How i landed a new grad position

Nurses New Nurse

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Well considering the job shortage for new grads, I was able to land an interview at John Hopkins in MD and Cooper in Camden NJ. I got job offers for both but decided to go with Cooper in their Critical Care Unit for new grads. I graduatedin Dec 09 but now I just have to pass my boards. LISTEN GUYS, THERE ARE JOBS OUT THERE. I started my Job Search in October, two months before graduation. I think what helped me the most was an impeccable resume PLUS cover letter. Do not try to skimp on the COVER LETTER because you may be passed over due to it. I specialize in writing resumes on the side so I knew just how to format and what to put in it. THANK GOD. I was told by some that my resume looked professionally done. Next, register with a site like Indeed.com or careerbuilder and have an alert emails sent to you every day that SPECIFY new grads positions. I'm tellin ya I got about 5-10 a day. Also, if it states experience required DO NOT APPLY, if it states experience preferred then DO APPLY. Some jobs sent to me were 10 miles and no more than 30 miles away from me but they were NEW GRAD positions. Remember a beautifully written cover letter and resume gets you noticed and in the door, start with that first. GOOD LUCK to all and reme,ber tghere are jobs you just have to be unique in your approach and slither through the cracks. Oh by the way, the position at Cooper was not even posted on their website but I took initiative to call their HR and ask. They told me no not right now maybe later and 1 mos later they called me for an interview. I am truly blessed. Be patient.

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Hi SKYSTHELIMIT , Your story is similar to mine, I also have job without taking boards as yet. I also started Job Search three mos before graduation. Skipped couple of lectures in school for interviews, went to every possible job fair within 50 miles, sold myself as new grad RN who is flexible and ready to work in any pay range. Initially I use to get scared by looking at endless queue of experienced RN's applying for same job but I started making myself known to only NURSE managers not HR. HR has nothing in their hand. In my case,HR had lost my paperwork and it was the manager who provided them a copy of my resume and certificates.

More than half of my classmates have passed boards, only couple of them have jobs and rest of them are still searching. Yes, you are 110% right, be patient and change resume as well as approach.

GOODLUCK AND BESTWISHES FOR YOUR BOARDS :nurse:

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Congratulations!!!!

I am having a problem getting a job I don’t have a cover letter with my resume. Did you make the cover letter fit the job description or what kind of cover letter did you have? Thank you any info would be helpful.

Good luck on your nursing career I am sure you will do just fine!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Hello,

I have an interview with JHH week after next. What type of questions did they ask I'm suppose to do the sharetime thing to? I've been on a couple of interviews with no calls back, so I think it is something I'm not doing right in my interview? Also did JHH tell you the starting pay I heard to ask before the job offer is an insult.

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Specializes in General adult inpatient psychiatry.
Hello,

I have an interview with JHH week after next. What type of questions did they ask I'm suppose to do the sharetime thing to? I've been on a couple of interviews with no calls back, so I think it is something I'm not doing right in my interview? Also did JHH tell you the starting pay I heard to ask before the job offer is an insult.

When I interviewed at JHH, I met with a nurse recruiter first, who covered benefits, including salary. Share time was enjoyable and it gave me a good feel for the units I had interviewed on. Questions were unit specific by the nurse managers.

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Specializes in N/A.

To the original poster, how long after your job interviews at each place were you called back and offered the position? Thanks. :)

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Specializes in NICU.

Things must be different on the west coast. I also graduated in Dec 09 but quickly after took the boards to get my license. Over here, no one will even look at your resume if you don't have your license, no matter how awesome you make it. There are simply too many people that have their license so why should they hire someone who could potentially not pass the boards.

congrats to you though. Since you claim your resume is so good, care to share any tips with the rest of us licensed new grads still looking? I've sent out over 30+ applications and haven't even gotten an interview (much like the rest of my class).

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Thank you, OP, you have inspired me not to quit! I start an ADN in Fall 2010 and I was getting a bit scared re: the current employment market. If we need help with resumes and cover letters, can we contact you?

-Rae

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For Skysthelimit,

When you called HR regarding wether they had any New Grad RN positions available you said that they gave you a call when they did have a position open. I was wondering how chatty you were when you spoke to HR. Did you just give them your number or did you give them a "60 sec. introduction of yourself"? I just wanted to get some tips about how personal I should be with HR.

Thanks in advance.

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Would you be willing to help me format my Resume?

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hello skysthelimit. here in the bayarea it is tough to find a new grad job. for example, when stanford hospital started their new grad program they were only taking 6 new grads. there were 600 applicants! :( i don't know what to do. i graduated in march '09 and started applying in the fall. still haven't found a job yet. it's already been more than year since i graduated. i do have a resume and cover letter. i have also registered with indeed.com. any other suggestions... :( i am desperate. i am now looking at nursing homes and clinics for my last resort.

if you can help me, can you check out my resume and cover letter?

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Specializes in Medical surgical.

Send me a private email, i could use the help with my resume

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