Steps to Help You Land the Interview and Get the Job Career Services Center Christy Meriwether, Managing Director Donna Balko, Employer Relations 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 – The Interview Step 8 – Thank You Notes 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. Networking In some industries, at least 60% of jobs are found by networking. 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 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 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 • Your resume can be two pages, but be sure your name is on the second page Finish strong • Proofread and have others proofread! • Print on resume paper and use a quality printer • Also use for cover letter and reference page Sample Elements of a Resume • Name, Address, Phone, Email • • • • • • • • Objective Education Clinical Experience Related Work Experience Certifications Honors/Awards Community Engagement Professional Memberships Objective Creation Tips • Keep it concise, targeted and relevant • Focus on how your skills and how you will benefit the employer • Should be crystal clear about career direction • Varies depending upon the job you want 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 Examples: 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______. 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, TX Bachelor of Science in Nursing, May 2014 GPA: 3.0 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, TX Oncology, 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 C l i n i cal E x p e r i e n c e s a s a S e p a rate H e ad in g University Medical Center, Lubbock, TX Oncology, 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 contrecoup 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 C l in ica l E x p e r ie n c e s – G e n e ral T ips • • • • • 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 U s e t h e J o b D e s c r i pt i o n a s a G u id e 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 wellcoordinated 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. Re l ate d Wo r k E x p e r i e n c e • 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 2014 Nursing Assistant • Provided hospice-related healthcare in nursing homes, assisted living centers and patients’ residences • Assisted patients with …… O t h e r H e ad e rs Certifications American Heart Association, CPR/BLS and First Aid Certified Honors Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Dean’s List, Spring 2013 Community Engagement March of Dimes Walk America, Volunteer and Fundraiser Professional Organizations Texas Nursing Students’ Association, Member Refe re n c e s • 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 Refe re n c e s 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@ttuhsc.edu Finish strong • Proofread and have others proofread • Watch for words in ALL CAPS • Don’t rely on spellcheck alone • Print on resume paper and use a quality printer • Also use for cover letter and reference page C ove r Lette r • 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. Don’t just tell them you are qualified. Give examples. C ove r Lette r 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 L ette rs o f Re co m m e n d at i o n • 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 I te m s to Re m e m b e r • 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 P r i o r to t h e I nte r v i ew • Do your homework Review the hospital’s website and learn facts Saves interviewer’s 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 Ty p e s o f I nte r v i ews • 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 A r r i v in g fo r t h e I nte r v i ew • 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 D u r i n g an d A f te r t h e I nte r v i ew • 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 B e h av io ral Q u e st i o n s • 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 Ste ps to A n swe r i n g B e h av i o ra l Q u e st io n s 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 B e h av io ral Q u e st i o n s • Practicing your responses will help you recall past situations • Avoid the following pitfalls: Not giving enough detail Being unprepared Being too rehearsed/polished T h a n k yo u • 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 N o te E xam p le 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, Re s o u rc e s www.ttuhsc.edu/son/career, For Students Career Counseling Donna Balko, Assistant Director Christy Meriwether, Managing 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 Re s o u rc e s Library of Resources • Resume Building PowerPoint • Resume Checklist • Resume Planning Guide • Cover Letter Planning Guide • Action Verbs • Interview Planning Guide • Top 10 Interview Questions • Interview Questions (Sample Behavioral Questions) “One important key to success is selfconfidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.” –Arthur Ashe