Your Nursing Job Search: Important Tools and Strategies

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Your Nursing Job Search Important Tools and
Strategies

• Holly Heilberg
• Career Advisor
• Hollyh_at_virginia.edu

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Self Knowledge is the KEY!

• But, WHY?
• You can make better choices regarding jobs and
  environments that fit
• You can design you resume to reflect this
  information and to guide the interview.
• Your confidence will come through!

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Knowledge of Careers and Environments

• www.bls.gov/oco/ The Occupational Outlook
  Handbook
• Shadowing/clinicals
• Informational Interviewing to gather
  Information and Advice

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Sharpen your Job Search Tools

• Prepare a Professional Resume (send to
  hollyh_at_virginia.edu)
• Construct a Cover letter
• Enter on-line applications as required
• Schedule a Mock Interview

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Skills Sought

• Analytical/Computer
• Imagination/Creativity
• Flexibility/Adaptability
• Interpersonal
• Handles conflict/stress
• Entrepreneurial
• Sense of Humor
• Friendly/Tactful/Polite

• Communication
• Hard Work/Energy
• Honesty/Integrity
• Self-confidence/focused
• Teamwork
• Initiative/Motivation
• Leadership
• Organized/Detail Oriented

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Establishing a Target

• Type of Position
• Type of Organization or Facility
• Geographic Location
• Flexibility!

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Identifying Employers

• Internet - Go to www.career.virginia.edu
• MyUCS - GoingGlobal
• UVA HoosTrak
• Job Fairs/Conferences/Conventions
• Phone Book
• Newspapers, Association Newsletters, et
• Directories (Career Search!)
• Classified Ads

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Contacting Hospitals, Employers, Etc.

• Look on their website for the Nurse Recruiter (or
  Human Resources or Employment Dept)
• They generally require that you send a resume,
  cover letter, hospital application and either a
  list of references or letters of recommendation.

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Follow-Up with Employers

• Call to ensure receipt of resume, application,
  etc. so that your file is complete and find out
  about their hiring timeframe
• If they need written recommendations (ex. future
  graduate schools would), consider using
  Interfolio.com
• Stay organized! Keep records of who you contacted
  and when, what you discussed, etc.
• Get Business Cards or Appropriate Spelling of
  Names and Title
• Write Thank You Notes
• Call in a Couple of Weeks to Check In to See if
  They Need Anything Else from You

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The Power of Networking. a Critical
Lifetime Skill!

• 75 of the jobs are in the Hidden Job Market
• Network, Network, NETWORK!
• Professors
• Parents
• Friends of Parents
• Doctors, other nurses, etc.
• http//www.hoosonline.virginia.edu
• UVA Alumni Chapters www.uvaclubs.virginia.edu
• Others..

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The Process

• Identify contacts
• Phone them directly or send a cover letter with
  your resume (via email or snail mail)
• Follow-up in a week to make sure they received
  this information.

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The Networking Process

• Tell them about yourself using a 30 second
  Elevator Speech
• Hello, Mrs. Jenkins, my name is .. I recently
  sent you my resume and Im following up to make
  sure you received it. Is this a good time to
  talk?
• As you can see on my resume Im graduating from
  the University of Virginia School of Nursing this
  May. I have identified that I want to pursue a
  position as a Nurse in the NICU and have narrowed
  my geographic preference to the D.C. area.

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Networking continued

• My recent clinical was in the NICU at the UVA
  hospital. This was an incredible experience and
  I realized my passion for working in this area.
  In preparation for a career in this field I also
  recently attended the .conference and spoke to
  several individuals who have confirmed my
  interest in this area of nursing.
• I would welcome any information or advice that
  you have about finding opportunities in this
  field or other referrals I might contact.

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Networking .

• At this point switch into the role of an
  Investigative Reporter.
• Ask questions to unearth more information
• Try and get the names and contact information for
  other referrals
• Thank them for all their time and helpfulness
• Follow-up with a thank you note (or email)
• Once you have gotten a job be sure to let them
  knowand show your appreciation again!

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Portfolios

• Great exercise to prepare for interviewing and
  for salary
• A very helpful resource as you progress in your
  profession.
• Consider using Interfolio.com to store resume,
  transcripts, or other portfolio information and
  letters of recommendation even if only a list of
  references is needed
• Will set you apart from your competition

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InterfolioDonna BarnesUniversity Career
Services
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Other Portfolio Resources

• http//cnhs.gmu.edu/writing/typesport.html
• http//www.samford.edu/schools/nursing/portfolio.h
  tm
• The nursing portfolio A reflection of a
  professional by Alexander, Craft, Baldwin,
  Beers, McDaniel.
• http//www.dcardillo.com/articles/beyondresume.htm
  l
• http//amby.com/kimeldorf/portfolio/

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Other Online Resources

• http//www.nursingspectrum.com/CareerManagement/Ma
  nagingYourCareer/index.htm
• http//www.nursezone.com/career/default.asp
• http//www.campuscareercenter.com/students/career_
  corner.asp

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Dos and Donts

• Do network and attend health oriented job fairs!
• Consider alternatives to hospitals including
  schools, Peace Corps, travel nursing, etc.
• Dont wait for a classified ad to appear
• DO informal informational networking at every
  opportunity!

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Tying It All Together

• Network and/or Conduct Informational Interviews
  to Help You with Your Research for Resume, Cover
  Letter, Job Search Interview
• Become Involved in Professional Organizations
• General Statistic One month of searching for
  every 10,000 sought.

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Finally.Remember.

• The Ideal Job Energy Attitude Skills Time
  Disorganization and procrastination
• Good Luck with your Job Search!

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UCS Services

• Resume Cover Letters Critiqued
• Assistance in finding an Externship or summer
  experience
• Mock Interviews
• Job Search Strategies (on off-grounds)
• Networking Referrals
• Job Fairs (Nursing held in early December)
• Workshops--see UCS calendar

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Holly HeilbergNursing Career Advisor

• University of Virginia Career Services
• Hours at the School of Nursing
• Monday and Wednesday 12 noon to 400 pm
• (In McLeod Lobby across from elevators)
• 434-924-9712 or 924-8900
• hollyh_at_virginia.edu
• http//www.career.virginia.edu/education
• http//www.career.virginia.edu/nursing

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Salary Negotiation

• Dont sell yourself short (particularly when
  youre filling a shortage area)!
• Know the average salary for that geographic
  region using www.bestplaces.net, salary.com,
  salarywizard.com or salaryexpert.com to consider
  cost of living impact on salary.
• Read Jack Chapmans book, How to Negotiate a
  1000 per minute