Applying online vs. e-mail vs. mail

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Specializes in Mental Health Nursing.

Some hospitals give us a choice of faxing, e-mailing, or mailing our resume to the Nurse recruiter/HR (online applications are blahhh). I want to know which route is the best to ensure that my resume isn't just getting put on a pile and then thrown away or deleted. Also, I can include my cover letter if I mail/fax my resume.

To better answer my question, position yourself as a new grad. How would you apply, given the choices?

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, Emergency, SAFE.

I personally did the online application version followed up with an email to the HR person I was referred to at the end of the app. There was an area to attach my resume to it, so HR received it. After HR responded to the email, I called (they told me to) and I set up an interview through HR to feel me out. HR then fit me with nurse managers they felt were a good fit for me.

Long and drawn out, but well worth it. I got the job in the end.

I dont think they look over at the apps and think "Oo, they applied on paper, let's give this person the job." lol. I would do whats easiest and quickest for you but FOLLOW UP with a call or email after a few days. I also think , in this day and age, with soo many places moving away from paper, Id go with email or online app. But thats just me. :D Good Luck.

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Specializes in LTC Family Practice.

When you apply online vs snail mail or fax you are first demonstrating your computer skills vs older technologies. Also, make sure your resume has the "key words" used in the job specs that are advertised, in today's economy HR gets many resume's for one position and electronically searches your resume for those words. If possible, write a letter in the body of the email and "attach" your resume to the email in a MS Word or PDF file. Follow all the instructions to submit a resume electronically. And unless otherwise indicated, follow up with a phone call to HR a day or so later to confirm your resume was recieved and take that opportunity to ask when the interview process will begin.

GOOD LUCK!

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Specializes in ICU, ER.

Use the online app. Follow up with a polite email to make sure they got it. I've had a few online apps not make it to HR. If no response to the email, call them.

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Specializes in Mental Health Nursing.
When you apply online vs snail mail or fax you are first demonstrating your computer skills vs older technologies. Also, make sure your resume has the "key words" used in the job specs that are advertised, in today's economy HR gets many resume's for one position and electronically searches your resume for those words. If possible, write a letter in the body of the email and "attach" your resume to the email in a MS Word or PDF file. Follow all the instructions to submit a resume electronically. And unless otherwise indicated, follow up with a phone call to HR a day or so later to confirm your resume was recieved and take that opportunity to ask when the interview process will begin.

GOOD LUCK!

So I'm thinking about e-mailing my resume to the facility I really really want to work at. I am going to attach my resume and type my cover letter in the body. This is okay, right?

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Every single one of my online job applications went ignored so I went back to my tried and true method of applying in person. Most of the time I get hired on the spot when I go in person.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, educator.
Every single one of my online job applications went ignored so I went back to my tried and true method of applying in person. Most of the time I get hired on the spot when I go in person.

I agree, if they'll take a resume in person, do so. But I know that many places will not even let you turn one in on paper, they only do online now, because of the scanning feature.

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I stopped applying to places that won't let me apply in person as I have plenty to choose from that don't mind seeing me in person.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, educator.
I stopped applying to places that won't let me apply in person as I have plenty to choose from that don't mind seeing me in person.

you're lucky there. Many facilities in my area, even LTC, will not take anything on paper, all online. Only 1 will take in person. I think they're doing it to keep from having to deal with people face-to-face in this economy, especially new grads....It also helps them weed out someone who isn't qualified

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I just wanted to point out that you may want to copy and paste your resume in the body of the email under your "cover letter." You have to play with it some because of formatting issues, though. Attachments sometimes don't get opened because of the threat of viruses, etc.

If you can't go in person, email is the way to go because they can easily forward to the nurse manager, etc. I would also suggest emailing AND faxing a resume, though. One person may get all the emails and someone else could potentially see your faxed resume.

Good luck!!!

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Specializes in Critical Care.
I just wanted to point out that you may want to copy and paste your resume in the body of the email under your "cover letter." You have to play with it some because of formatting issues, though. Attachments sometimes don't get opened because of the threat of viruses, etc.

If you can't go in person, email is the way to go because they can easily forward to the nurse manager, etc. I would also suggest emailing AND faxing a resume, though. One person may get all the emails and someone else could potentially see your faxed resume.

Good luck!!!

One way to get around the formatting issues is to make sure that your resume is in PDF format.

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Specializes in Mental Health Nursing.
One way to get around the formatting issues is to make sure that your resume is in PDF format.

:angryfire

OMG!! So I have to attach my resume in PDF format?? I've been attaching my resume from MS word so its in DOC format!! Does it make a difference?

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