New Grad Resume, Cover Letter, 4 Offers

joanna73, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2016

Your cover letter and resume formats consist mainly of x's. What is the intent of your message exactly?

2mint · Feb 25, 2016

Your cover letter and resume formats consist mainly of x's. What is the intent of your message exactly?

The x's should be self-explanatory, as are the **** and ####.

Please don't take this the wrong way, should the intended audience voice a similar concern, I'd be glad to clarify.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2016

When you post on a public forum, your audience is anyone who decides to respond.

Your examples aren't very helpful for anyone when most of the information is blanked out.

ixchel · Feb 25, 2016

My little minty delight, allow me to provide some feedback. I'm able to figure out your Xs, *s, and #s, so I assure you, I am understanding properly as I type this.

My belief here is that you are positing your success with your job hunt has a lot to do with securing the interview with your resume. I'm inclined to agree, however, now that I am seeing it, I'm seeing good things and bad things. Allow me to share my thoughts as advice for future searches, not as criticism (I assure you, this is not criticism).

First, some background on me - I'm a 30-something who came to nursing after trying other areas first. Like many people, my younger days were bartending and retail, but then I moved on to some unusual/unique roles, and more professional roles. I won't be more specific than that because the combination of unique and professional roles will quickly identify who I am to those who know me.

For my track record on resume and cover letter writing, I have literally NEVER been passed over for an interview. Every single time I have submitted my own letter and resume, I have sat for an interview.

Out of every interview I have sat for, I have been offered a job every time except twice.

The first time, I was a tiny 19 year old hot chick who looked 15 applying for a job as a corrections officer. It was the right decision.

The second time, I applied for a nursing scholarship/residency program at a tiny hospital that doesn't have women's health or pediatrics. The interviewers sized me up and thought I wouldn't stay there after my contractual obligation because these populations weren't served there. I was actually pretty angry over this as by this time, I'd decided against both specialties. But, their HR/recruiter called AND emailed stating that you normally get a Dear John letter, but they were so impressed by me and my resume that they really struggled to make the decision to not hire me. Ironically, I've been on an adult critical care unit very happily.

My current job, first one in healthcare, I competed against 250 applicants for four slots. Some of those applicants already worked there. Since ICU wasn't taking on a resident nurse that year, my unit was the one to get. My resume got me in the door with 24 other applicants, my interview sealed the deal.

My point here is that I am my only resource in the format and feedback I am about to share. I hope I am legitimized by my track record.

Now, regarding your letter. You took the time to look up the organization. You stated an example of how you embody their vision/mission. That is a wonderful way to connect yourself with the organization showing how you are already part of their team. I find it may also help to look up something they're working on, or something that has been in the news. Show some enthusiasm regarding that goal or accomplishment.

For the letter itself, it absolutely has to be one page. It needs to be strongly worded regarding how awesome you are, but how humbled you are to receive this opportunity. NO ONE will brag about you, so you should. Not in an annoying way, of course. But don't hold back. If you've achieved something, mention it. Don't be "that guy" though. If you ONLY brag, you're going to be that guy who is unwilling to learn, adjust to change, show humility, show vulnerability, make mistakes with some grace and transparency.

You need to close this letter as though you've already got the job, and all the interview is is an opportunity to talk about it. I think it's very strong to end with, "I look forward to meeting with you soon and discussing our future together!" It tells the reader you already see yourself as part of the organization. It says you're committed to this opportunity.

Now, for the resume. Again, concise is good. If you need two pages, make the second page education and awards. The fact that you have a degree in nursing is obvious if you're applying for a nursing job. And, we nurses tend to be overachievers, so awards are nice to add, but not as important as the professional experiences you've had and your personal statement.

On the work experience, list your relevant job experience. No one wants to read through the 19 restaurants you blew through in your teens and early 20s. Relevant jobs should leave little to no gaps in employment years, go back a minimum of ten years, if applicable, and every job experience should be able to be described with strong nursing buzz words. Time management, leader, delegation, organization, responsibility, prioritization, customer service, multi-tasking, high-speed environment, management, management of employees, engaging, development of interpersonal relationships, budgeting, etc. Many jobs can include these buzz words. Heck, one of my unique jobs, you'd NEVER imagine I could relate that to nursing buzz words, but I did. Gotta think outside the box. You can't by obvious about it, of course. You just need to fit some of those words in and trust me, they'll be noticed.

So for jobs, you briefly describe your duties, and then you briefly describe the skills you gained. After all, we are all evolving as we start every new adventure.

Now, this individual post is enormous already, so I'm going to put the end result of all of this rambling in my next comment.

2mint · Feb 25, 2016

joanna3,

Are you Canadian? Could that be why we are speaking past each other?

When I said not to be offended, I truly meant it. You are a working professional, highly unlikely to benefit from my thread.

This subforum is filled mostly with new grads who are seeking resume help. My title and my salutation clearly address new grads.

And I can promise you that no new grads, nor any member of AN, would advocate me to reveal my personal information nor any data in my resume and in my cover letter that can reveal said info. Now we got the x's covered, I will answer your initial question with this guarantee:

I can almost guarantee you that no new grads, who are asking their potential employers to pay them $45K to $65K in salary, cannot figure out my intent for this thread.

And yes, as closely as shown here, my resume and my cover letter look exactly line for line on paper. Did I not say that I lacked extensive work experience so I chose to focus on visual appeal? And for me, it worked out: my sporifice documents landed me said offers.

p.s.

My 100th post is intended for when I am done with my new grad program.

ixchel · Feb 25, 2016

The letter obviously needs a header. I'm not going to even try to format it right here. I have a template that allows for including a centered tiny photo at the very top. I LOVE to use this template. It makes it stand out and is memorable. You have no idea how many times I've heard, "ohhhh you're the one with the adorable photo!!!" (It's me with my little one, both of us smiling giant smiles.) Anyway, right align your info. If your email address turns blue with a line, get rid of it! This is ugly!

Left align the facility's info.

Center the date.

Left align the rest.

Dear Hiring Manager:

First paragraph - state some strong qualities. State that the job listing caught your eye. State a small quip about a news article, or something small you enjoyed on their site. State that you're very interested in being part of their team.

2nd paragraph - state things about yourself that make you awesome, but be slightly humble. You are introducing yourself here. You need to tell them something incredibly unique and interesting about yourself, if you have something to share. This is where you make them want to meet you.

Paragraph 3 - share why they are a perfect fit for you. This is usually where I throw the mission statement as it applies to me, or I'll pick my favorite value and share how I exemplify it.

Closing - as you can see, I'm a perfect match for your organization. Yada yada yada.

Sincerely,

ixchel

ixchel · Feb 25, 2016

Resume:

Your info at the top, formatted in a more unique way than a list formatted to the left.

Personal Statement, Profile, whatever you want to call it

I am the most amazing person on the planet (be sure to list qualities, don't copy and paste that lol) and I'm looking for (paraphrase of this job described awesomely) to (satisfy life goal)

Experience

Relevant jobs, 19xx-2016

On this job, I (buzz buzz buzz). Skills used included (buzz buzz buzz).

(Lather, rinse, repeat, PRN)

Education

Best online trade school on the planet, ADN/BSN, 20xx

Description of what you gained, if you feel like adding it

Certifications and Licenses

Registered Nurse, CA, 2015-2017

Volunteer experience

Stuff, 20xx-20xx

All the stuff you did with buzz words

Awards

Best Nurse EVAHHHHH!, 2016

Qualifications needed to get that award

ixchel · Feb 25, 2016

Now, mint chocolate chipped iced cream with m&ms, you've stated that it's inappropriate for employed people to respond. I disagree completely. Those of us who are employed with successful resumes are in the BEST position to contribute valuable information to this thread, WITH YOU, growing a valuable resource. Open your mind to the possibility that rather than taking ownership of the direction this thread goes as though you are the expert, we are ALL able to contribute our own valid experiences as we all share the same goal: assisting the newbies with that daunting task of job hunting. Accepting you can grow with others opens doors to personal evolution, one of the best skills a nurse can have.

2mint · Feb 25, 2016

...you've stated that it's inappropriate for employed people to respond...

Oh no.....ixchel....you were on fire, but your momentum was too strong that it carried you over the cliff (psst, passerbys, we had a little back-and-forth on another thread earlier today).

So sad that you can't prove the above quote....nothing in my first (response) post....nothing in my second response post. (Giving me an easy win to shut me up? Well played )--but then I won't be able to submit my new grad pay negotiation article for the Winter Contest....

ixchel · Feb 25, 2016

Oh no.....ixchel....you were on fire, but your momentum was too strong that it carried you over the cliff (psst, passerbys, we had a little back-and-forth on another thread earlier today).
So sad that you can't prove the above quote....nothing in my first (response) post....nothing in my second response post. (Giving me an easy win to shut me up? Well played )--but then I won't be able to submit my new grad pay negotiation article for the Winter Contest....

Are you serious?! THIS is your response?!

Why am I always the last idiot in the room when everyone else's instincts send them running away from the trolls!!!!!!!

NurseJacelyn · Feb 25, 2016

You are both seriously cracking me up right now.