YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — Mercy Health in Youngstown transitioned hiring processes for all positions to virtual interviews since the start of the pandemic.

What You Need To Know

  • The pandemic has caused many businesses, including hospitals, to adapt

  • Inside of hiring with interviews in person, they're switching to the virtual platform

  • Dawn Milliken said there are pros to doing interviews virtually, such as being in your comfort zones

Dawn Milliken is a Youngstown native, so applying for a position at her hometown hospital Mercy Health-St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital during the pandemic was an opportunity the nurse couldn’t pass up. 

“It really means a lot to me to take care of the people in the community that I have grown up in,” she said. 

But the acute rehab assistant nurse manager specializes in helping patients regain picture-perfect health, not having cameras focused on her. 

“I run and hide when people say pictures or videos or anything,” Milliken said. 

She stepped out of her comfort zone to interview with managers for her new position virtually. The pandemic pushed the health system to make the change, and Talent Acquisition Supervisor Arisha Williams said it’s going to be permanent. 

“It’s scary for everyone, but it really helps us continue to maintain the integrity of patient and employee safety,” Williams said. 

Mercy Health-Youngstown is currently working to fill about 120 open nursing positions in the market. Many of which are designed to provide new graduates the chance to start their careers. 

“We realized that now we sort of leveled and responded to the pandemic, we want to ensure there’s continuity in that level of engagement with the newer nurses,” said Williams. 

Each candidate will be screened by recruiters and hiring managers through computer screens, which does have some perks. 

“I was at my home in my own space, in my own area, so it was a little more relaxed," said Milliken.

But hiring managers caution to not be too comfortable just because you are at home. It’s still a job interview and having a professional appearance is still key. That goes for you and your background. 

Even if you’re not the most tech savvy, Williams said there is always one thing you can do to help set yourself apart. 

“One of the big things I always tell everyone is just smile,” she said. “Look at the camera and smile and be yourself.”

Mercy Health-Youngstown is hosting an online hiring event for new nursing graduates March 31. They also have open positions for those with more experience. 

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