Personal Statement

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Mar 16, 2009

Good grief - what a load of "stuff". I guess there's no end to the hoops you have to jump through these days.

I would advise you to keep it short and simple - more of a 'values clarification' than a manifesto - LOL. You can jump-start your process by putting together a list of what is important to you in your professional life at this point. Try to keep the hiring manager in mind as you do it. As a rule, these folks react very well to things like "I place a very high value on integrity" or "I believe in the right of each individual patient to have unbiased information on which to base his/her own healthcare decisions". yadda yadda

Employers seem to be paying more attention to 'job fit', so I hope that this is what they are aiming for. They don't have a right to know everything about you. You should avoid any mention of your religious background, marital status, gender identity, current or future children, etc. because if you bring it up, it becomes fair (and legal) game for the interview itself. GL

Atheos · Mar 16, 2009

because if you bring it up, it becomes fair (and legal) game for the interview itself. GL

Point of fact...

Everything is fair game in an interview. They can inquire as to your religion, gender identity and whatever else they choose. They just can't use protected information while deciding to hire you.

Also, if you DO bring up something protected, they still can't use it against you.

I disagree with making this a wholly professional statement. They aren't asking for a professional statement, they want a personal one.

Tell them why you chose nursing and what your career goals are... If you don't know what your career goals are then tell them. Shrug...

krb09 · Mar 16, 2009

Thanks! You and I think a like. I already did a list of what is important to me in my professional life and what I am looking for in a hospital. I plan to incooperate that in my statement.

I know what you mean about job fit and as corny as it seems, to those I have been talking to about this opportunity, I have been referring to it as "the right fit" for me. I think my last semester classes and my current job have drilled that into me haha.

krb09 · Mar 16, 2009

Point of fact...
Everything is fair game in an interview. They can inquire as to your religion, gender identity and whatever else they choose. They just can't use protected information while deciding to hire you.
Also, if you DO bring up something protected, they still can't use it against you.
I disagree with making this a wholly professional statement. They aren't asking for a professional statement, they want a personal one.
Tell them why you chose nursing and what your career goals are... If you don't know what your career goals are then tell them. Shrug...

Thanks for the reply! I was planning on doing a mix of both of what you and rbezemek said. I still plan to tell them why I chose nursing (they ask for that) and what my professional goals are but I will incorporate values and job fit as well. Kind of as I am keeping it more personal. I think that I have finally figured out how to keep it personal but still professional.

caliotter3 · Mar 16, 2009

When you finish your statement, don't forget to give it a final check for word usage, grammar, and spelling as it will give the reader a look at your written language abilities.

krb09 · Mar 17, 2009

Very good point!! I will have a couple of people read it over as well!

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2009

Point of fact...
Everything is fair game in an interview. They can inquire as to your religion, gender identity and whatever else they choose. They just can't use protected information while deciding to hire you.
Also, if you DO bring up something protected, they still can't use it against you.
I disagree with making this a wholly professional statement. They aren't asking for a professional statement, they want a personal one.
Tell them why you chose nursing and what your career goals are... If you don't know what your career goals are then tell them. Shrug...

Actually, they can't.

Those questions are completely and totally illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. ANY question that leads an applicant to reveal information regarding personal information (like if you have kids or what your sexual orientation is, or your height or weight), age, military status or background, national origin, religion, age, marital status, disabilities, or arrest record is a DIRECT VIOLATION of the Civil Rights Act.

And employers cannot ask them UNLESS they are directly relevant to the position. For example, if the employer asks you if you are able to lift 20 pounds - and part of the job is to pick up large boxes and place them on a conveyor belt, then they can ask you that AND choose not to hire you if you say you can't. But, if they ask you can you lift twenty pounds, and the job involves no lifting at all, then they CANNOT ask you that question; it's illegal.

This is why the person said to leave personal details out of the statement - because they CAN ask you if you mention it first, but they can't use it in a hiring decision.

Atheos · Mar 18, 2009

actually, they can't.
those questions are completely and totally illegal under title vii of the civil rights act of 1964....

umm, you gotta read the law.

job requirements must be uniformly and consistently applied to persons of all races and colors. even if a job requirement is applied consistently, if it is not important for job performance or business needs, the requirement may be found unlawful if it excludes persons of a certain racial group or color significantly more than others.

as long as they are not discriminating based on race or any other protected class (like i said) they can impose whatever silly requirements they wish.

eta:

which means they could not hire you for whatever reason they wish as long as it isn't because of a protected reason (race, creed, nationality, ada reason, religion, gender, sexuality, etc).

plus, i can ask you about protected information if it plays no part in the hiring decision. i could maintain demographic information on my employees for whatever reason such as religion, sexuality, etc. an employer can even require that information as long as that is not the basis for hiring you. however, if they require it and you refuse to answer they can still refuse to hire you for not complying with company procedure.

just because employers don't ask doesn't mean they can't.

RN_qtAnne · Mar 21, 2009

hello guys just wanna ask if you have any idea on how to apply a student work visa in canada and where i can apply? Do you have any agency that process student work visa or can i also apply in canadian embassy here in the phils, I am currently here in the phils..?! Looking forward for your response..THank You!