how do YOU go about applying for a new job?

[VU RN BSN]

when doing a Job Search and applying for a new job, how do you prefer to go about that? do you usually visit the web pages for all the hospitals in your area, click on their careers link, search for their current available openings, and apply online via their website and fill out their online job application?? do you prefer to call nurse recruiters / human resources directly and speak to someone on the phone about current job opportunities?? do you drive around from hospital to hospital and walk directly to their human resources office, fill out a paper job application and then hand them a copy of your resume and cover letter?? do you wait until there is a local job fair, and then bring resumes and cover letters to the job fair and hope for on-the-spot interviews with nurse recruiters at the job fair??

i am very curious how other registered nurses conduct their job searches when they are seeking employment at a hospital.

i'm not certain what's considered the most professional method or the most effective method nowadays?

whether it is applying online via the website, going in person and filling out a paper application and handing them a resume and cover letter, making phone calls, or visiting job fairs, which method has worked best for you?? which do you recommend? which method do nurse recruiters / human resources personnel / nurse managers prefer and which is considered the most professional?

i'm specifically asking registered nurses who are not new grads, but rather rns who already have a few years of working experience under their belt.

[caliotter3]

I update my resume, decide what employer I'm going to seek employment with, dress for an interview, take all my employment related documents, and go to the office/HR to apply. I usually am given an application to fill out, get interviewed or an appointment to interview, and may be hired on the spot. If I don't get hired, then I do the same thing with the next prospective employer. I do not bother with online applications anymore since all of my attempts using this method have been ignored. I am in home health so I go to agency offices and don't go to the HR depts of hospitals. This method has always worked for me. Usually get hired immediately.