Rejected from dream job

[yoganurse22]

So I have about a year and a half of med surg nursing under my belt. I made it through two rounds of interviewing and a shadow on my dream unit and got good feedback from everyone until I was told today that I was not chosen. I guess I would just like to hear your similar stories on this topic. I guess I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up too soon? It just seems like they spent a lot of time and energy interviewing me to not end up choosing me. I've been "rejected" from job opportunities before but never after having gone that far into the interviewing process. I'm basically just disappointed and kicking myself for being so upset over it but any kind words/similar stories to share would be appreciated!

Peace and love.

[elkpark]

I took it as the interviewers probably acted excited to have her as a candidate and were making it sound like the job would be hers, when really they may have known they liked another candidate better.

I wish people would be more honest. I think it's perfectly acceptable to say to an applicant that they chose someone else for the position AT THIS TIME, but hey, we do like you and please consider applying again when we have more positions opening. OR, honestly say, gain more experience and at a later opening, apply again.

But no. In the interviews I've had, they made it sound like the job was going to be mine, all smiles and looks of excitement on their faces. Interestingly, I've always gotten the job when I felt sure the interview went poorly.

I think maybe people read too much into people being professionally pleasant in interviews. Part of their job in the interview is to present a positive impression of the organization/facility and part of doing that is by being enthusiastic about their program and about applicants. Professional, competent managers and HR people know better than to burn bridges, and aren't going to behave in a way, or say anything, that indicates that this person should leave and never come back.

As for your recommendation about encouraging people to reapply, every time over my career I've been notified that I didn't get the job, the notification (whether verbal or by letter) has always included something about how my application will remain on file for X amount of time, and they hope I will reapply in the future for any positions that interest me.

[elkpark]

Thank you for all the positive responses! It still stings a little but I actually ended up getting a different job within that hospital that I am really excited for that will actually expose me to almost every specialty! I am excited to get to know the hospital and my new population of patients and who knows maybe I will end up finding something I love that I didn't expect!

Congrats! :balloons: