Chapter 21: Finding a Job

1
Chapter 21 Finding a Job

• Julie E. Davis BSN, RN

2
What Do I Want To Do?

• Continue education (immediately following
  graduation)
• Find a Job
• Newspaper
• Internet
• Word-of-mouth
• Publications
• Prior clinical area as student

3
Interpersonal Styles

• Not only Who am I? But...
• How do others see me?
• Important during job interviews
• Try to determine the interviewers style

4
Interpersonal Styles Results Focused

• No-nonsense style
• Speak fast, impatient, prefer to get information
  quickly act immediately
• You should be brief get to the point quickly
  when dealing with these individuals
• Describe what youve done what you plan to do
  dont get side-tracked

5
Interpersonal Styles Detail Focused

• Interested in every detail no matter how small
• Perfectionists (prefer correctness rather than
  quickness)
• They speak slowly deliberately, asking for
  additional details
• Be thorough in answering questions
• Detail what you have done plan to do

6
Interpersonal Styles Friendly Focused

• Easy-going conversation integrate personal life
  such as hobbies
• This person will eventually shift to either
  Result Focused or Detail Focused
• You should chat for just a couple of minutes
  then redirect the conversation to the interview

7
Interpersonal Styles Party Focused

• These people tell jokes, laugh have a good
  time before getting down to business
• Like the Friendly Focused they will also shift to
  either Results or Detail Focused

8
Networking

• Using contacts for reasons beyond the initial
  purpose for the contact
• In other words, using the people you know to get
  you connected

9
Networking for References

• Instructors
• Managers Supervisors
• Current co-workers
• Other nurses you know
• School placement people
• Preceptors
• Always ask permission FIRST before putting
  someone down as a reference
• Always follow-up with them THANK them

10
Networking for a Job

• Family friends w/ nursing contacts
• Former health care employers
• Newspapers nursing journals
• Internet (i.e. Monster.com, see Box 21-3)
• Attending professional conferences or training
  seminars

11
Hidden Job Markets(Jobs that arent advertised)

• Ask family friends
• People at your clinical sites
• Searching company websites
• Employment offices
• Private recruiting companies
• Job fairs placement coordinators

12
Providing References

• Its best to put Available upon request
• Be sure to provide them when requested
• Dont give them out unless you are truly
  interested in the job, because...
• Your references will get tired of being contacted
  for 25 different positions

13
Resumes DOs

• Should be concise to the point
• 1-2 pages, preferably one page
• Use quality resume paper in a neutral color
• Type with absolutely zero errors
• Should include at a minimum
• Objective (in spite of what your book says),
  education employment history, licenses
  organization memberships, references (available
  upon request)

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Resumes Donts

• Be too cluttered or wordy
• Dont put down reasons for leaving past jobs
• Dont put down salary requirements
• Dont put photos or personal information (i.e.
  marital status, children, race or religion)
• Dont put down anything not current (i.e.
  certifications)
• Dont put down ancient history employment info

15
Cover Letters

• Must be included with resume
• Paper should match resume paper
• Must be neat without errors with proper grammar
• Only one page in length
• Remember, the basic purpose of a Cover Letter is
  to request an interview

16
Applications

• Be 100 truthful
• Do not leave blanks, instead write N/A (not
  applicable), Will Explain, or Negotiable (for
  salary)
• Employers often view blanks as signs of
  carelessness, sloppiness, or someone who will not
  complete assigned tasks

17
The Interview

• BE PROFESSIONAL show your best self
• Do NOT overdo make-up or jewelry (you want them
  to remember you, not your earrings)
• Be courteous use good manners
• Do not chew gum
• Display confidence
• Sit up straight (good posture)

18
The Interview

• Business attire is EXPECTED for both men women
  (no matter how casual you think the interview is)
• Women should wear slacks, skirts or dresses
  appropriate undergarments (DO NOT WEAR LOW-CUT
  SHIRTS OR SHORT SKIRTS, OR STILLETO HEELS)
• Men should wear dress slacks with a nice shirt
  (tucked in) wear a belt that matches your shoes

19
The Interview

• Be clean
• Be shaved
• Wear clean clothes
• Wear only very little cologne or perfume
• Brush teeth
• SMILE!!!
• Always follow-up after an interview to let them
  know that you really are interested

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Possible Interview Questions

• Tell me about yourself
• What is your experience in healthcare, if any?
• Why did you leave your last job?
• Why do you want to work here?
• How would you describe your verbal your
  writing skills?
• Why should we hire you instead of someone with
  more experience?
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

21
Beware of Illegal Questions

• Have you been hospitalized recently?
• Do you have any chronic health problems?
• Have you ever been on workers compensation?
• Are you married? How many kids do you have?
  Are you planning on having any more children?

22
Questions about Criminal History

• Its best to be honest from the start
• Eventually, a criminal history will catch up with
  you
• Better to not get the job than to lose the
  job (in which case you will have a bad reference)
• In healthcare, you will be given a criminal
  background check most likely a drug screen

23
Resigning

• Dont burn your bridges (meaning dont leave on
  negative terms)
• Try to work somewhere at least one year before
  leaving
• Always give at least two weeks notice (some
  places require more)
• Always write an appreciative letter of resignation

24
Remember!!!

• You can get hired for a job as a new graduate
  EVEN over a more experienced nurse....IF you know
  how to present yourself.
• If you behave in a more professional manner, look
  more professional, and exhibit a positive
  attitude you are more likely to get the job.

25
You Got The JOB!!!

• Always send thank-you notes to those that helped
  you (i.e. references)
• Be a good employee because word of mouth travels.
• In nursing it is very common to be hired based on
  reputation only.
• It is also common NOT to get hired because of
  your reputation.
• Remember...YOUR REPUTATION AS A NURSE, WILL
  PRECEED YOU WHEREVER YOU GO!!!