New grad FNP: "Where else are you interviewing?"

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Hello fellow NPs. I am new to this site so I apologize if this post is unclear in any way.

I am writing for some advice regarding my NP interviews. I have been interviewing for about two months now in a variety of locations/settings and there is one question that I'm frequently asked, which I still feel very awkward and uncomfortable answering: "Are you interviewing anywhere else? If so, where?" For those of you who have been asked the same question, what do you say?

Let me start by telling you the real answer, which is that I have been interviewing at a wide variety of places, and have had a couple of offers. So of course, I answer "yes I am interviewing at other facilities" - easy. However, I tend to get flustered when they follow up (and they usually do) by asking me where. Here are the reasons I think I'm getting caught up on this question:

- I want to show the employer that I am hirable and have generated other interest, but also want each prospective employer to believe that they are my top choice.

- I am applying to both primary care and specialty practices (because I have a lot of interests and there are only so many opportunities for new grads). However, I am worried that this makes me appear unfocused. For example, if I tell a potential pediatric employer that I'm also interviewing in a rheumatology practice, they might think I'm not really that interested in pediatrics. Should I just keep things really vague?

- I am interviewing in a lot of different locations, and I find that a lot of places are (understandably) very concerned about employees relocating and then leaving. How can I show an employer that I am enthusiastic about their location, when I'm applying to so many different regions? Just FYI the reason I'm applying to so many different places is that I am a new grad in a highly saturated area... and since I'm single and love to travel I have no problem relocating!

Sorry if this is a dumb/obvious question! I've only had one RN job and it was the first one I interviewed for, so this has all been new to me. I appreciate any insight you can provide! Thank you very much :)

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Specializes in Cardiology nurse practitioner.

When I am interviewing, I will disregard an applicant who doesn't answer the question, or tries to be vague.

You should be able to use this as a talking point. Express your interests, and the interest in you. But give an honest answer. Show interest in their position, if you are interested, and use the conversation to paint a picture for them. Why are you a good fit for this position, and why do you want it over the others?

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

This would have stumped me also and I'll be interested to see what the general consensus is. I haven't ever been asked that question although most of my jobs have been referrals so I wasn't really looking around just heard about an opening and interviewed. What I can say is in my area, and it encompasses 2 decent size cities, everyone knows everyone so definitely don't outright lie. I guess there needs to be a fine line between "I'm a bad ass and I have many suitors" and "I shopping around without any real direction and will waste everyone's time". Will be helpful to see how others have finessed this. Excellent topic!

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Specializes in Family practice, emergency.

I have been asked this as an RN, and I say with confidence "I recently interviewed at XYZ hospital. However, in my research and from what I've heard in the community, this would be my first choice..." or something similar. Like most questions, I feel like you have to turn the negatives into a positive. It is a weird question, but interviewing elsewhere does show that you're marketable and the type of job you're looking for. I hope this helps, good luck!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

@Jules - I love your answer! I once was asked why I didn't go to med school during an interview. I came back with "there is little call for 50 y/o med students." Didn't get the job but wouldn't have wanted to work there anyway.

But I digress - I being honest and upfront:

I am interviewing elsewhere but your facility/practice ranks first in XYZ procedure, (whatever stat you have looked up prior to the interview) and I would be proud to work here)

I have done my research via (whatever source you have used) and see that your outcomes are the best in the area for (whatever procedure they perform, whatever metric they use) and I want to be part of the number one team.

Always preface it with some fact that shows you've done your homework.

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Thank you for this advice! This is very helpful, especially considering you actually conduct interviews :)

When I am interviewing, I will disregard an applicant who doesn't answer the question, or tries to be vague.

You should be able to use this as a talking point. Express your interests, and the interest in you. But give an honest answer. Show interest in their position, if you are interested, and use the conversation to paint a picture for them. Why are you a good fit for this position, and why do you want it over the others?

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Thank you for the advice! That is a nice way of phrasing it. I suppose the key is striking that balance between sounding marketable but also focused on the particular facility I'm interviewing with. And confidence! So important. I am unfortunately a bit of a nervous laugher, which I have been working on! But in spite of improvement this question still makes me (probably visibly) flustered, which is never good!

I have been asked this as an RN, and I say with confidence "I recently interviewed at XYZ hospital. However, in my research and from what I've heard in the community, this would be my first choice..." or something similar. Like most questions, I feel like you have to turn the negatives into a positive. It is a weird question, but interviewing elsewhere does show that you're marketable and the type of job you're looking for. I hope this helps, good luck!
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Thank you! That's such a good idea to work in the facts! I always research and take a lot of notes on a practice before I interview there, yet sometimes I feel like I don't quite know how to show the interviewer that I did my homework. For example, many times the interviewer will start telling me about the practice before they ask me questions and in my mind I'm thinking I know all this, I did do my homework! but instead I smile and nod and say useless things like "oh ok" and "that's great". Including it in response to this particular question is a very tactful way of showing that I really spent time preparing!

@Jules - I love your answer! I once was asked why I didn't go to med school during an interview. I came back with "there is little call for 50 y/o med students." Didn't get the job but wouldn't have wanted to work there anyway.

But I digress - I being honest and upfront:

I am interviewing elsewhere but your facility/practice ranks first in XYZ procedure, (whatever stat you have looked up prior to the interview) and I would be proud to work here)

I have done my research via (whatever source you have used) and see that your outcomes are the best in the area for (whatever procedure they perform, whatever metric they use) and I want to be part of the number one team.

Always preface it with some fact that shows you've done your homework.

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I got that question also. I applied all over the place for IP, OP, Clinic and just about any opening that was posted. Many of the positions came with a pre-screen by the recruiter where they would ask some basic questions before being pushed to the separate hiring managers. I applied for numerous open positions within the same system and the recruiter could see that and would have me rank them in level of interest.

When I was asked that question (when not within a particular system) I would answer it honestly as I could. I would tell them as a new grad I wanted to learn about all the opportunities available and have the chance to ask questions, meet with staff to find the right fit for starting my career. I found they responded well to my response and it did not hinder the process. i also thought it made me look like a more desirable candidate and more in demand so they would not be able to drag the process out and interview 20 other applicants.

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

This reminds me of a guy I know who applied to Harvard and Yale for law school in the 1960s. In response to the question "Why do you want to attend Harvard law school?" he wrote "I want to go to Harvard Law school because Harvard law graduates are paid more than any other graduate. In response to "Why do you want to go to Yale Law School?" He wrote, "I want to go to Yale because Yale Law graduates are the second best paid lawyers, so if I do not get into Harvard I want to go to Yale." He got into Harvard. He did not get into Yale.

Right now you are very focused on looking good to the employer, and I get that because wanting a job is probably your dominant feeling at this moment. But it is important to be choosy yourself as well, so that you find a job that matches you well, one that will leave you feeling satisfied. I don't know what your financial situation is like, and I get that you might be very pressed to get something fast, but if you adapt the understanding that approaching this differently will actually get you to where you want to be faster, I think you will do better.

The questions you need to ask yourself are:

What do I want to get out of my next job, besides the paycheck (because that is obvious)? Am I looking for support? autonomy? What kind of environment am I looking for?

Hypothetically: Let's say you decide you want a supportive environment with a seasoned nurse practitioner to show you the ropes. You are looking for a low acuity setting, a slower pace, and let's say you intend to start working on your DNP and for this you would benefit from an educational benefit, and the same weekday off per week to attend classes.

Look at the jobs available and see if there are any that hit all of your desired points. Get the info if you can, before the interview. These are your "Tier 1 jobs". Maybe there is one. Or two. Maybe there are none.

Now look at jobs that hit most of your desired points. These are Tier 2.

Next look at jobs that hit at least one of your desired points. These are Tier 3.

If a job doesn't meet any of your desired points, it doesn't make your tier system.

Apply to all of your tier 1s first. When your interviewer asks if you are applying elsewhere, you tell them the truth about where and why. They made your list because of this trait and that trait. Tell the truth about where you have heard back and about any other offers you have received. If you get an offer from some place that is not your top choice, you tell them you need 2 weeks to decide and then you call your top choice and say I have received an offer and I have 2 weeks to decide, but you are my top choice. Do I have a chance? Can I get an interview?

If that goes nowhere and you get no offers you apply to tier 2 places. And do the same, telling them about your other tier 2s, why you applied. If you get an offer you call your fave tier 2 and ask them the same, can you get me in, can you offer me something? You do not mention your tier 1s, because they are not happening.

Then repeat with your tier 3s. You do not mention your tier 1s and 2s, just your 3s, if they ask you about it.

If you go absolutely no where with all your tier places it's time to apply to the others. The difference is that you point out something good about each place you apply to and you mention it when they ask you about where else you have applied. So you say I also applied to clinic A, but I like your clinic better because its closer to my house. And you do that for every place, point out why they are better than the others. This method is for tough times, which you are in, if you have no tier places.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

I always ask this question in interviews!

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I always ask this question in interviews!

What responses do you like/not like?

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