Don't Do This

Nurses Job Hunt

Published

Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

Sometimes I get cold calls from prospective employees. If you get me in person, I will politely talk to you for a few minutes and tell you to then apply on the website. If you give me an employees name, I will touch base with the employee, and if I get a thumbs up, you will probably get an interview.

However...

Sometimes I get, "This is Joe Doe, interested in working for you, please call me @ 312......"

Sorry, that's not enough info to pique my interest. You haven't given me any information about yourself, I have no clue if you are qualified, and I don't even know what job you are interested in.

or, "This is Ann Ran, and I was referred by one of your employees regarding the ____ position, please call me." Sorry, I'm way busier than I'd like to be, and if you can't even tell me who the secret employee is, or anything else about yourself, I can't call you back.

IF you say "This is _______, I am a RN with ___ years experience in ____, and _________ suggested I contact you regarding __________,". I Will Call You back!

This is what's often called an elevator speech. You meet someone on the elevator, and you have 30 seconds to make yourself a person of interest to the person at the receiving end.

If you plan to directly contact any managers, recruiters, or other people of influence, create your elevator/phone speech, and be ready to use it! :yes:

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Great advice - thanks....

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Good suggestion. What about when you are a new grad and wasn't referred by anyone?

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Great advice. Everyone needs to have an "elevator pitch", even if it's only 10 to 15 seconds. To go along with it, for those moments when you're actually face to face with someone who can help you in your Job Search, have some simple "business cards" printed up with your name, phone number, email and a one or two line mini-resume. These are cheap -- about 10 bucks for more than you'll ever need. It might look like:

Suzy Smith, RN

(999) 555-1212/[email protected]

BSN, Somewhere State University, 2012.

Current active, unrestricted RN license, BLS, ACLS, PALS.

Hand 'em out to anyone who might be helpful in your job search -- the receptionist who tells you "we're not hiring right now", or "go apply through our web site", even the random person in scrubs standing behind you in line at the Speedy Mart. You'll be a bit more memorable than the nameless, faceless masses that are all looking for the same thing you're looking for, and that card just might be passed to someone who has a need for a nurse.

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.
Good suggestion. What about when you are a new grad and wasn't referred by anyone?

You still need your elevator speech, whether it's live or via voicemail.

theres no guarantee the manager will call you back, but it does increase your odds.

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Specializes in Medical/Oncology.

Thank you for the suggestion MrChicagoRN! But I was wondering what I could I do to catch the hiring manager's attention if I don't have any nursing experience? I just recently graduated from nursing school and passed my board a while ago. I would really appreciate it if you could give me any suggestion.

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Thank you for the suggestion MrChicagoRN! But I was wondering what I could I do to catch the hiring manager's attention if I don't have any nursing experience? I just recently graduated from nursing school and passed my board a while ago. I would really appreciate it if you could give me any suggestion.

I would say "My name is so and so and I am a recent graduate of so and so nursing program. I precepted in so in so and so area and would like to talk to you about the job opening you have available". Then leave some contact info.

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Elevator speech is very well formed and written.I have pinned it and will use it at the right moment . Thank you.

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