Www.deanza.edu



Applying for a JobResumeResume ideally should be 1 page, 2 pages max. Print on good quality paper. Format & font should be simple and easy to read.If you have your RN, put RN after your name at the top of your resume, followed by your license number under your name in slightly smaller font.Read the job description. Tailor your words and statements to show you are capable of meeting the job demands. This means you may need to tweak your resume a bit for each application.Write a solid and honest goal statement on your resume. Saying your goal is to obtain a spot in XYZ Hospital’s New Grad Program will immediately get your application into the “round file” (i.e., wastebasket). You will not be considered for a position.You are also likely to not be considered if you write a goal statement that is unrealistic or what you think they want to hear.However, keep in mind to not write a statement that makes you appear selfish or self-centered. They are mindful of finding a candidate with potential to be an asset to their patients, staff and/or hospital. They want to know what you can do for them, not the other way around.Describe previous positions with the highest level of skills & abilities possible, and with attributes that will transfer to nursing. Even if you haven’t worked much, list your jobs anyway. This tells the employer you are capable of holding a job. If you didn’t work because you were caring for an ill family member, state that.For example, if you had a retail job, focus on effective communication, customer satisfaction, ensuring quality of the shopping experience, maintaining accurate records, and maintaining a positive attitude in a very busy retail store, etc. All of these things apply to nursing! Don’t just list things like cashiered, stocked shelves, greeted shoppers, returned merchandise from dressing rooms, etc.When describing your skills and abilities, don’t list technical skills such as IV insertion, NG insertion, medication administration, central line dressing changes, etc. Employers know these things can be learned on the job. INSTEAD, include things such as using critical thinking, use of the nursing process, multitasking, effective communication/handoffs, interdisciplinary collaboration, conflict resolution, excellent patient education and satisfaction, being an effective team player, use of EBP and QSEN in your practice/preceptorship, etc. – as long as these honestly apply to YOU.Absolutely DO list any volunteering you have done. Employers love to see their prospects go the extra mile and/or be engaged with the community. Absolutely DO list any scholarships, awards, academic achievements, etc. you have earned and received. Include things that happened outside the nursing program, i.e., if you were voted “Champion of the Rotary volunteer fundraiser,” include that.Do list licenses/certifications, ONLY if you have more than your RN and BLS. Include ACLS, PALS, NRP, etc.Include certifications in other disciplines, i.e., if you are CNA, a certified EKG tech or phlebotomist, a licensed notary public, hold a realtor license, etc. If you need a little filler, use the line at the bottom of the page: “References available upon request.” If you don’t have room, it is perfectly fine to leave this off.Format your resume as a pdf. This ensures the nurse recruiter and hiring manager will be able to open your file.Cover LetterAddress it to a person, not “To whom it may concern,” etc. In nursing, this may be the Nurse Recruiter.Paragraph 1: Introduce yourself but do not repeat your resume. Explain why you are writing and describe the job you are applying for, including the position and job title.Paragraph 2: Demonstrate how you can specifically add value to the company and the position you are applying for. Tailor this section to the position you are applying for.Paragraph 3: Share your accomplishments and success stories that are applicable to the position. (You can also cover any gaps in your resume or other glaring details that require explanation.)Conclusion statement: Make a simple thank-you statement. Let them know they can contact you at any time. It’s also OK to briefly outline how you plan on following up with the nurse recruiter – but don’t come off as aggressive or annoying.Format your cover letter as a pdf. This ensures the nurse recruiter and hiring manager will be able to open your file.Preparing for an interviewThoroughly research the agency, looking at their philosophy, mission, vision, values. Look for things that match your beliefs and clinical practice. Write these down and keep them handy as you prepare.Carefully read the job description. Be prepared to demonstrate to the interviewer(s) your ability to address required and desired qualities. Look at the list of potential kinds of questions that are common to nursing interviews. Write out honest answers, using your list of shared attributes (above).Do not answer questions with what you think they want to hear! Interviewers can see right through this! They want to hear authentic answers from an authentic YOU.Be sure to create one or two poignant and relevant questions for the interviewer(s). This will help set you apart from other candidates, and will let the interviewer(s) know you have really thought about this job. However, do not ask about benefits or salary.Develop some “Success Stories” to share to help you demonstrate your abilities, progress, etc. See the “Tips for Interviewing” sheet.Make and bring 5-10 copies of your resume, on good quality paper, to your interview. Chances are they have already seen it or even have a copy, but you want to be prepared (and let them know the interview is important enough to you that you are well prepared). You might also use it to point out something on it that demonstrates your experience with Compile a portfolio: Examples of group projects, teaching projects, care plans, inservice materials, etc. that you developed in school. Package these nicely and keep them readily available to find and bring them to your interview. Be sure to use it. This will set you apart from other candidates.Plan your interview outfit several days prior to the interview. Dress conservatively and professionally. Try it on to make sure it fits, choose shoes, and select a couple simple accessories. Ensure everything is clean, iron out wrinkles, locate the belts, secure loose buttons, etc. The last thing you need on the day of your interview is a wardrobe malfunction!Set aside a bottle of water to have during the interview, and a very small snack to eat just prior to the interview for energy and alertness.If you are unfamiliar with the agency, take a “dry run” to the agency and locate parking, entrances, and the meeting location. Get adequate sleep the night before your interview. Eat a light meal a few hours prior to your scheduled interview time. Be sure to hydrate to make sure you’ll be alert.On the day of your interview, plan to arrive to the agency 30 minutes early. This will allow extra time for accidents, road constructions, and unexpected traffic. Arrive to the actual appointment check-in site 10-15 minutes early. Use this time to use the restroom, check your appearance, and do some deep breathing.Wear minimal makeup and fragrance to your interview.Relax and be yourself – they will see you shine!During the interviewThe interview may be a panel interview with several to numerous people; there may be more than one applicant in your interview as well. If the latter, be sure to watch and listen to other people’s responses. It is OK to occasionally build on one of those answers if they “stole” YOUR planned answer AND you agree with it, but be sure to ADD something to it (for example, “I appreciate and agree with what Susie said about patient education, with one exception/addition. I think it’s also important to include the family and/or caregiver when performing health education for a senior, including their health literacy. Appropriate resources and support can contribute to a better outcome for the patient”).Be yourself. Smile and laugh at appropriate times. Be confident. Maintain eye contact. Don’t fidget, bounce your leg, bite your nails, play with your hair, click your pen, etc. If you are nervous, take a few quiet, deep breaths (but keep your eyes and ears open). It’s OK to tell them you are a bit nervous – this is natural and expected. Then move on.Do lean forward, don’t cross your arms. If they offer you water, accept it with gratitude. You will be grateful for it if your mouth gets dry due to nerves. If they do not offer it, ask them if they mind if you bring out your water bottle. Make eye contact with each interviewer when answering a question, starting with the one who asked you the question.Work in the opportunity to show them examples of your work that apply to a specific question.At the end of the questioning, they will ask you if you have any questions for them. Be sure to ask the interviewer(s) a relevant question or two (not about salary or benefits though).If you have not already had the opportunity to show them examples of your work, ask if you may do this at this time – pick just a couple and relate them back to things you’ve discussed, or tell them: “One of the things I like most about nursing is __________. May I show you an example of when I did this really well?” Then pass the portfolio over with that page open and tell them they are welcome to look at other examples of your work if they like. Then ask them ANOTHER question related to the position.At the conclusion of the interview, be sure to thank the interviewer(s) for the opportunity to interview and for considering you for the position. You might also tell them you hope to be joining their team soon.After the interviewSend the nurse recruiter a brief card or note of thanks in the U.S. mail. If you have names of the others on the interview panel, send them a note/card as well. Include a one-line comment to remind them of who you are. For example, “I enjoyed sharing my passion for nursing and being able to tell you about the time I __________ made me smile.”Make sure your name is legible (name recognition is important).April 2020 ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download