peer interviews

[serein]

I'm a new RN and I already had one interview with the manager of the floor i want to work on. She wants to set me up for a peer interview which I've never heard of. What can you guys tell me about them? What kind of questions do they ask and what can i expect? Thanks in advance!!

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

I have had only one peer interview and it was the strangest interview ever. There were 13 candidates for 1 position and we were all interviewed at the same time by a panel of 9. It was exactly like speed dating...they sat us in chairs with a chair facing us and the panel of 9 went clockwise around the room and were given about 10 mins with each candidate. To make it even worse there were more of us than there were of them so some of us had to be doubled up....yes, that's right. I interviewed with the competition sitting right next to me listening to me answer my questions while I listened to her answer hers. For the record...I hated it. I feel like you have to make some what of a connection in an interview to stand out about the rest and this type of environment didn't really give you the chance for that...especially those of us that didn't get any "alone" time with the interviewers.

Yeah- I thought that 20-30 minutes with the "cool girls" was a pathetic way to see if someone fit in (like I said earlier, I got the job, but ended up really not liking the clique attitude promoted by the "cool girls"..... oy vey.... :bdyhdclp:*wine

[nola1202]

I totally scrwed up a perfectly good interview. I had to follow with the peer interview. I was tired and nervous. I struggle with shyness and was not the most popular kid in highschool. I think if I had been interviewed by one or two, not 3 or 4 in a cramped office surrounded by the interviewers, I would have done better. I suspect I would have gotten the job if it hadn't been for the "peer interview" I found it frustrating because I had the experience and knew my limits. I'd have been a good fit, but....welcome to politics...I didn't get voted onto the island. I look at it this way, I found the job that was waiting for me, and they missed out on a really great person and nurse.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

It's sad that it's become such a process that relieves any one person of any personal responsibility of hiring someone. And the whole "who will fit" bs- it's a job. It's not a country club. It's always nice to have friendly co-workers, but as long as nobody goes out of their way to make my life h*ll, I really don't care.

[serein]

I had my peer interview but because it was so busy I only ended up talking to the charge nurse. It was extremely laid back and she only asked me a few questions such as what are my strengths and weaknesses. It was mostly talking about the job. Although I was offered the job and the staff was wonderful, I took another job offer that was offered to me from a magnet hospital! My job hunting days are now officially over! :)