Letting my desperation shine through? :)

[NewlyANurse]

Hey guys!

So I have a phone interview tomorrow. At my dream hospital. I've wanted to work at this hospital since I was 15. I've been searching for a job since even before I graduated in May, and this is my first interview. It's really the first time I've gotten much of any interest back from a hospital. And I want it so bad.

My question is-- how obvious should I make it that I *really* want this? I've already briefly explained that I would love to work at this hospital, through some ongoing emails with a recruiter. I've been going over potential questions and thinking up my answers, and I almost always end up gushing about how perfect this hospital is. I'm trying to come up with ways to suck up, but based on my clinical rotations and other experience with this hospital, I just honestly feel that it would be a great fit.

So how do I say "I LOVE YOUR HOSPITAL, PLEASE HIRE MEEEE", without sounding desperate and like a brown-noser?

PS, I'm so excited/nervous/anxious/maybe-a-little-desperate!

[maiday]

Well, you may have already had your interview. If so, hope it went well!

If not, here's my 2 cents. Research (if you haven't already) the companies mission and values and try to find a way to work it into the interview. Say something like, "I love that one of this company's values is xyz. That fits with my values so well. As an example, during clinical... blah blah."

And I wouldn't gush, but definitely tell them you love this hospital/company, had a great experience with the nurses or whatever. Especially if you're interviewing for a floor you had clinicals at. You can mention how everybody was so helpful/friendly/seemed happy, this reflects well on management so you're complementing them also.

Good luck!

[NewlyANurse]

Thanks for the input! I had the interview earlier today, but I did along the same lines as what you had said. I think I may have been borderline gushing at some points, but I held myself back. I did make it clear though that it was a goal of mine to work in this particular hospital. Unfortunately, they said while they'd love to have me, they're not hiring external new grads for now. I'll be keeping in touch with the recruiter, but for now I'm looking for other positions. Back to the drawing board.... Again.

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

Thanks for the input! I had the interview earlier today, but I did along the same lines as what you had said. I think I may have been borderline gushing at some points, but I held myself back. I did make it clear though that it was a goal of mine to work in this particular hospital. Unfortunately, they said while they'd love to have me, they're not hiring external new grads for now. I'll be keeping in touch with the recruiter, but for now I'm looking for other positions. Back to the drawing board.... Again.

That's crappy. Why did they bother giving you the phone interview then? Keep trying.

I gushed and grinned ear to ear and the HR lady LOVED it. In fact she said my enthusiasm and passion gave her chills and was so refreshing to see.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Keep in touch with the Recruiter -- but don't be a pest. Something may develop over time. The fact that she bothered to interview you when they are not generally hiring external new grads is a sign that you made a positive impression. Sometimes, the orientees who start in the summer don't work out -- and there is a 2nd wave of hiring in the fall to replace those who don't complete orientation. That's when Recruiters sometimesgo back and review the top candidates who weren't offered jobs in the summer to see if there is anyone they want to give that chance. You might get lucky.

Write the thank-you note. Express your disappointment without sounding bitter. Remind the Recruiter how much you want to work there. Say that you would be very appreciative of any opportunities for which you might be considered. Keep an eye on their job postings and after a couple of weeks ... when you will begin to fade from the Recruiter's vission ... apply for any jobs that seem particularly suited for you.

[NewlyANurse]

Thanks everyone! I definitely plan on sending a thank you note, to everyone I spoke with about this (apparently non-existent!) position. As for why she even agreed to speak with me knowing there wasn't an available opening.... I had made it pretty clear to her and everyone else I spoke to that working at this hospital is my ultimate goal. At the end of our conversation, the recruiter asked me about my Job Search in general and gave me some advice about outside places to look, where I could get a year or so of experience. She seemed like she was honestly interested in helping me get back to this hospital. Actually, she said that if I did get offers from other facilities and wasn't sure if those positions would give me the needed experience, that she would be more than willing to talk it over with me. Is that something recruiters normally do? I was caught off guard a little by that.

Anyway, I do plan on trying to keep my name fresh in her thoughts in case any new grad openings do appear. No harm in hoping...