Need advice on how to respond to a manager after interview

[Nadz02RN]

Hello fellow RN's I am in need of advice on how to respond to a Nurse Manager which I had an interview with.

Here is the story,

The interview was in early December. When I arrived there was no room avail for the interview, the manager and i wonder around until we were place in a conference room. Soon after the interview started we were interrupted a total of 5 times by staff members. One interruption was to placed another interviewee in the same room to wait to be interviewed so she was listening to our meeting. Another interruption was to place another manager with her interviewee in the same room to have their interview. So now we have two interviews in the same room and one interviewee waiting to be interviewed.

At the end of our conversation I reiterated my interest in the position and hopes to hear from the manager soon. This was the manager's response "Ohh you will hear from us"!

This is the bottom line: I have not heard from anyone since then as of today. I sent the manager a well written thank you letter and did not received a response.

I have called more than you can imagine to check if the position has been filled this is what I have gotten so far:

1. I couldn't get a hold of the manager and couldn't even leave a msg on her voicemail. So i called the receptionist and was told by the receptionist that the position was probably filled.

2. When I finally got in touch with the manager she said, "didn't you called yesterday" i said "yes"

she didn't even allowed me to tell her my name and explain that i called but was not able to talk to her. Anyways she responded with " I though I told you it would be 3 weeks" with an arrogant demeanor.

3. I continue to call and was told by receptionist that a letter was sent out to all interviewees. But i have not received one.

4. I called back the manager and this was her response " HR should be sending you guys a letter this week" what does that suppose to mean?

5. I still haven't gotten an acknowledgment by mail that the position has been filled or not even a word by mouth of the manager.

At this point i know that the position has been filled off course.

But I am somewhat disappointed that the manager didn't even give me a feedback on how to improved my candidacy in the future. Also, at some point I felt that she gave me and enthusiastic false reassurance at the end of our interview. By the way, she did not acknowledge my thank you letter which is a bummer!

Should i be given an apology for the lack of organization and interruptions during our interview? I didnt get one.

The truth is i presented my self with maturity and professionalism although I looked very young and I am a graduate nurse I hope this was not taking into consideration for the fact that I was not giving the dignity to at least be informed by mail with a "thanks for your interest but..." letter .

I am thinking of sending this manager a detail letter about my impressions and was wondering if anyone has any feedback. should i even bother sending her a letter?

[sallynski]

I honestly know how you feel. I am so tired of being treated like I don't matter because I'm a new grad and that I should be thankful that I'm even getting an interview. Nursing is my second career and by far, I have never run into more unprofessional HR recruiters and managers as I have in this field. I come from a corporate legal background where it was a dog-eat-dog world and STILL I was treated with a modicum of respect even in the worst interview scenario.

I hate this. I am trying not to lose hope and I am trying not to lose sight of what I want...but this treatment is wrong.

I have not gotten a letter from any HR recruiter, but I can check my status application history on the websites where I've applied which then tells me I did not get the job, nor did I get an interview. Either way, all I want is information---no more, no less. I think people may have forgotten what it was like to start out in the beginning and have a measure of courtesy & kindness when interviewing. So far...the politics of interviewing in nursing stink.

[neongirl]

While I agree - the interview should have been your first warning of maybe a not so great place to work..

With the whole after interview issue you have - Well.. I have been on quite a few interviews in the past few months, with even more applications. More often than not - it is a no reply "we received your app - and you do/do not meet our needs" no name, no dept, no number - then there are the the please fill out our survey - and the ones that actually call - and you get an interview with.

More often than not - i have heard nothing - not a word, not a no reply e-mail, not a phone call, or letter.. even with thank you's and follow up phone calls.

[cdsga]

Be glad you didn't get the job. What a disruptive situation. There are better things for you. I have learned that you learn much of what a manager is like by their word. They should speak with integrity and tell you exactly what to expect--if there are multiple interviewees-all get the same response. If it's too much for the manager, they usually let HR handle the follow up, but that should also be divulged where and who the contact will be coming from. Interviews are private-except for maybe a strip club.

[gemimi]

Don't bother, they obviously are not a company that values their employees in any way, shape or form. Personally, I would not have called them the FIRST time after an interview three ring circus such as that. Remember, YOU are interviewing THEM as well during this process and deciding whether or not YOU wish to work THERE, and you would want to..... WHY???? Just pass the word along to others about what type of facility it was so they stay away as well. No one wants to work for rude and thoughtless people, a letter would mean nothing to them, nor would it change their habits. Don't bother and consider yourself fortunate.

[Starbuck4]

RUN THE OTHER WAY. I wouldn't waste one more second thinking about that place. Totally unprofessional- if they are treating u that bad on a first meeting can u imagine how bad they'll treat u once ur staff!! Forget about it. And also forget about those other replies stating ur living in a dream world if u think you are going to get professional, courteous behavior/responses fromthe manager HR. You can and will get professionalism from those facilities that care about their reputation, their employees and their patients.

There are too many nurses that just accept the horrible treatment or horrible working environment. It's NOT LIKE THAT EVERYWHERE!!!! Have respect for yourself and the work u do and do not tolerate such awful treatment. Nurses as a whole need to stand up for ourselves to make change!

Anywho. Back on point. Find a facility that will show u some respect. Forget about that place. Sounds like a ********.

Best of luck.

[leenie123]

Sounds totally insane to me!:smackingfMaybe they did it on purpose to see how you handled it all? Sounds as though you handled it all well in spite of it. Still, interviewer somewhat unprofessional in doing this. You do have to jump through a lot of hoops, bells & whistles sometimes to get a good interview. Remembering back to my interviews I was told right up front that for every interview you would go to there would be 6-10 others more experienced, or qualified for the position. Before sending resumes, or interview you must do some research on the employer, and how you will ans various questions they might ask you on why you chose them to apply too, and what you feel you have to offer to them if hired! I'd sent out or taken my resumes, and cover letters to all, but some interviewers said they had others yet to interview, and that if I would be considered I would get a call or letter to come in for a second, and more thorough interview.There were a few though that never got back to me, and in that case you were to figure they had filled the position! Some responded back in timely order, but some also never got back to me for whatever their reasons. However, Thank you notes, and individuality of notes were sent by me to all my job interviewers. You are told this is expected of you to do as a professional. You are expected to dress, and conduct yourself professionally. In an after thought on this, why they did interviews in such a manner is totally insane! Just as in preporation for interviews you were not to ask what the starting wage would be:dzed: Why they would think you would not want to know about wages is also insane! If they didn't tell you at some point of the interview what wage you would start at then asking might,or might not be in order? My first job interview was intense to say the least! I had left my husband but he knew where, and when my interview was to be, and he showed up there outside the interviewers office, and wanted to talk about things. I was so uptight of it all I figured I'd probably not get hired, but afterward the interviewer told me that I had acted commendable under the pressure, and that they usually chose from the top 3rd of the class, which I was of, In asking when I could start job I said the next day if possible! I aced the interview, and did get back with husband. I worked as a float nurse for the 1st 6 months; evenings, then was asked to go to permanent full time position on the oncology unit. 6 yrs later hospital renovations closed that unit, and I was then offered position on days, part time; a new unit. A yr later went to full time that unit, but due to back injuries became disabled, and was offered to return to school for education to approach nursing from a diff angle, as my Dr's urged me to do. A yr later I grad from EBI, and was asked to take fulltime position as Unit Secretary on the same unit I'd worked as a nurse, at comparable wagees. Eventually I relocated to a state further south, and other jobs through the yrs before totally retiring. I have mentioned it all so you can see how the twists & turns of life, and work can be.

[joyouter]

Thanks for your criticism. I agree with you to certain extent.

On the other hand, dont you think think everyone is owe at least professionalism? you are rigth I should not expect an acknowledement of my letter but at least respect. The same respect we all have for the profession of nursing. Not sending a letter or calling an interviewee to let them know the position has been filled its just unprofessional is not mere courtesy.

When professionals such as nurses and teachers spend a small fortune on their education, in professions which are to serve the public and maintain a western standard of democracy and development, they do not merit being treated in this manner. When organisations encourage cavalier attitudes, which are quickly adopted, seen as a position of power and fear inducing desperation, the cycle is destructive and complete. The organisations eventually lose out, the managers who behave as such, also lose and the overall affect is the loss of skilled services to the unsuspecting public. Whether one chooses to inform the company of its tacky, unprofessional tactics or not, over time, the negative effects will triumph. Good karma starts with one person or better yet, don't do unto others what you would not consider doing to yourself. There is nothing new under the sun:uhoh3:

[mcdmom]

Dear Nadz02RN,

You did not say but I'm guessing this was an interview for your first RN position. Is that correct ?

I am an older and now retired RN who has had her share of interviews and done a few as well. Times have changed too much for me to have any really good advice but I'd like to say how sorry I am to hear you were treated so rudely and unprofessionally.

My hope is that this is one of those moments you can learn from. Hopefully you have learned something about interviews that can help you be more selective about the places you choose to work.

The fact is that the interview process is a time for you to check out a place to see if you would fit into their work culture. Even when jobs are harder to come by. ( what happened to the nursing shortage?)

Sounds to me as if you may have dodged a bullet with this work place.

Ask yourself if this is how they treat their potential nursing staff at interviews, how do they treat them in the work environment.

You may want to ask yourself why you went through all of those years of training and study and what you want to get out of your Nursing Career. That will help you refocus your thoughts.

I don't believe it was to be treated like a whipping boy by frustrated interviewers. You can not change what has happen to you, but you can change how you think about the experience.

Just some food for thought and a hope that you don't give up on yourself because of some unprofessional policies a work place may have as their hiring policies.

Good luck in finding your area of nursing,

mcdmom

[Elizabeth, RN]

Absolutely, that sounds like a job you DON't want. But everyone is right to tell you to expect nothing. I have over 30 years experience as an RN, including several years at the management level. I have been out of work for a long time and am lucky to even get an interview. The few I've had seemed to go well but I was never called back. I started back when you could walk into a hospital and be hired on the spot and they were grateful to have you. It's a whole different game now.

My pet peeves--

Online application forms that do not give you room to fill in the information accurately and have no additional room for explanations.

In many companies, if they say "online apps only" and you fax yours, it will often be tossed out.

It doesn't get any better as you go up the food chain. I know a wonderful PhD who applied for a contract and was required to rent office space, buy extra insurance, etc. after his interview and STILL was not given the courtesy of a response or a return call. It's appalling but a sad reality in today's market.

Most new positions are now obtained by NETWORKING rather than the usual application process.

Good luck to both of us, or I should say all of us!

[Who?Me?]

What happened to you was completely unprofessional with a second interview occurring and another interviewee waiting to speak to the manager all happening in the same room.

Gone are the days when you got letters in response to sending in resume or even a follow-up letter after an interview. Nowadays, human resource departments may not even see your resume if the filtering software cuts you out or you might be passed over by a HR rep that has a business degree and has no clue what your qualifications are.

Honestly, if the behavior during the interviews is an indicator of how this place treats interviewees, I wouldn't want to work there because obviously the organization doesn't really value its workers.

[nurseclm]

Unfortunately you interviewed with a poor manager who did not even know how to interview you. A good manager would have found a room for just you two. Chalk it up, unfortunately, the world as it is today. Full of rude and unprofessional people. I thought about this for some time and I think you may have been lucky not to get this job. The disrespect they showed you would have continued and you would have been miserable. Keep interviewing, find the right place you want to interview, and keep on moving on. Be sure to wear a suit to the interview, clean shoes, stockings, clean hair and appropriate makeup, if you wear it at all.

Good luck. I have been an RN for 40 years in May, have been to law school and own my own legal education business. I know the frustrations of not getting hired. When I graduated in 1971 the job market was similar to the current situation, so I traveled from Syracuse University in Upstate New York to Albuquerque (all alone) to accept a job in Pediatrics. I arrived in Albuquerque, found an apartment, and went to work on my first day. Surprise, no Peds job was there and I was put with 42 of the sickest adults I had ever seen. Weekend 2 , I was the GN in charge. It took me two years to get to my beloved Pediatrics,but I did and was the charge nurse for 5 years there and became a head nurse in Florida at 26 years old. My higher power was looking out for me and was teaching me patience. I guess!

Hang in there, I believe your higher power will find a position for you that will bring you joy.

Carol Marden, RN, JD

[fawnsternurse]

Without sounding redundant I would have to reiterate what the above posters have said:Thank God you did not get that job". During an interview I also interview them and in this case the Hospital and Nurse Manager failed miserably. I am always shocked at who they put in Management positions. It could determine whether your experience is good or not.

Without being generalized I have found in my experience many of the Hospitals in the NYC area to be disorganized and lacking in professionalism. I have gone through my share of orientations and at each one they acted as if that was the first time they have ever oriented someone. The whole orientation from where they placed us to the content still required tweaking. In my estimation that is a very good indicator of what I should expect to see on a floor. Thank God I am a travel Nurse and do not have to stay beyond the 13 weeks if I do not want.

Good luck! And remember "when a town does not receive you wipe the dust from your feet". Do not ever be so desperate for a job that you are willing to be abused or mistreated in any way. Life is too short. :)