"We hire in house first" Is it always the case?

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So, what if the inhouse tech or candidate(s) are not as solid of a candidate, do they really still hire them? How does one get around this policy? (If possible) I just want to get myself an interview. If I could do that, I am confident I could impress the hiring manager...sadly, I've been told by her that they don't open up interviews to outsiders unless they don't have an internal candidate.

Any advice on how to get around this situation from those who've been there? Is it your pexeriance that this policy always stands (sounds like a bad business model to me) or is it 'the rule' but an exceptional candidate will cause them to reconsider?

Thank you!

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I've noticed that for various reasons they do prefer internal candidates...but also that being an internal candidate is no guarantee that they'll get the job. A couple of my classmates were not hired on by the hospital as RNs after graduation even though they had been working in tech/aide roles.

So make the best impression that you can and don't give up!

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Specializes in Urgent Care.

I agree with Meriwhen. After close to 100 applications I finally got an interview a couple of weeks ago and they'd planned to offer me the position, but then they got an internal applicant at the last minute and I got bumped. As frustrating as it was, apparently I'd made a good impression with the recruiter and so when another position on a similar unit opened a couple of weeks later she brought me in to interview for that. I found out yesterday I got the job. Making a good impression on the recruiter was the only reason I eventually landed the job...I'm from out of town and had no network here so the situation was looking pretty bleak too. Keep at it...it will happen!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

This is a very standard procedure with most employers - not just in health care. Usually, they have to post the job internally for a week or so before it can be opened to external applicants. Think about it from an employee's perspective. How would it feel if your employer passed over qualified internal candidates to give the position to an 'outsider'? That would be unfair, and certainly would not engender any company loyalty or job satisfaction, would it?

Hang in there. You obviously have what it takes to land a great job! Best of luck to you.

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Yes, it's true. Being "internal" gets you on the top of the list. Even as a volunteer they eluded to the fact that I got an interview because I was a volunteer.

If all factors are constant and you stand against the internal candidate, they will get the job over you.

They have an edge on you, a reliable history with that employer. That employer could have also paid some of their tuition so they have an interest in getting skills out of that person for what they paid.

But, that doesn't mean they will always get the job. If they have a bad track record with the company, I don't see them getting it over a solid outside candidate.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.
this is a very standard procedure with most employers - not just in health care. usually, they have to post the job internally for a week or so before it can be opened to external applicants. think about it from an employee's perspective. how would it feel if your employer passed over qualified internal candidates to give the position to an 'outsider'? that would be unfair, and certainly would not engender any company loyalty or job satisfaction, would it?

true! this is one of the reasons why i left one of my former employers prior to nursing! my former employer always passed up internal candidates for external ones. the reason i was given was that the department i was in would hurt financially because the department would have to train a new person to do my job. thus, the turn over rate for that organization was high (of course this was when the economy was banging and employers were hiring left and right)!!! however, at this time i think the reason employers are not hiring externally is based upon record rather then fairness.

if i could do that, i am confident i could impress the hiring manager...sadly, i've been told by her that they don't open up interviews to outsiders unless they don't have an internal candidate.

op: many companies are sitting on millions and others are sitting on billions of dollars right now! the ceos do not want to hire or invest at this time. therefore, hr is being picky with the few positions they need to fill. in other words, it is easier for hr to hire an internal candidate because the organization knows their track record better then that of an external potential employee. will companies choose a poor candidate over a good one just because the former is internal? no, not in my experience.

as another poster suggested, maybe you can volunteer in a non-nursing capacity in order to be considered an internal candidate? most hospitals have a hospitality/customer service group of volunteers from the community. gl!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Geriatrics, LTC.

I've been in the job market for 40 years and yes, they always post the jobs in house first. Usually they give people in house about a week to apply and then if no suitable candidate appears they post it outside. I actually applied and for an in house job and did not get it, they wound up hiring an outsider they thought was so awesome and she left in 6 months. Not so awesome anymore haha. So anyway, yes..insiders are offered first and that goes across almost all the jobs I've ever had in many many different areas.

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