friend is not you and you shouldn't compare your experience to hers. Think about how you may have come across in the interview. A resume is basically a ticket in the door- the interview is what keeps you from being kicked out. It may help to get an neutral opinion to check your interview skills.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Moved to career forum

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Rose Queen gave you excellent advice. It's a hard lesson to experience the realities of the hiring world, but try to allow lessons learned to help you in the future.

[JKL33]

I would expect to be interviewed if I am attending something with the word "interview" as part of its label. I'm not trying to be snarky but you seem incensed that they interviewed you at the peer interview. Now it may be true that it was more an interrogation and not a two-way exchange of information, and that is unfortunate. But look at it this way: You got the information you needed! ??‍♀️ It isn't a good sign if an employer doesn't care about whether you feel you are a good fit and doesn't care whether you know much about their place or the role. You wanted to know what it was like working there; they showed you exactly what it's like - - probably more accurately than if they had put it into words. ?

If I were job searching I would never pause that process because someone responded to my application. And one week doesn't sound like a long time to wait to be interviewed for any job, anywhere.

[JKL33]

To answer the question in your title and give you some validation: I do believe that the way they conducted themselves with regard to the actual interview experience sounds unprofessional on the whole.

[Wuzzie]

Every peer interview I've been to has been just that...an interview. They are trying to see if you will fit the unit not if the unit will fit you.

The phone thing, well now that was unprofessional.

[Forest2]

It could be that the nurses were volundrafted to do the peer interview. Meaning that they might not have really wanted to be there I the first place.

That doesn't excuse the phone thing, but it seems like people are on their phones all the time. Especially younger generations. It is a shame because I feel they are losing the art of conversation. But, that is another topic.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

Sounds pretty standard to me. It also sounds like they knew from the time you left the interview that they weren't invested in you. It is likely your unfounded opinion that they had no right to actually "interview" you came across very clearly. The truth is, its their job to interview you. I am curious where you got the impression it isn't. They are likely given questions to ask you and they all make notes about your answers and behavior, then compare them and submit their assessment to management. The cell phone thing and lack of engagement at the end tells me that they were probably offended by you and/or had closed the door on considering you.

There was nothing unprofessional here on their part. There may have been on yours if you conveyed any sense that they should not be questioning you. Most of the time a peer interview comes down to whether or not they would like to work with you. They said no. Only you can evaluate your behavior.

Never stop applying for work just because you got a nibble. Now you know. Good luck!

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

A peer interview was part of my last interview process. Like Wuzzie said, they want to see if you are a good fit for the unit and not if the unit fits you.

17 hours ago, raindrop said:

They are not qualified for that and that is not what a peer interview is supposed to entail.

What makes them unqualified? If they ask you the same questions that a manger would ask, what is the difference?

[Wuzzie]

17 hours ago, raindrop said:

They are not qualified for that and that is not what a peer interview is supposed to entail.

I'm interested to know what you think a peer interview is supposed to entail.

[llg, PhD, RN]

We do peer interviews all the time at my hospital -- and staff are very serious about participating in these. It is their chance to assess whether or not the applicant would make a good co-worker and fit in with their team.

I too am curious as to where you got the impression that a peer interview is not supposed to be a real interview.