post-interview concerns/vent.

PediLove2147, BSN, RN · May 10, 2011

I hate interviews for the very reason you stated, "I don't know what to think." Honestly, you never can tell how an interview went. I had an interview the other day and I thought I nailed it, couldn't believe it when I didn't get selected for the position. Now other people will tell you they got a job after a terrible interview. It all depends on your competition: how many other people were interviewed, were any of them internal applicants, did anyone "know someone," so on so on.

I do think in your next interview you should tie your experience at the grocery store. Although it is a totally different environment you are still dealing with people so highlight your customer service skills, how you dealt with a difficult customer or co-worker. Also, I wouldn't worry too much about the job you didn't get. Move on to bigger and better things :) If it is really bugging you though you could always e-mail your interviewer and ask if there was anything you could improve upon. HR is busy though so if you don't get an answer don't take it to heart.

Good luck. You will get another interview. Just look at this interview and what you could have done better and do it in your next.

merlee · May 10, 2011

If there are multiple applicants for a position then there is really no way to know what the rationale is for the choice. Period.

Unless you feel you really didn't answer a particular question very well, then it doesn't pay to gnaw over each aspect of the interview.

I have a friend who is a wonderful nurse, but at 5'9" and 330 lbs, and with audible breathing, she will probably not find a job. Who wants to hire someone with such obvious health issues? But they can't state that, can they?

Mostly, hiring can be a guessing game. Don't fret, something will come your way.

Best wishes!

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · May 10, 2011

Chances are nothing "went wrong" but there was another applicant who better suited the position. Maybe they had more experience, were connected to the facility in some way or had some other skill, certification, qualification they were looking for.

I know it's easy to dwell on the "I wonder's" and "what if's" and rehash every question and answer, but the truth is you are never going to know why you weren't selected (unless you do call and ask) and you'll just be left more discouraged. It's not worth it tobeat yourself up over something that may not even have been in your control.

Instead, learn from the interview and get back on the job-searching horse.

Good luck!

Turd Ferguson · May 10, 2011

I don't know what to think. I really wish I could ask what went wrong....

You can contact them and ask for constructive criticism about the interview, just don't treat it like a you vs. them situation because they didn't select you. Interviewing is like any other skill out there... it takes practice, practice, and more practice.

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · May 10, 2011

OP, what makes you think the interview was "sketchy"?

learning&yearning · May 10, 2011

I do think in your next interview you should tie your experience at the grocery store. Although it is a totally different environment you are still dealing with people so highlight your customer service skills, how you dealt with a difficult customer or co-worker.

I thought it was relevant too. And apparently the interviewed did, being that she began the interview the way she did. And, at my current job, I manage the cashiers and other employees, and many of the managerial skills do overlap.

learning&yearning · May 10, 2011

If there are multiple applicants for a position then there is really no way to know what the rationale is for the choice. Period.
Unless you feel you really didn't answer a particular question very well, then it doesn't pay to gnaw over each aspect of the interview.
I have a friend who is a wonderful nurse, but at 5'9" and 330 lbs, and with audible breathing, she will probably not find a job. Who wants to hire someone with such obvious health issues? But they can't state that, can they?
Mostly, hiring can be a guessing game. Don't fret, something will come your way.
Best wishes!

Thanks :) I'm trying to do no fretting. :lol2:

learning&yearning · May 10, 2011

If there are multiple applicants for a position then there is really no way to know what the rationale is for the choice. Period.
Unless you feel you really didn't answer a particular question very well, then it doesn't pay to gnaw over each aspect of the interview.
I have a friend who is a wonderful nurse, but at 5'9" and 330 lbs, and with audible breathing, she will probably not find a job. Who wants to hire someone with such obvious health issues? But they can't state that, can they?
Mostly, hiring can be a guessing game. Don't fret, something will come your way.
Best wishes!

You can contact them and ask for constructive criticism about the interview, just don't treat it like a you vs. them situation because they didn't select you. Interviewing is like any other skill out there... it takes practice, practice, and more practice.

I realllllllly want to email the interviewed and ask for advice and constructive criticism but she admitted to be new to interviewing. Idk if I should or not.

learning&yearning · May 10, 2011

OP, what makes you think the interview was "sketchy"?

Well, when I got there, the clerk informed me that I would be interviewing with someone other than with whom the interview was scheduled. Then, the interviewer (Person B, as we called her in another post), told me how she was new to interviewing and she was nervous but would explain everything I needed to answer to me. I remember wondering why she thought I would need help with questions but, at the time, was grateful that she was saying this. However, I was able to answer all of the questions -which were mostly behavioral- without hesitation. She went on to ask me what schedule I'd like to work (days vs nights) and what day I could come in to shadow a nurse. Then, after the interview, I sent her a snail mail thank you. I sent Person A (who was originally supposed to interview me and who is also director of the unit) an email. She replied that she and Person B would be in contact early this week and I should call them about a shadow time. So, yesterday morning, I called the number listed in the email. That number turned out to be a cell phone that didn't belong to Person A or Person B. I eventually got through to Person A's voicemail. Later that day, I got the email from HR saying I was not selected.

Is it normal to ask what shift one wants during a first interview? And to mention a future meeting time when that may or may not happen? Despite the fact that I felt that the interview went well, I can't help but wonder how things would have turned out if I had interviewed with Person A.

noahsmama · May 10, 2011

Is it normal to ask what shift one wants during a first interview? And to mention a future meeting time when that may or may not happen?

It makes sense to me that they would ask you this just in case they decided they wanted to pursue hiring you, not because they had decided that they did want to hire you.

And I can definitely second the statement someone else made that how you think you did in an interview can have little or no correlation to whether or not you get the job. When I was interviewing for my first nursing job, I felt like I had totally nailed the interview for a job on the same unit where I had done my preceptorship. I was utterly and completely shocked when I was not offered the job. Then, after my interview for a position at a different hospital, I was equally as convinced that I had blown the interview, and was totally shocked when the nurse manager called me just 2 days later to offer me the job!

So, all you can do is do your best and hope for the best. Best of luck to you, and I hope your next interview is the one that gets you a job!!!

learning&yearning · May 11, 2011

You can contact them and ask for constructive criticism about the interview, just don't treat it like a you vs. them situation because they didn't select you. Interviewing is like any other skill out there... it takes practice, practice, and more practice.

Ok.... SOO, I contacted Person B via email asking for constructive criticism. She replied:

"Hi Lauren! It was a pleasure interviewing you; you did just fine. I haven't received your card as of yet; I'm looking forward to receiving it! You did well during the interview; you presented yourself and spoke professionally through out; your responses were well stated. You can contact ___ by the end of the week as discussed during your interview, if you haven't heard anything by then. Have a great day and Happy Nurses Week!"

Once again: confused. :confused: I'm wondering if Person A and Person B even spoke about it... which brings me back to my question of whether things would have gone differently if Person A would have interviewed me. I'm glad I asked though; I see she got a good impression of me

I think someone on another post said it perfectly: "The only thing predictable is the unpredictability of it all!"