Interview Fail

I am a new nursing home administrator and have been interviewing candidates to fill our many open positions. Here are some outlandish things seen and said over the last few weeks. Let these also serve as helpful tips for those who anticipate future interviews.

1. Proper attire is important for interviews. It states you are a professional and are serious about the position. We have literally seen the following being worn: sweatshirts, tight fitting clothes, jeans, holes in clothes (in precarious places nonetheless), flip flops, and sunglasses. I respectfully advised all these interviewees about their clothing and told them this was a life lesson for future interviews. The interviews concluded as quickly as it they had begun. 

2.  One applicant brought her baby to the interview because she had no child care. They were dismissed from the interview after 5 minutes because the baby started to scream, and the applicant could not focus on the questions. The baby was very under dressed for the cold weather and made us concerned about the reliability of the applicant.

3.  A candidate did not disclose in the telephone screen that they had quit their last three jobs. They casually dropped that news in the in-person interview. When we asked if they gave proper notice, they stated, “Yes.” Unbeknownst to them, I had called the former employers the day before. They disclosed that they quit without notice. That was the end of the interview.

4.  Please do not disclose that the reason you quit your last job without notice was because you were going through a divorce and are bipolar. We looked at this particular applicant and told them there is never a bad time to do the right thing. It does not matter what you are going through. We ended the interview right there.

5.  When asked about a mistake made, and what they learned from it, the applicant clearly stated, “I don’t make mistakes.” The same applicant also stated they never had a disagreement in their life. They did not get a job offer.

6.  Do not wink at the interviewer. It will not get you the job where I work.

7.  A common question in our interviews is, “Why do you want to work here?” Please avoid the following replies. None of these are good reasons for working in a nursing home.

-I need the money bad. 

-My kids are driving me crazy, and I need to get out of the house. 

-My boyfriend left me. 

8. When an applicant was asked what position they applied for, they were unable to state which position. They blurted out, “Whatever you have.” The telephone phone screen ended there.

9.  In a telephone phone screen, the applicant freely shared that they were arrested for assault and battery last week. They were educated on barrier crimes and encouraged to pursue other career options.

10. Several applicants expected to get the job just because we had an opening. It does not work that way. There is a process and interview. You must qualify, and there are certain expectations required of the position. Just because there is an opening, does not mean you automatically get the job.

11. Countless interviewees never showed up for their interviews. Do not expect to receive a second chance after this type of behavior. Also, never call and ask to reschedule an interview or state that something else came up unless you are dying and in the hospital. Nothing says, "I don't care" any more than not following through on an interview obligation. If you are no longer interested in the position, please be courteous and tell the recruiter just that.