I have spent the last two days interviewing candidates for an open RN position on my floor. Last week I went through the 14 resumes HR sent over to pick out the ones I wanted to interview. Eliminated eight of these for various reasons ( poor grammar and spelling, history of job hopping, inappropriate email address), and scheduled six interviews. I did the last interview this afternoon, and still have not found a suitable candidate. I know there are plenty of resources online that give job search tips, so please, put a little effort into writing an appropriate resume, and learning how to interview. I don't care if you are old, young, fat, thin, new GN or crusty old bat, gorgeous or if you wear a paper bag over your head. Please present yourself in a professional manner when interviewing. You don't need to wear a business suit, but don't come in jeans or shorts. Don't come with overdone hair and make up and tons of bling. Learn to communicate in a professional manner as well. You are a college graduate, you should at least have an understanding of basic grammar and know how to express yourself. Express a sincere desire to work on my unit. Don't tell me that you really don't want to work on a telemetry unit, that you just want to get into the hospital so that you can transfer into ICU as soon as there is an opening. Don't be cocky or dismissive of CNAs and other ancillary personnel when I introduce you to the staff for the peer interview.
I have read numerous posts from nurses who cannot find jobs in the present economy, and I feel for them. But it can be just as frustrating for a manager looking for staff who are professional, caring, and committed to their profession. I feel like the last two days have been a complete waste of my time. Please, if you are lucky enough to get an interview, make sure you are presenting yourself as a professional. If you cannot make the effort to do so, don't waste your time or mine by even scheduling the interview.
Less intelligent? LOL, sounds like someone was smarter than you think!
Literally? Ok, so what's the going rate for a position nowadays? Something tells me I've been WAY undercharging....
Yes...Food. And yeah, it's great to get chummy chummy...but when said person has failed two important classes (pharm and advanced med surg) and STILL gets a position because of FOOD...seriously? I get bringing donuts when you are doing a clinical, gotta get the nurses to love you superficially to at least be wiling to teach you. I've worked with this particular person and there is no understanding of boundaries and it's just insane. The going rate? Couple hundred. I'm not exaggerating and I'm not joking. Granted, both positions these people got, they are currently loosing, so it's not too big of a deal, and one of them was in a spot I wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole...but it's scary how some people are getting their positions now a day.
This is so true! How about this one: my sis was told after her interview that she HAD the baylor position for which she was applying. They were supposed to call her and give her an orientation schedule. She waited, followed up, played phone tag and then they told her they gave it to an internal person who apparently decided they wanted it AFTER my sis had been promised the job. To make it worse, she turned down several jobs because she was told she had this one. People around here don't tend to reconsider you when you turn down jobs so it left her in a real spot...
It's never official until you receive a written offer in the mail. I mean be pleasant and courteous when you get that call, but remember, it's not set until you receive the written offer. And even after that, nothing is ever "set"--especially in the early days on a new position. This is why they are wise to send you the written offer letter; b/c without it, a wise applicant will still be interviewing. And this is also why they need to hear back from you after sending it.
And you don't think they have gotten screwed by candidates that have said, "Great. Yes, I accept the offer." only to find they are dumped by the candidates?
But once you get the offer, you need to be respectful of their time table, and give them a solid answer within a reasonable period of time. Leaving them hanging will hurt your reputation. People talk. Plus it is unfair. Acting in good faith should go both ways. If it doesn't from the other end, you are more informed about how things may roll at a particular institution, and you have your integrity. You know the old saying, "Two wrongs don't = a right."
So, unless they gave her an offer-letter, although it is wrong to screw with a candidate that way, it's a lesson learned for your sis. You can't really trust an offer until it is sent in writing. Right or wrong, people don't do business by way of "handshakes" anymore. I wish it weren't so, but it's reality.
Isn't the common convention to provide references under separate cover, if the person doing the interviewing is interested?...
I've read numerous books and resources on interviews, job searching, etc. They make it a point to specify that you should not put references on your resume. Just goes to show that job hunting is kind of a crapshoot.
I also arrive early to interviews as well (up to 30 minutes), especially if I'm not familiar with the area. I certainly don't expect to be seen before my appointment time, but I sure didn't think it would leave me out of the running. Besides, if you aren't 15 minutes early, you are late!
I, too, also just went through the interview process for a position I had open on weekend nights. I was given 9 resumes, all new grads, who had applied for the position on our website. I was able to eliminate 4 immediately, because they continued to use their school email addresses when they had already graduated and had no further access to it. Mistake #1-please update your contact information before you start looking for a job. I then began the process of 1st interviews. This immediately eliminated 2 more: 1 who admitted being nervous and frightened and the other who stated she really wanted to get into maternity nursing but needed a year of experience first (she was applying at a skilled nursing facility!) This told me that, in another 6 months, I'd be looking for another weekend night nurse. Two of the nine made it to 2nd interviews. One admitted that she applied for the position, thinking that there might be a full time day position but didn't really want to work nights. The last of the interviews was eager, willing, and quite happily, accepted the position. She will be oriented for 6 weeks on the day shift and then 2 more weeks on weekend nights before she is allowed to take the reins herself. As for the other 8, I wish you all the best in your search for the right positon. Just make sure that the position exists before applying. My last pet peeve is to those who arrive 1/2 hour early for an interview appointment. I know that you are anxious and nervous but you need to remember that the person who is interviewing you has a very busy day to day job to attend to and is not necessarily waiting around for your arrival. Hence, the making of an appointed time for your arrival.
I dont understand why being early is bad? I am ALWAYS at least 20-30 minutes early for EVERYTHING if I have a scheduled time. I am not demanding to be seen early, I will often just sit and wait quietly, check my phone, read a little, relax. Clinicals? I was always an hour early. This gave me time to read (if I was in ER, I'd make sure I was spot on with BLS/ACLS; if it was L&D I'd read more so I was sure of myself on deliveries; ICU, I read more on vents, etc) and relax. I am one of those that HATES to be late or just slide in on time. I always thought that this showed that if/when I get the job I will be there early and have time to read about the patients I'm getting. Do I demand to be paid for that hour? No. It's my time to ensure I am ready for the day. What if I have a patient with a dx I've never cared for before? I do NOT want a 10 minute report and then have to spend the rest of the day playing catch up because I had to take a second to read what was going on and what was expected with this diagnosis. I'm not expecting anyone to be waiting on me...BUT as an interviewer, I always appreciated if someone was early and I could fit them in---this meant that I could get it over with instead of having to start the next item on my to-do list and stopping half way through to do the interview.
I guess everyone is just different, but please, do consider that those that are early dont always expect you to be waiting on them....they are there early because they are considerate of your time and made sure that they wouldn't be late.
Yes...Food. And yeah, it's great to get chummy chummy...but when said person has failed two important classes (pharm and advanced med surg) and STILL gets a position because of FOOD...seriously? I get bringing donuts when you are doing a clinical, gotta get the nurses to love you superficially to at least be wiling to teach you. I've worked with this particular person and there is no understanding of boundaries and it's just insane. The going rate? Couple hundred. I'm not exaggerating and I'm not joking. Granted, both positions these people got, they are currently loosing, so it's not too big of a deal, and one of them was in a spot I wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole...but it's scary how some people are getting their positions now a day.
Again, people can't get too fixated on such things. It could get in the way of their motivation and success. I don't see "bribery" as generally occurring in regular practice--especilly in nursing. Things are too sticky, legally speaking, so, it would not be worth it. Plus a smart manager truly does want to find what she or he deems as the best candidate for position. Again, they have time demands, budget restraints, schedule juggling, all kinds of processing beyond what HR has to do.
People have been prostituting themselves in various ways for jobs since the beginning of time. The places that have at least some semblance of professional ethics plus accountability for the pragmatics of the job aren't going to waste their time with this kind of thing--in most cases.
Even so, lessons are learned. This kind of thing, as you have shared, usually comes to a head.
I mean I know you are just sharing, but it makes me sad that others could read this and become discouraged and lose motivation. That's not the answer. :)
I've read numerous books and resources on interviews, job searching, etc. They make it a point to specify that you should not put references on your resume. Just goes to show that job hunting is kind of a crapshoot.
I also arrive early to interviews as well (up to 30 minutes), especially if I'm not familiar with the area. I certainly don't expect to be seen before my appointment time, but I sure didn't think it would leave me out of the running. Besides, if you aren't 15 minutes early, you are late!
Ah well. All we can do is our best...
Yes, but you can take that time reviewing things in your car, going to the BR. . . I think sitting in the office 30 minutes early makes people feel like they have to drop what they have scheduled on their docket. I think 10 minutes early is probably OK. I don't know about anyone else, but the first thing I look for after parking is the ladies room. I like to be well-hydrated. :)
It's never official until you receive a written offer in the mail. I mean be pleasant and courteous when you get that call, but remember, it's not set until you receive the written offer. And even after that, nothing is ever "set"--especially in the early days on a new position. This is why they are wise to send you the written offer letter; b/c without it, a wise applicant will still be interviewing. And this is also why they need to hear back from you after sending it.
And you don't think they have gotten screwed by candidates that have said, "Great. Yes, I accept the offer." only to find they are dumped by the candidates?
But once you get the offer, you need to be respectful of their time table, and give them a solid answer within a reasonable period of time. Leaving them hanging will hurt your reputation. People talk. Plus it is unfair. Acting in good faith should go both ways. If it doesn't from the other end, you are more informed about how things may roll at a particular institution, and you have your integrity. You know the old saying, "Two wrongs don't = a right."
So, unless they gave her an offer-letter, although it is wrong to screw with a candidate that way, it's a lesson learned for your sis. You can't really trust an offer until it is sent in writing. Right or wrong, people don't do business by way of "handshakes" anymore. I wish it weren't so, but it's reality.
I don't know of a company where I'm from that does "written offers" in the mail or otherwise. Guess we do things differently. I'd kind of prefer the written offer, but I'm from one of those backwoods "my word is my bond" places. I think I may start asking for a "written offer". I'm already highly amused at the envisioned responses!
I'm sure candidates have said "yes!" and never shown up. The difference is that they have vast numbers of candidates. Where I'm from there are maybe 20 facilities in a 100 mile radius and 5 nursing schools pumping out two classes/year each. They have plenty of candidates. We have few jobs.
Yeah, I was rather surprised at the whole "people actually put references on a different page" complaint. My career dept where I went to school offered a session on resume writing and we were told to put them on a separate sheet. Some places like the whole "references upon request" and others want the references with the resume on a separate sheet. That is the first I have heard of someone being surprised people put it on a different sheet. I was always told to be at an interview 10 minutes early out of respect for the interviewer.
The more managers that chime in on this topic with different suggestions/preferences make me just think there is no method to job hunting. It just happens to be a matter of preference and some degree luck in receiving a call for an interview and whether or not a person is ultimately offered the job. Plus, you have to consider who applies. If you have a bunch of well qualified candidates, competition is stiff but if you have poor competition, then you just happened to be the best out of the bunch but not necessarily the ideal candidate. It truly is just luck.
Yes, but references are usually requested on an application.
I keep a list of references with me, and besides the application, which, nowadays you usually complete ahead of time electronically, I have written on the resume,"references upon request." I also have my certifications and so forth w/ me. They may or may not want copies of them. I mean I even bring my licenses, CPR, PALS, etc. It is in a neat folder. They may or may not want to copy them, but at least I have them to review or to copy with me.
OK, some of you people need to start looking at the interview process as fun--or maybe like shopping. Do you go out shopping without money or your bank card?
But to answer your question, I believe it is standard for resumes, at least, to put "references available upon request."
I would love to look at it as fun. I personally can't look for a health care job right after licensure and will be trying for a cashier job until I can. I plan on keeping the cashier job (if I can find one) as a side job even after finding a position. I think if I can retained a job while looking for a nurse position that will ease the pressure and make the process more fun because even if I am rejected; I would still have my other job.
I think it's just hard for some people who have house payments, car payments, children, loans, etc. and they don't have one job or they are underemployed to look at the process as fun.
Yeah, I have kind of a set up like you do--my licenses will go to together upon receiving them and my certifications and other documents for employment go together. Like a portfolio.
I will also be using any left over money from any potential non health care job I get to be joining health care organizations, taking classes (I really want to take a documentation class), and furthering my education for myself. I will then be applying for positions that I am highly interested in as opposed to just trying anything to find a nurse job and hopefully, an employer will appreciate my intiative.
Can you guys comment about being offered the position and having to refuse it for any of the possible reasons? How does an applicant go about doing that? And what is an appropriate time frame where an applicant has to make his or her decision after getting the job offer?
itsnowornever, BSN, RN
1,029 Posts
Yes...Food. And yeah, it's great to get chummy chummy...but when said person has failed two important classes (pharm and advanced med surg) and STILL gets a position because of FOOD...seriously? I get bringing donuts when you are doing a clinical, gotta get the nurses to love you superficially to at least be wiling to teach you. I've worked with this particular person and there is no understanding of boundaries and it's just insane. The going rate? Couple hundred. I'm not exaggerating and I'm not joking. Granted, both positions these people got, they are currently loosing, so it's not too big of a deal, and one of them was in a spot I wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole...but it's scary how some people are getting their positions now a day.