Job helps for us new grads!

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hi, i have to give some encouragement :idea: to you new rn's for the whole job process. i looked for a job for 9 months before finally getting hired, and i learned what works and doesn't work.

:down: almost never works: sending in application after application on line with no follow up.

:twocents: what helps: call regularly for update on status of application. make your resume stand out. i had a small, almost invisible flower on the bottom of my ap that they would ask me about. (it was the same flower as my name) smile, act confident, when you're not. google nursing interview questions and answers before going in to meet. (specific to the unit you are applying to)

:yeah: sometimes works: go to their personnel/human resources office. yes, they'll tell you on the phone to not come to office. but you know what? it does help! i would come by, with letters of recommendation, letter of introduction. i would find out the name of the nurse recruitor before i go, and then ask for her/him by name. they would try to weed you out sometimes by asking if you have an appt. i would smile, :D and charm, "oh no, i don't, i just wanted to introduce myself to her/him since i know that you get soo many aps, so i wouldn't be just part of the ocean of aps. i'd like to have a face attached to my ap." or "i'd like to discusss the status of my application". the first one usually got me in the door. i must've applice for hundreds :eek: of jobs online in those 9 months. i had approximately 5 interviews. all of those interviews came about because i did a stop by...which of course, they told me on the phone not to do.

i hope this is encouraging to you. just to let you know, i am on the job market again, i lost the job i had finally gotten. so i am back in the saddle again, and not liking it. but what am i gonna do? i've got to start my "drive-by's" as i call them if i really want a chance.

also, if you need to just make some $ while you're on the hunt, try home health and flu clinics/shots.

god bless us all!

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Specializes in pediatric.

invisible flower? What do you mean?? Im a bit confused...

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invisible flower? What do you mean?? Im a bit confused...

not invisible, ALMOST invisible! :rolleyes: when I "inserted" on to my resume, I lightened it until it was just barely visible. Do you get it now? :)

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Specializes in pediatric.

THAT SO INTERESTING! wow...nice technique!!

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Against the advice of my professor, I printed my resume on very light/almost gray pink granite resume paper. EVERYONE who looked at my resume outside of school said that they liked the color, it said that I was different. I also used a font that was NOT Arial or Times New Roman- and the mock interviewers thanked me for that (said they were SO sick of the other two). I used Cambria and Verdana. I set my resume up differently than the typical ones, as well (I am very into graphic design, and HATE the templated ones), and refused to change them to be more conformative.

I also stopped by the HR departments, more than once. I stopped by one hospital four times to give them new versions- the HR lady had great suggestions on what SHE wanted it to include, so I wanted to show her that I was willing to take constructive criticism, the last one I emailed per HR request the day before I graduated. I emailed the people who told me that they had influence in the hospitals (lots of people told me this, I remembered which ones said it, and encouraged them to prove it- not in so many words, of course).

Persistence pays off: I got a job there in less than one week after graduation, and everyone else in my class with a job had an internship in their units previously...

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Good job, Momof3!! As a former designer/desktop publisher, I've always given my resume some extra, creative flair. I think standing out is necessary right now! Dublin37's idea of something like a watermark is great, too. :)

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YEAH! Like a watermark! I didn't know how to explain it!

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Dublin- I dont mean to pry, but I'm curious how you lost the job? Did it get taken back before you started working? That's something I worry about all the time. I signed a job offer recently but I'm always worrying that they are going to call and say that they have to take the job back because of financial reasons or some excuse. With the economy the way it is I'm so nervous about job security and I haven't even started working yet!

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I have gotten emails saying "DO NOT CALL TO FOLLOW UP" from the majority of the hospitals I am applying to and feel that it would be rude to do so. I unfortunately can not stop by in person because I am out of state. I am so frustrated. Having a different type of resume paper is nice, but 99% of applications I have submitted have been online.

I think my resume needs work. I had the career counselor at my school help, but she was totally unaware of the job market today. She seemed shocked when I told her about the situation. I need someone specific to nursing.

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I have gotten emails saying "DO NOT CALL TO FOLLOW UP" from the majority of the hospitals I am applying to and feel that it would be rude to do so. I unfortunately can not stop by in person because I am out of state. I am so frustrated. Having a different type of resume paper is nice, but 99% of applications I have submitted have been online.

I think my resume needs work. I had the career counselor at my school help, but she was totally unaware of the job market today. She seemed shocked when I told her about the situation. I need someone specific to nursing.

yeah, if you are applying out of state, you can't do much. You can send a personal letter. That helped me in particular with the job I did get. And don't you upload your resume? The resume I upload has the watermark. If you are copy/pasting then you can't do anything about that.

You could always show your resume to some of your nursing school teachers. Good luck!

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Dublin- I dont mean to pry, but I'm curious how you lost the job? Did it get taken back before you started working? That's something I worry about all the time. I signed a job offer recently but I'm always worrying that they are going to call and say that they have to take the job back because of financial reasons or some excuse. With the economy the way it is I'm so nervous about job security and I haven't even started working yet!

It's a long story, but to put it briefly, I just wasn't up to their standards. :confused: This particular hospital is known for firing for that reason. It's just tougher there. I don't think you generally have to worry about it bc hospitals don't want to pay another nurse after training you (they have to pay two salaries, for one position! It's expensive! :twocents: ), so they will almost always keep you. The hospital I was in was a VERY rich hospital. I hope that answers and reassures you! :)

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hi, i have to give some encouragement :idea: to you new rn's for the whole job process. i looked for a job for 9 months before finally getting hired, and i learned what works and doesn't work.

:down: almost never works: sending in application after application on line with no follow up.

i received several interview offers after filling out on-line applications, with no follow up, so it does happen. i had no luck at all contacting recruiters; most wouldn't take my call, and when i showed up in person, not a single one would see me. one thing that i think makes a difference is your cover letter. i think that recruiters are interested in why you want the position in that hospital and that unit.

but i don't want people to be discouraged thinking they are never going to get a job without pounding the pavement. i am not sure that helps in all markets.

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