Should I apply in person or call first before applying in person?

Dawnski · Jul 29, 2011

I graduated from my CNA training at the end of May, and have been putting in lots of applications....everywhere!

I have found that most of the assisted care facilities want me to stay there to fill out the application (no idea why). Maybe they want to make sure that you are filling it out and not having someone else do it because you can't read? That's the only explanation I have come up with so far..... I have been attaching my resume and they have all accepted it.

The hospitals that I've applied to have all been on line applications. Some nursing homes have given me applications to take home and return. I agree, it's very strange.

I've been looking on Craigslist and the Penneysaver for jobs.....that way I know who is hiring. I put in applications with a couple of places near to ones that I knew were hiring. So far, not many bites. It's getting frustrating!

CNA1991, CNA · Jul 29, 2011

Thanks! I hope to hear when you get hired and what you did to get the job. It's good to hear that the application thing is not just discrimination against me. It's also good to hear that it takes time to find a job and it doesn't come instanly because I have been worrying that it was just me. How many interviews have you had? Any break throughs that have helped you in your job search? Thanks

mar12011 · Jul 29, 2011

I passed my exam on April 1st. All the HR people were telling me to apply online, so I did just that and only had 3 interviews in 3 months!!!! SO after feeling quite dejected, I listened to the excellent advice of a good friend and one day I went to 3 LTC facilities in the Denver area and applied in person. The first one I went to was seriously discouraging as just like you said, the receptionist was real cranky and told me that it would take over 45 min. to fill out all the paperwork, so she advised I take it home to fill out, then to boot she said that they were not currently hiring CNA's... I took the gobs of paperwork and sat out in the guest area and in 20 min. was done with the paperwork, and I left thinking that was a huge waste of time. Well 4 days later I got a call from HR saying they saw my application and would I like to come in for an interview!!! The DON could not have been more of the complete antithesis of the receptionist!!! She offered me a job there, and the only reason I did not jump at the opportunity was because she said for brand spanking new CNAs they hire you are PRN till they feel you are a good fit, then you can be put on as F/T.

The same day I applied at the above LTCF, I also went to two others in the area. I got a call the very next day about one of them, and had an interview the next week. The long and the short of it is I had a whopping 3 interviews in 3 mos from applying online, and I had 2 interviews in 1 week from applying in person.

Food for thought. I would do both ways if I were you. :0)

Starletta, CNA · Jul 29, 2011

Recently, I have just started applying to LTC facilities in my area and the few I have applied to so far all said they were not hiring (one said a position MIGHT open up within the next few months but is not currently hiring. I plan on calling them within the next month to put my name out there and to show I am really interested.). Lately, I have been thinking that it might be better to call first and ask if a position is open or if they are hiring before I waste gas and show up in person just to be told they are not hiring. Also, when I go to apply in person, I usually get rude receptionists who tell me the nursing coordinator/hiring manager is not availble and ignore me when I ask for a follow up person or phone number to contact them at, but, I figure it makes a good impression me being around showing interest and you never know if someone who hires is around. There is something I find weird as well and I am curious if anyone else had to do this or if it is just my area: Whenever I apply, I am told I cannot leave the facility, that I must apply in front of the receptionist and cannot take my application home with me and sometimes I am told I cannot attach a resume. Is this only my area or is this just nursing homes in general? Thanks:nurse:

That is strange that they want you to stay put to fill out the application. Some can be downloaded on line to fill out prior to going in.

I went to the front desk of an Assisted Living facility I knew was hiring and asked for an application. I took it home, filled it out and brought it back with my resume stapled to the back.

Since I am not working at the moment, I plan to go directly to the Home Health Care agencies. If someone is around, it makes a good impression that you are willing to stop in and not just sending resumes to every facility out there. I did get semi-dressed up, just in case. It is nice for them to connect a face to the name, if someone from HR happens to be around, like you mentioned.

I "bolded" your print, as you are correct. You never know who is around.

I called the VNA to see what services they could offer to my elderly mother. After we were done discussing that, I just asked if they were hiring or knew anyone who was.. Believe it or not, she gave me the names of several towns and contact names. The VNA knew one personally and told me to say that "Donna" sent me.

So if you are in the area, I think it makes a good impression to walk in nicely dressed and ask if anyone from HR is available to speak to. Good luck!