Unemployed 6 months and counting, Frustrated

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hey guy, I am a new grad and having a heck of a time finding my first job. I have recently in the last month moved to a big city because there are more jobs here then in the small town in which I came from. I have networked, attended church, gone to the gym, volunteered at multiple places, and nothing seems to work. My resume is immaculate as is my cover letter, but still I donot even receive interviews. What am I doing wrong? I am this close to go back to bartending and leave this four year education in my dust!

Specializes in Mental Health.
Hey guy, I am a new grad and having a heck of a time finding my first job. I have recently in the last month moved to a big city because there are more jobs here then in the small town in which I came from. I have networked, attended church, gone to the gym, volunteered at multiple places, and nothing seems to work. My resume is immaculate as is my cover letter, but still I donot even receive interviews. What am I doing wrong? I am this close to go back to bartending and leave this four year education in my dust!

Don't give up.. ever..

Call HR and get recruiters names before applying.. Write specific, unique cover letters to specific people everytime.. don't be afraid to show emotion/enthusiam/passion and let them know how bad you want it.. tailor your resume with specific clinical experiences pertinent to specific jobs each and every time.. Call recruiters to follow up.. ask if you can arrange an interview.. meet anyone and everyone you can at the places you are applying.

If you don't have any, get reference letters from instructors/professors/preceptors/previous employers. Don't be afraid to ask for help.. Be flexible and stay positive.. If you can move again, apply anywhere and everywhere..

Good luck to you!! Don't give up!! :hug:

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Don't give up but definitely get a bartending gig in the meantime to pay your bills!

So I feel crazy uncomfortable calling the HR departments. I know they do not want to talk to me and they make it obvious when I call. What is a trick to get over this fear?!?! I freeze up when I call and 90% of the time I get transfered to voicemail where I am like "Ugh, My name is YADAYADA, and I am following up on my application, I'd appreciate a call at ###-###-####" That's about how it goes! And I cannot get a job Bartending because I know in my heart that I will be quiting sooner than later and I think that would be unfair to them I have been in the bar industry for 12 years and I know how hard it is to get good help that of which I am.

I use to bug the hell out of the recruiter until I got an interview. Emails, phone calls and even popping to say hello. The squeaky wheel gets the oil.

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
So I feel crazy uncomfortable calling the HR departments. I know they do not want to talk to me and they make it obvious when I call. What is a trick to get over this fear?!?! I freeze up when I call and 90% of the time I get transfered to voicemail where I am like "Ugh, My name is YADAYADA, and I am following up on my application, I'd appreciate a call at ###-###-####" That's about how it goes! And I cannot get a job Bartending because I know in my heart that I will be quiting sooner than later and I think that would be unfair to them I have been in the bar industry for 12 years and I know how hard it is to get good help that of which I am.

I echo in agreement-get a bartending position in the meantime. Unless you have unlimited access to as much money as you need, bills do have to be paid. In terms of getting rid of the fear of selling yourself, think of the effort you placed into school and that you deserve a chance. In addition, maybe speaking with your eyes closed and sort of pretending that you are practicing with a friend may help you get over the jitters.

I know I just feel foolish doing it I really need some practice....in the restaurant industry it was easy for me to get jobs, but i guess after 1 yr of RN'ing it will be easy again. I am so not a timid person, but I am when it comes to HR people I shy away from them big time!

Specializes in neurology, cardiology, ED.

Unfortunately while there are more jobs in the big cities, there are also more people competing for those jobs. Lots of big cities on the east coast are experiencing a glut of new nursing school graduates. I spoke to a friend of mine in Boston who says no hospital there will hire you right now with less than a couple of years experience. Similar situation in NYC, especially with St. Vincent's closing...

My advice to you would be to talk to people you went to nursing school with who do have jobs, and try to get them to put a word in for you. Maybe try for a part time job doing something else for now to pay the bills. Bartending is good, but something in a medical area would be better for your resume. Have you considered doing flu shot clinics? They don't require experience, just a license and it's a good way to meet other RN's... Another option would be volunteering where you would like to work in order to get your foot in the door.

The main thing is not to give up. Best of luck to you!

I met a nurse recently who was not shy in saying that her waitressing job pays her rent and nursing is not reliable for her livelihood. Stay with bartending until you can get established in nursing. There is no reason not to take care of your needs in another line of work if you can't get started in nursing. Good luck.

Specializes in Mental Health.
So I feel crazy uncomfortable calling the HR departments. I know they do not want to talk to me and they make it obvious when I call. What is a trick to get over this fear?!?! I freeze up when I call and 90% of the time I get transfered to voicemail where I am like "Ugh, My name is YADAYADA, and I am following up on my application, I'd appreciate a call at ###-###-####" That's about how it goes! And I cannot get a job Bartending because I know in my heart that I will be quiting sooner than later and I think that would be unfair to them I have been in the bar industry for 12 years and I know how hard it is to get good help that of which I am.

Get over it because they DO want to talk to you. They NEED to talk to you. You are a major reason they are there and have jobs to begin with. Be self confident in the fact that you have something they need to function as a business and organization, your degree and skills! if they are rude from answering calls all day, never take it personal.. kill them with kindness.. don't be afraid to call and ask as many questions as you need to until you feel comfortable. Ask them for advice on navigating their application system and advice on the best way to become part of their team. That is their job.

Don't worry about about getting voice mail of nurse recruiters.. reheorifice and practice the message you'll leave until you can do it with confidence. I found nurse recruiters were, for the most part, always good about calling me back that day or the next. Often they would ask a little about me in a casual way, and let me know the time line they would be choosing interviews and that they would let me know either way. This is your chance to really try to convey your enthusiasm and passion to them. Remember, they want employees that are going to stick around and be good team players. They want to recruit the best, that is their job. Be yourself, be honest, be passionate.. you'll find that first job.

You have something of value they need!! Without you, and the rest of us, they are out of business. Don't ever forget that..Take confidence in your education.. you earned it, they need it!

volunteered at multiple places

Hospitals? Nursing homes?

At least once you are in the door volunteering you meet the nurses and managers and it's much easier to talk to them about what you want and they think of you when they do have an opening.

Sadly, in this economy, it might be quite awhile volunteering so get any job you can to pay the bills.

Good luck!

Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.

I quit my job almost three months ago and I can't even get an interview. I have 32 years of experience. I sent out one resume to a hospital in my area and they send me back an email that said "we do not have anything for someone with your varied experience". How about that?Most of the hospitals in my area will not accept applications except by email. I have probably 30 applications out and have only had 2 interviews so far. So good luck.

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