Not sure how to handle this situation with recent interview

Nurses General Nursing

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This is a first for me, I received a call about a job I had applied for about a week ago yesterday. It was the assistant unit manager. She asked me if we could have the telephone interview immediately if I had time. I said "sure" She was very nice, asking me questions, telling me about the position but while I am on the phone with her (I was sitting in front of my computer when she called) I receive an email from the facility stating I was not selected for the position! What? I'm in the middle of the telephone interview, literally, when this notification arrives. She tells me at the end of the telephone interview she will be in touch and for me to call her directly with any questions. I did not mention to her about the email arriving while we were talking as I wanted to make sure I was reading it correctly. I was. I don't know if I should call her and ask for about it or just let it go and assume while we were talking she had already decided I would not be a good fit for the job. She did say that she had a "lot" of influence about who would be hired as she had been there since this particular dept had opened and for the most part the Director leaves it to her.

I have reached the point with the interview process after this incident yesterday I am just going to stay where I am. The little bit of self esteem I have is just taking too much of a beating with how it all seems to be in the HR/hiring world now.

Specializes in PMHNP-BC.

Some places make the manager interview X number of qualified candidates before he/she can officially offer the position to someone they already know they want to hire (CNA who went to RN school who already works there, etc.). I know I drove 10 hours...yes, you read that right, to interview for a position (couldn't get a flight with times that worked with my job and the interview) I later learned was already promised to another nurse. The CEO and CNE looked bored during my interview, it was awful.

Don't burn your bridge, you should still send an email in a few days thanking her for the interview, inviting her to contact you for any further questions, and let her know you are looking forward to hearing from her. Even if you don't end up with that job, if you end up working there, you might be working with her from another department (especially if you are pursuing leadership) give the benefit of the doubt and entertain the idea she was not aware of the email while she was interviewing you.

I once got a rejection letter three years after I applied. Another time, the interviewer started with "we just interviewed someone with much better qualifications than you." Another interview started with "we are no longer hiring." Whatever. Move on. At least they responded.

I got one of those rejection letters too, years after the fact. I just happened to come on the same day I got laid off from a job I had applied for in the same time frame as the company sending the letter. Talk about adding insult to injury. This was before nursing school though. I found it easier to get the first nursing job than to get a job in something I had years of experience in.

I'm of the opinion that the thanks but no thanks letter is one of those computer generated letters. I actually received them from three places that later contacted me for nursing job interviews. I guess I'm just saying that don't sweat the email and sometimes the timing of these things is ironic. The OP got hers while in the middle of the interview. I got rejected twice in one day. Just can't help but laugh a little :laugh:

Specializes in kids.
The hiring process has just gone out of control. I miss the days when you could just apply, interview with 1 person, and be done which ever way it went.

When I graduated in 1983, if you were willing to work nights, holidays and weekends, you were hired!!!

Does the OP have an update?

Thanks to all who have replied..I thought I was the only one this type situation had happened to but evidently not which says a lot about the hiring system these days. As far as my situation..I called this morning and left a message for the person I interviewed with. She called back while I was not able to answer but didn't leave a message (caller ID) so I just called again and she answered. At first she acted like she didn't recall us interviewing over the phone (literally a few days ago!) then said "Ah yes. I remember now. " I explained to her I was just touching base and also mentioned the email I received while talking with her originally and that I noticed the position was no longer listed as of this morning. Her response was "Um..yes, when I hung up with you my Director told me the position was filled." I politely said "But when you called me you said your Director had just given you my resume and asked you to call me because you were the one who would make the hiring decision overall." She said nothing for a few seconds then said "My bad I guess." I just thanked her for her time and hung up. I don't know what happened or why but frankly, I know I did well in the interview and more than meet the requirements they are looking for, so for whatever their deal is, I am happy at this point not to be a part of it.

just posted it :)

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Yikes. Sounds like you dodged a bullet.

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