What NOT to say during an interview

[Teacher Sue]

I interviewed an RN for a full time position this morning. The interview was going well, and she seemed to be giving me some really good answers. At the end of the interview, I asked if there was anything more she wanted to say. She then proceeded to tell me that I should really pay more attention to my weight, since being overweight puts me at risk for diabetes and cardiac problems, especially at my age. OK, so I am 25 pounds overweight, and around 50, and I know the risks, but do you really tell a potential manager that she is old and fat? Needless to say, I will not be offering her a position.

[Wrench Party]

How did she manage to get through nursing school without getting reprimanded for

her stupid comments? I can't imagine she was able to go 2 years without

saying something dumb, or without at least one of her instructors recognizing

the signs of Asperger's/Tourette's/whatnot and talking to her about it.

Just....wow.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

While it may be true that it's common for people with Asperger's to have "no filter from brain to mouth", such people aren't likely to have successfully completed an RN program lately. How does one get through clinicals without a "filter"? We all have thought some really rude things--well, rude if SPOKEN--but wouldn't have dared to actually voice them.

This young woman, hard to say what her malfunction was. Regardless, she wouldn't be well-suited to a job in which diplomacy was important!

[mazy]

Diarrhea of the mouth, constipation of the brain.

Makes you think about those posts you see from people talking about the great interview they had, how they even bonded on a personal level, but haven't heard anything back, and it's been two whole days. And "do you think I should bombard the NM with emails and phone calls until I get an answer? Because I really need this job."

[SunshineRN79]

I just am Shocked someone would say this on an interview!! Or I guess in general!?? I know that other countries have different ideas about what is appropriate to say. Totally taboo to talk about someone's weight!!! I am shocked!!

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

She may be simply clueless, but this also sounds like "Aspergerish" behavior. They tend to be unwaveringly honest with little social appropriateness. Some of those with Aspergers syndrome are very smart. But they get in a lot of trouble for not responding to proper social cues. Just a thought to consider.

You know, what the candidate said is something that my high-functioning autistic son would say. That's an interesting point.

I still don't think what the candidate said was appropriate for the situation even if the candidate had Asperger/Autism/ASD. But this does provide a different perspective to consider.

[silverbat]

I am very overweight and once I had a patient asked me"Just exactly how much do you weigh?" I laughed and said, whatever would you want to know that, and why would I tell you? He said it was for research. I answered that I only tell things like for reseach that pays me money! We laughed and he quit it.... snoopy old poop.

I had an older lady tell me I had the biggest butt she ever saw, and I said, "REALLY? wow! I have been working on that for years!! Glad to know I succeeded!!! LOL she was flabbergasted!!

[llg, PhD, RN]

I want to give the OP some sort of award for that post. Certainly is must be a "winner" in some contest.

Perhaps we should start an "Allnurses Hall of Fame."

:yeah:

[Teacher Sue]

This is actually not the worst interview I have ever done. We had talked about patient education and advocacy, and I think she was trying to show me how good she was. I'm continuously amazed by the things people say in interviews. I have had a GN tell me that she knows more than the "old nurses" because her education is current and they probably have forgotten everything they learned in school. One of the worst for me is when an RN candidate uses the term "my aides" when referring to the CNAs. I once interviewed an RN for a position that was clearly posted for nights. She let me know halfway through the interview that she could not work nights, but applied for the position anyway since she knew that once I met her, I would be so impressed that I would give her a daylight position. People really do come in with know it all attitudes, or will openly tell me that they don't really want to work on my med surg unit, but it will get them into the hospital so they can transfer to the unit they really want. I have also had candidates call me with angry tirades when they did not get the position and tell me how stupid I am for not hiring them. One even told me that she would probably be my boss someday, and she would not forget that I would not hire her. I frequently read some of the threads making light of the things that people post on here about getting a job or getting into nursing, and many of them are actually very close to reality.

Interviewing and hiring is not easy. As a manager, i am expected to judge a person from a resume and an hour interview. Sometimes it just comes down to a gut feeling about who will do a good job and be a good fit for the unit. People who do and say these kinds of things just make it a little easier for me to turn them down, and also get a good laugh once in a while.

[Epic_RN]

I have to say that this really gave me a good laugh! I cannot imagine saying anything like this to prospective boss. I will admit that when I wasn't hired straight into ICU I was disappointed and not terribly excited about ortho med/surg. However, when I interviewed with my manager, she really impressed me and I knew that working with her would help shape me into the nurse I want to be. Now that I'm on her floor, I love it! She realizes that her floor is a jumping off point for many and that a good year on this particular busy floor will prepare most nurses for any kind of environment and even encouraged me during the interview to apply for an ICU position in a year or two. Honestly, I don't want to be anywhere else now -- my floor has great teamwork and cohesion and a fantastic manager

I am so glad I didn't do something foolish like in the OP (not that I would!) because I would have missed out on an incredible opportunity.

[gryffnsgram]

Good Lord!! I would have looked around for the hidden camera!! What a clod. Maybe she was the designated weight monitor for the day.

[achot chavi]

Well I am glad you did not hire her, not because she insulted you, your skin is thicker than that and your ego more secure. But because if she lacks tact on a job interview can you imagine the crazy stuff that will be coming from her unsupervised mouth during a stressful shift...and you will be stuck dealing with it (as if you dont have enuf).....

I love new nurses who dont know to keep their eyes and ears open and mouths shut until they have some experience under their belts. A new nurse in my family started telling my brother that the medications his cardiologist prescribed were inappropriate for the diagnosis. I shut her up and told her I would email her references to the contrary (which I did). Do you think this taught her? She is still passing judgment on every treatment from other doctors, nurses and health care professionals! Then she complains to me that all her coworkers complain about her.....

[GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

unquestionably, over the years experience has taught me the following and i quote abraham lincoln, "better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt" in addition, just answer the questions you're asked, do not give more information than they ask for.