Career Services Center

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Steps to Help You Land the Interview and Get the
Job

• Career Services Center
• Christy Meriwether, Managing Director
• Donna Balko, Employer Relations

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Steps

• Step 1 Self Assessment
• Step 2 Networking
• Step 3 Constructing a Winning Resume
• Step 4 References
• Step 5 Cover Letter
• Step 6 Letters of Recommendation
• Step 7 Thank You Notes
• Step 8 The Interview

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Begin with a Self Assessment

• In preparation for your career, think about
• What is your starting point?
• What makes you unique?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• Where are you headed?
• What are your goals in 1, 5, 10 years?
• Reconsider these questions throughout your career.

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Networking

• In some industries, at least 60 of jobs are
  found by networking.

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What is a resume?

• It is usually the first impression you will make
  on a potential employer, so create interest by
  telling them why they should hire you!
• Summary of relevant experience
• Screening tool (good and bad)
• It is an invitation for an interview
• Career planning tool

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General Tips for Resumes

• Name at a 16 font size
• Headers (Education, etc.) at a 12-14 font size
• Use a horizontal format
• Text underneath headers is at an 11-12 font size
• Readable and clear font
• Acronyms spelled out when not commonly known
• When spelled out do not put acronyms in
  parentheses unless using them more than once

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General Tips for Resumes

• Which if the following statements is true
  regarding the correct length for a resume?
• 1 It must be only one page.
• 2 One to one-and-half pages is okay.
• 3 If you have a lot of experience, it can be as
  long as you want.

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General Tips for Resumes

• Do not write in first or third-person, except in
  the Objective Statement where you can use
  pronouns, I or me
• Use action verbs to describe school and work
  experiences and use proper tense
• Use bullets for lists not for one item
• No pictures, graphics, or URLs
• If your resume is two pages, put your name on the
  second page

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Finish strong

• Proofread and have others proofread!
• Print on resume paper and use a quality printer
• Also use for cover letter and reference page

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Sample Elements of a Resume

• Name, Address, Phone, Email
• Objective
• Education
• Clinical Experience
• Related Work Experience
• Certifications
• Honors/Awards
• Community Engagement
• Professional Memberships

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Objective Creation Tips

• Keep it concise, targeted and relevant
• Focus on your skills how you will benefit the
  employer
• Should be crystal clear about career direction
• Varies depending upon the job you want

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Objective Format Example

• Begin with what you are seeking
• Add what you will bring to the position
• End with how you will help, benefit, or improve
  the hospital, etc.
• Keep to one sentence

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Objective Format Example

• Great examples
• Example
• To secure employment as a Graduate Nurse in which
  I can utilize my ______ skill(s) to_________.
• Seeking a Critical Care internship in which I can
  utilize my ____ to______.

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Education

• Name of school plus city and state
• Bold the university and/or college names
• Do not list high school
• Degree, month, and year (do not say anticipated
  graduation date)
• GPA optional (if over 3.0)
• Example
• Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
  School of Nursing, Lubbock, TXBachelor of
  Science in Nursing, May 2014
• GPA 3.0

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Clinical Experiences with Education

• Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
  School of Nursing, Lubbock, TX
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing, May 2014
• GPA 3.0
• Clinical Experience
• University Medical Center, Lubbock, TXOncology,
  Fall 2013 or October 2013 November 2013
• Observed hospice referral and was mentored on
  easing the emotional impact of impending death
• Assisted
• Surgical Intensive Care Unit, University Medical
  Center, Fall 2013
• Conducted hourly neurological checks on a patient
  suffering with coup contrecoup lesion
• Translated for the nurses and physicians on the
  unit for a patient who only spoke Spanish

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Clinical Experiences as a Separate Heading

• University Medical Center, Lubbock, TXOncology,
  Fall 2013 or October 2013 November 2013
• Observed hospice referral and was mentored on
  easing the emotional impact of impending death
• Assisted.
• Surgical Intensive Care Unit, University Medical
  Center, Fall 2013
• Conducted hourly neurological checks on a patient
  suffering of coup-contra coup lesion
• Translated for the nurses and physicians on the
  unit on a patient who only spoke Spanish
• Placed a nasogastric tube on a patient in the
  SICU

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Clinical Experiences as a Separate Heading

• Relate bullets to your objective
• Use bullets that begin with action verbs
• Two lines or shorter in length
• Think in terms of a process
• Hospitals want to know your performance in the
  following areas
• Competent bedside care
• Use of high level equipment
• Performance in high level procedures
• Good communication skills
• Teamwork

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Use the Job Description as a Guide
Job Responsibilities Implements and monitors
patient care plans. Monitors, records and
communicates patient condition as appropriate.
Monitors and documents patient's condition and
effectiveness and timeliness of care and/or
interventions evaluates, updates and revises
plan of care to facilitate achievement of planned
and expected outcomes. Serves as a primary
coordinator of all disciplines for
well-coordinated patient care. Administers
prescribed medications and treatments in
accordance with approved nursing protocol. Notes
and carries out physician and nursing orders.
Assesses and coordinates patient's discharge
planning needs with members of the healthcare
team. Assesses educational needs of the patient
and significant others considering cultural
issues and other special concerns. Provides
teaching and educational material as appropriate.
Validates and documents patient and family
understanding of teaching.
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Related Work Experience

• Place of employment, city, state, month, and year
  of employment
• Position held under place of employment
• If you have limited space, put the position in
  front of the place of employment so it is on the
  same line
• Bulleted experiences beginning with action words
• Example
• Hospice of the South Plains, Lubbock, TX
  June 2011-August 2011Nursing Assistant
• Provided hospice-related healthcare in nursing
  homes, assisted living centers and patients
  residences
• Assisted patients with

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Other Headers
Certifications American Heart Association,
CPR/BLS and First Aid Certified Honors Texas
Tech University Health Sciences Center Deans
List, Spring 2013 Community Engagement March of
Dimes Walk America, Volunteer and
Fundraiser Professional Organizations Texas
Nursing Students Association, Member
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References

• References Available Upon Request
• Last item on the resume
• Signals the end of the resume
• May help you stand out
• Reference Page is Separate from Resume
• Include your Page Header at the Top
• Center and title the page References
• Name, credentials, title, address, phone, email
• Left justified

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References
References Meghan Rowen, MSN, RN Instructor,
TTUHSC School of Nursing 3601 4th Street, MS
6264 Lubbock, TX 79413 Office 806.743.2730 Cell
806.500.5555 meghan.rowen_at_ttuhsc.edu
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Finish strong

• Proofread and have others proofread
• Proofread again
• Print on resume paper and use a quality printer
• Also use for cover letter and reference page
• Did we mention.proofread

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More about proofreading

• Watch for words in ALL CAPS.
• Dont rely on spellcheck alone
• I am experienced in all faucets (facets) of
  accounting
• Strong Work Ethic, Attention to Detail, Team
  Player, Attention to Detail 
• Instrumental in ruining entire operation for a
  Midwest chain store.
• Hope to hear from you, shorty.

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Cover Letter

• Your marketing piece when you are not there
• Remember, do not repeat the information in your
  resume
• Include why you became a nurse
• Be specific. Dont just tell them you are
  qualified. Give examples.

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Cover Letter

• First paragraph Introduction
• Introduction with information about the job you
  are applying to
• Second paragraph Body
• Why are you interested in the position?
• Why their hospital?
• Why did you go into nursing? What sets you apart?
• Be specific
• Final Paragraph Closing
• Indicate you hope to meet with them
• Make reference to your contact information
• Thank them

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Letters of Recommendation

• Think of the image you want to put forth and
  choose people who can write to support that image
• Meet with each of them and tell them what you are
  applying for and why
• Ask them if they would be able to provide you
  with a strong letter of recommendation
• Give them 3-4 weeks notice
• Provide them with information about the job,
  who/where to mail the letter, deadline and resume
• Be prepared to provide them with a summary of
  your accomplishments

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Items to Remember

• When applying online
• Resume
• Cover Letter
• When applying in person
• Resume
• References in case they ask for them
• Generally, references are requested during or
  after the interview

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Prior to the Interview

• Do your homework
• Review the hospitals website and learn facts
• Saves interviews time and is impressive
• Get the name of the person you will interview
  with and use it as it is music to their ears
• Review the job posting again
• Be prepared to answer and ask questions

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Types of Interviews

• Phone interview (usually for screening
  candidates)
• Face-to-face interview with one person. Usually a
  nurse recruiter or human resources
• Group interview with several nurse managers

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Arriving for the Interview

• Take resume and references
• Turn off the cell phone or leave it in the car!
• Do not be seen absorbed in your phone
• Arrive 10-15 min. early
• Treat everyone you see politely

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During and After the Interview

• Shake hands and have good eye contact upon
  greeting the interviewer
• Practice, practice, practice
• Listen
• Thank the interviewer following the interview and
  shake hands
• Send a handwritten thank you note ASAP

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Behavioral Questions

• Behavioral questions are very common among
  hospital recruiters because past behavior is a
  predictor of future behavior
• For example Describe a situation when you went
  above and beyond what was expected of you.
• Be prepared
• Mock Interview

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Steps to Answering Behavioral Questions

• Describe a situation when you went above and
  beyond what was expected of you.
• Describe a specific situation
• Identify hindrances or challenges
• Explain the action(s) taken
• Discuss the results or outcomes
• Evaluate or summarize what was learned

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Behavioral Questions

• Practicing your responses will help you recall
  past situations
• Avoid the following pitfalls
• Not giving enough detail
• Being unprepared
• Being too rehearsed/polished

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Thank you

• Send a thank you to the recruiter(s)
• References are important and deserve a BIG thank
  you.
• Handwritten notes are the best
• Follow up with your references to let them know
  what job you landed

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Note Example
Dear Ms. Adams, Thank you for the opportunity to
interview for the _____. I am very interested in
the job and feel that I have the skills you
desire. I enjoyed meeting you and learning more
about _____ and look forward to hearing from you
soon. Sincerely,
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Resources
www.ttuhsc.edu/son/career, For Students Career
Counseling Donna Balko, Career
Counselor/Employer Relations Christy Meriwether,
Senior Director Resume Builder (Optimal
Resume) How to Guide Interview Stream
(interview prep) Jobs Job search (Career
Shift) use group code soncareers Current
Job postings Hospital information
sheets Library of Resources
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Resources

• Library of Resources
• Resume Building PowerPoint
• Resume Planning Guide
• Cover Letter Planning Guide
• Action Verbs
• Interview Planning Guide
• Top 10 Interview Questions
• Interview Questions (Sample Behavioral Questions)

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• One important key to success is self-confidence.
  An important key to self-confidence is
  preparation.
• 
  Arthur Ashe

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