what NOT to do when job hunting.

caliotter3 · Jul 1, 2008

If you are interviewing and they start to ask you about previous employers or individuals from school by name, be very careful what you say. Sometimes you may not have the same perceptions as the interviewer and you don't want to be drawn into saying something that you might regret. After all you are seeking a job, you are not on the same level as the person doing the hiring, so you shouldn't be getting too "familiar" in your talk. I tried to defend an ogre of a boss one time when her name came up at an interview because I knew that you're not supposed to denigrate previous employers. I felt darned if I agreed with what was said, and darned if I didn't. I also felt that I was being forced to talk about circumstances that I didn't want to discuss when looking for a new employer. If the interviewer knew about this person, then she had no need to bad mouth that employer to me. Just my opinion, but I couldn't express it. Always try to be positive in what you say. You know there's something to be said about the saying, "If you have nothing good to say, then say nothing at all". Also, try to have some way to give yourself some reaction time in case something unexpected comes up. I found out one time that the person who had said they would be a good reference for me was in fact telling prospective employers that I was trouble. My first reaction was to blurt out that I would be seeing an attorney about this. I was lucky enough to have bit my tongue in time. Mention of legal recourse if you find out that you are being blacklisted or slandered is a big no no at the interview. It might sound like common sense, but who knows what we are apt to say when blindsided. Boy was I surprised! Good luck in your job hunt.

Irish Nurse 89 · Jul 1, 2008

hi everyone. I just want to hear about some things you should not do or say when looking for a job.
I feel that every detail counts.
for example... is it okay to call and ask if they are hiring? name of director of nursing?
just wondering.

Yes, it definitely OK to ask if a facility is hiring before you go there and apply. Most places today have a HR department that will field these types of calls, so you wouldn't be bothering the DON anyway.

nursval · Jul 1, 2008

I very recently had a job interview in which I was asked if I could tell the interveiwer one good and one bad thing about my work as a nurse, what would it be, and for my bad thing, I said time management. The in terview was for a home health position, and when I said that, her eyes got biger than dinner plates, and I just thought I would die. I think I dug my self out of though, because I wound up getting the job. :eek:

ink10300 · Jul 8, 2008

Would you believe I've said the same thing. Afterwards, I was thinking why in the world would you I that- of all things? But it worked out for me also..

VNNSA · Jul 10, 2008

I very recently had a job interview in which I was asked if I could tell the interveiwer one good and one bad thing about my work as a nurse, what would it be, and for my bad thing, I said time management. The in terview was for a home health position, and when I said that, her eyes got biger than dinner plates, and I just thought I would die. I think I dug my self out of though, because I wound up getting the job.

HeHe this was funny, I needed that after a bad week at new job.:chuckle

VNNSA · Jul 10, 2008

If you are interviewing and they start to ask you about previous employers or individuals from school by name, be very careful what you say. Sometimes you may not have the same perceptions as the interviewer and you don't want to be drawn into saying something that you might regret. After all you are seeking a job, you are not on the same level as the person doing the hiring, so you shouldn't be getting too "familiar" in your talk. I tried to defend an ogre of a boss one time when her name came up at an interview because I knew that you're not supposed to denigrate previous employers. I felt darned if I agreed with what was said, and darned if I didn't. I also felt that I was being forced to talk about circumstances that I didn't want to discuss when looking for a new employer. If the interviewer knew about this person, then she had no need to bad mouth that employer to me. Just my opinion, but I couldn't express it. Always try to be positive in what you say. You know there's something to be said about the saying, "If you have nothing good to say, then say nothing at all". Also, try to have some way to give yourself some reaction time in case something unexpected comes up. I found out one time that the person who had said they would be a good reference for me was in fact telling prospective employers that I was trouble. My first reaction was to blurt out that I would be seeing an attorney about this. I was lucky enough to have bit my tongue in time. Mention of legal recourse if you find out that you are being blacklisted or slandered is a big no no at the interview. It might sound like common sense, but who knows what we are apt to say when blindsided. Boy was I surprised! Good luck in your job hunt.

Yeah I just experienced that at 2 seperate interviews. One was bashing:argue: the last doctors I worked for and the other brought up the name of a classmate I didn't even speak to in school, turns out she worked there this shook me up when they didn't call me right away, but I still got the job.

Fiona59 · Jul 10, 2008

Be honest, if you are applying for a part time job. They really don't want to know that you really want full time.

Childcare issues are your problem not theirs. Don't expect them to make allowances for you and your pickup/drop off schedule.

Simple stuff, I know, but you should here some of the stories my boss tells after intervies.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jul 10, 2008

Oh, PLEASE don't tell me that your ten-year-old daughter has migraines 2-3 times per week and that you may have to leave in the middle of the shift to go get her from school and take her home and hold her head over the toilet for the next 12 hours while she vomits................. :eek:

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · Jul 10, 2008

Even if you're just dropping by to pick up an application, dress well enough to be interviewed. Maybe a suit isn't necessary, but at least a nice pair of slacks and a blouse.

Don't run by on your way to pick up another gallon of paint, or a tractor part!

deelpn85 · Jul 14, 2008

thanks for all your comments. :)

loricatus · Jul 14, 2008

I very recently had a job interview in which I was asked if I could tell the interveiwer one good and one bad thing about my work as a nurse, what would it be, and for my bad thing, I said time management. The in terview was for a home health position, and when I said that, her eyes got biger than dinner plates, and I just thought I would die. I think I dug my self out of though, because I wound up getting the job.

The key to interviewing when asked to say something negative is to state a positive as a negative: "I am too meticulous" "I spend too much time with my patients" I advocate for my patients a great deal" "I am happy being a staff nurse and have no aspirations for managment :lol2:" "I am a workaholic".......