What am I doing wrong in interviews?

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Dear Don't Know How to Fix It,

Don't give up.

The job search process can be frustrating, especially when facing financial difficulties. While there is no set timeline for how long you should continue applying for nursing positions, it's essential to approach the situation strategically while considering alternative options if necessary.

The good news is your resume is landing interviews.

When you are landing interviews but not jobs, the issue isn't your resume but your ability to interview well. I believe that you can quickly learn to improve your interviewing skills.

Unfortunately, nursing schools often don't provide adequate training in interviewing skills. As a former nurse manager, watching promising nurses lose job opportunities due to poor interview performance was disheartening.

Candidates who know how to interview and are prepared are ahead of the game.

Here are some tips:

Be the solution to a problem. 

During an interview, it's important to remember that it's not really about you but more about how you can contribute to the organization.

Ask yourself what problems the organization may have and how you can help solve them.

• Improve patient satisfaction? Show that you have customer service skills.
• Reduce turnover? Show that you intend to stay in the area. 

 Here are a few more suggestions to help you nail your next interview.

Do your research.

Before an interview, find out everything you can about the organization. What are their service lines? Are they expanding? What is their patient population (for example, Spanish-speaking demographic)? Do you remember keywords from the job posting?

During a FaceTime interview I once had with a traveler in Ireland, he demonstrated knowledge about our campus Starbucks, the parking situation, the nurse-patient ratio in the ED, and more. Evidently, he had prepared for the interview and was not coming in blindly. It was impressive.

Seek feedback. 

If you're consistently rejected after interviews, consider contacting employers or recruiters for feedback. While not all employers may provide detailed feedback, some may offer insights into areas where you can improve. This feedback can be valuable for identifying and working on any potential weaknesses.

Anticipate interview questions. 

To prepare for your upcoming interviews, it's important to anticipate common questions and thoughtfully prepare your answers. Avoid using tired cliches (I call them Google answers), and take the time to answer questions like "What's Your Greatest Weakness" strategically. 

You need to know what not to say as well as what to say.

Here's a tip- employers don't really want to know your greatest weakness, and they especially don't want to hear, "I'm a perfectionist."

Read "How to answer What did you like least about your last job?"

If you read nothing else, read Uncomfortable Answering Interview Questions for how to answer the following:

• What do you believe are your strength and your weaknesses?
• What interests you most in our organization statement?
• What can you tell us about our organization?
• Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
• Tell us when you had a conflict at work
• What aspects of work are difficult?

On second thought, maybe the most important read I have for you is "How to Prepare for Your Interview."

 Tell us about yourself.

Do you have a couple of short stories ready for "Tell us about yourself"? Find out what employers really want to know about you. Read How to Answer "Tell us about Yourself" and the present-past-future answer model.

Be prepared to ask questions at the end of your interview: "What questions do you have for us?" An example is "Are there opportunities for advancement?' and "Can you tell me about educational classes offered ?'

First impressions stick and are made in the first few seconds.

Project openness and interest. Read What to Wear to Your Nursing Interview

Prepare for nerves. 

What if you have a brain freeze and fumble? It's fixable. Here's how to recover.

Network extensively. 

Networking is crucial in any job search. Reach out to friends, family, former colleagues, professors, and classmates who may have connections or job leads. Attend nursing conferences, job fairs, and local events to expand your network and learn about potential opportunities. Online professional networking platforms like LinkedIn can also be valuable for connecting with professionals in the field.

Consider alternative options:

If you're struggling financially, consider exploring temporary or part-time work options to ensure stability while pursuing your nursing career. These roles can provide valuable experience and insights into the healthcare system.

Stay positive and resilient. 

Job searches can be challenging, but it's essential to maintain a positive mindset and persevere through the process. Seek support from friends, family, or support groups to help you stay motivated and focused on your goals.

Remember that everyone's job search journey is different, and it's important to be patient and persistent. Keep refining your application materials, practice interviewing, and expand your network. You increase your chances of finding a nursing position by continuously working on your skills and seeking growth opportunities.

Very best wishes,

Nurse Beth

[SnickRN BSN RN CCRN]

My biggest advice is to follow up on the interview. Thank them for the opportunity to learn more about the group/system,  and ask what you could improve on for future interviews. I did that for my current job and found out that I was actually suppose to be extended an offer. HR screwed up and only sent an offer out to 1 person instead of the 5 of us the manager wanted to hire.  

Maybe they felt it wasn't the right fit or there was an internal candidate they wanted instead. Just keep trying. 

[Peachpit]

Even for seasoned nurses it's tough to interview these days..there are so many factors effecting an employer hiring someone now..its disheartening I know. I am actually in a similar situation as the OP only I interviewed, was offered and accepted a position 6 weeks ago and am STILL waiting for a response from HR. As of today I have decided to move on and just make the most of the PRN position I have until I can secure a FT position.

I have no advice other than to say if you are only applying at hospitals branch out to LTC, home health and hospices. Home Health agencies especially will hire new grads or nurses who haven't been working for a while etc. It may not be what you want long term but its a job and experience.