so, i'm a new rpn grad... have been out of school for about 4 months now... i have been searching for a nursing job and registering for additional courses.
i have a friend who is constantly saying he is getting call backs (but he declines because he already landed a job)... but he has the same experience as me... his resume/etc is not much different..(maybe it is because he is a male) even on a floor.. where i networked and etc.. he got called for an interview.
i was just wondering if maybe it was something to do with my cover letter or something. trying to stay positive
i am a recent graduate from the mohawk college practical nursing program. i have passed my cpnre and expect to receive my registration any day. during my academic years, i have gained clinical experience in medicine, surgery, rehab, long-term care and psychiatry.
also, my experiences gained through my clinical placements have given me the confidence to provide efficient patient care and the ability to collaborate effectively with other healthcare professionals. these skills, coupled with my compassion, patience, patient advocacy and on-going educational development are what i offer as an eager soon to be registered practical nurse.
i would be honoured and excited to be a part of your team and contribute my skills to your health care staff and patients. my enclosed resume will provide you with further information regarding my related experiences. i am looking forward to hearing from you. i can be reached at (905) 123-4568 or by email at: [email protected]. thank you for your attention and consideration in this exciting opportunity.
Ohhkay. So..I think I'll reiterate that this looks like something copy-pasted off a how-to-write-a-cover-letter site sample. You need to take this opportunity to show off what it is that makes you a stellar candidate vs. one of thousands of people graduating from school at the same time. The cover letter is especially important since it's very likely that your resume isn't strong, having little to no experience.
So...here are my suggestions (at least the ones I can think of at the moment--coming off a 12-hr night shift and experiencing insomnia right now, haha)...things that are bolded are my suggestions and things that are underlined are things that should be omitted (I can't figure out how to strikethrough on this).
Dear Hiring manager:
I am a recent graduate from the Mohawk College Practical Nursing program. I have passed my CPNRE and expect to receive my registration any day.
Also, my experiences gained through my clinical placements have given me the confidence to provide efficient patient care and the ability to collaborate effectively with other healthcare professionals. These skills, coupled with my compassion, patience, patient advocacy and on-going educational development are what I offer as an eager soon to be Registered Practical Nurse.
I would be honoured) implies that you are in an inferior position. Employment is a two-way street; employers may give you benefits and pay, but always remember that you are a person of value, and you are bringing intellect, skills, integrity, and work ethic to the table. Be proud of who you are and confident in what you can offer. and excited to be a part of your team and contribute my skills
Have you tried contacting the HR dept? I didn't have any luck til I started contacting people. Now I have 2 interviews this week and scored a job with a flu clinic.
This too. I wonder why this works though. Do HR people sit around and think, "Well, if they REALLY wanted the job, they'd call us"? Or does it just show that the person's willing to go for that extra effort?
Contrary to the opinions of other threaders on this forum, I've recently talked to an HR recruiter in a prominent Toronto Hospital and they said make it short and sweet. He said that CVs get thrown out all the time. They get hundreds of applicants through their website and they just want you to get to the point. Basically he says don't write an essay.
Simply:
1) You're interested in a job at their facility.
2) Where you graduated.
3) Passed the CPNE (spell it out, because remember--they're HR not nurse managers)
4) Going through registration with CNO.
5) If you're eligible for "New Grad Guarantee."
For your resume... put all the unit/floors you've been on in capital letters or find a way for it to stand out. More white spaces = better. Readability is key!
Did you ask your friend what s/he did to get those interviews?
This too. I wonder why this works though. Do HR people sit around and think, "Well, if they REALLY wanted the job, they'd call us"? Or does it just show that the person's willing to go for that extra effort?
I called a manager directly, he picked up the phone, we had a talk (the 'interview') about the position, and at the end of the conversation I was told I would get a call from HR later. They called 15 mins later with a job offer.
i would caution against calling a manager directly; managers are often really busy and it can make you appear aggressive and pushy instead of positively assertive. i still maintain that if you want to make direct contact, do it face-to-face so that a) the manager can associate a face to the name, and b) you aren't calling while they're in the middle of something on their unit. i've seen a manager remember the name of someone who called them directly a few times as someone that they would NOT hire.
i would caution against calling a manager directly; managers are often really busy and it can make you appear aggressive and pushy instead of positively assertive. i still maintain that if you want to make direct contact, do it face-to-face so that a) the manager can associate a face to the name, and b) you aren't calling while they're in the middle of something on their unit. i've seen a manager remember the name of someone who called them directly a few times as someone that they would NOT hire.
Nope-not good advice. Most managers say they have no idea who's interested because HR may not pass thir info through. Every manager I've worked for has appreciated the direct call tactic and if interested will push HR to review their app first.
My first job as a new grad was obtained the very same way. I called. We interviewed over the phone. Then we had a face to face interview. Then I was offered the job from the manager. Then a week later HR called-they had just got around to noticing my application! They offered me an interview in tele, and here I was with an offer from ICU. HRs aren't the most efficient group of people in the world...
ghostchili
23 Posts
Ohhkay. So..I think I'll reiterate that this looks like something copy-pasted off a how-to-write-a-cover-letter site sample. You need to take this opportunity to show off what it is that makes you a stellar candidate vs. one of thousands of people graduating from school at the same time. The cover letter is especially important since it's very likely that your resume isn't strong, having little to no experience.
So...here are my suggestions (at least the ones I can think of at the moment--coming off a 12-hr night shift and experiencing insomnia right now, haha)...things that are bolded are my suggestions and things that are underlined are things that should be omitted (I can't figure out how to strikethrough on this).
Dear Hiring manager:
I am a recent graduate from the Mohawk College Practical Nursing program. I have passed my CPNRE and expect to receive my registration any day.
Also, my experiences gained through my clinical placements have given me the confidence to provide efficient patient care and the ability to collaborate effectively with other healthcare professionals. These skills, coupled with my compassion, patience, patient advocacy and on-going educational development are what I offer as an eager soon to be Registered Practical Nurse.
I would be honoured ) implies that you are in an inferior position. Employment is a two-way street; employers may give you benefits and pay, but always remember that you are a person of value, and you are bringing intellect, skills, integrity, and work ethic to the table. Be proud of who you are and confident in what you can offer. and excited to be a part of your team and contribute my skills
Sincerely,
Sammy Fake
I hope that helps a little....good luck! :)