It's all in the resume!

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Specializes in ASC, Infection Control.

so i had posted on a different thread how my resume alone got me an interview and not because of my nursing experience - or lack thereof. the coordinator was so impressed by it that they were actually excited to meet me! so here's a sample of my cover letter, and i will reply to it with my resume - hopefully it copies and pastes somewhat formatted. please don't copy it word for word out of respect - but i hope you can get a good idea of how to stand out from the rest! hope this helps:)

[color=#4f6228]char.lpn

address

city, state, zip

phone

email

large pic of caduceus to right of heading (couldn't paste it)

june 17, 2011

pamela f

facility

address

city, state, zip

dear ms. f:

“char demonstrates commitment to excellence in all she does…she will be a dedicated nurse and an excellent addition to the staff at any organization that employs her.” – judi b, dnp, fnp-bc, *college clinic instructor (excerpt from reference letter). i am hoping to join your organization as an lpn.

i am a recent graduate of the reputed nursing program at *college, having received my practical nursing license in november 2009 and graduating the adn program in may 2011. i intend to sit for the nclex-rn sometime this summer and in the meantime, continue to work as an lpn. my nursing experience is in the geriatric field, which i enjoy immensely, but i believe i can easily adapt to any other nursing field and be molded into the type of nurse whatever position i enter calls for. i am often commended by patients, supervisors, and coworkers for my level of compassion and dedication to my patients; i have a genuine interest in their well being, and do everything i can to work as their advocate. i also worked as a cna out of high school, furthering my holistic understanding of the needs of those i care for.

i am looking for a nursing position to advance my skills and challenge me, and to be part of a team that prides itself on compassion and advocacy. i have a very strong work ethic and one of the most positive attitudes at any company i have worked for. there is something powerful that overcomes me when i have the ability to help someone in need, and all that matters in that moment is helping that person. i want to feel that powerful emotion every day, and this is why i’m a nurse. can i make a difference at your company?

i welcome the opportunity to meet with you at any time to further discuss the chance to become a part of your team and to provide you with letters of recommendation. if you have questions, or if you want to schedule an interview, please contact me at phone #.

sincerely yours,

char.lpn

enclosure: resume

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Specializes in ASC, Infection Control.

So, turns out I can actually make an attachment to this. Much better - my resume won't copy and paste due to the complex format. So I have attached both cover letter and resume templates so you can see just how its supposed to look and i hope this helps you all. but like i said, please don't copy it exactly, as i worked really hard at this! just use it to get an idea and come up with your own unique approach :yeah:

Please leave comments!!

cover letter template2.doc

resume template2.doc

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I like your cover letter. It shows great effort and gives a good perspective of yourself without being too self praising. It is always hard to talk about ourselves in a positive manner. You've done a good job here.

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Great threat kudo's + 10000, very original work.. very eye catching!

do you custom tailor your cover letters to each company you apply to? or do you just use the same template and tweak a few small things?

oh btw where did you get the cool header? my resume is kinda similar to yours but not as flashy i need to up the tempo a little

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Agree with the above post.

I have a really hard time trying to sell myself, you did a great job. I love the quotes that you used.

I wish I would have used quotes!

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Specializes in ASC, Infection Control.
Great threat kudo's + 10000, very original work.. very eye catching!

do you custom tailor your cover letters to each company you apply to? or do you just use the same template and tweak a few small things?

oh btw where did you get the cool header? my resume is kinda similar to yours but not as flashy i need to up the tempo a little

Thank you :) I'm not very good at this type of thing, so it took fooorever to get it done. I always use the same template but I make a few changes depending on where I'm applying to - I'll cite specific experience if it's applicable to the job I'm applying for, but not too much other than that.

I use Microsoft Word 2010 and I found the header in there somewhere. I chose it for the color and sections, I can't remember what it was intended for. I basically just found random stuff and found a way to use it creatively.

The doctor who sat in my interview was going on and on about how she'd never seen a resume like this before and was "so impressed." She actually said, I kid not, "I just knew you were going to be great! I have never met a new graduate like you before. I think you would be perfect for us." I was confident but humble, honest about my morals and ideals as a nurse, honest about my faults as well as my good points. BTW, i got the job :) My dream job at that!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And if you haven't noticed, my 1st nursing job I was at for ONLY 3 months. Fired from. And I still got this amazing job, my dreeeam job. I was always worried no one would want me after that. But if I can do it, you all can too!! :nurse:

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Great job! I can see how it caught their attention. Thanks for sharing!

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Specializes in ASC, Infection Control.
Agree with the above post.

I have a really hard time trying to sell myself, you did a great job. I love the quotes that you used.

I wish I would have used quotes!

Are you working? If you're still applying places, then revamp your resume! I got my quotes from letters of recommendation as well as performance reviews during clinical rotations. That way I can back up everything I put on there.

It's hard for me to sell myself too, honestly, because there's a lot of times I doubt myself and my abilities. But somehow I've been able to find a good balance b/w confidence and humility. Like I told my interviewers, "My experience is in a completely diff't field. I won't know what I'm doing here, but I will learn. I won't come in acting like I know what I don't. I will never assume anything, and I've learned to ask for help when I need it. But I believe in what you do here, and I would be honored to join you. I know that, after some time, I will make a great addition to your team and I really feel it would be a positive experience."

You just gotta go in with the mind-set, regardless of whether it's how you feel about yourself sometimes, that they would be lucky to have you and they will not regret giving you a chance.

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Specializes in pediatrics (student nurse preceptorship).

Wow, this is awesome! I love the template. I'd hire you too. :)

I'm still in the process of applying, and I'm definitely going to use this to inspire a revamping of my own resume. Thanks for sharing!

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Tele, ER.

Thanks for posting this, everywhere it says that the cover letter is the most important part of the resume, but all I've ever been able to find are generic ones that never really fit me...yours has given me ideas of what a really great one looks like! Kudos!!!

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Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.

Everything looks very good!

I actually paid a company to write my resume and it has always got me interviews and through the door.

It cost me $65 a few yrs ago-best money I ever spent

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Specializes in Peds Hem, Onc, Med/Surg.

...and here I thought mine was fancy. I was proven wrong. :D

Congrats on the job!

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