Some thoughts on age, personality, and interviews

gatormac2112 · Mar 13, 2006

I'm not so sure that you have a "confidence" issue...if you did you probably wouldn't have applied. It sounds to me that you are placing too much importance on getting accepted this year (I know that sounds dumb, but hear me out). I was as nervous about the interview process as anybody I would imagine, but I knew that I would get in....eventually. With that in mind I was able to go in there and "wing it"...I basically was shooting the breeze with my interviewers. They asked questions, I asked questions, we talked about school and sometimes about things completely unrelated to school and work. Get the mindset that you aren't interviewing, but that you are just chatting with people. I was turned down at one school, but accepted by the other. Placing too much importance on this year can put alot of pressure on you that isn't helpful or necessary. Know that you have a good job and a good life without being a CRNA, then the fear of rejection isn't half as bad. And you will eventually get in if you keep trying.

My suggestion for your next interview is to forget about demonstrating confidence...that will just lead to failure if you are unsure of yourself in any way. Its hard to fake something like that. Just go in there and be loose, like talking to a new friend. They are just people...no need to elevate them in your mind.

As for your other concerns: age isn't important. Alot of people get a late start for one reason or another. I am 37 and have two kids 5 and 3. The interview board doesn't even consider age into the equation. They don't look at older individuals with higher expectations. As for arrogance vs. confidence? CRNAs are no more arrogant than many nurses I know, and I would guess that there are a fair share of CRNAs with personalities like yours (and mine).

Whatever you do, don't give up. Do your best, but be yourself. Nobody is asking you to be something that you're not. If you have the grades and ICU experience you will eventually get that acceptance letter.

ICUDOUCME? · Mar 13, 2006

Thanks for your reply. I feel like you understood what I was trying to say. I agree with you about the faking it thing. I try to remain genuine and "in the moment" so that I don't second guess myself during these interviews. I look more confident at first than I feel. Then the jitters take over and there's no looking confident after that.

Your comment about already having a good life without being a CRNA really hits home. I do have this feeling that if I don't make a school by this Fall or next at the very latest, my dreams are basically over and I will have to re-define success for myself some other way because I will be "too old". That is a lot of pressure to put on myself.

I can meet new people and talk to them without being nervous so I'll start to work on that approach. Thanks again.

In2B8 · Mar 13, 2006

ICUDOUCME,

Last year I applied to anesthesia school, and I thought I did OK on my interview, too. But I was really disappointed to get a rejection letter. My grades were good, and according to the school's guidelines, I had met the requirements. I think I placed a lot of emphasis on that interview, because I was really surprised and disappointed that I wasn't accepted.

However, I wasn't going to give up that easily. I talked to a friend of mine who sits on another school's committee that accepts anesthesia students. She gave me some pointers. For instance, not all schools require that you have your CCRN, but it definitely helps set you apart. Also, some years, all the applicants are highly qualified, so the decision is really tough. At first, I was just going to throw in the towel and not reapply. HOwever, my friend encouraged me to reapply, because the schools see this as real dedication.

So, I continued to work for the past year. I had already started a Master's degree in nursing education. I did reapply and was re-interviewed. I think this time I was less nervous, because in the back of my mind, I knew I would just finish out my Master's, and I already had teaching job offers for Fall 2006. Well, much to my surprise, I did get accepted to start anesthesia school in Aug!

So, my point is to hang in there!!!! If this is your dream, fight for it! Forget your age, you probably have at least 20 more years in the workforce, so do something that you will love! My ego took a big hit with that rejection letter, but everything works out for a reason. I have a family member who has been sick this year, and actually my not being in anesthesia school has given me a lot more time with this person! Don't give up!

ICUDOUCME? · Mar 13, 2006

In2B8, (by the way...cool sign on name) Thank you for your response. I am happy to learn that a second application is looked at in a favorable light. I would think that it looks good to reapply after having done more to prepare such as the CCRN. I am going to take that test this summer if these two recent applications don't bear fruit.

I just want to make sure that I am learning the lessons from my two interviews thus far. It's true that there were exceptional applicants at both schools. And I am not giving up just yet. I mainly want to be able to relax and talk in the interviews. Thanks again.

In2B8 · Mar 13, 2006

I think also trying not to focus too much on the interview helps. I think the second time around I was a lot more confident, because I knew that I had other options even if I didn't get accepted. I, too, felt nervous during my first interview. I think it was difficult that the school I applied to has group interviews, so even though you have an answer formulated in your head, you don't want to repeat what somewhat else already said. It's almost like you have to trick yourself into thinking the interview doesn't matter, just so that you are not nervous, and you can answer the way you would prefer to.

fungirl · Mar 14, 2006

This post is an attempt to understand myself a little better so please indulge if you can. I applied to three schools for this Fall and went to two interviews. Both interviews went o.k. from my perspective but I was turned down at both schools. On paper, I am a competitive candidate. I am not a "scrub" in appearance. I dressed sharp, met people's eyes, and smiled. I was polite, respectful, and forthcoming with information.
Now for what I was not...I was not as calm as I thought I would be. I feel like I looked calm but I remember messing up a few words and my voice shaking. I remember my hands shaking. I cut off some of my answers earlier than I would normally if I were answering the same questions to a friend.
My questions and bid for comments are;
I'm wondering if being older is a disadvantage. I know we've addressed this question on the board before and I had every confidence that it didn't matter. But now I don't know. I'm wondering if they looked at me and had higher expectations of what a "mature" person would act like. The fact that I was visibly nervous may have tripped a wire in their heads about my confidence level and how I should have been more confident. Am I making sense?
Also, there seems to be a level of energy or something about CRNAs that I know. They are all very sure of themselves. They all, and I know several, seem to have an attitude that they can do anything. I admire this and know that I do not exude this message. I don't have this belief and maybe this is what comes through in these interviews.
I realize the fact that I wrote this betrays a lack of confidence. But where does true confidence leave off and arrogance begin. It's a fine line. I will have an interview or two coming up I think (hope) and I don't want to blow it again.

Hi ICU, just wondering, where are you/have you interviewed?? I know it is so nerveracking, I was the same way on my first interview, but it did get better on the second and third!!! Is the problem the personal or the clinical questions?? There are ways to practice for both..........Let me know.

Nitecap · Mar 14, 2006

I think u need to develope a solid strategy before interviewing. Tons of practice will decrease your anxiety as well. Get a few different people to interview you. Confidence and enthusiasm is the key to a good interview. You really have to get the interviewer to develope faith in you as well as like you in a sense. PM me and I can lead you in a better direction as far as preparation.

Also how many students were they accepting? If ony accepting a few you have to take that into account.

Nitecap · Mar 14, 2006

This post is an attempt to understand myself a little better so please indulge if you can. I applied to three schools for this Fall and went to two interviews. Both interviews went o.k. from my perspective but I was turned down at both schools. On paper, I am a competitive candidate. I am not a "scrub" in appearance. I dressed sharp, met people's eyes, and smiled. I was polite, respectful, and forthcoming with information.
Now for what I was not...I was not as calm as I thought I would be. I feel like I looked calm but I remember messing up a few words and my voice shaking. I remember my hands shaking. I cut off some of my answers earlier than I would normally if I were answering the same questions to a friend.
My questions and bid for comments are;
I'm wondering if being older is a disadvantage. I know we've addressed this question on the board before and I had every confidence that it didn't matter. But now I don't know. I'm wondering if they looked at me and had higher expectations of what a "mature" person would act like. The fact that I was visibly nervous may have tripped a wire in their heads about my confidence level and how I should have been more confident. Am I making sense?
Also, there seems to be a level of energy or something about CRNAs that I know. They are all very sure of themselves. They all, and I know several, seem to have an attitude that they can do anything. I admire this and know that I do not exude this message. I don't have this belief and maybe this is what comes through in these interviews.
I realize the fact that I wrote this betrays a lack of confidence. But where does true confidence leave off and arrogance begin. It's a fine line. I will have an interview or two coming up I think (hope) and I don't want to blow it again.

PM me, for some reason I cant PM u. You may need to change your profile settings so that u accept PM's.

91CRN · Mar 15, 2006

In2B8, (by the way...cool sign on name) Thank you for your response. I am happy to learn that a second application is looked at in a favorable light. I would think that it looks good to reapply after having done more to prepare such as the CCRN. I am going to take that test this summer if these two recent applications don't bear fruit.
I just want to make sure that I am learning the lessons from my two interviews thus far. It's true that there were exceptional applicants at both schools. And I am not giving up just yet. I mainly want to be able to relax and talk in the interviews. Thanks again.

Just curious. What schools are you applying to?

Sheri257 · Mar 16, 2006

Also how many students were they accepting? If only accepting a few you have to take that into account.

That's what I was thinking. When you look at the acceptance rates on a lot of these programs, the odds are really against you going in ... like only 10-15 percent of qualified candidates are accepted as it is, even less at some schools.

They're sifting through hundreds of applications and the process, by neccessity, is probably going to be at least somewhat arbitrary.

So while it's hard not to take it personally ... and that would be my first inclination also ... you really shouldn't with those odds.

:typing

Sheri257 · Mar 16, 2006

So, I continued to work for the past year. I had already started a Master's degree in nursing education. I did reapply and was re-interviewed. I think this time I was less nervous, because in the back of my mind, I knew I would just finish out my Master's, and I already had teaching job offers for Fall 2006. Well, much to my surprise, I did get accepted to start anesthesia school in Aug!

That's a great story. I think it's generally true that when you make other plans ... and don't care quite as much anymore because you've moved on ... people do respond to it. Congratulations.

:typing