Very Strange Interview Experience

Published

A few weeks ago, I sent out my resume and very personalized cover letters to numerous institutions in my area. I. Received one call back from an institution I was highly interested in asking me to come in for an interview. She called me on a Friday, and the interview was scheduled for the following Friday at 1PM. So I took the day off from my current position to go to this interview, made sure to bring copies of all essential documents, and practiced interview questions the night before. I was not told on the phone who my interview was going to be with, as they said they were "in between staff right now". So I arrived at 12:45, am told to take a seat, and then a woman comes up to me and tells me that they did not have me scheduled for an interview, and that no one was there to conduct an interview. I am positive I had the date and time correct for the interview, and I was upset that they were blaming me for making the error and that I put so much effort into this interview. We rescheduled for the following Friday at 3PM, as I could not take another full day off of work. So the next Friday rolls around, I arrive at 2:45PM for my interview, and the woman who is to interview me comes up and says "You were scheduled to be here at 1PM. Why are you two hours late?" I really cannot believe the scheduling incompetency of this institution. I pride myself on always being punctual, and I explained the situation to her. The interview, even with this very rough start, went well and I felt like we had made a good connection. During the entire interview, she never did tell me her name or title, however, and I had not thought to ask at the beginning because of the stress of the miscommunication. At the end of the interview, I asked how I could contact her, and she wrote her name on a card and walked me out.

I looked at the card, and the name is completely unintelligible. I'm really wanted to write a thank you cars, but I have no idea her title or name, and the whole experience was just unprofessional, although I did like who I interviewed with. should I call and somehow find out her name to write a thank you card, or should I just blow off the whole experience? I would like this job even though I can already tell it will not be the best work environment.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

Every interview I had, the nurse recruiter would send an email to confirm date, time, location, and who the interview was with, along with her (nurse recruiter) phone number if I needed to reschedule. Tht way I had written documentation on the interview. After the interview, they always gave me their card.

I am not sure I would want to work there if they are that disorganized, I can imagine working there would be the same issue, your work schedule would be all screwed up.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

If the interview was that disorganized I could not imagine what it would be like to work there. You should just move on & keep applying.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Run!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in retired LTC.

Want to bet that the first interview was scribbled in on the calendar for the interviewer TWO weeks later (hence the 1 pm time)? Not entered for the next 1 week Friday, but the second.

And then someone wasn't paying attn to the time on the book for the next interview (hence the old 1 pm time 2 weeks later).

Dumb mistakes?

Sometimes one mistake can snowball into one big 'comedy of errors'. And all you can do is just grit your teeth. Sounds like multiple people got involved in the snafu, which increases the possibility of errors. In today's environment, sometimes you have to give them the benefit of the doubt. If you feel so inconvenienced (and upset), you may just be ruling yourself out of a possible employment opportunity.

Can you afford to be so selective?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have worked for facilities after dismissing my misgivings from the interview process. It has never worked out well. In your particular case, I would be more afraid that what you are seeing is the tip of the iceberg.

My advice would be to shadow on the unit and see if this disorganization is endemic to the entire facility.

If it is, run. It's not worth it to try to stick around. You will be fighting over payroll, scheduling, education requirements, correct policies and procedures, ad nauseam. Trust me on this one.

I had a job where the unit was so poorly organized, they couldn't even get my termination right. I had to fight with them to get my benefits cancelled, to get the correct termination date, yadda-yadda-yadda. They messed up my benefits so bad that I missed my qualifying event date and couldn't get new insurance until open enrollment at my husband's company. I should have known from the beginning when HR sent me a candidate package the day after it was due, then had no idea I had been hired until I asked them when my orientation started.

It pays to investigate further and make sure you're not getting drawn into a mess.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.
If the interview was that disorganized I could not imagine what it would be like to work there.

Made even better by the user name of the person who posted this! :up:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Made even better by the user name of the person who posted this! :up:

Hahaha! Thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

Run far and fast. If a manager can't take ANY accountability for what was possible (actually) HER mistake, you don't want to work for someone like that. Someone who always blames those around her for her mistakes. Just imagine if it was a BIG mistake. Nope.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion