3 Mistakes You’re Probably Making After Your NP Job Interview

I’ve talked with a number of nurse practitioners looking for jobs. Whether new grads fresh out of school, or NPs with several years of experience, it seems there are a few common themes that emerge in the job acquisition process for nurse practitioners across the board. Surprisingly, many of the mistakes NPs make during this process occur not during an interview, but after. 

Here are the 3 major mistakes you might be making even after a successful nurse practitioner job interview. 

1. Getting Too Into the Weeds

There are a lot of logistics that go into the hiring process, both for employers and job-seeking NPs. Licensing, credentialing and possible relocation are just a few of the complex and time-consuming processes that must occur before officially beginning work in the clinical setting with a new employer. Understandably, nurse practitioners I talk with often fret about the timing of these processes. This is where the mistake comes in. 

Too often, NPs convey concerns about licensing, certification, credentialing, relocation etc. to prospective employers. An employer may be on the verge of making a job offer, when the nurse practitioner reaches out with doubt about issues like timing of a start date or licensing logistics out of their control. Then, seeing the litany of paperwork that lies ahead in the hiring process, the prospective employer pauses and thinks twice about making an offer. Is there a candidate that would be less complex to hire? Maybe someone who is already locally licensed?

Avoid getting too in the weeds when it comes to the logistics of starting a new job, especially before accepting an offer of employment. Employers realize that these are a reality, but playing them out issue by issue can cause them to rethink your fit as a candidate for the position. Don’t  be dishonest, of course, however avoid muddying the waters as to your candidacy for the job by jumping ahead in the process and casting doubts before you’ve signed on the dotted lines of an employment agreement. 

2. Neglecting to Follow-Up 

After a job interview, you should always write a ‘Thank You’ note to your interviewer(s) reiterating your interest in the opportunity and showing appreciation for the chance to apply. A ‘Thank You’ note, however, is not the end of your interview process. Continue to follow up, at least once, if not twice, with an employer if you don’t hear back about the position – especially if your interviewer mentioned a second interview or any next steps. People get busy and other priorities get in the way of the hiring process. So, sometimes as a candidate, sending a simple reminder of next steps that were mentioned in an interview can keep things on track.

3. Putting Your Eggs in One Basket

A seemingly successful job interview and verbal offer of employment or promises of next steps in the interview process are all great news, however they don’t necessarily mean that you’re all set with your next nurse practitioner job. Until you’ve signed an employment agreement, your job status remains up in the air. So, in many cases it’s prudent to continue looking for your next nurse practitioner job, even after an interview or two with an employer, in case things fall through. Budgets change, other applicants apply, and employment requirements can all change. Keep your options open so you don’t find yourself in a pinch if things don’t turn out as expected after your interview. 

How is your nurse practitioner job search going? What challenges have you faced?

You Might Also Like: How to Respond to a Nurse Practitioner Job Offer