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.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
Don't do "strength disguised as a weakness". Interviewers see right through that and internally roll their eyes. Be honest, and tell that what you've done or what you are doing to overcome it.
One that I've given is "In the past, I would tend to forget to respond to email correspondence in a timely manner. I recognized this as a weakness, and now I make it a rule to set aside 15 minutes at the beginning of my shift to respond to colleague emails."
Another was "I will sometimes get distracted when I have multiple projects or demands going on at once, so I've started utilizing 'to-do' lists so that I know I'm not forgetting anything that needs to be done."
klone, MSN, RN
14,857 Posts
Don't do "strength disguised as a weakness". Interviewers see right through that and internally roll their eyes. Be honest, and tell that what you've done or what you are doing to overcome it.
One that I've given is "In the past, I would tend to forget to respond to email correspondence in a timely manner. I recognized this as a weakness, and now I make it a rule to set aside 15 minutes at the beginning of my shift to respond to colleague emails."
Another was "I will sometimes get distracted when I have multiple projects or demands going on at once, so I've started utilizing 'to-do' lists so that I know I'm not forgetting anything that needs to be done."