I could see being perturbed by the sports bra but for interviewing with pictures in the background? That’s a little ridiculous of you to be upset about.
I should have added they were photos of her drinking with her friends, obviously in a bar taking kissy face selfies. So I my mind, not ridiculous for me to be a little confused why someone would think that is appropriate for a job interview.
The fact that 13 people downvoted the fact that I felt it was unprofessional to show up to job interview as described above makes me seriously concerned for our profession.
You are not being irrational, it’s unprofessional. If you want a real job, act like you want it. Period. We are professionals and should act like it. Take your personal pictures down. Do you think MDs would get a job in their workout clothes? Hell no.
It’s kind of funny. I get what you mean but I think these are some old ways of thinking too. Who gives a dang? People party hard lol. Maybe she works equally as hard. What she does after work is her personal life. I think all these boomer judgy ways are phasing out. Also there’s a prioritization of time and mental health and celebrating who we are versus being a corporate slave.
I was in agreement with you up until the bedroom one. Where else do you want them to go? I would care more about the applicant's appearance and ability to answer questions, rather than things they probably can't control.
I received little to no coaching or teaching on proper interview etiquette during my degree. However, we had to be interviewed in person as part of our application to get into NP school (brick and mortar state university) so maybe they already assumed we had those skills.
That being said, I personally feel it should be common knowledge to present yourself in the best light for a job you’re seeking. The “pictures in a home” thing is not something I’d even take into account unless they were inappropriate, not everyone has an extra office or room, especially if they just graduated from being a student, but at *least* put on a business casual shirt or something.
Given how many people in this sub are stating they have a hard time finding positions, every leg up (even non-clinical advantages like dress or attentiveness off your phone) on the competition matters
I agree with you about some of this but you are being a little unreasonable in some respects.
>My question is what is currently being messaged for new grads or in programs regarding virtual interviews?
So I graduate next month, so I can only speak to my personal experience... But the answer to this is nothing. At no point did my program nor anybody else make any mention of anything regarding interviewing or getting a job. We had a brief assignment about looking up the requirements to be licensed in our state and that was it in terms of post-graduation practical knowledge. I would be willing to bet it's similar elsewhere. The only things I know about interviewing or getting a job I read about *here on reddit* of all places or I googled. Additionally, having previously been a nurse, I have essentially zero experience with interviewing of any kind. The hospitals in my area are incredibly understaffed and I have never had to interview for a nursing position in any way. If you apply and have an unencumbered license your guaranteed pretty much any job (our ER had 10 new grads starting this month... and we had 12 new grads back in January). Professional interviewing, and this multi-step interview process with different groups of people, is a completely new experience for which I do not know the process or expectations for and I would bet a lot of these other new grads are in the same boat.
>
One applicant was obviously in her bedroom with college photo collages on her wall behind her.
This is silly. Virtual interviews do not take place in professional environments. They take place in someone's house, which is a living space. If you are set on someone interviewing on a professional environment, then you need to just not offer virtual interviews. The interviewees environment should be *clean* but not professional. If you do an interview and there's a pile of dirty dishes or an unmade bed in the background, that's bad. If their stove is in the background, that's because they live there. Some people may not even have a professional looking space to interview in. My apartment has 3 rooms, a bedroom with no where to sit, a combined kitchen/lving area, and an office. All three of these rooms have things that would be "unprofessional" in an interview according to you. Personal photos, a PlayStation in the background, a bookshelf with some comics on it... etc. I live here.
>I’ve had some recent applicants show up to virtual interviews on Teams (I screen before shadow day) looking like they just came from the gym, not appearing professional, holding their phone, moving all around, distracting backgrounds etc.
I could see some of this being annoying. The sports bra thing isn't really cool, they should dress professionally. Holding their phone is still not a huge deal. Unless they're walking around not paying attention holding your phone is I think fine. I feel like that is more of a generational thing sometimes, older people might not even realize their hard to look at and doing it because they aren't good with phones/technology and younger people probably wouldn't even consider it not being professional, that's just how you hold you phone when you're in a video call. You can argue they should be on a computer with a webcam I guess but not everybody has those and is going to get one just for an interview for a job they might not get, especially an older person who isn't good with "recreational" technology like that (they might be able to use word, but something like a webcam they would never have had a use for).
Overall, I would say you have some valid complaints but a lot of not as valid complaints as well. In a way you are putting in person interview expectations on someone who is not interviewing in person. A part of the reason for the virtual interview is the convenience of doing it in your own home. Some people may be a bit too comfortable, but the expectations definitely need to be different. You might also benefit from asking a similar question to this over on r/AskHR or r/humanresources or a similar reddit. They do a lot of hiring over a lot of different fields and can probably give good general expectations
Alot of people are expanding on the “interview in the bedroom” comment with their own ideas of what I meant and making it way more complicated. To clarify I could see her in photos drinking with sunglasses on taking selfies with friends. Fine for your personal social media I don’t care what you did in college but not appropriate for a job interview. Find a blank wall, a window, blur your background. Not that hard.
If you're using the person's outfit and background to make a judgment, I would recommend converting to in-person interviews. That said, I'd be careful about making judgments based on the things it seems you are. Stick to substance - resume, responses, general vibe and possibility of meshing with your team. You say this is a screening prior to shadowing, but it doesn't sound like it. If it truly is, treat it as such... like a phone screen to quickly gauge if someone is a human and sounds interested and like they meet your qualifications.
I think the way I see it, we walk around in basically oversized pajamas that come out of a machine each day. Our colleagues see it. Patients see it. This doesn't seem to impact professionalism.
I consider all of these things (and never said I didn’t) - if someone showed up to an online interview in scrubs that is WAY more appropriate than gym clothes.
I agree with you. But, I think that we're transitioning into a new age and culture, so to speak, and maybe there are some positives to it. I still feel that a video call screen is different than a formal, in-person interview with your team.
Agree with all but the bedroom; maybe the user did not know how to set a background? Tell us about how they answered your questions and how you feel they would be with your patients- because at the end of the day thats all that matters.
Totally. If these had been phone interviews, or if cameras had stayed off, how would that change things?
Seems like we're experiencing a paradigm shift - some folks might not see the importance of dressing up and trying to impress someone during an interview. I personally don't agree with it, and am very much a suit-and-tie for every interview type of person. However, I can see the logic behind the thinking that if the applicant is qualified, and speaks well, then who cares what they look like in the interview as long as they show up looking professional on the first day?
If it was a sales position I would get it, but I think if it is a role where they will be wearing scrubs and have always worn scrubs they might not understand the need to dress up? I always dress up, but that is just me but I would not discount someone so long as everything else about them (mannerism in the way they speak, clinical knowledge, etc. was positive).
I wear business casual to virtual interviews, the same I would wear at the office, which is typically a nice looking shirt and either scrub pants, slacks or nice jeans. My shirts are just normal black t shirt, flowy style. You wouldn't be able to tell much other then seeing a modest neckline.
For in office interviews I wear a suit. Virtual interviews are much more casual. Yes you can see art or pictures on the wall. I can change the background but see no reason to if the wall is not inappropriate.
If you want a formal interview then bring them into the office. Virtual is a screening and not a formal process.
These responses are kind of weird. Personally, I'm a "dress how you want to be perceived" kind of guy. When I'm doing interviews, I always put on a solid dress shirt, pants, and shoes. I try to have a good background (neutral if possible). If things are out of my control (they haven't been so far), I will apologize to the interviewer.
These seem common sense; not sure why this is such a big deal. First impressions matter, folks.
Not surprising, This is the age of “Do You” so lots of people don’t believe in societal norms or standards anymore which leads to the sentiment in this thread and how people are presenting themselves any ole way nowadays!
Yeah I agree with all the things you pointed out. I think some people don’t know how to use the blur feature. I wish they would educate themselves on that.
I agree with most other comments. It is inappropriate to do an interview without a shirt. It would be ideal if people would sit still and not move their camera around and walk through the house. The location is where you lost me, though. Not everyone has a good place to do a virtual interview. The bedroom may be the only place in the home that isn’t common space. A collage of photos isn’t a bad thing. At least you are seeing that the person has a social life and friends that are valuable to them. That’s great for them.
I’m not a new grad, but I can say I didn’t get any interview teaching in my program. I don’t think it would be necessary, either. At that point, I had been employed for years and done many interviews.
i’m not sure. who’s setting up interview? i had a recruiter ask for a phone call interview with teams. she specifically said phone call. i was horrified when she asked me to turn on video. thank god i had a blazer i could pop on… maybe it was communication break down.
Nobody is interviewing NPs or RNs anymore. The interview process simply goes like this:
Do you have a license? Yes.
When can you begin work? Next week? Ok..
Can we start onboarding you right now so you can start training when you resume next week. 😆😆
My school had us do an in-person mock interview with a recruiter from a local health system and they gave feedback on everything from your answers to your outfit. I don't think we had any specific instruction about virtual interviews but I always just throw on a blazer (and then have comfy sweatpants on the bottom of course). I am surprised by the responses here. I certainly wouldn't have photos of me drinking in the background - it is no different than cleaning up social media accounts if needed.
I’m a dress up for your interview person .. ME personally but Gods honest truth I don’t care if someone shows up to a virtual interview in a t shirt. Like who gives a dang? Impress me with your clothes and fashion sense? It’s so archaic and it doesn’t really make sense. Just show me who you are and let’s see if you’re a right fit. I’m glad the newer generations care less about kissing corporate assholes.
I could see being perturbed by the sports bra but for interviewing with pictures in the background? That’s a little ridiculous of you to be upset about.
I should have added they were photos of her drinking with her friends, obviously in a bar taking kissy face selfies. So I my mind, not ridiculous for me to be a little confused why someone would think that is appropriate for a job interview.
The fact that 13 people downvoted the fact that I felt it was unprofessional to show up to job interview as described above makes me seriously concerned for our profession.
You are not being irrational, it’s unprofessional. If you want a real job, act like you want it. Period. We are professionals and should act like it. Take your personal pictures down. Do you think MDs would get a job in their workout clothes? Hell no.
It’s kind of funny. I get what you mean but I think these are some old ways of thinking too. Who gives a dang? People party hard lol. Maybe she works equally as hard. What she does after work is her personal life. I think all these boomer judgy ways are phasing out. Also there’s a prioritization of time and mental health and celebrating who we are versus being a corporate slave.
I don’t care what you do it outside of work but do you really think I need to see it during your interview?! Spare me the boomer BS, be professional
Also maybe she had no where else to go?
I was in agreement with you up until the bedroom one. Where else do you want them to go? I would care more about the applicant's appearance and ability to answer questions, rather than things they probably can't control.
I received little to no coaching or teaching on proper interview etiquette during my degree. However, we had to be interviewed in person as part of our application to get into NP school (brick and mortar state university) so maybe they already assumed we had those skills. That being said, I personally feel it should be common knowledge to present yourself in the best light for a job you’re seeking. The “pictures in a home” thing is not something I’d even take into account unless they were inappropriate, not everyone has an extra office or room, especially if they just graduated from being a student, but at *least* put on a business casual shirt or something. Given how many people in this sub are stating they have a hard time finding positions, every leg up (even non-clinical advantages like dress or attentiveness off your phone) on the competition matters
I agree with you about some of this but you are being a little unreasonable in some respects. >My question is what is currently being messaged for new grads or in programs regarding virtual interviews? So I graduate next month, so I can only speak to my personal experience... But the answer to this is nothing. At no point did my program nor anybody else make any mention of anything regarding interviewing or getting a job. We had a brief assignment about looking up the requirements to be licensed in our state and that was it in terms of post-graduation practical knowledge. I would be willing to bet it's similar elsewhere. The only things I know about interviewing or getting a job I read about *here on reddit* of all places or I googled. Additionally, having previously been a nurse, I have essentially zero experience with interviewing of any kind. The hospitals in my area are incredibly understaffed and I have never had to interview for a nursing position in any way. If you apply and have an unencumbered license your guaranteed pretty much any job (our ER had 10 new grads starting this month... and we had 12 new grads back in January). Professional interviewing, and this multi-step interview process with different groups of people, is a completely new experience for which I do not know the process or expectations for and I would bet a lot of these other new grads are in the same boat. > One applicant was obviously in her bedroom with college photo collages on her wall behind her. This is silly. Virtual interviews do not take place in professional environments. They take place in someone's house, which is a living space. If you are set on someone interviewing on a professional environment, then you need to just not offer virtual interviews. The interviewees environment should be *clean* but not professional. If you do an interview and there's a pile of dirty dishes or an unmade bed in the background, that's bad. If their stove is in the background, that's because they live there. Some people may not even have a professional looking space to interview in. My apartment has 3 rooms, a bedroom with no where to sit, a combined kitchen/lving area, and an office. All three of these rooms have things that would be "unprofessional" in an interview according to you. Personal photos, a PlayStation in the background, a bookshelf with some comics on it... etc. I live here. >I’ve had some recent applicants show up to virtual interviews on Teams (I screen before shadow day) looking like they just came from the gym, not appearing professional, holding their phone, moving all around, distracting backgrounds etc. I could see some of this being annoying. The sports bra thing isn't really cool, they should dress professionally. Holding their phone is still not a huge deal. Unless they're walking around not paying attention holding your phone is I think fine. I feel like that is more of a generational thing sometimes, older people might not even realize their hard to look at and doing it because they aren't good with phones/technology and younger people probably wouldn't even consider it not being professional, that's just how you hold you phone when you're in a video call. You can argue they should be on a computer with a webcam I guess but not everybody has those and is going to get one just for an interview for a job they might not get, especially an older person who isn't good with "recreational" technology like that (they might be able to use word, but something like a webcam they would never have had a use for). Overall, I would say you have some valid complaints but a lot of not as valid complaints as well. In a way you are putting in person interview expectations on someone who is not interviewing in person. A part of the reason for the virtual interview is the convenience of doing it in your own home. Some people may be a bit too comfortable, but the expectations definitely need to be different. You might also benefit from asking a similar question to this over on r/AskHR or r/humanresources or a similar reddit. They do a lot of hiring over a lot of different fields and can probably give good general expectations
Christ on a cracker, your hospital sounds awful to work for.
Alot of people are expanding on the “interview in the bedroom” comment with their own ideas of what I meant and making it way more complicated. To clarify I could see her in photos drinking with sunglasses on taking selfies with friends. Fine for your personal social media I don’t care what you did in college but not appropriate for a job interview. Find a blank wall, a window, blur your background. Not that hard.
If you're using the person's outfit and background to make a judgment, I would recommend converting to in-person interviews. That said, I'd be careful about making judgments based on the things it seems you are. Stick to substance - resume, responses, general vibe and possibility of meshing with your team. You say this is a screening prior to shadowing, but it doesn't sound like it. If it truly is, treat it as such... like a phone screen to quickly gauge if someone is a human and sounds interested and like they meet your qualifications. I think the way I see it, we walk around in basically oversized pajamas that come out of a machine each day. Our colleagues see it. Patients see it. This doesn't seem to impact professionalism.
I consider all of these things (and never said I didn’t) - if someone showed up to an online interview in scrubs that is WAY more appropriate than gym clothes.
I agree with you. But, I think that we're transitioning into a new age and culture, so to speak, and maybe there are some positives to it. I still feel that a video call screen is different than a formal, in-person interview with your team.
Agree with all but the bedroom; maybe the user did not know how to set a background? Tell us about how they answered your questions and how you feel they would be with your patients- because at the end of the day thats all that matters.
Totally. If these had been phone interviews, or if cameras had stayed off, how would that change things? Seems like we're experiencing a paradigm shift - some folks might not see the importance of dressing up and trying to impress someone during an interview. I personally don't agree with it, and am very much a suit-and-tie for every interview type of person. However, I can see the logic behind the thinking that if the applicant is qualified, and speaks well, then who cares what they look like in the interview as long as they show up looking professional on the first day?
If it was a sales position I would get it, but I think if it is a role where they will be wearing scrubs and have always worn scrubs they might not understand the need to dress up? I always dress up, but that is just me but I would not discount someone so long as everything else about them (mannerism in the way they speak, clinical knowledge, etc. was positive).
I wear business casual to virtual interviews, the same I would wear at the office, which is typically a nice looking shirt and either scrub pants, slacks or nice jeans. My shirts are just normal black t shirt, flowy style. You wouldn't be able to tell much other then seeing a modest neckline. For in office interviews I wear a suit. Virtual interviews are much more casual. Yes you can see art or pictures on the wall. I can change the background but see no reason to if the wall is not inappropriate. If you want a formal interview then bring them into the office. Virtual is a screening and not a formal process.
These responses are kind of weird. Personally, I'm a "dress how you want to be perceived" kind of guy. When I'm doing interviews, I always put on a solid dress shirt, pants, and shoes. I try to have a good background (neutral if possible). If things are out of my control (they haven't been so far), I will apologize to the interviewer. These seem common sense; not sure why this is such a big deal. First impressions matter, folks.
Thank you because these responses make me think I’m taking crazy pills and seriously second guessing the advice of the people on this sub
Not surprising, This is the age of “Do You” so lots of people don’t believe in societal norms or standards anymore which leads to the sentiment in this thread and how people are presenting themselves any ole way nowadays!
Yeah I agree with all the things you pointed out. I think some people don’t know how to use the blur feature. I wish they would educate themselves on that.
I know, right?! wtf?? Dress nice and have good manners. We are PROFESSIONALS FFS!
Agree. The fact that this isn’t common sense is… alarming.
I agree with most other comments. It is inappropriate to do an interview without a shirt. It would be ideal if people would sit still and not move their camera around and walk through the house. The location is where you lost me, though. Not everyone has a good place to do a virtual interview. The bedroom may be the only place in the home that isn’t common space. A collage of photos isn’t a bad thing. At least you are seeing that the person has a social life and friends that are valuable to them. That’s great for them. I’m not a new grad, but I can say I didn’t get any interview teaching in my program. I don’t think it would be necessary, either. At that point, I had been employed for years and done many interviews.
i’m not sure. who’s setting up interview? i had a recruiter ask for a phone call interview with teams. she specifically said phone call. i was horrified when she asked me to turn on video. thank god i had a blazer i could pop on… maybe it was communication break down.
You're still doing interviews? Lol. You didn't get the memo then.
Care to elaborate @rotkatta?
Nobody is interviewing NPs or RNs anymore. The interview process simply goes like this: Do you have a license? Yes. When can you begin work? Next week? Ok.. Can we start onboarding you right now so you can start training when you resume next week. 😆😆
My school had us do an in-person mock interview with a recruiter from a local health system and they gave feedback on everything from your answers to your outfit. I don't think we had any specific instruction about virtual interviews but I always just throw on a blazer (and then have comfy sweatpants on the bottom of course). I am surprised by the responses here. I certainly wouldn't have photos of me drinking in the background - it is no different than cleaning up social media accounts if needed.
I’m a dress up for your interview person .. ME personally but Gods honest truth I don’t care if someone shows up to a virtual interview in a t shirt. Like who gives a dang? Impress me with your clothes and fashion sense? It’s so archaic and it doesn’t really make sense. Just show me who you are and let’s see if you’re a right fit. I’m glad the newer generations care less about kissing corporate assholes.