Team Interview

zenman · Jan 9, 2005

I set up team interviewing at a home health agency one time. 4-5 of us would interview the person and they knew beforehand that it would be a team. At least one member of the team had to be in the same position that the person was applying for. We had a set of questions based on whether the position was management, clerical, clinical, etc. and the questions were designed to elicit information critical to that particular job, ie, decision making, team player, etc.. We would go around the table with each of us asking the next question...paraphrasing was ok. Each question had a number score and the most amazing thing was that no ones total score ever deviated by more than one from all the other members. And if any one member of the interview team had a gut feeling that the person was just not right, even if everyone else liked the person, it was a no hire. I think staff that has more involvement in hiring decisions has a greater interest in seeing the person they hired succeed...versus just having a new employee "dropped" in on them.

Town & Country · Jan 10, 2005

I would never do a "team" interview.

This has only been suggested to me once - only heard of it in one place, and before they told me about it I'd already decided I wouldn't take the job. A very chaotic floor with people running around, stressed, and no one smiling.

JMO but a "team interview" makes me wonder if they have had alot of personnel problems and turnover in the past; and also, if they have very POOR management. I'm sorry but other nurses are not supposed to decide whether I get hired or not - that's what Unit Managers are for.

The whole concept rubs me the wrong way....(makes me wonder if they have that much say about whether you are hired, will they have as much say if they want you fired?) Nope.

Mommy/Grandma · Jan 10, 2005

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11:11 · Jan 10, 2005

I dont like team interviews either not because they are stressfull or hard because they arent. But it make me wonder like the poster above how strong a leader the manager is. I know of one unit that hires this way exclusively and they havent been able to keep a manager as long as Ive been in the area (years).

As far as preparing for a team interview just be yourself. Get a good nites sleep and eat a light breakfast. Be early. Then be yourself. Remember you are interviewing them as well as they are interviewing you-

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peaceful · Jan 10, 2005

My one team interview was similar to a 1:1 job interview. The same questions, just more people in the room. I made sure i looked everyone in the eye, somewhat mirrored their bodylanguage and of course thanked each one of them at the end. don't forget to bring enough resumes to hand out to everyone. Good luck, keep us posted on how all goes. What kinda of job?

eltrip · Jan 10, 2005

I've been a participant in team interviews as both part of the "team" & as the interviewee. I find it useful. Why? As part of the team, you get to hear your colleagues/coworkers asking questions from a different point of view. As the interviewee, it is an opportunity to ask the group questions about worklife that are receive more realistic answers than the answers provided by a manager. Not that the manager wouldn't tell the truth, just that the perspective is different. That is, managers tell you the way it's supposed to be; those who are actually doing the work tell you how it's being done. This is also used in facilities with shared governance; which was the case when I was part of the "team" interviewing candidates some time back.

My current position was the one in which I was the interviewee. It was important to the manager that the person chosen to fill the position be one who would "get on" fairly well with the rest of the staff. Of course, after 4 1/2 years, we have had our issues...when 4 nurses work together over a period of time, conflicts can arise from time to time. Overall, though, it's been a good fit for all of us.

TennNurse · Jan 10, 2005

The Floor From Hell that I just left did team interviews, and in my case the above concerns about management definitely applied.

Having said that, however, I think I've come to like the concept of team interviews, mainly because they give the interviewee a chance to see how the staff interact with each other. If, like me, one is nervous talking to a group of strangers who know and are at ease with each other, having the presence of mind to observe them for teamwork, respect for each other, and professionalism can be challenging. But if you can allay your own nervousness enough to make those observations, I think team interviews can be very useful. If a floor staff is characterized by pettiness and backstabbing, concealing that and putting on an inviting front would be much more difficult than just presenting yourself well. (Incidentally, the staff I worked with were great- it was the management that made life there so miserable.)

So be glad for the opportunity to observe your future co-workers pulling together on one project- I think it can tell you a lot, and possibly save you a world of misery if you're perceptive.

Good luck!

ragingmomster, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 10, 2005

I walked into a team interview in November. I faced 6 employees around a conference table and just made sure I had my list of questions ready to ask them!

Most of the time the team members are not really experienced at interviewing and the meeting is more to feel you out as to your personality to see if you will fit in the setting. The more questions you ask the better off you are. Try to stick to things that are specific to the unit you want to work on.

Magnet hospitals must have team interviews. Mine included a new grad who had been working for 6 months, two seasoned RN's with more than 15 years experience each, two surgical techs and the unit secretary.

I had previously met and interviewed with the unit manager and that went well enough to warrant a team meeting.

Got the job, the question that I asked, that they liked the most was my opening question, "What was the worst thing an interviewee ever did in an interview like this?" They knew I had a sense of humor when I told them I would be sure not to do whatever it was.

Good Luck!

JNT'smom · Jan 10, 2005

I guess I should have been a little clearer when I said team interview. This is at a hospital for a program that takes nurses that have been out of work for a while and retrains them to work in the hospital. It's the only thing I've found around here like this so I don't want to mess it up. I guess a bunch of different departments interview you and then hopefully someone offers you a job.

heart queen · Jan 10, 2005

OH! What you just described is even better. With several managers present, you'll be able to describe a bit about yourself and what your looking for... then each manager will describe a bit about their unit. The purpose of this is to find a good "fit" for all involved.

We used this style in interviewing for ICU internships (new grads into the ICU's, there were 4). This style enabled a less experienced person in ONE meeting to have an introduction to the jobs available... a beginning attempt to find the right person for the job to improve retention.

Speak to HR ahead of time and find out what units will be represented, do some soul searching as to what you might like to do... narrow it down to two or three. Don't hesitate to ask if you can follow a nurse for 4 hours on several floors, not more than three... to help determine if the fit is good. Any good manager will not only respect this request, but find it to be a wise use of your unpaid time.

Plus you can learn ALOT about a manager and their style as compared to others in an interview process. Watch thier body language as they are watching yours.