if you suck at nursing interviews, clap your hands!

RainMom · May 16, 2015

By far the worst one for me was "what did you do when you had a conflict with a co-worker and how did you resolve it?" HATED that question.

I was actually prepared for that one because I had just had some ongoing issues with another nurse on the floor (& I wasn't the only one). My coworkers & I each spoke with her about it & then followed up with the mgr when nothing changed. She was fired not long after.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 17, 2015

I have always struggled with interviews due to my somewhat dry personality. I have a restricted affect and do not exude as much enthusiasm as other people. I can come across as standoffish, reserved, quiet and boring.

I tend to perform better in unstructured, conversational-style interviews because I develop stage fright when forced to answer traditional interview questions.

The part of the interview process that frustrates me is the hyper-focus on personalities. An applicant with multiple red flags on his resume (job-hopping, five jobs in two years, terminated or forced to resign) continues to be hired because he continually wins the hearts of interviewers with his charismatic personality. However, stable employees like me have not been selected because the cult of personality is absent.

No Stars In My Eyes · May 17, 2015

Reckon that's why I didn't see you in the Miss Whatever contest this year.

I swear, the last one of those Miss America-type contests.that I saw, the contestant was trying to think quickly to answer the question she drew; Then she strung 3 sentences together that were disjointed and made no sense whatsoever. Well, you could see in her face that she realized it and was trying to amend the situation all the while still talking.......epic fail!

I am glad they didn't used to do interviews the way they did now. While I was reading some of the above posts I could just feel myself in an interview, shrugging because I couldn't think of anything....."Well, I dunno; there was this one PIA I worked with sometimes and I pretty much didn't like her, but I just adapted and worked with her anyway."

That would make a huge impression I'd bet! :whistling:

NursesRmofun, ASN, RN · May 17, 2015

*clap* I am not a good interviewee. I tend to talk nervously a little bit. And I hate it all! yuck. I think interviews and applications are getting far worse in this employer's market.

calivianya, BSN, RN · May 17, 2015

The interview is the easy part. It's corralling five people to do your references afterward (two of which have to be supervisors, of course) that's the tough part. Getting five nurses to sit down and fill out a reference form is like herding cats. It sometimes takes weeks.

turtlesRcool · May 17, 2015

I think a big part of how "good" you are at interviewing has to do with how the interviewers come across. Sometimes interviewers see themselves as there to weed out candidates. Others see themselves as there to confirm that the person they liked on paper is the same person in real life.

I just accepted a job offer, after "rocking" my interviews with HR and the nursing director. But I only did well because they didn't come across as trying to trip me up. I mean, I know they were sizing me up, and asking me some of the standard questions like asking me to talk about when something went wrong and what I learned from it. But they worked the questions into a conversation to the point that I left thinking, "well, that was a nice talk we just had about nursing." I got the feeling from both of them that they wanted me to do well. They were hoping I was going to be a good candidate. So I relaxed, and was able to just incorporate examples from clinicals, school, stuff I'd researched about the hospital and why I wanted to work there. They gave me the opportunity to present myself in my best light.

If I'd had a panel of people grilling me, I would have frozen. Or I'd have had verbal diarrhea. Possibly both, depending on the question.

It's just two different ways for employers to assess us, I guess. They can either throw us a challenge to see who sinks and who swims. Or they can put us at ease and allow us to show the best of who we are. Now I'm wondering how these two approaches to interviewing translate to the general tone of orienting and precepting newbies.

WakeYourMindUp · May 17, 2015

It's just two different ways for employers to assess us, I guess. They can either throw us a challenge to see who sinks and who swims. Or they can put us at ease and allow us to show the best of who we are. Now I'm wondering how these two approaches to interviewing translate to the general tone of orienting and precepting newbies.

I've been exposed to both interviewer styles, and although I enjoy the conversational style better, I have gotten more immediate feedback from the interviewers who chose to grill me. Although I do come armed with heavy questions, hoping they have prepared as well as I have.

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · May 17, 2015

I think the application process is a little odd. It seems like they could make it a little shorter and get to the main points so they can weed out people before 100 people spend an hour applying to one job. Or something. I like interviews.

I agree. The large employers in my area, both in nursing and teaching, use an online app only process. You can put in a ton of apps and never be selected for an interview. I've been told by both hiring principals and hiring nurse mgrs that they don't actually look at all the online apps, instead they select from the people they already know or have hand selected or been referred to by current employees. It's like they already know who they'll hire, but just have to post the opening to comply with regs.

That being Said, I found both of my nursing jobs through online applications. They weren't large companies and (I think) my resume and cover letter stood out.

I usually Rock interviews also. The trick is getting the interview in the first place.

MallysMama · May 17, 2015

I had always experienced interviews with 1 or 2 people (manager, HR). Then I moved to a different part of the country and the interview process was SO different!! My current job invites everyone on the unit to participate in the interview!!! Talk about intimidating! Not only do you have to impress the "boss," you also have to "win over" your future coworkers. I found this insanely scary!

esipbisn · May 17, 2015

Could someone enlighten an IEN? what do personality tests and 2/4 hour shadow experiences consist of?

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · May 17, 2015

I am really bad at interviews. The job I have now, I shadowed a nurse on the floor, which totally relaxed me and then I had my interview with the NM. Made a big difference. I got the job LOL.

RN1Each · May 17, 2015

I think the worst part is not hearing anything AFTER you interview. It makes my mind reel: "what did I say to turn them off?" "did I come off as too standoffish?" "did the beard make them second guess me?"

A few months back I interviewed for a per-diem BHU job, and one of my final interviewers during the group portion was a colleague of mine whom I had worked with several years prior. Seemed like a slam dunk, but then...nothing.