Wondering why I didn't get hired...

Nurses General Nursing

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I have a problem...I am sorry this is so long!!

I am graduating in a few weeks and have not gotten a job. I had an interview a few weeks ago and found out they will not be hiring me. The problem is, I don't know why they wouldn't hire me. I know a lot of people don't get hired for different jobs, so I might sound stupid for even asking - but I know several of my classmates that have interviewed at this particular place. All of them got job offers (even the ones that are barely passing school!), some before I interviewed, and some after. I know they are still interviewing, too because I had clinical there. I have another interview at another hospital coming up soon and I have so much anxiety because I think I might have made a serious mistake in the interview that caused the other place not to hire me. I dressed up and I think I presented myself well. I answered all their questions appropriately (I think!), I let them know I am flexible about scheduling and that I am dependable...They even asked for my GPA (which is 3.7!) I really don't know what happened. I haven't been on an interview in 2 years, but the last one I had the interviewer hired me right away - and there were a lot of other people (including people that already worked at the facility) that were trying to get the job!! Plus, I have excellent references, I have been at one place of employment for over 7 years! I have been a CNA for years and in the nursing "field" about 8 years. All my clinical instructors have had nothing but good things to say about me, and most of them teach at the hospital where I interviewed! This leads me to believe I did something seriuosly wrong in my interview! I am so scared I might screw up again! I know there are a lot of posts about what to do in an interview, but is there anything that absolutely shouldn't be done/said??? I just feel like such an idiot now - and I am seriously questioning myself and wondering what is wrong with me - and I really need a job!! Thanks to anyone that has taken the time to read all this, and I appreciate ANY advice!!

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Is that the only one you interviewed at and didn't get? Don't freak out about one place. If it happens again, call the second place and ask the interviewer how you can improve your chances for the next one.

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Specializes in ICU, ER.

It might be nothing more than a personality conflict bewtween the interviewer and you. Forget about it and move on.

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Wow..I am so sorry. Usually when folks have a post such as yours you can pick up 'something' in the post that might give a clue...but with yours? You sound intelligent, articulate, etc.

I would be as disturbed as you are. The only suggestion that I have is go to the Director of your Nursing school (set up an appointment with her), and ask her to be brutally honest...and tell her what happened. She probably knows you the best. Tell her everything and see if she has any suggestions.

If that doesn't work, contact your career counselor at your school and set up a "mock" interview. See if there is anything in your body language, something you might not be totally unaware of, take a copy of your resume, etc.

Grads that work as hard as you, should at least be given a chance.

Again, I am so sorry.

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Specializes in PICU.

Call the person you interviewed with at the hospital and tell them that you would like to get some feedback on your interview. Let them know that you were disappointed that you didn't get the job and that you'd like to know if there is anything you can work on to be a more attractive candidate in the future. If you think it will help get them to talk more to you, you could lay of the flattery more and say you really like their hospital/unit and you would like to apply again sometime in the future, blah, blah, blah. They still may not tell you anything, but you might get lucky and have them say exactly why you didn't get the job. Freaking yourself out worrying about it isn't going to help. From your post it doesn't sound like you did anything terrible in the interview, so I'm guessing the decision was based on something else entirely.

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Since you know that others have been hired and you were not, given that it sounds like a good background, and assuming you didn't curse the interviewer out or the like, I don't think it's out of line to ask the person who interviewed what might have contributed to your not being hired. Not in a "why the heck didn't you give me a job when I clearly deserve it" attitude but with a truly curious attitude because you want to learn from the experience. It could just be that the person thinks the people hired would "fit" better in the individual positions and it's nothing against you as a person or potential employee. Who knows?! Getting a job is nothing like a getting a good grade. It's more like dating in that you may like someone but they may not want to date you, even though you'd make someone a great partner. That's my spin on it, anyway. Good luck with the job hunt!

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Specializes in OB.
Call the person you interviewed with at the hospital and tell them that you would like to get some feedback on your interview. Let them know that you were disappointed that you didn't get the job and that you'd like to know if there is anything you can work on to be a more attractive candidate in the future. If you think it will help get them to talk more to you, you could lay of the flattery more and say you really like their hospital/unit and you would like to apply again sometime in the future, blah, blah, blah. They still may not tell you anything, but you might get lucky and have them say exactly why you didn't get the job. Freaking yourself out worrying about it isn't going to help. From your post it doesn't sound like you did anything terrible in the interview, so I'm guessing the decision was based on something else entirely.

Very very good advice

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Please stop beating yourself up. I am sure that someone is looking for someone like you. Patience my friend will get you so far in life....I know because I am the most IMPATIENT person in the world.

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Specializes in Education, Administration, Magnet.

Don't give up and be patient.

Did you send the manager a 'thank you' letter? That is the only thing I can think of.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Geri, Ortho, Telemetry, Psych.

It' probably just that you lack experience. I know it sucks in the begining because it's like, how can you get any experience if no one will hire you. Well, don't worry. It's no big deal. Alot of places will hire new grads. Then you will never have the "no experience" problem again. Good luck sweety.;)

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i liked all the advise so far..i don't know what is available in your area but going for one interview is limiting you

go for as many as you can, see what the job market is there, do as was said follow up with interviewer, with your instructors, give yourself an interview in front of a camcorder see what you look like from the otherside

and lighten up, yo will get a job and your career is just begining

keep us updated

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Call the person you interviewed with at the hospital and tell them that you would like to get some feedback on your interview.

I think this is great advice. If the person is reluctant, just let them know that you're looking to improve for your next interview -- whether it's at that hospital or anywhere else. Most people are willing to help when they're approached in a friendly way. And you could find out that you weren't hired for a trivial reason. You might be annoyed when you find out what it is, but you won't lose any sleep worrying over whether you did something wrong. Good luck.

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