Getting a job - from the employers perspective

allnurses Guide · Oct 9, 2012

Thank you for providing this feedback, Nascar Nurse! When I was using Careerbuilder to find a job, I often wondered if a real human being ever laid eyes on my resumé. It's reassuring to know they do. Bottom line -- details do matter and every step of the job hunting process should be done professionally because it may be what you think is inconsequential that can make a difference between a job and more job-hunting frustration. Thanks again and also :no: at some of the stuff people do!

PMFB-RN, RN · Oct 9, 2012

I wouldn't immediatly throw out those who live an hour away. there are many perfectly reasonable explanations as to why they would want to apply to your LTC. Maybe they have plans to relocate to your town but need to find a job first. Maybe your town is their home town and they are away at school at the moment.

I applied for my first nursing job in California while deployed to Africa in the army. I am glad the nurse manager didn't throw out my resume just cause of the thousands of miles between my (then) current location and the job. When I moved from California to Wisconsin I applied while still living in California. I didn't have any trouble getting a job. IMO you should at least hear their explanation.

No name? Really? No working phone number? LOL, ya I think you are pretty safe throwing them out:)

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Oct 9, 2012

I got my current job through CareerBuilder, and use it whenever we have staff vacancies.

Even when we weed through applications, we still occasionally interview a real winner.......like the woman who came in last week. A refugee from the local multiplex, she believed her experience at managing a theater and cleaning up after people somehow qualified her to take care of frail elderly folks. But wait, it gets better: she brought in not only her resume, but 14 years' worth of employee evaluations that were fair-to-middling at best, and terrible at worst. And the coup de grace---she even brought in copies of her write-ups!! :roflmao:

I still think she just interviewed with us to fulfill the job-search requirement for unemployment benefits......surely no one who really wants a job would bring less-than-stellar evidence to showcase her, um, talents.

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · Oct 9, 2012

My favorite is showing up in pajamas with furry slippers, kids in tow, to ask for an application.

amygarside · Oct 9, 2012

This feedback is really very helpful. I am a bit disappointed with those applicants that you showed. I believe that when you apply for any position whether it is in nursing or other jobs, one should always be careful about sending out their resumes because this serves as a first impression to the employers. Thanks again for posting this.

artsmom, BSN, LPN · Oct 9, 2012

You made many good points. As someone else mentioned, however, I wouldn't immediately discount people that live far away. When I was looking for jobs, I would apply for jobs that were up to an hour away. I love to drive, and a long commute doesn't bother me. I live in Ma., so I am aware of the snow issues, and that doesn't bother me either. I would say if their qualifications and resume looked appropriate for the job, call them and find out why they applied for a job so far away.

Elladora · Oct 9, 2012

I wouldn't immediatly throw out those who live an hour away. there are many perfectly reasonable explanations as to why they would want to apply to your LTC.

As someone else mentioned, however, I wouldn't immediately discount people that live far away. When I was looking for jobs, I would apply for jobs that were up to an hour away. I love to drive, and a long commute doesn't bother me.

Agree with both of these! For some people, driving an hour is no big deal and as was said, the applicants might have plans to move closer, have family they can stay with, etc.

The rest of that stuff though? Yikes!

itsnowornever, BSN, RN · Oct 9, 2012

I am the DON in a LTC facility. I currently have ads on careerbuilder for a full time CNA position as well as a full time LPN/RN position. Both positions are clearly advertised as 3-11 positions. I spent my day going thru what seemed like a hundred resumes for my 2 open positions. While thinking of all the "job needed" threads here, I decided that I must share my absolute frustration in hopes that someone will learn something from this.
- One resume with NO NAME. Seriously people. This isn't 2nd grade. If you can't put your name on your paper...YOU'RE OUT!
- 3 resumes (all submitted within 72 hours) without a WORKING phone number on them....you're out!
- 10...as in TEN, seemed to be surprised that I only have a 3-11 position open. "Don't you have a day shift"? "Don't you have something in management"? Umm, No, which is why I didn't advertise for that.
- At least 10 that haven't held the same job (any job) for more than 3 consecutive months over the last 3-5 years. (Why go thru this hell just to start again in a couple months).
- Several for a CNA position that live at least an hour or more away. (There are numerous facilities between home and here. Surely that drive..in a snowstorm..is not going to worth the $9/hr I plan to offer).
After several hours of weeding thru resumes and trying to call people, I have a whooping 4 interviews tomorrow. Hoping the interview process is better than the screening process! Also slightly worried that amongst all the crap I missed the hidden gem!
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Great feedback! EVERY TIME I submitted my resume I freaked out that there was something wrong on my resume! LOL! You know how you get so used to seeing something that if it's wrong, your brain just tells you it's right? Thats what I would freak out over! LOL! Just a quick question though! Are you sure those without consecutive employment for longer than 3 months weren't students? I debated filling out my applications and listing each individual clinical rotation I had in school. Some apps I listed separately the clinicals (though I stated it was a rotation) and some I just listed my school time as one "job"

Elladora · Oct 9, 2012

Are you sure those without consecutive employment for longer than 3 months weren't students? I debated filling out my applications and listing each individual clinical rotation I had in school. Some apps I listed separately the clinicals (though I stated it was a rotation) and some I just listed my school time as one "job"

I don't think clinicals should be counted (or listed) as employment as it's part of your education, not a true employment situation.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Oct 9, 2012

I don't think clinicals should be counted (or listed) as employment as it's part of your education, not a true employment situation.

It crazy but they all do now...... :wacky:

Patti_RN · Oct 9, 2012

I received a resume that had ALL identifying information blacked out! Name, phone number, address, the names of schools attended, as well as the names of previous employers. The cover letter indicated that privacy concerns and fears of identity theft prevented her from sharing this information with a 'total stranger'. She signed her letter with her first name and included an email address that she apparantly created to hide her name and also communicate her professionalism, FoxyRedHeadPartier@____ .com