Tell interviewer you worked in club

[Open mind]

I was wondering as a new graduate, my prior work experience is all in night clubs… How can I use that to my benefit in an interview any suggestions

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

You can definitely use it to your advantage.

Healthcare is all about customer satisfaction right now, play up anytime you had unhappy customers due to wrong drink orders, long wait, etc and what you did to turn their experience from bad to good. Also, they will likely ask about any conflicts you had w/ co-workers and how those conflicts were resolved and what you will bring to the table.

Great advice! and give examples "consistently received highest tips" "chosen to train new hires"....

[caliotter3]

System duplicate

[caliotter3]

Worked with a CNA who also worked as a cocktail server in a high end club while attending nursing school. She was sad that instructors as well as other CNAs criticized her. Two jobs, both customer service, and school at the same time? Not to mention taking care of an elderly family member. I thought she had plenty to be proud of. Certainly you are doing better than those who don't work at all.

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Honestly I dont give a damn what you did to get through school as long as you aren't selling drugs, it really isn't any of my business. You do what you have to do to make it through life.

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

The only way working at a nightclub could be seen as a negative rather that a positive is if that work was as a nude server or dancer. I am just trying to picture the awkwardness of interviewing for a job with a person you may have given a lap dance to in the past. So if that is your nightclub job maybe it'd be best not to mention exactly what you do there. On the positive side, nightclub work can definitely be spun to emphasise your excellent customer service skills no matter what your job is there.

[C0SM0]

You can use ANY job you've had in the past to your advantage when applying for nursing jobs. I was a doorman at a nightclub so that's always my go to when asked about strengths. I get to talk about handling situations of crisis on a nightly basis and how I managed to de-escalate those situations. People aren't born RN's, and any halfway decent interviewer will know that.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Moved to Job Interview forum

[lindseylpn]

I went to nursing school with a lady that had always worked in bars/clubs as a cocktail waitress and bartender, and she was the first one in our class to land a job after school. Last I heard she still occasionally bartends on the side too because, she enjoys it. I really don't think it'll hinder your job search at all. Good luck.

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

Emphasize what you did to handle difficult situations and people. Interviews frequently contain questions of this nature.

[Insperation]

There are basic tenets and principles of being a good employee that could carry over from any job. Works well in a team, always on time, got along with customers, problem solving, training, putting out fires. I could think at least like 10 more.

You're a NEW grad. That means you're new to the field.