New grad needs employment advice

Butterflybee · Sep 21, 2008

Me too. Im starting to think Im going about it the wrong way. I'd like to hear how others go about it. My friends have only found jobs by hoofing it, not by an ad or career fair etc. They tell me to just go places, see if theyre hiring. It worked for them. Ive applied a few places online, offline, career fairs...nothing. It hasnt been all that long though. They also told me to give it some time.......and something will turn up. How long has it been for you?

sleepyface · Sep 27, 2008

only a couple of weeks. i just dont know where to start. i'm feelin kind of intimidated.

Butterflybee · Sep 27, 2008

I felt the same way but I pushed those feelings down. Let me say first that I have found a job. My strategy was out of the house to job hunt by 8:30 every morning took a lunch break (well I had to go to work) then afternoon back to job hunting until 5:30 pm. Job hunting consisted of going any and everyplace that I saw, resume in hand & filling out applications. I did this everyday all day for about a week in a half until I got something. In that time, I got only 3 interviews but this was without any follow up. What I mean by that is if no one would have been interested on the spot oh they will be some of them believe me, I would have called them a day or so later and ask for an interview after telling them I filled out a resume. When you go there try to talk to people, smile, ask questions ...

Im coming to believe that DON or HR is too busy to reach out to everyone and will interview those that do call or have something on their application/resume that stands out (just my thoughts here). Oh also one place told me emphatically that they werent hiring THIS is the place that called me back the same day and hired me 2 days later!!! Be nice to everyone you meet because I had a HR person covering the receptionist desk in one place.

It's overwhelming at first but once you get into applying it gets to become a mission. Youll do fine, good luck!!! Be easy you will find something. :clown:

forwaters · Oct 1, 2008

I'm running into the same problem. I am in Vegas, have applied for 73 open RN positions. The line I hear more often than not from the nurse recruiters is "We don't have any positions for new grads." What happened to the nursing shortage? How can there be so many open positions for RN's, but no one is willing to take on a new RN? :no:

josinda421 · Oct 1, 2008

I felt the same way but I pushed those feelings down. Let me say first that I have found a job. My strategy was out of the house to job hunt by 8:30 every morning took a lunch break (well I had to go to work) then afternoon back to job hunting until 5:30 pm. Job hunting consisted of going any and everyplace that I saw, resume in hand & filling out applications. I did this everyday all day for about a week in a half until I got something. In that time, I got only 3 interviews but this was without any follow up. What I mean by that is if no one would have been interested on the spot oh they will be some of them believe me, I would have called them a day or so later and ask for an interview after telling them I filled out a resume. When you go there try to talk to people, smile, ask questions ...
Im coming to believe that DON or HR is too busy to reach out to everyone and will interview those that do call or have something on their application/resume that stands out (just my thoughts here). Oh also one place told me emphatically that they werent hiring THIS is the place that called me back the same day and hired me 2 days later!!! Be nice to everyone you meet because I had a HR person covering the receptionist desk in one place.
It's overwhelming at first but once you get into applying it gets to become a mission. Youll do fine, good luck!!! Be easy you will find something.

It sounds like you and I had the same experience. I made it my mission everyday when I was off from work to get a list of nursing homes and hospitals around my area and just go out and fill out applications and dress as if I'm going for an interview. I'm not going to lie to you, it did feel like it took forever, even though it was for only a month. Any it did finally pay off. Good luck in your career. I too start orientation soon.

debi49 · Oct 10, 2008

Good Luck to all of you, those who are starting new jobs and those still looking. I graduated 15 years ago and took a job that was not my dream job just to get experience. Since then, I've been able to find jobs with no trouble, but it's that first one that is tricky. Dont give up hope and again, good luck.

joesgirllvn · Oct 11, 2008

Hi! I am new to this site and just recently obtained my LVN license. I just moved to Orange County, CA and having a hard time finding work. I feel like I have applied everywhere. LTCs, hospitals, home care. EVERYONE wants one yr. of experience, very frustrating. I do intend to go on to get my RN and deciding what school i want to go to. I went to an info session at West Coast University and I would love to attend, however it is very costly. I was looking into the Indiana State University. Does anyone here attend online classes through them? I would love ANY suggestions, input about school and a job. Thank you!

forwaters · Oct 11, 2008

Hey joesgirl,

Not sure if you have noticed or not, but just about all of the California nursing schools have massive waiting lists. I just graduated from UNLV over here in Vegas and at least 70% of my classmates were from California. Many of them chose to go to nursing school here because the waiting lists in California were about 2 years long. We have a waiting list here as well, but once you finish your prerequisites the wait is only about 1 semester.

Hope your job hunt goes better :wink2:

joesgirllvn · Oct 11, 2008

I know they are super long. That is why I wanted to go another route, either online Indiana University or West Coast University, private college. I don't have any of my prerequisites yet, another reason to go the other routes. One of the reasons wanting to get it done quicker is I just turned 30 and want to have children in the next 5 yrs and am afraid if I go junior college route it will just take way too long! :nurse:

MsLady06 · Oct 12, 2008

When I first graduated I just got all the places rounded up on a sheet of paper with both main #'s and fax#'s for HR. Faxed my resume to all of them and about 2 days later the calls were rolling in.

ifyouwereme · Oct 27, 2008

Dear Butterflybee, let me understand this. You just went to hospitals (without interviews) and filled out applications? Are there applications instead of all these on-line resume thingys? I am confused. That shows some chutzpah thou. Congrats.