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.
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.
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.
I would make a point of calling the HR staff member who initially contacted you and ask them who you should address the cover letter to and if they don't give you an answer then I would put "Nurse Recruiter" but only do that if they do not give you a specific addressee or if they request you to address the cover letter with that title.
!Chris
Thank you. I have already submitted my application and have an interview scheduled today...I had submitted my application and resume w/o a cover letter...so is it a waste of time to give them one now? I guess I really wasn't all too prepared, just eager to get a new job! And good luck on your NCLEX today! I take mine July 12!
Wow! This seems to be extremely helpful. Thank you so much for sharing. I am working on a new resume now and have new hope of being hired as a "new grad". Thanks again!
I am a registerd nurse. I really need help from a recruiter to review my resume and cover letter. I have applied to many jobs over the years but can't get a job or even an interview. please help me.
Many resumes that I see are finctional in format. They state the job and job resonsibilities but do not include accomplishments. Always include your achievements in the workplace. Include the metrics to support them. Numbers, percentages, timing reductions, etc. are very important.
Format is ver important. You would not believe the number of executive resumes I receive that are poorly structured and lack the detail to show what a person has achieved. Below are a few examples of what I am referring to.
o Restructured Preoperative Services to enhance accountability, productivity, efficiency, and customer satisfaction
o Developed marketing strategies that enhance volumes, staff retention, and increased surgeon's
referral sources.
o Reduced inventory by $800,000.00
o Developed and implemented a Case Cart system
o Increased patient readiness 12 hours prior to procedure from 20% to 80% (goal 100%)
o Increased first case on time start from 22% to 85%
o Completed Phase II of the Perioperative electronic clinical documentations
o Implemented a Perpetual Inventory system which achieved a cost savings of $240,000 in the OR
o Restructured Anesthesiology to increase revenue by $3 Million per annum
o Developed and implemented processes to increase procedures by 47% above FY07 procedures
o Decreased room turnover from 1 hour to 30 minutes to our goal 20 minutes
o Developed and implemented Service Line Team Leaders, which has increased the depth of the organization
o Developed and implemented a Collaborative Practice committee with Surgeons and nursing
Take the time and put forth the effort to create a resume that will yield results.
This is great advice for nurses that have experience behind their belt but what about a graduate nurse whose only experience occurred in the clinical setting?
lkadams2, ASN, RN
8 Posts
Thank you. I have already submitted my application and have an interview scheduled today...I had submitted my application and resume w/o a cover letter...so is it a waste of time to give them one now? I guess I really wasn't all too prepared, just eager to get a new job! And good luck on your NCLEX today! I take mine July 12!