Dropping off resume/portfolio to unit you applied to?

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Hi everyone. I just wanted to see what people's opinions were on dropping off a physical copy of a resume/portfolio to a place of interest, particularly in a hospital unit. Is it seen as unprofessional/overbearing or more in a positive way, like taking initiative to stand out? Do managers like when you do this or does it give them a bad impression? Has anyone had any personal experiences with this? TIA.

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I have worked at places where a manger was not able to do anything unless a candidate was referred to them by HR so talking to individual units / manger's wouldn't help. But I guess it couldn't hurt to try. What's the worst that could happen.

I do know once you are at the point of being interviewed being known to the manager/ staff can be very beneficial.

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Specializes in Dialysis.

When I was the ICU manager years ago, I wasn't even allowed to take the resume. I had to refer them to HR, who would then refer them to the online job board. HR wouldn't take physical resumes either. The area hospitals where I am, are all like that. I'd check with people at that hospital first so that you don't misstep, or waste your time on an impression that you may not get to make. Best of luck, and I hope you find an amazing job

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

By and large it is considered pushy, overbearing and a lack of insight into how busy these units are. Once in a while you might catch someone at the exact right moment to not be stressed, to be feeling generous and to land there when they are actually interested in hiring. However, this is rare.

You would do better to have a connection deliver your name and resume to the manager, after you have applied for a known opening, so the manager can request your application to be forwarded on.

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7 minutes ago, Nurse SMS said:

By and large it is considered pushy, overbearing and a lack of insight into how busy these units are.

I know you're right but that's still ridiculous.

Frankly I consider it more of the healthcare biz's way of making darn sure that everyone knows right from the outset that "you need us way more than we need you."

Or, at the least, it certainly is not a sensible behavior that would be associated with any widespread nursing shortage.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
Just now, JKL33 said:

I know you're right but that's still ridiculous.

Frankly I consider it more of the healthcare biz's way of making darn sure that everyone knows right from the outset that "you need us way more than we need you."

Or, at the least, it certainly is not a sensible behavior that would be associated with any widespread nursing shortage.

I definitely do not disagree. But, as you said - it really is the way it is, which is what the OP wanted to know so....yeah. I didn't polish it up much.

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Wow, thank you guys all so much for the insight! You have brought up aspects of it that I didn't even think about. Nowadays the job process is so computerized so I do agree that dropping it off physically and catching the right person could be difficult. I'm going to give the HR department a call to see what their protocol is. Thanks again everyone! ?

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

every position in my organization goes through HR. Even internal positions. I just applied for a promotion and I have to have a phone conference before I get to talk to my manager. lol. I find this hysterical.

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Specializes in NICU/Mother-Baby/Peds/Mgmt.

I wouldn't want that personal information going to just anyone, who knows how many people will see it either before it gets to the manager or on her desk? My last job interview I did take a copy of my resume, they had one from HR but had return it to them so they did take the one I offered. They seemed pleased that I offered it, and I knew exactly who I was giving it to.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Check out Nurse Beth's advice re how to get keywords from job description into your cover letter/resume to bypass hiring software rejection filters.... higher chance of making it to HR and managers attention

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Specializes in anesthesiology.

I worked a clinical day at a busy ICU once and had a great experience during nursing school. Next day I dressed appropriately and dropped off my physical resume to the nursing manager. Got an interview that week for the CVICU (what I wanted) on a unit where it was extremely rare for a new grad to get hired into.

My first healthcare job was as a tech during nursing school on the med/surg unit (I did get this one via online application). I hated it and after the requisite 6 mos required on hiring unit before transferring to another unit I went to the ICU manager on my lunch break with physical resume in hand (took a couple tries to catch her there) and got the transfer.

I think it shows initiative.

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Specializes in school nurse.
On 1/16/2020 at 8:48 AM, JKL33 said:

Or, at the least, it certainly is not a sensible behavior that would be associated with any widespread nursing shortage.

Right, so it's more evidence disproving the shortage myth...

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