Prowling for work, are you savvy?

[CaLLaCoDe, BSN, RN]

i need helpful tips on landing a spot in a tight market. this new age of computer applications and the painful wait for a call back has left me worried. my thoughts: it's been two weeks now, should i follow up? should i go in person to the unit and try and hunt down the unit manager? have you personally approached a nurse recruiter, what did you say?

please let me know what strategies you used. another question: would you consider applying to another department other than the one you are specialized in as a strategy? since you have had new employers be hyper critical of your skills in the last position you were forced to resign from, and another nurse who you had worked with came from another hospital with ob experience rather than cardiac.

did you make yourself a portfolio. what did you include in your portfolio?

have you had a difficult question thrown your way in an interview? any you'd like to share? one example i squirmed in my seat over: have you ever made an error at work? what constructively did you do to deal with it? (i prepared for my interview by thinking of all the positive things i've done in nursing and frankly did away with any negative experiences or past mistakes).

please list any questions you faced either now or in the past for your prowling nurse buddies perusing this site.

anyway. i will add a telerner thank you to each and everyone that posts as bribery, he he "-)

:typing:rolleyes::zzzzz

[NewEnglandRN, RN]

I just completed a four-week long job search. I was offered several positions and was fortunate enough to be able to wait until the "right fit" came along for me. I found that hospital positions took much longer to process than a Home Health position or LTC.

That being said, I have become quite proficient in interviewing questions! Each interviewer asked me to give five adjectives my coworkers might use to describe me. I was also asked to describe a time I went against general concensus in my unit (I used a HIPAA example). I have also been asked to describe I time I went up against an MD to get what my patient needs.

Of course, the usual interview questions, such as, why do you want to work for xyz and why should we hire you.

As far as getting your foot in the door, that seemed to be the biggest issue I applied online for all my positions. I attached a cover letter and my resume.

Best wishes for your job search. Hang in there. My DH just lost his job and I am presently updating his resume and the search is starting again... sigh

[Mulan]

As far as the followup, after putting in an application and getting no call back, I would call the recruiter and ask about the status of the application.

The last new job I got, I had to do that, even after I had interviewed with the unit manager. After I was hired, I found out that the nurse recruiter was notoriously slow and lax regarding hiring. I think it helps to be proactive and assertive.

Good luck.

[CaLLaCoDe, BSN, RN]

Thank you both for sharing; I am so glad to be a member of this site ;-):bow:

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Are you open to any nursing job? If so, I would apply to every single hospital, SNF, agency, and healthcare facility in your city of residence, even if they are not advertising in the employment section of the newspaper. I would follow up with the status of the application 1 week later, and then send the hiring manager a "Thank You" card for taking the time to consider you. If you're willing to commute, I'd apply to every place within a 50 mile radius (I know...the gas prices are inhibiting).

[CaLLaCoDe, BSN, RN]

I know...the gas prices are inhibiting.

Truly. I find myself using my coaster brake and being lighter on the throttle. Ideally I'd find someplace to walk to, however none such exists. Thank goodness for Portland OR public transit system.

And thank you commuter! I will put more effort into my enterprise.

Honestly, I've been rather lazy lately. ;-)