I was planning on answering this question by explaining one of the med-errors I've made and how I dealt with it. why are they asking that question . “Whether a recruiter asks you to describe a situation in which you did something wrong, you flat-out failed, or you made an honest mistake, they’re ultimately hoping your answer will shed some light on your sense of judgment, your professionalism, your problem-solving … They can outline how you will perform on a floor with patients. However, it's a good idea not to mention a mistake that would be critical for success in the new position. Interview question: Tell us about a mistake you have made... Fumbled During Interview and Lost the Job, How to Answer "What Did You Like Least About Your Last Job?". I was in an interview the other day and was asked about a mistake I have made. Specializes in Mental health, substance abuse, geriatrics, PCU. How to answer: Tell a story about a time you were stressed and under pressure to perform. Avoid mentioning any mistakes that demonstrate a flaw in your character (for example, a time you got in trouble for fighting at work). When you interview for a nursing job opportunity, you will be asked a series of interview questions. Share a time when you went above and beyond for a patient. They also ask these types of questions to determine your weaknesses, and decide if you have what it takes to do the job well. Why does it interest you? She told me that she would give all of the meds as soon as she was done taking report.". So I wonder what their reason is for asking that . Note how most of these examples use the STAR interview response technique, in which an interviewee describes a Situation, Task, Action, and Result to explain how they responded to and learned from a workplace situation. Over the next six months, I spent much of my free time learning how to use various software programs to create enticing visual presentations. When an interviewer asks about a work situation that didn’t go well, they are looking for a candidate to demonstrate three things: 1) self-awareness, 2) an ability to learn and improve, and 3) an indication of their communication style/team work and attitude. As long as you didn't say something along the lines of, "You know, I was really nervous at the end of my shift because I had a date with this guy that I had been DYING to go out with, and my brain just wasn't working right. The response forwhy I left the picu that I got on here was really fantastic so I used it and worded it in a way that came across as really positive. You want your example of a mistake to be honest. How to Answer, "Tell Me About a Time You Made a Mistake” The best way to answer this question is to talk about a specific example of a time you made a mistake: Briefly explain what the mistake was, but don’t dwell on it. It was my second interview for a hospital i've always wanted to work for! But, ultimately they are trying to find the "perfect candidate" so I anticipate as many different kinds of questions when I do go into an interview. Read below for more tips on how to answer this question, as well as sample answers you can tailor to your career experiences. PchezRN. Name a work situation where you made a mistake or things didn’t go to plan. (Bravery) :). Our members represent more than 60 professional nursing specialties. Jaimee: A few years ago, our corporate leaders moved me and my sales team of 6 people to a regional manufacturing center in Pennsylvania.I now reported to the general manager of this operation. I know! There are quite a few that I dread being asked, especially the behavioral ones. ... you're lying if you say you,haven't made a mistake. Don’t claim perfection. Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion. So I wonder what their reason is for asking that . Pick something that shows you can acknowledge your mistakes and respond to your mistakes in a positive way. I am pretty sure this question is the one that made me bomb the interview I had a few weeks ago. Get your career off life support, walk into the nursing interview ready and calm, and land that dream job! It was only when I came back that I realised that I had missed some really important points. Don't throw anyone under the bus. They would probably,think. You don’t want to place all the blame on your teammates, but you can say that you collectively made an error. As for the long-term plans question. How do you respond to the common job interview prompt, "Tell me about a time you failed or made a mistake," without ruining your chances of getting a job offer? The interviewer asks questions like this to learn how you handle challenges. Has 6 years experience. The interviewer is looking for habits, qualities or skill deficiencies that might hinder your ability to do the job. I’m the kind of person who tries to learn and grow from every mistake. Quickly switch over to what you learned or how you improved, after making that mistake. Posted Aug 31, 2011. Instead of pointing the … Unless they were specific, I wouldn't admit to a job mistake. Any time you have a job interview, you’re very likely to hear interview questions like, “tell me a time when you failed.” I’m going to walk you through the best way to answer questions about times when you failed, and how to avoid the traps and mistakes that can cost you the job offer.. Especially when interviewing new grads who may not have had any opportunity to make a mistake yet. Alison Doyle is the job search expert for The Balance Careers, and one of the industry's most highly-regarded job search and career experts. (etc.) Tell me about a time you made a mistake. Ensure that you choose an example where you learned from your mistake and went on to improve. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! but the real thing they want is what you learned from it, how you handled it and that you recognized it and addressed the issue. Tips for answering the question: Try to use a real example of a mistake you made. Was this wrong to admit during an interview??? Specializes in Emergency Department. I was just trying to be honest, and hope they will see it in that respect. It was truly the biggest mistake in my CNA career and I learned a lot about not relying on other shifts to do what theyre supposed to (this was a pt that did not want disturbed at night so we typically did not go into his room unless he rang or till morning med pass). RESPONSE: Carefully describe the situation, task, action, and result of your past error so that it becomes clear, through the context, of how you learned and even eventually benefited from the experience. wondering why you can't get hired or promoted: resume + interview hints! The best way to answer this question is to talk about a specific example of a time you made a mistake: When talking about what you learned, try to emphasize the skills or qualities you gained that are important for the job you’re interviewing for now. Give your prepared answers to a friend or family member and tell them to pretend to be the interviewer. I like, TOTALLY forgot to give my 1800 meds. Is it wrong to interview for multiple positions? A typical job interview subject is past work-related mistakes. 1. Everyone makes mistakes, and the interviewer wants to know how you handle it when it happens to you. Our mission is to Empower, Unite, and Advance every nurse, student, and educator. I found it interesting since it can give me the chance to be familiar with the different sub-specialties of nursing.” Last Tips: Before the Interview. Needless to say, I did not recieve a job offer from them however, it was my first job interview in 7 years and it gave me some good experience so I knew what NOT to say at the interview I had the next week, and I did get that job (although the second interview was way more friendly and they did not ask me the dreaded mistake question). Since 1997, allnurses is trusted by nurses around the globe. It feels reassuring to hear that. Even if I don't get this job, I think I did my best. And anyone you’ll interview with for any job knows this. Anyway, I did the same thing as soon as I left, thinking about how I should have come up with a more benign example instead of hanging myself out to dry, lol. Tell me about a time you made a mistake in a clinical setting. The most important strategy in answering this question is demonstrating that you’ve had the maturity to benefit from previous “learning experiences” and then to move on with increased wisdom and competency. Nursing specialties to avoid while pregnant? Why It Works: This answer demonstrates how the candidate is able to evaluate and learn from challenging work responsibilities, readjusting course as necessary. Everyone makes the occasional mistake at work. I know that your company emphasizes teamwork and the need to be in constant communication with one another, and I think my ability to ask (and answer) questions of my peers would help me fit in very well with your company culture. REDEFINE THE QUESTION: Put a positive spin on your response by defining the “mistake” as a “learning experience” that led to your increased competency in the workplace. Whether you’ve been a registered nurse for years or are still completing your RN program, it’s crucial to prepare in advance for a nursing interview.Even after writing a great resume and cover letter, you still have to ace the job interview to successfully secure a position.. 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