It's a crappy job market and economy. I was just wondering what my fellow umemployed new grads were doing while they are job hunting and pulling out their hair. I'm just finishing up my last couple flu clinics while still looking for a job. What about you? Are you parking cars or working at Starbucks just to make a few dollars until you land that nursing position?
I'm a little appalled that new grads look at volunteering SO SOLELY as a means to network into a job. So many of you interpret our suggestions to "volunteer" as working for free as a nurse at the facility at which you hope to hired. That's certainly great if its available, sure. But what a good many responses here are trying to say is that volunteering doing ANYTHING is better than doing NOTHING.
When we see resumes and do hiring we ALWAYS look for a 'volunteering' section and those get sorted to the top of the pile. It's great if it's stuff related to nursing/medical but really, ANYTHING is great; helping animals, organizing community events, tutoring, wilderness/beach cleanup, calling bingo at a senior center! Volunteering - at anything - shows your potential employer you are motivated, compassionate, and enthusiastic.
I have ASKED the interview question: "what else have you been doing while searching for employment the last 8 months?" If they say they've been parenting or caregiving to family, or working another job or going to school, or VOLUNTEERING, awesome! The answer that gets your name crossed right out is "job hunting is a full time job!" BS. Almost anyone can put in one day a week or MONTH with Meals on Wheels or read to kids at the library. Just do SOMETHING instead of NOTHING!
mclennan, BSN, RN
684 Posts
I'm a little appalled that new grads look at volunteering SO SOLELY as a means to network into a job. So many of you interpret our suggestions to "volunteer" as working for free as a nurse at the facility at which you hope to hired. That's certainly great if its available, sure. But what a good many responses here are trying to say is that volunteering doing ANYTHING is better than doing NOTHING.
When we see resumes and do hiring we ALWAYS look for a 'volunteering' section and those get sorted to the top of the pile. It's great if it's stuff related to nursing/medical but really, ANYTHING is great; helping animals, organizing community events, tutoring, wilderness/beach cleanup, calling bingo at a senior center! Volunteering - at anything - shows your potential employer you are motivated, compassionate, and enthusiastic.
I have ASKED the interview question: "what else have you been doing while searching for employment the last 8 months?" If they say they've been parenting or caregiving to family, or working another job or going to school, or VOLUNTEERING, awesome! The answer that gets your name crossed right out is "job hunting is a full time job!" BS. Almost anyone can put in one day a week or MONTH with Meals on Wheels or read to kids at the library. Just do SOMETHING instead of NOTHING!