I think I bombed my second interview :(

Ahhhhhhhhhh, let me digress....please.

So I just got back home from my second round of interviewing for this new urgent care center opening up in my area. I reeeeeally wanted this position. I had another panel interview this morning with the manager and supervisor RN and HR...total of a 5 person panel interview.

I researched the hospital system and went over answers to most common questions. I felt so confident. But as I entered that tightly crammed interview room my confidence went down the drain. Im not sure why.

None of the questions I went over were asked.

I was asked "If I were to win an award what would it be and why and who would be your audience?"

I answered "Most Compassionate Nurse and my audience would be prior patients and co workers and management"...How does that sound to you guys?

Also I figured Id break the ice a little in the end when they asked if I had any questions I said "yeah when can I start?"

I thought that was funny and they did too and laughed. But generally speaking I dont feel I had strong interview and am down about that. Ive been looking for almost a month now.

Please give me some advice and any thoughts or questions are very welcomed!

Thanks Last edit by RNStudy on Feb 26, '10 : Reason: Spelling Corrections
I flew across country for a panel interview at a Ginormous hospital. I didnt know it would be a panel interview. It was a small office. The plane trip must have done something to my brain... I joked the WHOLE time. The more nervous I got the worse it was... things were coming out of my mouth and they were laughing, but the whole time my brain was in slow-mo... "what did I just say?? OMG They must think I am nuts..." I flew home agonizing over every single little thing I said.... replaying what I would have done differently. Don't do that. You can't change it or take it back. Distract yourself and wait. Follow up in a few days. And to let you know, even nurses with diarrhea of the mouth (like me) get hired. Just relax. Ivanna

Thanks so much for your response Ivanna! Thing is I wasnt serious when I said "when can I start" it was actually intended to be funny. Im wondering if it was out of line Did you ever get the job Ivanna? LOL

I think it is amazing how when we are in the middle of important things--like interviews--the stuff that comes out of our mouths can sometimes end up being totally out of character and unexpected. I can't tell you how many times I've said things in interviews where the second I say them I think in my head "really, did you just say that??" Keep your head up! I think your compassionate nurse answer was great!

Ivanna implied that she did, indeed, get the job. Not to worry.Nothing you wrote (albeit pithy) sounded bad in any way. It's tough to gauge with the limited amound of information you offered but I really wouldn't sweat it. If it's meant to be, it will most certainly be.

Quote from RNStudyThanks so much for your response Ivanna! Thing is I wasnt serious when I said "when can I start" it was actually intended to be funny. Im wondering if it was out of line Did you ever get the job Ivanna? LOL

Wellllllll....news. Just got the email saying they went with another candidate. Im hurt...I mean my confidence is hurt.I have filled out atleast 30 applications and have only gotten 1 call back. Im soooooo discouraged now I feel like I will NEVER find a job. Its soooo competitve in South FL...its horrible.Pity on me. They must have really not liked me.

Rnstudy,So sorry about your disappointment. Try not to take it as a personal hit though. It doesn't mean you did anything wrong. You were just not the best fit in their eyes. Keep at it.

So sorry about the job. Don't take it personally, though. The chosen candidate may have just been better qualified or was presumed to be a better fit for the position and the employer. Keep your head up and don't let this bump in the road slow you down.

Sounds to me like you did great! Headhunters advise that you should *literally* ask for the job at the end of the interview -- and you did! So, see -- you were right on target.Oh, geez -- I just saw your posting about not getting it. I am so sorry -- I know how that feels.When God closes one door, he opens another one. Anyway, asking for the job was actually right according to current interviewing advice.

You can always inquire as to why they chose another candidate over you. Interviews are designed to get an assessment of your personality and how you manage stress - not what's on paper.So I guess the best thing to do is act like you're in Church. Humble, appreciative, proud, and relaxed.

Quote from RNStudyWellllllll....news. Just got the email saying they went with another candidate. Im hurt...I mean my confidence is hurt.I have filled out atleast 30 applications and have only gotten 1 call back. Im soooooo discouraged now I feel like I will NEVER find a job. Its soooo competitve in South FL...its horrible.Pity on me. They must have really not liked me.

I'm so sorry you didn't get the job. I just had an interview not too long ago, with double the amount of people (10!), and I too think I fudged up here and there. One woman asked me, "Do you prefer medical or surgical patients?" ... My brain started wracking a mile a minute thinking, surgery? Why the heck would I want to be in the OR? I replied, "I don't think I can see myself working in the OR or PACU. I've had clinical rotations to those units, but I haven't enjoyed them as much as medical floors." ... Not until after the interview did I realize she meant "Do you like medical or surgical patients better on the med/surg floor?" I should have asked for clarification and boy do I feel stupid, stupid, stupid.I feel your pain. Keep trucking and "keep pushing until you crown"!