Weird interviews

I have been a nurse for 18 months, which makes me no longer a new grad in employers' eyes. I have had two interviews recently for other places, and the questions ranged somewhere from "Can you meet all the requirements of this position," to "Do you have any restrictions on your license," to "Do you have a pulse?" Are only new grads asked all the goofy questions about your strengths and weaknesses, long term goals, etc.? I wonder if I should be wary.

I don't think that asking a candidate about their strengths and weaknesses and long term goals is a goofy question. Wouldn't you want to hire a person who has some sense of direction, who wants to aspire to something other than punching the clock and collecting a paycheck? The strength and weakness question reflects the candidates ability to ascertain their own abilities and identify areas for improvement. Not one of us will ever be a perfect nurse- there will always be something that we need to improve upon and something new to learn. The savvy professional recognizes their weaknesses and learns to compensate. I would be wary of an employer who DOES NOT ask about strengths, weaknesses and long and short-term goals.

Do you mind if I ask why you think those questions are goofy? Those are pretty customary questions that I feel are asked in not only most nursing interviews, but any job interview.

I would be wary of an employer who DOES NOT ask about strengths, weaknesses and long and short-term goals.

And that is why I asked my question, thanks for answering it, I guess

Do you mind if I ask why you think those questions are goofy? Those are pretty customary questions that I feel are asked in not only most nursing interviews, but any job interview.

That's why they are goofy. Everyone asks them, everyone expects them and everyone makes up some canned answer for them. The 2nd reason they are goofy is that people rarely tell the whole truth when answering them. They make up something that sounds lofty, or they tell the employer what they think they want to hear. Ask them again after they've worked with you 6 months and their answer may be totally different.

These are the same questions I got during one weird interview at a nursing home, and I'm a new grad. No questions about my long-term goals or anything like that. To top off this weird interview, the DON basically said the morale is low, the facility is in the sights of the State, and there is rapid turnover (she was only DON for 6 weeks when she interviewed me) at all levels. Maybe this is a place that needs people right now.

That's what I figured. Although at least your interviewer let you know what you might be getting into. This lady made it sound like it was just peachy there, lol.

I have been in all these positions.

I have interviewed, and been the one performing interviews.

I do not give "canned" answers to these questions.

EVER. This is a golden opportunity for you to realistically address both your strengths, and areas for improvement.

Address your strengths. For example "I am very good at rhythm interpretation, but feel I need to spend time becoming current on the most recent medication recommendations for different arrhythmias" Followed by "What inservice/continuation educational opportunites do you offer?"

I was able to say, for example, that time management was one of my strengths. Be able to answer the question "how do you deal with stress", as well. And no canned answers! These are serious questions, and your answers demonstrate your degree of thoughtfulness and seriousness, LOL ( and the LOL is sarcastic, here, but no offense intended, just heartfelt advice.)

If you cannot realistically address strengths and weaknesses, it a sign of inexperience OR lack of insight. Give some serious thought to both what you have to offer and what you need.

The RN job market is tight. Good luck, and take it seriously. Your job and future may well depend on it.

I've had weird interviews, but really only one or two. Both were with people unaccustomed to interviewing and who stated that they were just filling in for someone else. Believe me, it showed. They asked me almost nothing about me, so that at the end of the interview I wondered how they would know if I would be a good employee or not! What I learned from that is to take charge in the interview if the interviewer is floundering. Then it becomes my job to tell them why they should hire me. It's up to me to make my case. It's even necessary to interrupt, politely of course, to get the message across.

Has anyone else been in an interview that is drifting off course? How did you handle it?

But, interviews can feel really strained and unnatural if you are not being genuine. It's a fine line, though. I think that's why preparation is so important. I really need to think about typical interview questions to come up with answers which really feel "true" and "real" to me. I have to believe in what I am saying. I find that if I try to "wing it," I get in trouble. I'll say something that gives the wrong impression, or doesn't really address the question.

I am a big fan of those books you can check out by the armload from your local library, like "100 most asked interview questions", and titles of that nature. I sit down and write out my responses and try to make a little script. For ticklish subjects, like why I left my last job, it is helpful to have a pretty well-memorized script, so I don't say something I wish I hadn't!

I have been in all these positions.

I have interviewed, and been the one performing interviews.

I do not give "canned" answers to these questions.

EVER. This is a golden opportunity for you to realistically address both your strengths, and areas for improvement.

Address your strengths. For example "I am very good at rhythm interpretation, but feel I need to spend time becoming current on the most recent medication recommendations for different arrhythmias" Followed by "What inservice/continuation educational opportunites do you offer?"

I was able to say, for example, that time management was one of my strengths. Be able to answer the question "how do you deal with stress", as well. And no canned answers! These are serious questions, and your answers demonstrate your degree of thoughtfulness and seriousness, LOL ( and the LOL is sarcastic, here, but no offense intended, just heartfelt advice.)

If you cannot realistically address strengths and weaknesses, it a sign of inexperience OR lack of insight. Give some serious thought to both what you have to offer and what you need.

The RN job market is tight. Good luck, and take it seriously. Your job and future may well depend on it.

Thanks. I don't really need a job. I am just exploring other opportunities. As far as questions about "what educational opportunities do you offer," I have been taught that asking things along the line of, "What can YOU do for ME?" is not a great idea, and those questions kind of fall into that. I try to stay out of that until I have an offer. Plus I don't trust most of their answers anyway, because I've been burnt before. I get them to send me the handbook on benefits.

I have also interviewed people and currently interview potential nurses and other staff on my floor. I hate the stupid list of questions we are supposed to ask, it tells you very little about the person other than whether they can answer expected questions. Some of them can't even do that either...as an attorney I want to say "Excuse me but that didn't answer the question!" lol

Thanks. I don't really need a job. I am just exploring other opportunities. As far as questions about "what educational opportunities do you offer," I have been taught that asking things along the line of, "What can YOU do for ME?" is not a great idea, and those questions kind of fall into that. I try to stay out of that until I have an offer. Plus I don't trust most of their answers anyway, because I've been burnt before. I get them to send me the handbook on benefits.

I have also interviewed people and currently interview potential nurses and other staff on my floor. I hate the stupid list of questions we are supposed to ask, it tells you very little about the person other than whether they can answer expected questions. Some of them can't even do that either...as an attorney I want to say "Excuse me but that didn't answer the question!" lol[/QUE]

I agree that interviewing can feel very contrived. I don't think anyone enjoys it! But you also have to both sell yourself and also be realistic about your capabilities/expertise. Difficult, esp. for new nurses, or those in my position (returning to practice after yrs. away).

And I also agree that one has to be careful not to appear to be asking "What can you do for me?" , but I am always very interested in the commitment to professional development/education that an institution demonstrates. That is the ONLY such question along those lines I would ask, other than "Please tell me about the orientation process." I simply want to know that a potential employer offers educational opportunities and is going to give me an adequate orientation.

So while I NEVER ask about salary or benefits during interview, I do ask the above.

I have just completed several rounds of interviews, and they had a "list" of prepared interview questions, but I found that most of them just were answered naturally/conversationally in the course of the interview, but I am posting the following for nurses (esp new ones) that I was asked over and over again (and that you also referred to) in order that they may be able to spend some time giving thought as to how to answer them and be better prepared. B/c no one wants to get caught tongue tied or blabbing on and on or with pants down!

1.) What are your strengths and weaknesses?

2.) How do you handle stress?

3.) Is the customer always right?

4.) Tell me about a time you handled a disgruntled pt/family member/physician/co-worker.

5.) Where do you see yourself in 5 yrs?

6.) Why do you want to work here/why should we hire you?

The bad part about these are you cant do the nursing process jedi mind trick;

"Well it seems that this process is quite frustrating for you, what are your specific concerns?"

I guess though if you time it right you could get them. When they ask if you have any questions:)