How to 'Sell Oneself' to a New Specialty

[nynursey_]

After two long, solid, rollercoaster years spent in Med/Surg, I have finally decided that it's time for this little Sparrow to switch specialties.

I actually realized this 6 months ago, but felt myself struggling with where my passion lied, also factoring availability, and ease of transition. My struggle now becomes how to make myself marketable to an area in which I have no experience.

One's resume is their first and strongest impression. It gets the interview. And in interviews, I'm great. But I need to entice the interviewer to actually WANT to call me and follow-up.

Any advice on how to sell yourself to a specialty to which you have no experience?​

[ED Nurse, RN]

You need to tie your current experience into how it will benefit you working in the position you wish to acquire.

[Everline]

You need to tie your current experience into how it will benefit you working in the position you wish to acquire.

Exactly. I looked into what they wanted and then figured out how my experience prepared me or at least provided a good foundation. I used my cover letter to really highlight what qualified me or made me a good candidate for learning. I got the interview and ultimately, the job. Good luck to you!

[RNperdiem, RN]

I hear that the right key words are important since the computer might reject your resume without them.

For example, I did have chronic vent experience in med-surg. I made sure that vent experience was listed in job responsibilities. In med-surg we were trained in EKG/telemetry in anticipation of cross-training to a new step-down unit. Those were also listed when I applied to ICU.

I showed that I had valuable and transferable skills.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I switched to a different specialty last month. Here's what helped me...

1. I knew someone who gave me the recruiter's personal cell phone number. I telephoned the recruiter about an hour after submitting an online application. The recruiter reviewed my application and scheduled me for an interview.

2. During the interview I emphasized my inclination to deal with challenges head-on. Since entering a new specialty involves somewhat of a learning curve, you will need to convey that you are up for the challenge.

3. I am certified in my previous specialty (rehabilitation). Attaining certification in a specialty communicates your commitment to learning. Since med/surg is your current specialty, maybe you could get certified in that. Hiring managers love certifications.

[LDAthleteNurse, BSN, RN]

I also found that making the interviewer(s) laugh is a great tool. Show your personality. We all bring degrees to the table. We all are capable of providing competent and culturally sensitive care.

As a new grad, I brought NOTHING to the table but a fresh BSN, a bubbly personality and a great sense of humor. I always had a job offer after my interviews. Always. I honestly think it was because I told the same stupid one-liner evertime when asked why do I want to work in Labor and Delivery. Lol it always worked like a charm too..

So just be yourself, leave all the technical fluffy stuff for the resume. When it comes time for the face to face interview, be very smiley and let that personality shine girlfriend.

[SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS]

I switched to a different specialty last month. Here's what helped me...

I am so glad you responded to this, TheCommuter. I was actually hoping that this was an article you had written.

[RegisteredNuisance, RN]

I honestly think it was because I told the same stupid one-liner evertime when asked why do I want to work in Labor and Delivery. Lol it always worked like a charm too..

Okay, let's hear it! You can't post "hey I made a funny!" without sharing it. What was the one liner?

[whichone'spink, BSN, RN]

This is timely advice, which I could have used last year when trying to find informatics positions.

[LDAthleteNurse, BSN, RN]

Okay, let's hear it! You can't post "hey I made a funny!" without sharing it. What was the one liner?

Okay. It's stupid and corny but for some reason it worked every time.

Interviewer: "Why do you want to work in Labor and Delivery"

Me: "Because I come from a family of very fertile women & if you even look at them they become pregnant (BA DUM TSSSSS). I've been around the carrying and labor process my whole life." I then go on to further elaborate (in a dramatic but humorous fashion) that my first time seeing a baby's head crown was when I was 7 years old. They always laugh and I honestly think that's why I always landed the jobs I did. Lol

[MWmomRN]

Athlete2bNurseBSN, Any chance you'd be willing to share the one liner with us? I'm a new grad and I have an L&D interview next week -- oh so very nervous!

[MWmomRN]

Whoops! I see it now!