Wondering why I didn't get hired...

futurecnm · May 5, 2007

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

I agree with this, maybe you just didn't "click" with the person/people interviewing.

WolfpackRed · May 5, 2007

You say that you had clinical at this hospital, perhaps the NM spoke to your preceptor and did not like the feedback. I do not know, but these things happen. Also, you say that many of your instructors work in this hospital, perhpas one did not think that highly of you; that is to say they said something to your face but another behind your back.

Jolie, BSN · May 5, 2007

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.

This is excellent advice.

I would also recommend speaking to a trusted instructor and asking for help in preparing for an interview. Ask him/her to do a "mock" interview with you, then critique it and offer suggestions on how you can improve.

Good luck.

Myxel67 · May 5, 2007

Sometimes whether you get the job or not has little to do with your abilities or experience. Taller people are hired over shorter people, younger instead of older, thinner instead of fatter, more attractive over less attractive. Sometimes they just might not like your accent. Often, as much depends on the bias of the interviewer as on the qualifications of the applicant.

Do your homework. Know something about the hospital--mission statement, place in the community, etc. Don't be too modest and sell yourself short. If they ask you to tell them one of your flaws or your weak points, tell them that you have a tendency be a workaholic and sometimes put work before your family or social life.

Talk more about how you think you will be an asset to the hospital and how you will fit in and be a team player. Don't start right in asking about benefits, pay, how many vacations days, etc.

Don't get too talkative and tell them too much personal information. If they ask about hobbies, family, or how you spend your free time, don't be so chatty that you end up telling them you've been married three years, and now that you're through nursing school, you're really looking forward to starting a family (...as soon as you have a job with insurance coverage!)

In other words, be cordial, friendly, and professional, but don't give too much personal information.

Be well groomed, but don't wear perfume.

CHATSDALE · May 5, 2007

Duplicate

morte, LPN, LVN · May 5, 2007

1) How did you find out you werent hired? I you didnt get official notice, i

would call and inqure from that angle, ie "i havent heard back since my

interview and i am just following up"

2) Are you sure those "barely" passing students actually were hired?

3) I once went on an interview and as soon as i laid eyes on the NM, and

she on me, i knew i wasnt getting the job....dont know why, never did

figure it out....didnt ever remember working for/with her before..i do

have an unusual last name...

4) keep on, keeping on

Sheri257 · May 5, 2007

It could be a number of things that have nothing to do with you personally ... for example:

One girl in my class got hired over another because she knew a lot of people who worked at the hospital. Ironically, the girl with connections ended up failing the NCLEX while the girl who didn't have connections passed so ... the hospital ended up wasting their money anyway.

Also, even though some units are short they may not want to hire too many new grads because their existing nurses may complain that they're not getting enough OT. They may limit new hires to keep their existing nurses happy.

So ... you can't take these things personally. There could be any number of arbitrary factors involved.

:typing

jaacosmom · May 5, 2007

Getting feedback from the interviewer is a great idea. THis was only one interview. And I would have to agree about the personality thing. Get out there interview some more keep trying. You the difference between a winner and a loser-winners never quit and losers never try. Best of luck to you.

omni123 · May 5, 2007

I keep trying to post a reply, but my computer keeps freezing! I just wanted to thank everyone for their advice. I am now preparing for the next interview and I hope my nerves don't get the best of me. Thanks again!

llg, PhD, RN · May 5, 2007

I agree with all the advice others have given in this thread, but just want to reinforce the idea that the lack of a job offer might have nothing to do with your characteristics as a person or as a nurse. It may have nothing to do with anything that happened during the interview.

Did you apply to the same unit as your classmates? Some units hire more new grads than others. Sometimes, a unit does not want to hire too many people from the same school: they want their new grads to come from a variety of schools. etc. etc. etc.

So, don't jump to the conclusion that you did something horrible during the interview. That will only make future interviews more stressful than they need to be. Get some feedback and approach your next interview with a positive attitude. Look for a "good fit" between you and the needs of the employer and remember that a "good fit" is what they are looking for, too.

CityKat, BSN, RN · May 5, 2007

I have been told by friends who are nursing recruiters that there is no wrong answer. But, the interviewer is looking for "specific" answers to their questions and how you handle yourself. I just interviewed back home and I think I answered all of the questions but one well. I completely went blank on one question and gave her some weird answer. She just stared at me:( Anyhow, there will be other interviews and other opportunities for you:) I wouldn't worry to much about it. It could be that they felt that you wouldn't fit in well with the unit. It happens.

boopielove23 · Jul 11, 2008

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!!

I have a similar problem. I received almost 10 job offers and interviews before taking the NCLEX. I explained to the facilities that I had not taken my NCLEX as of yet, the reply was call me after you receive a pass. I wanted to make sure I was fully prepared for the exam so, I turned the positions down. But, now that I have passed and actually have an active license, I cannot seem to get an interview. Can someone please advise me on what I am doing wrong?