Nursing interview mistakes

What according to you are the top mistakes done in the interview?

The two biggest interview mistakes I see being made are not specific to nursing but in general are showing up late and speaking poorly about prior employers. Other common mistakes are overselling yourself and under-dressing. The best candidates appear early, appear relaxed, dress well, are well groomed, know something about the company and/or unit being applied to, have a resume in hand to present to the interviewer, act interested. Be flexible with time so as to allow for unexpected delays or add on meetings. You may be asked to speak to another staff member or to make appointments to do so- a real good sign. FInally, always follow up an interview with a thank you note recapping the interview. This can be handwritten or if it is customary for the company interviewed with, by email. Doing so finishes on a positive note and keeps the door open for future possibilities

I had an interview once and the nurse recruiter was reading my resume and asked alot of questions about my travel assignments along with my experience etc.
things appeared to looking up when he said he would submit me to the PACU position for which I applied. Never heard anything for 2 weeks, so I called the PACU nurse manager who said she never got my resume. SO, called recruiter and he had resigned and the new recruiter said a note was posted on my file that said I had too many nursing jobs and was not a candidate... they also said I never should have Called the PACU manager. I asked why and response was I should have called HR. anyway, after I told new recruiter I was a travel nurse that's why there were all the jobs listed, they gave me an interview in PACU, but I was declined... did not care why.. they interviewed me just for legal reasons i believe. My mistake calling Nurse manager of pacu? They were not happy about that.

It sounds to me like there were too many people involved- each knowing enough to be stupid. I'm guessing you were glad to not be hired after all.

Kdog wrote:I had an interview once and the nurse recruiter was reading my resume and asked alot of questions about my travel assignments along with my experience etc.
things appeared to looking up when he said he would submit me to the PACU position for which I applied. Never heard anything for 2 weeks, so I called the PACU nurse manager who said she never got my resume. SO, called recruiter and he had resigned and the new recruiter said a note was posted on my file that said I had too many nursing jobs and was not a candidate... they also said I never should have Called the PACU manager. I asked why and response was I should have called HR. anyway, after I told new recruiter I was a travel nurse that's why there were all the jobs listed, they gave me an interview in PACU, but I was declined... did not care why.. they interviewed me just for legal reasons i believe. My mistake calling Nurse manager of pacu? They were not happy about that.

Agree with Ricu on that Kdog. Often they fish for excuses to justify their actions so much that it is obvious. I see nothing wrong with you calling the PACU manager. After all, that is how you found out that you had been removed from consideration. Had you called HR, who knows what line they would have fed you.

Agreed, Cat. When asked about my own pretty long list of hospitals, ten in four states, I always spoke (truthfully) about each as an opportunity to learn differrent skills and that by moving around, I was gaining new experiences. In them all, there was only one place that I wouldn't work in again and that was a long time ago so, things may be quite differrent now.

cougarnurse wrote:You got the usual line from higher up.

Ricu, you mention talking bad about previous jobs: the best bet would be to find something positive to talk about.