Red flags to watch out for in the nursing interview process
Whenever you are in the recruitment process, always note red flags during the interview. Job interviews help recruiters and employers get to know nursing applicants better beyond their resumes. At the same time, job interviews give you, as the applicant, a chance to learn more about your future employer. It is a two-way street, after all. Here are red flags to look for in the nursing interview process.
The interviewer fails to describe your job properly.
Firstly, know what you are getting yourself into. The job description in their hiring post should be clear enough to indicate what they expect from you as a nurse and the parameters of your job. If boundaries are still unclear, then feel free to clarify and ask during your interview.
One of the major red flags during the interview is when the interviewer cannot explain to you what the position is about and the expectations set for that role. This is a basic question that all recruiters should be able to answer.
If your interviewer cannot tell you exactly what your job would be, you may run into trouble if you work for them. There might be a lack of boundaries, and you might end up with tasks that are not part of your job description — or worse, your role may not be exactly what you signed up for.
The position is not the same as advertised.
Referred to as bait and switch, this is a technique that turns off applicants. Like the first red flag, the interviewer describes the role as entirely different from what they post.
If you don’t mind and like the interviewer's new position, you may continue with your application. If it is something, though, that you feel is not your cup of tea, then it is entirely okay to reconsider the job offer.
The interviewer makes unnecessary remarks.
People in the recruitment and human resources department are expected to behave politely and be role models for the company they are working for. They ensure employees follow company rules and standards, so they should begin with themselves.
It is one of the major red flags during the interview when the interviewer misbehaves. This includes showing disrespect and speaking ill of others, whether their co-workers or your fellow applicants.
Racist, offensive, and discriminatory remarks are also red flags during the interview. These are telltale signs that the company tolerates this behavior. You might eventually encounter discrimination-related issues if you continue your application process.
The recruiter reschedules the interview multiple times.
Unless it is at a job fair, job interviews are often scheduled ahead of time, not right after you submit your application. Patience is a virtue in waiting for a recruiter to call you and inform you that you’ve made it to the shortlist of applicants.
Recruiters are busy people, so a change in the interview schedule is not impossible. However, when they keep rescheduling, consider this a red flag.
Once or twice is alright, but anything more than that would mean they do not value your time. The time you spent preparing for a postponed interview could have been used to do other productive things.
Your values do not match.
No matter the industry, companies uphold the values they carry through work culture. As early as when you submit your application, you should do your due diligence in researching the values your future employer holds dear.
During your interview, that is when you can learn more about these values. The interviewer may share their company culture, or you may ask questions about it. Avoid employers whose values do not align with yours.
For example, do they allow their nurses and other employees to make their own decisions regarding their work? If you value autonomy, you may not like being affiliated with a healthcare facility with a severe micromanaging culture.
Their company culture is old and resists change.
The values of your potential employer are a mismatch with yours, so that’s a red flag. Even bigger red flags during the interview are broad and neutral statements about their company culture.
If you read between the lines, you might discover that the company culture is outdated and is not open to change. They may have traditions that do not coincide with new practices that many companies follow today.
Society constantly changes, so work environments and company cultures evolve with that. This is evident in how many companies offer special leaves and days off for new mothers and fathers, solo parents, and even mental health breaks.
Answers to your questions are unclear and inconsistent.
During interviews, interviewers usually give applicants time to ask questions about the company, policies, work culture, or job. This is your time to clarify what you are getting into.
If your interviewer fails to answer your question clearly and gives vague and inconsistent answers, this might be a red flag. Recruiters should be able to prepare themselves to answer basic questions applicants may throw their way.
Being unable to do so shows the interviewer did not prepare well for your interview, or there are underlying issues and problems in the company.
Working outside regular shifts is brought up.
Working in healthcare is not easy as it requires physical, mental, and emotional resilience. As a nurse, you are expected to be on your feet for long hours, sometimes skipping meals to accomplish tasks.
Consider these red flags during the interview when your interviewer brings up working overtime or asks you if you can be on call beyond your duty hours. The next question you should ask is if this is mandatory overtime. Can you say no if your schedule is full?
Also, ask if working beyond your shift is paid. Some organizations do not pay their workers for their overtime shifts. A little work beyond regular shifts wouldn’t hurt, especially when there is an influx of patients and cases.
However, if it becomes company culture to overwork their nurses and other personnel without proper compensation, you should reconsider your application.
The company has high staff turnover or is terribly understaffed.
One way to know if the healthcare facility you are looking at is an excellent place to work and grow as a nurse is to check its turnover rate. The turnover rate refers to the percentage of employers resigning or leaving a company.
If the staff of that hospital, clinic, or facility only stays for a few months and resigns, then know there might be a problem. Are the staff overworked and underpaid? Are there work issues that influence them to leave?
The offer is too good to be true.
Hiring posts can only give you so much information, so during interviews, you get an in-depth understanding of the job offer. Your interviewer will talk about expectations, house rules, and at times, the incentives you get when you do your job properly and excellently. This includes your salary, bonuses, and other rewards.
While all of these may sound good and tempting, always be realistic. If the offer sounds too good to be true, chances are it is. Rewards always come with a high price, and you have to pay for them.
Don’t get us wrong. There are healthcare facilities that have the welfare of their employees in mind and follow a good reward system. However, there are also instances of overpromising to lure employees and eventually disappoint them.
You don’t feel a connection with the company.
You must feel comfortable and interested in your potential employer as early as the interview stages. This will tell you that you are in the right place. Does the thought of working there excite you? Do you think the environment will foster growth and nurture you career-wise?
In the same way, if the interview feels off and there is an unsettling feeling throughout the session, then it might be your gut telling you that working there is a bad idea. Always trust your gut!
Step out before it’s too late.
There are many opportunities out there waiting for nurses. If you have sent your application to multiple recruiters and are considering other healthcare facilities to work at, then know how to discern a good opportunity.
See red flags during interviews for what they are — warning signs. Choose the company that upholds similar values and has a work culture that fits your lifestyle and character. It’s not always about the money.