References and Professional Etiquette

Nurses Professionalism

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Specializes in Neuro, Trauma, and Psych.

This is what I have learned about professional job hunting so far. There is an expected skill or etiquette to various situations that you will encounter on your hunt for a job.

PLEASE, add to the list if you have something to share!

1. Reference letters are a must! Yes, you may be new to reference letters but all professionals use them. It gives employers a sense of your character and how well you were received by others in your profession. A great recommendation from an esteemed individual in the community could be your "golden ticket"

2. Certain individuals hardly ever write a recommendation letter themselves. Doctors, Directors, those with a PhD in a busy academic position rarely have the time to write one but are usually more than willing to sign a template you provide!!!

3. Even if someone does draft a letter of recommendation for you, make sure to ask if you may edit it for EACH SPECIFIC JOB that you apply for. Yes. that sounds like a lot of work but it is important.

4. These people are taking time out of their day to provide recommendations. Please have the courtesy to in the very least send a hand written thank you note.

5. Always. Always. Always have several recommendation letters ready to go. As well as a well edited resume, list of references and contact info, and cover letter. You NEVER know what may come up last minute and in this tough market you have to act fast!

6. Speaking of acting fast. I recently found out about a recruitment hospital opportunity very, very last minute. Thank heavens I had several conservative dresses that were clean, pressed and ready to go. I grabbed one and my resume portfolio, and was done. Always have at least 1 formal career outfit ready to go!

7. No way around applications. Fill them out completely. Don't be lazy.

8. Don't list people as references and NOT notify them. That is inconsiderate. Always ask permission first.

9. Go online, search for common interview questions and really think about how "you" would answer them.

10. Keep a file or portfolio of your resumes, business cards, HR contacts etc. Organization is key. One door may close but other doors may open in the future. Keep those business cards.

11. If you are pulled for an interview, it is courteous to send a thank you note.

That's all I can think of now. Again, please add more tips and advice.

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And make sure you practice your interview questions. Even the tough ones of "tell me about a time you were part of a team" or "what is your greatest weakness" things.

Know the mission statement of the facility to which you are applying. Know about evidence based practice in theory. Know about patient surveys, HCAPS, and look online for the facility specific results. "I understand that your patient surveys reflect a strong nurse education aspect. I find that important in practice because....." Finally, know about meaningful use as well. To have a working understanding of these things and to use them in an interview process could set you apart from another applicant.

"I know what I know, but I am also aware of what I don't know. But I know how to use resources to know."

Best of luck in your interviewing and job seeking!!

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Specializes in Neuro, Trauma, and Psych.

jadelpn! Yessss! Thank you :yeah:

Those tough interview questions can cause your interview to spiral downward!!! I learned the hard way to practice my answers and I cannot tell you how it made me appear so much more confident and competent!

Just this week during recruitment for a fantastic hospital, the recruiter asked us if we knew the mission statement for the hospital. Be prepared. Do your research.

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

3. Even if someone does draft a letter of recommendation for you, make sure to ask if you may edit it for EACH SPECIFIC JOB that you apply for. Yes. that sounds like a lot of work but it is important.

I have to categorically disagree with this one.

I do not recommend asking someone essentially "hey - sign this, then I'll make it say whatever I think it should say to appeal to a particular employer". Anyone willing to sign this is not taking your request very seriously. It is also impractical, as any employer asking for letters of reference is very likely to want to receive them directly from the source - otherwise the validity of the letter is seriously called into question.

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I too disagree strongly with your point # 3. Asking someone if you can edit their letter of recommendation is very disrespectful of that person and their recommendation. Someone did you a kindness and put some time and effort into writing a recommendation for you because they believed you have some valuable qualities that would be valuable for an employer, and you ask them if you can change their recommendation around to suit yourself! I would ask for my letter back if someone I had written a letter of recommendation for asked me if they could do this, and would suggest that they find someone else to give them a reference, as by doing this they would certainly have caused me to lose my good opinion of their character.

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Specializes in Neuro, Trauma, and Psych.

Thanks for the response! Because I am new to professional job seeking, I am very likely to make mistakes. #3 is based on the recommendation of what other nurses have told me. In 2 different cases I was graciously given a letter of recommendation and told that I may edit if needed. And by edit I mean in addressing the specific organization or position sought. I would definitely prefer not to edit them as is as I am applying to several different hospitals, and that would be time consuming. Valid arguments, good advice. Thanks :)

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Great post! Maybe I should ask this in a separate post, but the question of "what are your weaknesses?" is one I think I would have difficulty answering- not that I don't have them, but yikes! What do you say? Anyone with experience with this??

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.
Great post! Maybe I should ask this in a separate post, but the question of "what are your weaknesses?" is one I think I would have difficulty answering- not that I don't have them, but yikes! What do you say? Anyone with experience with this??

I phrased my weakness as this: I have a natural tendency to take charge of a situation when it appears necessary. However, I have a lot of practice in taking direction from others. I really enjoy working as part of a team. , ]

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While I think it's a good idea to review potential interview questions & contemplate answers, it's also important to be yourself & not appear reheorificed. Also, I have been offered numerous nursing positions throughout my career, & I have never had to furnish a letter of recommendation, even for management positions. See link below for a resource I've used in the past with success. Good luck with your job search! Interview Questions - Read Potential Interview Questions | Monster

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I also do not think it's a good idea to give draft of recommendation letters for others to sign. Professional write their own letters, especially if ones are professors or PhD. I don't know about you, but I rather received a great letter written by esteemed PhD professor than provide them a draft that I pulled out somewhere. I got my first job because of such great letter.

Always networking, keep contact of those who could give you stellar letters. Some people are just better writers than some, definitely keep those people in mind. Apply for jobs or grad schools, those open doors.

Best of luck to everyone.

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Specializes in Neuro, Trauma, and Psych.

Thanks for the response! I love seeing the different opinions. Which is so important because this is a complex, sometimes difficult new area for me. There are so many "shoulds" and "should nots" that I was never aware of or taught. As a first generation college grad, and from a family where no one has a professional career, I struggle with these things.

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Specializes in Neuro, Trauma, and Psych.

Carpdiem1012 also I read that when stating your weakness describe a weakness of yours that is also a strength in disguise. Just like vintagemother did!

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