Getting past human resources....

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I'm just looking for a bit of advice. I am currently waitlisted for a BSN program, and obtained my phlebotomy and ASCP certification in November of last year. Since then I have been fighting to get my resume past the HR department and actually to someone in the lab. Right now the hospital in my town has 2 openings in the lab, and I am willing to work either of them. I know who is in charge of the hiring for the lab- but I am debating how to contact her. Should I call her, e-mail her, send her a letter? It seems that the only way I will get an answer on my resume is to actually talk to her... I'm not normally so frustrated but I have been applying for open lab positions since LAST December.... any advice???

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Specializes in Rural Health.

Getting past HR is such a challenge. For over 2 years I applied at the hospital where I currently work and NEVER could get past HR. By this fluke they misread my application and thought I graduated LAST Dec. so my application and resume got forwarded to the ICU manager. Manage my suprise whenever he offers me a job as an RN. After some phone calls to HR it worked out and I was offered a PCT position until I gradutate THIS Dec. and all is well.

I would say bypass HR and go straight to the source, especially becuase you know they are hiring. What is the worse they can do? Ignore your application some more????

Good luck!!!

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Specializes in Education, Administration, Magnet.

I would say bypass HR and go straight to the source, especially becuase you know they are hiring. What is the worse they can do? Ignore your application some more????

That's how I got my job. I was tired of HR and ended up calling the Nursing Director of the unit myself. She gave me the job the same day.

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.

I second going straight to the sorce. HR can take forever, if they do anything. They aren't the ones short staffed, so why would they care?

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I agree with the others. I'd call first and if you can't get in touch with her, send an email.

Good luck,

Amanda

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Specializes in LTAC, Telemetry, Thoracic Surgery, ED.

and it's funny because HR always seems to blame the Unit Mgr for not getting back to them

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

Absolutely call the department manager or whoever in the department is going to be doing the hiring. Better yet, go in to the department and see if she has a few minutes to speak with you.

If she's intrested she will go to HR and ask they pull that app and resume.

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Specializes in Too many to list.

HR exists to screen, and frequently screens you out. ALWAYS bypass them if you really want the job.

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Specializes in ICU, Burn ICU, ER, Recruiting.

I work in HR.....and I am a RN. I would make the following suggestions:

1. Work with HR. Apply for the position and ask who you should follow up with. If you get the reply that someone will contact you if they are interested...ask if they are available for an appointment with you to discuss the opportunites within their company. Also, if you can get an email for the appropriate Recruiter, do so. I prefer email since I get between 40-60 calls on my office phone per day.

2. Be persistant, but do not resort to being pushy.

3. Send your resume via mail to the Recruiter with a cover letter. Send it by email. Get your name in front of the Recruiter as often as possible.

4. Be polite to everyone you meet in HR. I know I have declined to interview applicants who were rude to the Administrative Asst/HR Clerk.

5. If you do send a resume....please check your spelling. Make sure it looks neat (all in the same font, no handwritten additions, etc)

6. Do not bypass HR. This usually does not work in an applicants favor. The only exception to this is if you are referred to a certain unit/floor by an employee who can put in a good word for you with the Director.

If you are lucky enough to obtain the Recruiters direct line....only leave one message per day. Give the Recruiter time to call you back. Like I mentioned above I receive 40-60 calls per day. Sometimes it takes me 24-48 hours to return all the calls.

Just my two cents!

Shotnbum RN,BSN

(Recruiter by day.....RN 24/7)

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Thanks for the good tips, especially to Shotnbum !

Since I am new RN in the US looking for a job in Ca(Sacto) I will need the advice too. I also have a question related to a new position.

Can somebody help me where should I get an ACLS certificate ? I understand it's important to have it in order to get the job. I found it on the web but I am not sure they are ok.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

I got my last two jobs talking to Managers and bypassing HR. Especially since going through HR, in my experience, has never gotten me anywhere.

There are too many applicants for the really good positions. Plus, many HR people do favors for friends. So I only talk to them at the direction of an interested Manager. Good luck.

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I can definitely see both sides of this one, but just a caution: If you do happen to talk to the lab managerr, make sure you aren't too pushy. At my last job (as a lab employee, ironically) at a large metropolitan hospital with ~15,000 employees and a severely overloaded HR dept, if you persistently called my boss and tried to go around HR, that was basically a surefire way to NOT get hired. One call might not hurt, but if she doesn't 'bite', I would try to be patient and work within the system as much as possible. Sometimes the department managers don't need you hounding them any more than HR does. I really like shotnbum's suggestion about sending your resume with cover letter by email to get HR's attention a little better.

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