Wondering why you can't get hired or promoted? Resume + Interview hints!

I've been reviewing resumes for open positions in my department and can't believe the resumes I've received: misspelling, words crossed off, no cover letter, including personal information about family life.

Updated:  

Look at your resume! Please don't send a resume if you have none of the job qualifications, unless your cover letter has explanation. eg. enrolled in education program etc.

I was taught in LPN and BSN program how to prepare a resume. Is this a lost art being skipped??

Also agree with our BB members that calling facility and finding out who is department manager, then forwarding your resume to them along with hr is great idea.

I work in smaller organization than hospital but has taken me over two months to get open positions advertised and three weeks to get resumes sent to me...those that sent to me directly have interview same week.

Resume Writing References

Resume Tips: Perfecting Nursing Resume, Cover Letter, Online Job Applications
Good Writing Skills Are Essential

Get the Job!

Getting Your Desired Position 101
One Strategy To Land a Nursing Job: The End Around
How To Get a Job As a New Grad Nurse
How I Got My Dream Job!
I got a job!! BOO-YOW!

3rd-Party Resume Tips & Cover Letters

Job Interview Questions

Questions Interviewer Shouldn't Ask

Questions during the job interview should be related to the job you are inquiring about. The following questions is illegal to ask during a job interview here in the U.S.:

  • Your personal life (married, divorced, children)
  • Pregnancy
  • Provision for child care
  • Religion
  • Club Memberships
  • Dependents
  • Ethnic background
  • Native Language
  • Physical Problems
  • Psychiatric Problems
  • Spouse's Employment
  • Credit Rating
  • Home Ownership

Questions You Should Ask (From Hospital Soup)

  • How long is the orientation phase and what can I expect?
  • If for any reason it seems that orientation is just not going well for me what will happen and who should I talk to about it?
  • Will I work with one preceptor throughout or will I have several different preceptors?
  • Who will be precepting me? Can you tell me something about them? Will I always have the same preceptor or will there be more than one?
  • What kind of professional advancement is available to nurses here?
  • What are some of the attributes of working for your hospital?
  • If I were to get a job offer from another hospital, why would I want to work for this one?
  • What is the criterion you will use to select the person you are looking for?
  • What kind of support can I expect from the nursing educators and preceptors?
  • What unique challenges has this unit faced over the last year? (I.e. successes, failures, etc.)
  • How much independence do nurses have in being creative problem-solvers?

Resigning From A Position

Check your facilities policy and procedures--most require that you give notice equal to amount of vacation provided, often 2-3 weeks; long term employed RNs can be 4-5 weeks.

Managers often need 1-3 months notice to be eligible for rehire --don't burn your bridges.

Resign from a healthcare job the right way

Books

Your Last Nursing Class: How to Land Your First Nursing Job: The ultimate guide to landing your first nursing job...and your nexT!

How to Become a Nurse: The Exact Roadmap That Will Lead You to a Fulfilling Career in Nursing! (Registered Nurse RN, Licensed Practical Nurse LPN, ... CNA, Job Hunting, Career Guide

How to Answer Interview Questions: 101 Tough Interview Questions

Cover Letters: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Successful Cover Letter (employers, targeting, creating, questions, resume, job hired, dead, winning, application, interview, career)

Specializes in Government.
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i have strong skills in my area, but i don't know if potential employers will consider me for something new.

I radically changed specialties more than once. I took the skills set I had and practiced applying it to the new job I wanted.

I was once asked if I could handle a caseload of 70 patients (monthly visits) as a disability case manager. I replied: "I took care of 20 sick children and their parents every night with no MD,unit secretary or assistance. I believe I can organize and prioritize well enough to transfer those skills to a disability mgt caseload". I got the job, based on that example.

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hi, i'm just wondering how much money will i have to invest in a nice business attire for my job interview, if i don't have anything yet like pants, shoes, etc?...

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Specializes in Research, ED, Critical Care.

Ok - everyone slow down. Hospitals, home health, whatever... hire what they need. You want to work in podunk, XX because that is where you live? That 45 bed hospital that has hired locals for years, knows what they want, need and can get. So you work whatever and wherever to get in, you go back to HR weekly "any jobs yet?, "Just checking, I really want to work here" etc.. You want to go straight to high speed low drag Trauma on Day shift, then you find the hospital hiring for that and let them know you want it so bad you will move 5 states to get there. The point is, you get what you want when you make it work for everyone. Yes, you have to fill out online aps, send in resumes, go for interviews that you know are a waste of time (by the way, why do you do that if you know it is a waste of your time?) and the result is you get what you expect. Match your talent with your opportunity. Run, YES RUN away from employers that do not meet your expectations AT FIRST GLANCE, you will never be happy there. The fluff of resumes gets you to the door, what you do with it gets you consideration, what you end up with is what you choose. Smile and live.

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Specializes in Research, ED, Critical Care.

Also who you know counts and age matters are you older or younger - then address it off the top. For example: Objective: Experienced individual seeks growth opportunity to make a difference in myself and the organization or New graduate seeks leadership in developing career. Nurses do talk and knowing someone inside will help. Also you must deliver what you promise.

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Specializes in ICU.

Although I read through a good portion of this long thread, I didn't see a whole lot on my current situation... I'm about to interview with managers within the same hospital at which I currently work in order to transfer.

Would it be good practice to bring along a resume and list of references? Is it ok to slip the thank you note under their door, send it via email, or would it be best to send it snail mail?

I have a basic idea of what to do, but want to hear from others.

Thanks!

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Thanks to all of you for your responses to me regarding my dilemma (new grad but with years of experience in prehospital)

I decided to apply at emergency rooms in a few area hospitals, and to bite the bullet so to speak for full time positions. Two interviews were quite simply nightmares (one manager told me I was an hour late when I wasn't, and one place had three other new grad nurses interview me rather than the manager). Two went really well also so it balanced out. Surprisingly, my paramedic experience is what got me the interviews in the first place!

I didn't hear from my first choice position when I was told I would, so I accepted my second choice position...but didn't get farther than the physical and drug screen before I heard from my first choice place. I did a cost analysis for the benefits, the pay, etc. and decided to withdraw my acceptance at the first place (I know that is considered kind of tacky but my first choice was so far above the second I couldn't even really compare them).

Anyway, thanks to all the tips here, and apologies to HR managers who probably hate people like me.

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Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.
arl1065 said:
hi, i'm just wondering how much money will i have to invest in a nice business attire for my job interview, if i don't have anything yet like pants, shoes, etc?...

I wouldn't invest a lot. You certainly don't have to be designer or the latest fashion, just basic, clean, and neat.

Try consignment stores and/or thrift shops first. You can find some amazing bargains that way. Also, don't get dry clean only, buy machine washable.

Your interview outfit should be comfortable and look good both sitting and standing. Shoes need to be clean and professional but comfortable- you often tour facilities during the interview.

The nice thing is, you can wear the same outfit for every interview, unless you have a second interview the same place. Then you can just change out the blouse and look a little different, if you want.

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I am a current medical surgical nurse of about 1 year and 2 months. I have my BSN. My question is r/t a job posting which I feel is right up my alley, a nurse recruiter. I know I don't have experience but I feel I would really like this job. Should I apply? Any advice?

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(Be polite to everyone that you come into contact with. I've tossed applications because the applicant was rude to our HR receptionist!):yeahthat:

Always be nice to those in any of these positions. Our receptionist has taught me a great deal about this, "see how far that get's you" as their demands get moved to the bottom of the pile.:nono:

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Specializes in ICU.
mjwhitley1313 said:
I am a current medical surgical nurse of about 1 year and 2 months. I have my BSN. My question is r/t a job posting which I feel is right up my alley, a nurse recruiter. I know I don't have experience but I feel I would really like this job. Should I apply? Any advice?

Yes! Apply! I'm sure they may be looking for a nurse who has more experience, but I also believe that they would be wise to hire someone who has a passion for the work. If you're honest about your intentions, express your desire to learn and grow in the position, and present a positive attitude then you could potentially be the right person for the job. I'm even thinking that 1 year of beside nursing is enough to understand the needs and qualifications of a prospective new hire.

Best of luck! Be sure to post what you decide and how your application goes!

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Karen, thanks so much for the advice for resumes. I am trying to re-enter nursing after a 7 year clinical absence from a terrible MVA that left me with a recent BKA, but now I am walking as good as anyone. I will be taking a nurse refresher course in October, but was hoping I could get a job without it. I have been to one interview but did not get the job. I felt as though it was a great interview and was called two days later asking if I was still interested and that human resources would be getting in touch with me. They did, saying that I would hear from them again after the weekend and that they had the final say. I never got the call. I didn't know quite what to do. The woman from human resources said she would be the one to decide and had called to confirm the reason for my 7 year absence. I did work for one year during my rehab, but it wasn't clinical. This was a pediatricians office and I knew all the doctors from my previous job before I was hurt. I used to work in the local Level II nursery. I thought I was a "shoe in". I sent a thank you letter to the nurse I interviewed with, thinking that might let me know something, but I never heard a word. Very disappointing. I answered all of her medical questions correctly, and I felt that it was a great interview. Guess God has other plans for me and wants me to take the refresher course, $435 later. Thanks so much!:o

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Just what I needed a few days ago, job interview tips.:lol2:

For all you hiring experts: I had an RN job interview yesterday, it was a panel that consisted of an RN, Case Manager and one more person that (I know I am bad) I sincerely don't remember what position she holds. To make things even worse I was so nervous and focusing on my posture that I forgot their names. I know the case managers name but the other two I have no idea.:uhoh3:

What do you recommend I do to find out? Who can I call to find out with out making a full out of my self?

I want to send them a thank you letter but it would be nice to address them by name.

One more question for you.

What goes through your mind when you interview someone that has a good cover letter, a good resume and you've heard from current employees and employers that they would be good candidate for the job but then comes the interview and that person (like me) gets all nervous and doesn't respond as great as you expected or wished for?

:madface:Yes, this happened to me and the worst thing is that I TRULY believe that I can do a great job as a RN at this place. I have the skills and the desire to give it my all and LEARN LEARN LEARN. I hope they sow through my nervousness and give me a chance to show them that I can do the job.

Thank you for your advice!!! Hope to read from you soon.:monkeydance:

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