Applied For 100 Positions But No Job

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Applied For 100 Positions But No Job

Dear Nurse Beth,

I am a new nurse BSN graduate, just passed the NCLEX, and a career changer. I am getting lots of interviews but I never seem to be the "right fit" for the position. I have applied for about 100 different positions. I am also getting lots of calls from recruiters who want me to pass their names to my friends and former professors. I am feeling really frustrated with the Job Search and getting very discouraged. What should I be focusing my efforts on?

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2 Answers

Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Dear Discouraged,

Congrats on passing the NCLEX! Now the next step.

Focus on your interviewing skills. As the old saying goes, if you keep doing what you're doing, you will keep getting the same results. You are landing interviews, so your resume is doing the job, but you are not closing the deal in your interview. 

Try reaching out to some of the interviewers/HR and ask for their feedback.

You have to prep for a successful interview. Research the organization before an interview. Are they faith-based? Urban, rural? What is their patient demographic? Mission statement? What charting platform do they use and are you familiar with it?

You have to sell yourself and be seen as a solution to a problem they have. For example, if their problem is high turnover, you must be seen as someone who is likely to stay (local ties), and not a flight risk. If they have a large Hispanic population, and you speak Spanish, that's an advantage for you.  The point is to see yourself from their point of view, not yours.

I compiled some very helpful articles for you below. Here is some reading for you:

How to answer 'What did you like least about your last job?" 

Uncomfortable Answering Interview Questions

How to answer "What's your greatest weakness?"

How to prepare for your interview

How to answer "Tell us about yourself"

and I'd also encourage you to read my best-selling book on Amazon "Your last nursing class...how to land you first nursing job..and your next!"  There are a handful of interview questions that are asked time and again, including situational and behavioral interview questions. The book tells you how to confidently answer each one.

You will be excited for your next interview once you learn these interview tips and responses from an experienced insider and interviewer.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

Specializes in Administration.

I so agree with Nurse Beth. If you've had 100 position considerations then you definitely have to look at your interviewing skills, mannerisms, the way you speak, answer questions, etc. Ask your friends/family to critique your presentation, etc. I guess there are always nursing homes, prisons, etc. to consider. To put it bluntly, I think it is you. Open up to yourself & try to figure out why no leads. Best of luck. Nursing is a wonderful career.

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