Published
I could give you several really embarrassing interviewing stories (that all involve me). The above posters are correct: Practice, Practice, Practice! Your state may have interview practice sessions at the unemployment office. Your alma mater may offer interviewing help to alums. Friends may be willing to do mock interviews with you. Or, just apply to every where and anything!
If you feel bad about wasting the interviewer's time, reframe your outlook. I'm a horrible interviewer, so to advance, sometimes I need to take little baby steps to get there. So, I may not be thrilled about the job, but I look at it as an opportunity to possibly gain skills that I wouldn't otherwise have, thus improving my chances at a job I want in the future.
Apply, apply, apply to positions you don't even really want to get practice interviewing. They even say not to have the interview for the job you really want first, because they assume you'll benefit from a "warm up".
This is so true. I found out that one hospital chain used the exact same format for their interviews and questions based on the application personality test that you fill out once and it counts for all applications within their network. The first interview I didn't know what to expect. They also must have all reviewed my app around the same time because I had three different facilities within their organization lined up for interviews all in three consecutive days. Well, I didn't feel the first one went that well, but the next two I got offers for, probably because I checked myself after the first interview and ended up getting the same questions from different people for the other interviews.
Don't put yourself down! We have all been there done that! Interviews are very stressful and nerve racking to say the least, especially if you actually want the job!
As others have said practice, practice, and practice some more. In my experience I have also found that when interviews don't go well it seems to be that I do not click with the team or the nurse mangers, because I have interviewed and had great experiences when the person I click with the person I am interviewing with. There is such a thing, in my opinion as chemistry during an interview.
Annie
Did you actually get turned down for the job yet? I ask, because you can't always tell by how the interview felt. I have had interviews where I had such a rapport with the interviewers I knew I would be working with them soon. And then didn't get the job. I've had interviews that I bombed horribly and then just wanted to crawl into a hole. And then got a job offer.
I'm not saying to go out and blow interviews. Just that you never really know until you get that phone call. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.
But you did get good advice to apply for lots of jobs to practice. I'm not saying to skip that. I'm just hoping you won't have to for a while.
Danygirl
1 Post
Hello All,
I've been a nurse for about 15 years and I recently interviewed for a leadership position. I've been bedside the majority of my career, but I have taken on leadership opportunities such a as charge nurse and education partner. My problem... I recently interviewed and I totally failed. I prepared for weeks and I had real situations to speak of. Well... it's like I couldn't talk, I didn't articulate my thoughts well and I totally froze during the process. I truly love the institution I work at and I still have the desire to step into a leadership role.
is that even possible after making such a bad impression during the interview?? Thanks for your input.
Respectfully,
DanyGirl