Due to much uncertainty in the health-care field, it can be a challenging time to be looking for a job, particularly for B.S.N. graduates. Statistics show that in a tight job market, top candidates are still hired, however, top candidates will receive fewer multiple job offers and offers will be made later. The good news is that you are graduating from one of the best nursing schools. Recruiters consistently comment on the quality of Penn graduates; you are the top candidates. Even though the market for advanced practice nurses continues to grow, M.S.N. and B.S.N. graduates alike will benefit from a well thought out plan to market yourself well and conduct a serious job search. Whether you are looking for a full-time, part-time, summer, staff nurse, or advanced practice nurse position, the following strategies will apply.
Once you have completed the preparation of your written materials, you are ready to begin your job search. There are many different ways to conduct a job search, with some combination being the most effective. Below is a list of some job search methods. In planning your strategies you should identify several different methods which you can implement simultaneously. Your primary goal is to let as many people as possible know that you are looking for a job. You should concentrate on disseminating this information in a professional and appropriate manner.
Network - alumni consistently report that they found their jobs through some type of networking. What exactly does networking mean? Basically tell everyone (and that means everyone - parents' friends, religious advisors, your dentist, hair dresser, etc....) you know that you are looking for employment. Explain your employment preferences; listen to their advice. Find out if they know of anyone else that you should speak with. If an employer with a vacancy hears of a qualified candidate from someone that they know and respect, they will most often want to interview and consider the individual for employment even before advertising. Hence access to the "hidden job market".
To facilitate your networking efforts, CPPS maintains a list of Penn nursing alumni who have volunteered to be informational sources to current students and other alumni. These alums can be invaluable in discussing potential employers, organizations, leads and tips. When you contact one of these alums or anyone else for that matter, ask to arrange a time for an informational interview.
Conduct Informational Interviews with people (alums) employed in positions/hospitals/agencies that are of interest to you. This is often difficult for first-time job seekers to do. It requires initiative and forethought. If you are looking to break into a field in which you have had little prior experience, your first step should be to learn more about that field. To do so you can call directors of offices or persons holding positions that seem interesting to you. Request a fifteen minute appointment to discuss the organization and the employee's career path (keep to the agreement of fifteen minutes since this busy person is doing you a favor). Prepare some well thought out questions to keep the conversation going and to gain the information that you are seeking (see the sample questions list on the next page).
Dress in professional attire (remember, you want to impress this employer with your professionalism and degree of initiative and preparedness). At the end of an informational interview you should always ask for names of other people you can speak with to gain more information about the field (networking). Following the informational interview, be sure to send a thank you note to the employer. If you were intrigued by the organization you can mention that fact in the letter and state that you are enclosing a resume should a position become available.
Respond to positions which have been advertised
Sunday paper classified ads. Did you know that only 12% of all jobs get advertised in local papers? This means that there are another 88% of all jobs that people miss when they limit themselves only to this means of job searching. This doesn't mean that you should stop buying the paper; it just means that you shouldn't limit yourself to this method and expect to be employed quickly.
When you do apply for a job from the newspaper, you should try to find out the name of the appropriate person to whom you should direct your cover letter and resume. This will take some work but will give you the added edge over your competitors. If the person designated to receive the resumes is someone in personnel, try to figure out to whom you would report if hired. Send an additional copy of your resume to this individual to enhance your exposure.
If you are willing to relocate, consider subscribing to newspapers in several geographic regions. Don't limit yourself to the want ads. Read articles which may give you some information about the job market, openings of new facilities, or about any new high level administrators. These people often try to bring on new staff to complement their style. You can avoid subscription costs by following selected publications through the university or public library.
Professional journals. Many interesting jobs nationwide get advertised in professional journals. Additionally, it is behooving to read between the lines of articles in order to begin to get a feel for the current news in many different aspects of your field. If you see that an organization is about to expand, it is likely that new staff will be hired. If you see that a certain individual has written about and is involved in an area of interest to you, you may want to try to obtain an informational interview with that person. Design your cover letter to express your anticipation of their staffing needs and provide them with information about you and your abilities before they even start advertising.
Find listings of jobs through as many sources as possible. Career Services maintains comprehensive nursing job vacancies in the Nursing job binder at the reception desk in Career Services. Similarly, many academic departments at the university post their own listings, professional organizations (for example, the American Nurses Association) may have job registries for members and generate regular listings. Federal, state and city governments may also have regular listings to which you may subscribe. There are several free periodicals such as The Nursing Spectrum which also advertise vacancies.
Contact employers of interest to you.
Send out a "mass" mailing of cover letters and resumes to appropriate employers. Call the organizations to get the name and title of the appropriate person to whom to send the information. For names of organizations, Career Services, Van Pelt, and public libraries have various directories listing professional employers and organizations nation and world wide. However, if you are interested in staff nurse positions, applications are almost always requested. It may be more effective to call a hospital first to get an idea of their application process, any open houses, deadlines, etc., and get materials. You can then send your resume with the completed application, and avoid getting caught in the "paper chase".
Target employers that are of specific interest to you because of the services that they offer or their reputation in the field. The targeted letters should be more specific than the "mass mailing" and may include your intention to follow up by phone. Contact these people via telephone or mailing. Gain as much information as possible about them. Information can be found by looking in the CPPS library, talking to faculty/professionals in the field, calling their public relations department and asking for some literature or identifying people within the organization for informational interviews.
Use the internet To have access to the internet, you will need an electronic-mail (e-mail) account. A staff member at the nursing computer lab will gladly establish your account. After you have an e-mail account you will have electronic access to Career Services (and the whole world). If you give Career Services your e-mail address we will send career announcements directly to you. If you are new to the internet, a good introductory article is written in PATHWAYS, the Career Services manual; copies of PATHWAYS are available in Career Services.
Tell me about your background/career progression, etc.
In this field/position what are your most prominent rewards and biggest frustrations?
When you select new people, what criteria do you use to make those choices?
When you have a vacancy, how/where is it advertised?
Are there professional associations or publications you would recommend that would expand my knowledge of this field?
What other career areas are related to your work?
How would you advise me to prepare myself for entry into this field/organization?
If I look for work in this field, where would you suggest that I look first?
Is there anyone else who you recommend that I talk with?
The ideal interview is a two-way street, allowing the employer to convey information to you, the interviewee, about the job and the organization, while you have the opportunity to discuss your qualifications and the information on your resume. The interview is the most important element in the job search process. It is a time to assess the "match" between you and the employer. The employer will be assessing your background, skills, personal style, and interest in the position/organization and supplying you with information about the job and the organization. You will be providing the interviewer with information on your skills, your level of commitment, and your experiences, while at the same time eliciting enough information to ascertain whether or not the particular job/organization is right for you.
Being invited to an interview generally means that the potential employer already thinks you are qualified to do the job (so pat yourself on the back!). This probably means that your cover letter and resume were effective. The interview, therefore, will not only determine your qualifications for the job, but it will also be chance for the interviewer to find out what you're like and to assess how well you would fit into the organization. It is quite common and natural to be nervous before an interview. Typically once you get into the interview room and settle down you will realize that you are just having a conversation with a colleague in the field. You've gotten to this stage on your own merits. Just keep up the good work!
The basic rule of thumb of interviews is that you need to articulate convincingly why you should be hired and why you are interested in the position. The following qualities will enhance your ability to come across professionally and effectively in an interview.
Communication skills. The ability to write and articulate ideas and information and to interact with others.
Confidence. An awareness of his/her strengths and weaknesses (areas needing improvement). Willingness to set and attain realistic goals.
Personality. A sense of humor, cheerfulness and flexibility in new situations. Enthusiasm to accept challenges is particularly important.
Accomplishments. Academic as well as personal achievements.
Knowledge. An understanding of the organization and the career field.
GENERAL POINTERS:
Be prepared. Know as much about the position/hospital/organization as you can. Ask for a copy of the annual report/informational brochure/job description prior to the interview. Ask colleagues, friends, and faculty about the organization. The more you know, the more focused your answers will be. The Career Services library includes many guides to hospitals, health care consulting firms, private agencies, professional associations, and other categories, in which you can get general information on organizations of interest. Don't forget the Alumni Advisors!
Know yourself. Think honestly about your strengths and weaknesses, your work style, skills, and goals. Be prepared to give honest answers. Review your resume critically and try to identify the areas that an employer might view as limitations without apologizing for deficiencies. Think about how you can answer difficult questions accurately and positively to enhance your qualifications for a job. For example, if you are returning to the work force after raising a family for ten years, an employer might ask questions to determine the effect that this lack of recent employment might have on your ability to perform the job. If you have worked on a per-diem basis for a home health agency during this ten year period, that would account for a level of professional involvement which might strengthen your application. It will also enable you to come up with effective answers to defend your past in a professional way. This is impressive.
Be prompt and professional. Arrive early. If you don't know where the organization is located, call for directions ahead of time. Anticipate traffic, parking problems and general unforeseen difficulties. If you know you are going to be late be sure to call and let someone know. To be more comfortable, you should arrive approximately 10 minutes early. Allow yourself the time to read your resume one more time, catch your breath, hang up your coat and get into the right mind set for the interview.
Dress appropriately. Wear clothes befitting a person employed in the organization in which you hope to work and also clothes in which you are comfortable and feel you look your best. In general, you can be more flexible than the standard gray flannel business suit, however, you should look professional. For women: a skirt and jacket is fine. For men: a suit and tie are recommended. You can err by overdressing, dressing casually, or being too trendy - keep adornments cologne, jewelry etc. - to a minimum.
Be honest. Let an employer get to know you. Avoid dissembling. You want to be sure that you and the employer know what to expect if you are hired.
Be positive. Never say anything negative about past experiences, employers, or courses and professors. Employers, like anyone, tend to generalize: if you didn't like "x", you are a negative person and won't like me either. Figure out what was positive about an experience and talk about that. Be "up" about yourself. If you wouldn't hire yourself, neither will the interviewer. Be enthusiastic. If you are genuinely interested in the job, let the interviewer know that. No need to sound desperate, just interested. This interest makes the interviewer feel as though his/her organization is well respected and enticing, which is flattering.
Demonstrate interest. This can be achieved by doing research on the organization prior to the interview. It can also come across by asking questions during the interview about the job, the organization and the people it serves. When asking questions, be sure that the answers will give you information that you don't already have (or should have) and that the questions are genuinely of interest to you. Be responsive to what has gone on in the interview. If you have listened well, you should be able to come up with thoughtful questions which impress the interviewer. See the list of sample questions; you may want to prepare a few questions in advance, but an insightful comment based on your conversation can make an even stronger statement.
Be ready for anything! Interviews in health-care settings, in addition to the traditional one-on-one format, may involve several interviewers at a time, meeting with different staff successively, or even observing the setting for some length of time. Questions about how you would handle particular scenarios are quite common. Expect these kinds of situations.
Salary and salary negotiation. For staff nurse positions, the nurse recruiter will usually inform you fairly quickly of the salary for the position. These salaries are usually based on a combination of education and experience and are not flexible. For other types of positions, the issue of compensation should not be mentioned by the interviewee during the first interview. If the issue of compensation is broached by the interviewer, you should try to determine what the employers anticipated salary range will be. If your expected salary is within that range you can simply say that the range seems appropriate (if the range that they mention is lower than is acceptable to you, you may decide if that is the time for you to say so).
Try to put off any specific salary agreements until after you have been offered the job since that is the time when the employer has committed him/herself to being interested in you. Never make an ultimatum ("I will only accept the position for x salary") unless you honestly intend to walk away from the position. If you accept the position at less than your stated minimum, you lose credibility. In addition to it's appearance on the Career Services home page, copies of the Career Services Nursing Salary Survey Report are available in the Career Services office; this report lists salary ranges and averages for B.S.N., M.S.N. and doctoral graduates.
Practice. Good interviewees aren't born; they're made. Make an appointment to role play an interview by calling (215) 898- 4381 or practice with friends. Practice answering the sample interview questions on the next page. Practice can make a big difference in your confidence and comfort in fielding questions.
Follow-up. Always write a thank-you note within 48 hours of an interview. See the section on follow-up correspondence for details.
Tell me about yourself. (keep it short and relevant)
When did you know you wanted to be a nurse?
Why did you chose to attend Penn?
Why did you chose to specialize in ___________________?
What are your strongest skills? (back up answers with specific examples)
How would you describe yourself? How would a preceptor or colleague describe you?
Tell me about the most difficult clinical experience you've faced and how you handled it.
What do you consider the most important qualities a nurse practitioner (or nurse) needs to do this job successfully?
What did you like best/least in your clinical experiences?
How did you motivate a resistant patient to comply with your instructions?
What are your strengths/weaknesses?
Why are you interested in working for us?
What gives you the most satisfaction as a nurse? Why?
Where do you see yourself in five years? (you may wish to answer this in terms of skills acquired)
What two or three things are most important to you in your job?
What are some characteristics of the best nurse that you know?
What do you think is the most significant problem in health care today?
What do you see as the major issues facing us in the future?
What do you enjoy doing when you're not working?
How do you relieve stress?
What would you do if.......... (sites clinical situation; here the interviewer is looking for your judgement and maturity in handling complex situations)
Describe to me the best/worst supervisor you ever had.
What are your salary requirements? (see section on salary)
Why should we hire you? (be ready for this one. Even if it's not asked directly, the answer to this should be thread throughout all your responses)
Do you have any questions for me?
Sample Questions to Ask an Interviewer:
Why is this position vacant? (don't sound argumentative - just curious)
What are the major responsibilities of this position? (if this hasn't been covered in interview)
Describe the ideal candidate for this position.
Who would be my supervisor and what is that person's supervisory style?
What do you see as the key issues/problems facing the person in this job?
How would you describe a typical patient in this facility?
What do you like most about your job and this organization?
How has this facility been affected by all the changes in the health-care industry?
What is the time line for filling this position? (Will there be additional interviews? When can you expect to hear from the interviewer?)
After every interview (whether for an actual position or for information only) a thank you letter must be sent. Even if you did not enjoy the interview (or the interviewer), and/or you are not interested in the position, it is important to thank the interviewer for the time s/he spent with you. You never know if, five years from now, that person will be in a position to hire you for a job you would really like.
In addition to writing thank you letters, it is also standard practice to send a letter when you accept a position and when you've decided that you no longer wish to be considered (see samples on following pages). None of the letters need to be long and elaborate - the vital thing is to write a well-written letter and to send it immediately after your interview.
Content. Address the letter to the person who initially invited you for the interview. If you saw more than one person, you can write to each of them, or refer to them in your letter to the primary interviewer. Mention the title of the position for which you interviewed.
If you are interested in the position, express your enthusiasm and reiterate your desire for the job and your qualifications for it. You may want to add information or materials (such as reference letters) that enhance your candidacy. You may also refer to the discussion which occurred in the interview. Basically, you want to express thanks for the time the employer spent with you. You may also mention the date you expect to hear from them.
If you are not interested, you can still express appreciation for being considered and for the courtesy extended to you. If you can imagine no circumstances under which you would accept the position, you should not continue with the process. Thus, if you've decided to withdraw yourself from the applicant pool, this would be a good time to put that in writing. Try to give a reason for your withdrawal that will leave you on good terms with the interviewer.
(SAMPLE THANK YOU LETTER - IF INTERESTED)
7901 Henry Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19128 August 5, 1995 Dr. Jane Jones, Director of Nursing Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Philadelphia, PA 19101 Dear Dr. Jones: I sincerely enjoyed meeting with you yesterday and learning more about the Clinical Nurse Specialist position at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Our conversation confirmed my interest in becoming part of your staff. It was particularly exciting to discover the level of support which is demonstrated by the hospital administration towards the nursing staff. As I mentioned, the interdisciplinary health team at your institution has a wonderful reputation and I would welcome the opportunity to become a part of that group. I believe my experiences as a Clinical Nurse Specialist intern and my years as a primary nurse would enable me to meet the challenges of the job effectively. Please extend my thanks to Ms. Smith and to Mr. Johnson for their efforts in making my visit so pleasant. I have enclosed three written recommendations for your review. Thank you again; I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely yours, Susan Backhaus
(THANK YOU LETTER - IF NOT INTERESTED)
551 Germantown Pike Plymouth Meeting, PA 19130 August 6, 1995 Mr. Jonathan Katz Senior Research Associate Beth Israel Hospital 260 S. Faneuil Street Boston, MA 22222 Dear Mr. Katz: I would like to thank you for interviewing me for the Nurse Practitioner position. Unfortunately, I must withdraw my name from the list of applicants. Although it seems like a terrific opportunity, I have decided to remain in Philadelphia and not to relocate to Boston. I hope that you will keep me in mind if you know of anyone in the Philadelphia area who is looking to hire a Nurse Practitioner. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely yours, Kelly Bates
(ACCEPTANCE LETTER)
788 Corrine Drive Amherst, MA 22318 August 27, 1995 Mr. Jonathan Katz Senior Research Associate Beth Israel Hospital 260 S. Faneuil Street Boston, MA 22222 Dear Mr. Katz: I am extremely excited to be joining Beth Israel Hospital as a Staff Nurse. Based on our conversation at the interview I feel confident that this will be a challenging and stimulating environment in which to continue my career. As per our discussion, I understand that the salary for this job is $38,000. Although the timing is not the best, I appreciate your understanding my need to take off the last week in October for my sister's wedding. I will begin work on September 28, 1995 and look forward to speaking with you more then. Sincerely yours, Maria Thompson
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