Portfolio for an Interview?

[Q.]

Hi, I'm looking for some interview advice.

Recently I secured an interview in a large healthcare organization for a Childbirth Education Supervisor. Though the title is "supervisor" the job description reads more like a "director." The position is considered a nursing leadership position and is a newly created position.

My clinical background is Labor and Delivery and I've managed various programs now for at least 2 years.

I'm wondering if it would be appropriate to have a portfolio of my work that I have done: my programs and other accomplishments that aren't necessarily highlighted in my resume.

Any thoughts? I'm really excited about this position.

[nightingale, RN]

Oh Suzy

Sometimes, my only consolation is in knowing that my prayer has been to be given what is in my best interest. I am not sure if these words help but this philiosophy has helped me in the past.

I understand where you are coming from. There really are so few jobs / appointments that I truly want and I have been let down a lot over the years in feeling unchallenged and unacknowledged in my career goals. And then... wham... some other short term "something" comes up and I am renewed. I go along and accumulate such a wealth of knowledge and reinforcement as to why I am who and where I am that somehow, eventually, it (the big picture) all makes sense again.

I am not where I want to be... by any means... but I am on a wonderful path of moving forward. It sounds like you are too. YOU have gained much in the insight of interviewing, learning to make a profile, and reflecting inward where you would like to be headed. I say... you are ahead girl!

Their loss.... tisk... tisk.....

Now onward and forward..... Wish we could have a beer together tonight and reflect further :)

Their loss :)

[Q.]

I understand where you are coming from. There really are so few jobs / appointments that I truly want and I have been let down a lot over the years in feeling unchallenged and unacknowledged in my career goals.

Yes! Exactly. That's exactly how I feel.

I actually found out I didn't get it by accident. I've been corresponding with the Director of Ed over at that organization over a different matter and he told me in passing in email (I had told him 2 weeks ago I had applied for the job) He wrote this back:

Sorry about the position, and I am feel bad that I was the one who informed you about it----that shouldn't have happened.* I know that the position was filled internally with someone with an outstanding reputation.* So, it probably was not as much about you, but more about having a strong internal candidate.* Hang in there though...your formal education will eventually pay off.* It has for me.

Hey, I am glad to have met another educator in our system.* We are restructuring, so perhaps we will see each other again, or better yet, new opportunities could open for you.*

[llg, PhD, RN]

I'm sorry to read that you didn't get the job, Susy. Keep your eyes and ears open. There's bound to be another possibility with your name on it sometime.

Take care,

llg

[humiliated]

Definitely bring your portfolio because that is what is going to make you shine and after all you did accomplish everything so this is the appropriate time to brag. I just graduated from a BSN program in May and have been keeping a portfolio at the request of my school for two years now and appreciate the opportunity to show it because it lets them know more about where my passion lies. Also I know that the nurses at the hospital my school is located at is now requiring their nurses to keep a portfolio of accomplishments. If you need ideas on how to organize one, let me know I can help.

[hoolahan, ASN, RN]

Didn't get the job.

This one has me really upset. I'm really disappointed. I feel like I have two major skills: education and OB, yet one of them (OB) is being allowed to sit on a shelf and atrophy no matter how hard I try.

I know it sucks now, but I firmly believe these things happen as they are meant to happen.

I had interviewed for a hospital CM job, at a hospital 7min from home. I really wanted it, and I had been called back after 4 months, apparently the boss did like me, she held my resume. BUT, after making myself available for another interview, at the last minute for her convenience, again, I didn't get it.

About 8 interviews at other places later, I got a GREAT job as a quality consultant for a managed care company. Great money, great hours, etc... So, who do I run into on my way home from work one night while picking up Chinese food? The beyotch that didn't hire me for that job. Oh yes, I made sure to be very friendly, and chatted her up, of course managing to tell her about my new job and how GREAT it is. I stopped just short of thanking her for leaving me open for this opportunity, lol. Her title is Director of Quality, so I wanted to be sure that while she didn't think I could do a good job because I didn't have "quality experience," I got one even better, and I will never be on-call or work a holiday!

You have an "in" so that is good. Another spot may open up.

The job I have now? Well, I worked there 4 years ago, and left after 6 months, so I had to struggle to get back into the fold. Five interviews over a years time for various positions. My current boss, I respect her so much, looked at my resume and said, look, I know nurses are Gypsy's, it doesn't bother me in the least that you have only stayed for short times at several places. Of course, I had no way of knowing that they had hired 4 people who quit after their first audit before me, they are still surprised I haven't run for the hills yet. Today she told me I rocked b/c i got a project done way sooner than she expected, and I said, "I know I do!" Ha!!

And about finding out in a bad way. While I was in California finishing my BSN clinical for Regent's/Excelsior, totally stressed out beyond belief, they hired a different nurse for the weekend supervisor spot I really really wanted. When I got back, instead of them, the VNA, having the decency to leave me a message to call before I went back in to work, the other person was already announced, and the way I found out was a co-worker coming up to me and announcing the news, and that she knew I applied, when I didn't tell a soul. I was so humiliated, I got my charts together as fast as I could and went out to my car and cried my eyes out. I was a faithful employee, and they treated me like that! And it wasn't bad enough I had to be dissappointed, but they apparently discussed it in a staff meeting, how I had applied, etc... according to the co-worker. She felt so bad later when I told her, she had no idea they hadn't told me. They also turned me down for the quality nurse position a few years later when I applied for that!

So, keep the faith, when it's right, it will happen. Maybe it is a blessing in disguise. I know mine have turned out that way.

[Q.]

Wow, Hool. Thanks for sharing. I always enjoy reading about other people's experiences with jobs, interviewing, etc. That job where they called you back and then didn't hire you...amazing! I mean, like what was the point?

I worry about how I look "job-hopping" as well. Though I don't think I have; I've had various positions in various settings but alot of them were concurrent. When interviewers have brought this up I point out that they were concurrent and as such I have a wealth of experience and alot of networking connections at various levels. So far that approach hasn't really panned out though, it seems.

I've gotten over the disappointment of the Childbirth Ed job and have fully dove into my work here; I've determined that before I leave here, I am going to make myself known and appreciated (long story - basically my "clients" think negatively of the Education Department and typically rip on us every chance they get). I've got a brand new program launching on Monday and am in the middle of preparing for an even bigger one to launch in October (bringing in content expert nurses from local Speaker's Bureau's to present their research). So, I'll be busy and focused for at least 6 months. And that guy is right; we are undergoing alot of corporate changes so hopefully some other opportunity will come along (though I can't see any other opportunity that I'd want more than that childbirth one - )

I tell ya, managing one's career is alot of work! :chuckle

[llg, PhD, RN]

I worry about how I look "job-hopping" as well. Though I don't think I have; I've had various positions in various settings but alot of them were concurrent. When interviewers have brought this up I point out that they were concurrent and as such I have a wealth of experience and alot of networking connections at various levels. So far that approach hasn't really panned out though, it seems.

I'm happy to read that you are emotionally moving on and starting to re-focus on making the most of your current situation.

One thought about the numerous concurrent jobs: When I read a resume with a lot of concurrent jobs and consider them for a position in my hospital, it raises red flags. I usually view it as more of a negative thing than a positive one. The kinds of questions all those jobs raise in my mind include:

1. Is this person so scattered in so many directions that they don't give 100% to their primary job?

2 Will they be giving 100% to the job I have to offer them? ... or will the job I have available have to compete with their other jobs for their attention and energy?

3. Has this person not yet figured out what they really want to do? Are they just shopping around to get a variety of experiences? Is that all my job will mean to them?

4. Do they really want to be doing the job I have to offer? ... or do they really want to be doing the type of work they do in those other jobs?

When I hire someone for a job (particularly a full time job like the one you are seeking), I want someone who will be focused on the job I have hired them to do -- not on too many outside committments. I don't want to have to "wait in line" until those other bosses have been served before it is my turn to get my employee's attention. I want someone fully committed to the job I have to offer them. The higher you move up the ladder, the more your employer will expect you to committ to them and only them (with a few, pre-negotiated exceptions.)

Your history of concurrent jobs may be giving the impression that you are not fully committed to any one job. That may be part of the reason you are not getting selected for some of the jobs you seek. You could counter that by saying that the concurrent jobs were a thing of the past and that you are now ready to devote yourself to the right job, should it become available.

Just a thought,

llg

[Q.]

Your history of concurrent jobs may be giving the impression that you are not fully committed to any one job.

I never thought of that perspective. Interesting.

I haven't had two jobs concurrently for at least 3-4 years. When I did have concurrent jobs, it was when I was still a L&D nurse, working at two different hospitals with two very different populations or working inpatient care (L&D) and ambulatory care. So I would hope that that would give the impression that I was seeking to broaden my experience with different populations and/or keep my OB skills current. These were actually the reasons I did that. Usually when people have asked, this is what I tell them.

It's always nice to hear your perspective, llg. For never meeting you in person, you are a great mentor!

[llg, PhD, RN]

Thanks, Susy. To me, you seem to be the type of nurse I would want to work with. I respect your opinion and usually check out a thread if I see you have posted in it. Plus, we run into each other a lot because we seem to have a lot of the same interests.

Keep up the good work. I'm sure the right "fit" will come along eventually. Your experience in multiple settings makes sense to me and I am sure it will make sense to some future employer.

Have a good weekend,

llg

[hoolahan, ASN, RN]

One thought about the numerous concurrent jobs: When I read a resume with a lot of concurrent jobs and consider them for a position in my hospital, it raises red flags. I usually view it as more of a negative thing than a positive one. The kinds of questions all those jobs raise in my mind include:

1. Is this person so scattered in so many directions that they don't give 100% to their primary job?

2 Will they be giving 100% to the job I have to offer them? ... or will the job I have available have to compete with their other jobs for their attention and energy?

3. Has this person not yet figured out what they really want to do? Are they just shopping around to get a variety of experiences? Is that all my job will mean to them?

4. Do they really want to be doing the job I have to offer? ... or do they really want to be doing the type of work they do in those other jobs?

When I hire someone for a job (particularly a full time job like the one you are seeking), I want someone who will be focused on the job I have hired them to do -- not on too many outside committments. I don't want to have to "wait in line" until those other bosses have been served before it is my turn to get my employee's attention. I want someone fully committed to the job I have to offer them. The higher you move up the ladder, the more your employer will expect you to committ to them and only them (with a few, pre-negotiated exceptions.)

Your history of concurrent jobs may be giving the impression that you are not fully committed to any one job. That may be part of the reason you are not getting selected for some of the jobs you seek. You could counter that by saying that the concurrent jobs were a thing of the past and that you are now ready to devote yourself to the right job, should it become available.

Just a thought,

llg

Wow. Interesting to see this perspective. I would encourage you to be more open-minded in that respect. I may only be per diem at one place so I can keep my hand in the clinical work, but no matter where I am, I am very intense and focused. Isn't it better for a manager or chart reviewer to have some personal current bedside experience? That isn't valuable? You may be missing some good people that way.

I know I have used jobs as a stepping stone, and I would continue to do that and encourage others to do that. I don't sign any contract, and employers make sure you know they are "at-will" employers and can terminate your position for no reason at all. How does that lend itself to longevity? People stay in a place when 1. They feel rewarded, and not just in cash, 2. It is a good match with their personal life, and 3. They are decently compensated and have a hope of a raise in the future. I stayed at one of my jobs, commuting 45 min one-way for 13 years. Why? They treated me like gold. Why did I leave? Because after 13 years on nights, I was starting to have to oull over and sleep on the side of the road after I had kids. And Days didn't work with the kids, so I followed a surgeon to start a program 7 min from home. Only, despite the huge cash incentives, raise and bonuses, it wasn't worth it to tolerate the abuse of the other surgeon. I often wish I had never left that place, but a person, esp a mother, has to do what a person has to do.

I place all my eggs in the basket of my integrity. If someone opts not to have me for their job because I may have job-hopped in the hopes of bettering myself, and sometimes in order to have a better work schedule, then I can only look at it as their loss. I may have been a t a few places for only 6 months, but I always took my high standards with me. If they don't want to give me a chance, I probably really don't want to work for someone like that anyway.

[Q.]

So to punish myself, again I went browsing around at jobs for an OB/education position. And I came upon THIS from the exact same organization that I just interviewed with:

Clinical Educator-Perinatal

Job Category : Nursing

Hours per Shift : 8

Shift Start Time : 8 am

Shift End Time : 4:30 pm

FTE : .9

Shift : 1st

Company : St. Joseph Regional Medical Center

Department : Education & Development Services

Requirements : Bachelors Degree in nursing or related field

Master's degree preferred, 3-4 years acute care experience in perinatal departments.

In-depth knowledge of nursing process and

clinical expertise.

Advanced interpersonal skills, ability to effectively communicate with peers, patients, and physicans.

In-depth knowledge of adult learning principles.

Ability to develop and facilitate educational offerings. Must have exceptioal organizational skills. Ability to multi task in a fast paced environment.

Description : Plans, organizes, implements and evaluates staff development and multimple educational needs for hospital staff. Collaborates with the department leader and educators to plan and implement educational offerings/programs/activities as necessary to meet the needs of the staff.

Now this reads very similar to the job I just interviewed for, but its not a supervisor/leadership role and is more limited in scope. My guess is, this is a vacancy left from the internal candidate who got the supervisor position. So I applied. :stone

[Q.]

And....got called for an interview.