765 part 3 - job application process

8/6/2019 765 Part 3 - Job Application Process

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The Job Process:The Job Process:Cover Letters, Resumes, Interviews andCover Letters, Resumes, Interviews andOnline ApplicationsOnline Applications

RNAO Centre for Professional Excellence438 University Avenue, Suite 1600 . Toronto ON M5G 2K8

T: 416.599.1925 F: 416.599.1926 E: [email protected] W: www.rnao.org


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The cover letter is perhaps thetrickiest element to put togetherwhen you are preparing your appli-cation package. In your letter, youmust highlight the specifics on yourresume that are relevant to the jobat hand, communicate your mostimportant skills, and show yourpotential employer how well youcan express yourself on the page.Resumes often follow a standardform, but the cover letter is differ-ent. To make matters more compli-cated, you should write a newcover letter for every job to whichyou apply. It is very important to

target your cover letter to the com-pany, and to link your unique inter-ests and skills to the specific jobopportunity. The thought of writinga new letter for every position maybe daunting, but it is one of themost important rules in writingyour cover letter.

The secret for constructing a suc-cessful cover letter is outlined

below. If you follow this paragraph-by-paragraph guide, you will have agreat advantage when your appli-cation package lands on the deskof a compa-ny's human resourcedepartment.

First ParagraphThe first paragraph of your lettershould identify the job you areapplying for and how you learnedabout it. Indicate that you haveattached enclosures with the letter(i.e. resume and portfolio). Thisparagraph should be brief; no morethan two or three sentences.

Second ParagraphThe second paragraph should stateyour qualifications for the position.Deconstruct the job description andlist the required skills, duties, andresponsibilities. Focus on relevantqualifications listed in your resumeand discuss them in detail, demon-strating how your background andexperience qualify you for the job.

Be as specific as possible, andrefer the reader to your resume foradditional details. Stick to the factsabout your competency, skills, and

attitude. Never dismiss the skills ofothers.

Third ParagraphIn the third paragraph of your letter,refer to research you have doneabout the company and how itrelates to your interests. This is agood place to illustrate your knowl-edge about the employer, key proj-ects they have underway, their cor-porate culture, or any unique work-ing conditions. Be sure to indicateyour willingness to meet for aninterview. Remember: the goal ofthe cover letter is to secure aninterview. An excellent cover letterwill ensure you get the interviewand identify key themes you'd liketo discuss - themes that are at theheart of the employer's enterprise.

Fourth Paragraph

Close with a one- or two-sentenceparagraph thanking your reader forhis or her time and consideration.Also state why you want the posi-tion and that you would be avail-able for an interview.

End the letter with Sincerely orYours truly with your namesigned with initials ( i.e. R.N.)

Remember that your cover letter isyour personal ambassador. Itreflects your personality, yourattention to detail, your communi-cation skills, your enthusiasm, andyour intellect. An employer willdecide whether or not you willreach the next phase in theemployment process - the interview- based on the informationin your application package.

Writing a Cover LetterWriting a Cover Letter


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Sample Cover Letter #1 - Experienced Nurse

Jane Smith#11-125th StreetWinnipeg, ManitobaB1Z 5A6

Date

Nurse RecruiterHealth Sciences CentreEmployment Office60 Pearl StreetWinnipeg, ManitobaB3E 1X2

Dear Ms. Kellas,

I am applying for the position of Assistant Head Nurse for H3 of the General Centre, asadvertised in the Globe & Mail.

I am currently employed as a Registered Nurse on H3 (please see attached resume). In my sevenyears in the nursing profession, I have enhanced my communication skills by direct consultation

with doctors, patients and their families and other para-professionals. Other assets I believe wouldbe important in this position is my experience of resource nurse and the development of staff teach-ing packages.

I am currently enrolled in a management program (see attached resume) and hope to continue myeducation in the lines of Business Management. I understand that this position can prove to be diffi-cult and stressful at times, however, I feel that I am prepared for this. I feel that these skills, plus theknowledge gained in my training and experience would be an asset and would make a positive con-tribution in the position of Assistant Head Nurse.

May I please have the opportunity to discuss my qualifications for the above position during an inter -

view at a time convenient with you?

Sincerely yours,

Jane Smith, RN

Sample Cover LettersSample Cover Letters


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Sample Cover Letter #2 - New Graduate


Date

Jane DoeProgram Director

Maternal-Newborn ProgramGeneral Health CentreBest City, Ontario, L1L 1L1

Dear Ms. Smith,

I am writing in response to the advertisement posted in the Toronto Star on date for the position ofregistered nurse maternal-newborn program.

I am a new graduate from School of Nursing. I have completed a large component of my clinicalnursing placements at your facility. I am excited about the opportunity to work as a part of the mater-nal-newborn team. As a student, I was able to work in all areas of the maternal-newborn programand enjoyed working with new families. As part of my clinical placement I developed breastfeedingfact sheet to give to new parents. Patients found it quite helpful in providing quick answers to com-mon breast feeding questions. My enclosed resume provides more details about my qualifications,skills and accomplishments.

I would be delighted to discuss my potential contribution to your maternal-newborn team and lookforward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Jane Smith, RN

Sample Cover LettersSample Cover Letters


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This article will describe some of thebasic principles to be used when put-ting your resume together. These aregeneral guidelines to follow and can

be individualized to meet your specificneeds.

What is the purpose of a resume?A resume is a marketing tool to pro-mote your knowledge, skills and tal-ents. It provides the reader with animmediate sense of who you are andwhat you can do for them (Pearlman,1998). A resume creates a firstimpression and its main purpose is toget you an interview.

What is the difference between aresume and a curriculum vitae(CV)?The terms resume and CV are oftenused interchangeably however, theyare actually two different documents.A resume is a summary document,usually 1 to 3 pages in length, whichhighlights your education, professionalbackground and accomplishments. Acurriculum vitae is a more detailedand lengthier document whichdescribes your professional and aca-demic interests and accomplishments(Pearlman, 1998). A formal CV is gen-erally used to apply for grants, schol-arships, awards and academicappointments. When applying for a

job and you are unsure as to whichdocument the employer is looking for,you can always call to clarify.

Before constructing a resume, it isimportant to think about a number ofthings. First, what type of work are

you looking for? Are you interested ina specific area of nursing or are youinterested in a variety of areas? Whatskills and knowledge have youacquired that meet the job require-ments? How do you describe yourmost significant accomplishments tothis point in your career? All of thesequestions are important in determiningwhat information you will include onyour resume. Knowing yourself welland identifying career goals can assist

you in developing your resume andthe job search process.

How do I put a resume together?

First of all, you need to choose a for-mat that fits with your personal styleand career goals. There are two basicresume styles, the chronological andthe functional styles. The chronologi-cal format is the most common andmore traditional type of nursingresume. In a chronological resume,work history and education aredescribed in reverse chronologicalorder with the most recent experi-ences appearing first. Chronologicalresumes highlight dates, positiontitles, responsibilities, and the namesand locations of employing organiza-tions (Pearlman, 1998). This style ismost often used to indicate careeradvancement by showing positions ofincreased responsibility or prepara-tion. Chronological resumes mayinclude headings such as:

l career objectivel educationl employment historyl professional membershipsl publicationsl continuing education or

professional developmentl community activities or other

interests

A functional resume highlights an indi-viduals skills and accomplishmentsusing various categories. This formatis often used when making careerchanges or if there are large gaps inemployment history. This format

allows the opportunity to emphasizetransferable skills. Less emphasis ison the positions held and more on theskills acquired. Headings for a func-tional resume may include:

l career objectivel achievements/key competenci

es/skillsl work experiencel educationl professional memberships

l publicationsl continuing education or profes

sional developmentl community activities or other

interests

Choosing a format is important asyour resume will reflect who you are.It is important to thinkabout how you want to market your-self to potential employers and also tochoose a style that you feel comfort-able with. In other words, how do youwant to present yourself to potentialemployers? Sample resumes areavailable in many career planningbooks. Remember that samples areonly guidelines and you can modifycomponents to fit with your individualneeds and preferences.

Can I send out the same resume to20 different employers?The simple answer is yes, however,you will likely have more success ifyou tailor/customize your resume foreach position applied for. Mass mail-ing resumes is an ineffective jobsearch strategy (Hacker, 1999).

References:Hacker, C. (1999). Job Hunting in the21st Century: Exploding the Myths,Exploring the Realities. Washington:St. Lucie Press.

Pearlman, L. (1998). Using self-mar-keting strategies to achieve yourcareer goals. In. G. Donner and M.Wheeler (Eds.). Taking Control of YourCareer and Your Future: For Nurses

by Nurses. (pp 73-95). Ottawa: TheCanadian Nurses Association.

The Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) offers career counseling services to registered nurses and nursing students at no cost. For individual assistance,contact RNAO's Nurse Career Counsellor at (416) 599-1925 ext.216 or 1-800-268-7199.

Resume TipsResume Tips


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Keep the resume brief, clear and con-cise. Employers may only take 30 sec-onds to determine from your resumewhether or not they will give you an inter-view. You want them to see right away

that you are qualified for the position.Your goal is to make the reader interestedenough to want to talk to you in person.

Include a header on each page. Thisshould include your name and contactinformation. The employer shouldn't haveto search for this information in order tocontact you.

Always put work history and educationin chronological order, starting with themost recent. Your most recent experienceis always the most important.

Be sure there are absolutely nospelling or grammar mistakes.Proofread your resume numerous times.Use the spell-checker on your computer,but don't rely on that alone: get someoneelse to read it over too. One mistakecould give a potential employer the wrongimpression.

Try to limit your resume to two pages.They don't need your life story. Includeonly experiences and information that arecrucial to the position.

Use strong action verbs and do not usethe word "I". Under each heading usebullet form to outline your responsibilitiesand experiences.

Tailor the resume to suit the positionyou are applying for. If you are applyingfor a position in accounting, you need t notmention in detail your background as aclassical pianist.

Include a section on relevant skills .This may include computer and typingskills, languages and proficiency.

Be honest. Don't lie about your past

experiences or exaggerate about yourinvolvement.

Do not state you reasons for leavinganother position. This looks very unpro-fessional.Do not include personal informationsuch as age, weight, social insurancenumber or religion. Your interviewermay make a subconscious judgment thatcould affect your chances of getting theposition.

Include references or state "referencesavailable upon request". Make sure yourreferences are aware you are using themso they're prepared to talk about you.Share a copy of your resume with them.Try to find references with credentials -past employers, teachers and professorsas opposed to friends and neighbours.

Where possible, use exact dates.Simply saying that you worked for a com-pany in a certain year is not enough; itcould mean that you worked there for theentire year or that you worked there foronly a day in that year.

Avoid listing unnecessary information.If you've graduated from university, you donot need to mention your high school.The same is true for employment experi-ence; you don't necessarily need to go allthe way back to your days as ababysitter.

Always save your resume forfuture use. Although you may

want to change it

to suit different positions, many aspects ofyour resume will remain the same. Keepa copy or save it on your computer.

Be formal. Use formal language andavoid contradictions (can't, doesn't, it's)and abbreviations. Do not use slang.

Pick out key words from the jobdescription and repeat them in yourresume. If specific skills are mentioned,you want the employer to know you havethem.

Use a standard font and keep it neatand uncluttered. Your resume should beeasy to read. Choose a font that looksprofessional and keep it at 10 to 12-pointtype.

Use your own words. Do not try tosound smarter or older than you are, thiswill be immediately obvious to the personreading your resume. It is better to usesimple and plain language.

Use word processors for formatting.Many word processors have layoutsalready set up for you - all you need to dois fill in the blanks.

Adapted from Canada Prospects at www.canadaprospects.com.

Resume Dos and DontsResume Dos and Donts

Quick Dos and DontsResume Dos

l Print on good quality paper using alaser printer

l Preferred colours of paper - ivory,white or pale gray

l Font size 10 or 12 pointl Times Ne w Roman or Ariall 2 - 3 pages in lengthl Always send a cover letter on the

same paperl If faxing, always send a hard copyl Customize for each position you are

applying for

Resume Dontsl Do not enclose a photol Do not include birth date, nationality

or religious affiliationsl Do not mention salaryl Do not repeat job descriptionl Do not send on current employer's

letterheadl Do not attach reference letters to your

resumel Do not send out your resume indiscri-

minately


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1. Career Objective or Summaryl What type of position are you looking for? Be specific.l Summary for experienced nurses -- include strengths, accomplishments, expertise and career

interests.

2. Educationl Include all diplomas, degrees and certificates.

3. Honours and Awardsl Include honours/awards from your workplace, academic institution, professional association or

volunteer work.

4. Work/Clinical Experiencel Highlight your skills and accomplishments from your work or student clinical experiences.l Accomplishments are activities when you went above and beyond what you were hired to do,

or what the expectatctions were. Situations where you identified a chanlenge, used a specificapproach and had a successful outcome. Describe how you made a difference (Donner, 1998).

l Less focus on tehcnical skills -- i.e. IV, medication administration, etc.

5. Professional Memberships and Affiliationsl Involvement in professional associations -- i.e. RNAO, RPNAO, CNSA, etc.

6. Publications and Presentationsl Any written publications you have authored, newsletters, patient education materials,

professional articles.

7. Community/Volunteer Experiencel Include expereinces that may be relevant for the type of work you are pursuing.

8. Referencesl Do not include references on your resume. You may include them on a aseparate piece of

paper when requested by the employer.

Further Reading:Donner, G. and Wheeler, M.(1998). Taking Control of yourCareer and Your Future: For

Nurses by Nurses.Ottawa: The CanadianNurses Association.

Enelow, W. (2002). 101 Ways toREcession-Proof Your Career.Toronto: McGraw-Hill.

Hacker, C. (1999). Job Hunting inthe 21st Century: Exploding theMyths, Exploring the Reality. NewYork: St. Lucie Press.

If you need support in preparing yourresume, typing services are listed in theYellow Pages or in the classified section

of newspapers.

Length: 3 pages

Paper:1. 20-60 bond2. Use plain white paer or an attractive

colour (pastel) with or without yourletterhead.

Appearance:1. Paper should be clean and neat.2. Resume should be typed.3. Typing should be free of errors.4. Errors should be corrected neatly.

Tips for ResumeWriting

Suggested ResumeSuggested ResumeOutline/HeadingsOutline/Headings


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A number of factors influence a "hiring decision

but references certainly are persuasive. Here'sa handy checklist you can clip and give reference writers.It's from Ralph Brigham, director of career services atMontana State University-Bozeman.

l BE PUNCTUAL. Please provide the reference promptlybecause a job may be lost if you are late.

l INCLUDE RELATIONSHIP. Were you a supervisor,company president, advisor, professor--what? A professormay see academic skills while a supervisor may identifywork habits.

lBE FACTUAL. If you do not know the person wellenough to give a reference, decline rather than be vague.

l USE A RESUME. Work from a list of the candidate'saccomplishments, organizations and other relevant infor-mation. It will- jog your memory, plus put your experiencein perspective.

l GET EXAMPLES. As well as performance within yourorganization, categorize several different aspects of thecandidate, identifying skills, attitud-es, personal character-istics and growth. Instead of just saying the candidate is"responsible," give brief, concrete illustrations.

l PRESENT A PROFESSIONAL IMAGE. Type the refer-ence neatly. If you are filling out an evaluation form, do notrestrict your reference to a small box. Use additionalpages as needed. Your answer should not leave open tomisinterpretation any questions.

l AVOID DISCRIMINATION DATA. Do not make refer-ence to characteristics that can be the basis of discrimina-tion, such as race, color, nationality, gender, religion, age,appearance, disability, marital or parental status, or politi-cal views.

l CHOOSE WORDS CAREFULLY. Avoid bland lan-guage, such as: nice, reasonable, good, decent, fairly andsatisfactory. Use power words, such as: articulate, expres-sive, cooperative, dependable, effective, observant, cre-ative, imaginative, significant, efficient and innovative.

Favorable attributes identified by the College PlacementCouncil include: ability to communicate, intelligence, self-confidence, willingness to accept responsibility, initiative,leadership, energy level, imagination, flexibility, interper-sonal skills, self-knowledge, ability to handle conflict, goalachievement, competitiveness, appropriate vocationalskills and focus on direction.

Heed Ralph Brougham's tips: Giving a reference in thissuper competitive era is not a task to be taken lightly.

To those of you who are too busy to do the quality of refer-ence writing that will set a candidate apart from the crowd,remember the folktale describing three generations of afarming family in a time long ago.

When grandfather was too old and racked with arthritis towork the fields and earn his keep, his son decided to shedhis burden by tieing him up in a large basket and loweringhim into the river to drown. On the way to the river thegrandson encountered his father and asked, "Where areyou taking my dear grandfather?"

The son explained that he had no more time to work extrato make up for his father's missing share. He intended toend his father's suffering and lighten the family's load. Thegrandson listened, then nodded and said, "Be sure to bringthe basket back. I'll need it for you one day."

adapted from D JOYCE LAIN KENNEDY 1995 Sun Features Inc.

Never Take ReferenceNever Take ReferenceLetters for GrantedLetters for Granted

Dear Joyce: I was one of two finalists for a position I really wanted. The other candidate won it. A screening committee member,knowing my disappointment, told me off the record that my references were fine, but that the other candidate's references were outstanding. Urge your job seeking readers to encourage reference givers to pay attention to what they write. -- F.F.


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In today's world of work, the interviewis a crucial step in landing a new job.

In all fields of work the interviewprocess has become more complexthan it once was. Not so long ago,many nurses were offered jobs beforethey even finished their education pro-grams. Today, nurses looking forwork are sure to encounter at leastone interview as part of the job searchprocess. Interviewing can be a scaryprocess if you have never had to par-ticipate in one before. Nurses areoften faced with various types of inter-views and need to be prepared to sell

themselves and their skills.Developing strong interview skills isessential for your career success!

The Purpose of the InterviewThe interview is the most importantcomponent in the job search process.Getting an interview is a general signthat the employer thinks you have thequalifications for the job. It's up toyou to sell yourself to the potentialemployer during the interview.

The Employer's PerspectiveThe interview allows the employer theopportunity to meet you and assessyour fit with the organization. Do youhave the right qualifications, abilities,and style for the particular job beingoffered? Besides the qualifications,the employer uses the interview timeto explore your ability to think on yourfeet and to determine your under-standing of the position and theorganization. It is also an opportunityfor an employer to compare you withother applicants who are also beinginterviewed.

Your PerspectiveThe main objective of the interview isto use this opportunity to presentyourself as the best candidate for the

job. You must convince the employerthat there is a strong fit between yourskills and knowledge, and the posi-tion. You must be able to clearly artic-ulate what skills you have to offer,

how you have developed those skillsand how you have been able to

demonstrate those skills through pastexperience. It is also an opportunityfor you to find out more about theorganization and the job for which youare applying.

Types of InterviewsAs indicated earlier, the interviewprocess has become more complexfor all types of work. Nurses lookingfor work should familiarize themselveswith the various types of interviewswhich they might encounter. As the

position becomes more advanced ormanagement oriented, the interviewprocess generally becomes moreinvolved. It is important to note thatnurses at all levels need to be awareof the different types of interviews andlearn how to prepare for them.

Single InterviewerAT one time, this would have been themost common type of interview forstaff nurses to face. It seems this isnot as common a practice by mostlarge employers today. If you arefaced with a single interviewer, it maybe with the immediate hiring manager(nurse manager) for the unit to whichyou are applying. In other cases theapplicant may be interviewed by ahuman resources staff member priorto being interviewed by the nursemanager.

Group or Panel InterviewGroup interviews may be conductedby two or more individuals. It is notuncommon for nurses applying forstaff nurse positions to be faced witha small panel of three to four people.Generally the panel would consist ofresources staff person, a potential co-worker (staff nurse form the unit towhich you are applying), and in somecases, a physician for the respectiveservice or program. In this type ofinterview, the group often decidesahead of time what questions will beasked and which member of the panel

will ask them. When answering ques-tions in a panel interview, always

direct your answer to the person whoasked the question.

Behavioral InterviewsThis type of interview is used toassess how much you would react tovarious situations. You are presentedwith questions that relate to potentialsituations that you may face on the

job. The main goal in behavioralinterviews is to determine how wellyou think on your feet, how you relateexperience to situation, and problem

solve. Questions may relate to specif-ic clinical situations, conflict manage-ment, or working as part of a team. Insome cases you may be asked to roleplay a part of the job.

Your answers will provide the inter-viewer(s) with some insight regardingyour knowledge of the clinical settingand how you might handle the situa-tion on the job. Behavioral interviewsare being used more commonly bynursing employers for staff nurse posi-tions as well as advanced positions.

Subsequent or Serial InterviewsThis refers to the process of havingmore than one interview before the

job is offered and is the case for many jobs today. A second or third inter-view is often conducted to determinethe fit between you and the position.In nursing, this type of interview ismore common for management orspecialized roles such as clinicalnurse specialist, nurse practitioner,nurse manager or educator.

Telephone InterviewsNursing employers in Canada and theUnited States may use a telephoneinterview as a method of conductingan initial interview. This method isused when distance between the can-didate and the employer may be anissue. Telephone interviews offeradvantages and disadvantages toboth the employer and the applicant.

So You Have an Interview - Now What?So You Have an Interview - Now What?By Sue-Bookey Bassett RN, BScN, MEd


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They require the same level of prepa-ration as does a person to personinterview. If you are invited to beinterviewed by telephone, ensure thatyou prepare for it and be sure to askhow many people will be listening atthe other end. You may find yourselfon speaker phone to a panel of indi-viduals.

As you can see, there are many typesof interview that you may experienceas you search for your first job and asyou progress through your career. Itis important to be aware of the differ-

ent types of interviews and to learnhow to prepare for them accordingly.

Preparation is EssentialContrary to some beliefs - we can nolonger "wing it'" Interviewing is a seri-ous process and those who are suc-cessful at interviews generally under-go some preparation before walkinginto the interview. If you are called foran interview, here are some tips tohelp you prepare.

1. Find out what type of interview toexpect. How many people will beinterviewing you? Confirm the date.time and location of the interview. Thisis particularly important becausesome employers may have more thanone site (e.g. hospital mergers).

2. Do some research about the organ-ization/hospital. What is their mission,values and philosophy? What is thestrategic plan?

3. Know yourself well! Review yourskills, experience and accomplish-ments. Study the position descriptionand note how your knowledge andexpertise meet the positions require-ments. Think about which skills youwant to highlight in the interview.

4. Anticipate potential questions thatyou may be asked during the inter-view and prepare answers to thosequestions. Writing out the answersmay be helpful.

5. Practice interviewing with a friend,

colleague, mentor, instructor or careercounselor. Ask for feedback and sug-gestions as to how you can strength-en your presentation.

6. Make sure you know how to get tothe site of the interview. Allow extratime to ensure you are on time.

7. Bring extra copies of your resumeto the interview. There may be some-one at the interview who requires acopy or you may be asked questions

about specific aspects of yourresume, in which case, you will wanta copy to refer to.

8. Be friendly to everyone in theorganization. Secretaries and recep-tionists may play an informal role inthe hiring process.

9. Prepare some questions to ask theinterviewer(s). Include questions thatwill allow you to learn more about the

organization and the position itself.Some questions might include:

l Will there be an orientation peri-od?

l What is your nurse/patientratio?

l Do you have 8/10/12 hoursshifts?

l Do you have self-scheduling or

how is the scheduling done onthe unit?l What are the key responsibili-

ties of this position?l What would be my primary chal-

lenges if I were selected for thisposition?

l What are your expectations ofme as a staff member?

l Does your organization offercontinuing education incen-tives?

l When will I know about the suc-

cessful applicant for the job andwhen will the job start?

What Will They Ask Me?There are all kind so books andresources that give sample questionsduring interviews. For most inter-views, you will be asked some gener-al questions about yourself along withother questions related to the specific

job to which you have applied. Somecommon examples are:

l Tell us about yourself, careerhistory

l What words best describe you?How would others describe you?

l What are your strengths? Areasfor development?

l How do you handle stress?l Where do you see yourself in

five years?l Why do you want to work for

this organization?l How can you contribute to our

organization?l What is the most difficult work

situation you have had and howdid you handle it?

l Describe a conflict resolutionscenario.

l How do you stay current in yourpractice?

l What do you enjoy doing in yourspare time?

Do not ask about salary and benefits until you are offered the job.


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What to Do After the Interview?Take a few minutes to reflect on howwell you did. What questions did youfeel you answered well? What wouldyou do differently next time? Wereyou adequately prepared? Follow upwith a thank you letter. Address theletter to the person who called you forthe interview. Thank the person for

their time and restate your interest inthe position (if you do in fact want theposition). Also include any points youwant the interviewer to remember thatsets you apart from the other candi-dates.

Think about how you will respond ifyou are offered the position. Do youwant to do the type of work if the jobis offered to you? Are the mission andvalues of the employer compatiblewith your own work values and pro-

fessional goals? Will this job allow

you to build existing skills and experi-ence to further enhance your career?These are important questions tothink about before making the choiceto accept a position.

Successful interviewing requiresdeveloping the ability to sell your skillsand abilities. To do this means know-

ing yourself well. Preparing for inter-views means investing some time andeffort. Taking the time to prepare canresult in a successful interview andultimately the job offer. If you weren'tsuccessful in getting the job, contactthe employer for feedback. Ask forfeedback in a non-threatening mannerand use the information to help youprepare for your next interview. Eachinterview can be a learning opportuni-ty. Practice and preparation will helpyou succeed at interviewing.

Remember practice makes perfect!

References:Case, B. (1997). Career Planning fornurses. Toronto: Delmar.

Donner, G., & Wheeler. M. (1998).Taking control of your career and yourfuture: For nurses by nurses. Ottawa:The Canadian Nurses Association.

Henderson. F.. & McGettigan. B.(1994). Managing your career in nurs-ing. (2nd ed.) New York:National League for Nursing Press.

University of Pennsylvania NursingJob Search Handbook. .' http://dol-phin.upenn.edu/-nursinglcpps/cppjob.html

Van Norman. M. (1995). Making itwork: Career management for thenew workplace. Toronto: Burgher

Books.

Tips for After theTips for After the

InterviewInterviewYou didn't wait around for the phone to ring when you wentlooking for a job. Don't start now just because the interviewis over. There's still a lot more you can do to make thatdream job a reality.

The first thing you can do is thank the employer for consid-ering your application and providing an opportunity for youto be interviewed. Emphasize the good things that came upin the interview, especially those areas where it was clear

that your skills were ideal for the job. Offer to provide anyfurther information they might need.

The same is true if you don't actually get the job this timearound. Employers are usually more than willing to offeradvice on how to improve your resume or critique yourinterview. Ask if they can suggest other ways in which youcan improve your presentation. And - just before you getbusy looking for the next career opportunity - thank themagain for their help.


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Date

Nurse RecruiterHealth Sciences CentreEmployment Office60 Pearl StreetWinnipeg, ManitobaB3E 1X2

Dear Ms. Kellas,

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me on Thursday. I appreciated the opportunity to learnmore about your organization and to share some of my experiences and thoughts about the positionof a Registered Nurse. I can understand why so many talented people seek employement with yourorganization. You clearly promote a positive working environment.

As I said at our meeting, I am confident that my knowledge and experience would be of great benefitto (organization name). I look forward to hearing from you. In the meantime, if you need any moreinformation to help you make a decision, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely yours,

Jane Smith, RN

Sample Thank You LetterSample Thank You Letter


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l Rehearse. Practice in front a mir-ror or your parents. Now that you'vemade it this far, you want to ensureyour best chances for a successfulinterview.

l Be punctual. It's better to arriveearly than to arrive late. Take trafficand parking into consideration and besure to leave yourself lots of extratime. First impressions are veryimportant.

l Consider the position whendeciding what to wear. If you areunsure, dress professionally. Makesure not to wear strong perfumes orcolognes as some people find theseoffensive.

l Arrive to an interview alone. Ifyou are coming with someone, havethat person wait in the car. Do not letthem come in with you.

l Relax. Don't be stressed. Actlike you are comfortable even if you'renot. Breathe well and consider yourresponses before speaking.

l Be confident. Don't be shyabout your achievement and skills. Atthe same time, be sure not to soundconceited.

l Consider ahead of time somepossible questions that could beasked. Consider your strengths and

weaknesses and strongest accom-plishments. Think about why youshould be hired over someone else.

l Come prepared. Bring extracopies of your resume and refer-ences.

l Offer a solid handshake. Firmand dry (no sweaty palms!)

l Do not get thrown off by oddquestions. Some companies mayask you a questions like, "If you werea car, what kind of car would you be?"Always consider the possible signifi-cance and answer as honestly aspossible.

l If the question is unclear, don'tbe afraid to clarify. You don't wantto waste your time and the employer'stime answering a question that youaren't clear on.

l Understand the job descriptionbefore the interview. Know what willbe expected of you so that you canrelate examples and skills specificallyto the position.

l Look at the interviewer in theeye. Eyes can often say as much aswords, if not more. It you look at thefloor, you may look like you havesomething to hide. Avoiding eye con-tact also shows a lack of confidence.

l Be aware of your body lan-guage. Remember to smile.Consider how you are sitting or stand-ing. Avoid crossing your arms.

l Answer questions as accuratelyand efficiently as possible.Remember not to ramble and answeronly the question that is being askedwith the most thorough answer possi-ble.l Be professional. Do not addressthe interviewer by their first nameunless you are instructed to do so.Always shake hands with the inter-viewer at the beginning and the endof the interview.

l Be honest. Do not lie about yourexperiences or misrepresent yourself.

l Be prepared to relate your per-

sonal experience to the position.Consider ahead of time your previousexperiences and how they may relateto the position you are applying for.

l Listen. Take notes if it helps.

l Be polite. Do not interrupt theinterviewer and do not chew gum.

l Make sure the interviewer feelshe or she is in control. Do not startdirecting the interview yourself by ask-ing questions too early or going offtopic. At the same time, if the inter-viewer is not driving the interview for-ward, take some initiative and helpmove the interview along.

l Do not talk negatively aboutyour current employer. This comesacross as very unprofessional.

l Be ready to ask questions ifnecessary. Many employers will endan interview by asking if you have anyquestions. Don't be afraid to askquestions about the position or thecompany.

l Find out when a response isexpected. Do not be afraid to askabout the next step. You can also askthat they call even if you do not getthe position.

l If it is a phone interview,remember the interviewer can't see

you so your tone of voice isextremely important. Try to smilebecause this, as corny as it mayseem, will make your voice soundhappier.

l Be sure to send out a thankyou letter within a couple of daysof the interview. Ask the interviewerfor a business card in order to gethis/her address.

Interview Dos and DontsInterview Dos and Donts


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Information InterviewingInformation Interviewing

Part of the job search process - finding out more informa-tion about various types of work or specific jobs beforeactually working in the area. Information to seek - natureof the job; career opportunities; and experience necessary

Sources for Information Interviewsl People who are doing the type of work you are inter

ested in - supervisors, managers, directors, educators, professors, and many others.

l You may not know the person on a personal level

Process of Information Interviewingl Preparation is essentiall Gather as much information as you can about the

specific area of work you are interested inl Make a list of potential people you can contact-if you

don't know someone doing what you want to learnmore about, ask others for references or contacts ofpeople they may know

l Prepare specific questions to ask the person you willbe interviewing

l Book a specific appointment if possible - ask for 20minutes of their time

l Most people like to talk about their work and will behappy to provide advice

l Different than interviewing for a job-here the focus ison your needs

Sample Questions to Askl Would you mind describing a typical day in your

position?l Try to find out specifics like how much of the job

involves direct contact with people versus documen-tation, phone calls or e-mail

l What are the best/worst things about your job?l What previous experience/education does this job

require?l What advice can you offer to someone who wants to

enter this field?l What is the future for this type of job?l What is the starting salary for this job? Salary after

five years?l How does one find out when job openings occur?

Follow-up After Information Interviewsl Thank the individual for their timel Send a follow-up thank you notel Information interviews may be time consuming but

they are important to your job search and can makethe difference in finding the best type of work for you

Behavioural InterviewingBehavioural Interviewing

Behavioural interviewing is about using past performanceto predict future behaviour. It is based on competencymodels and emphasizes the behavioural traits of a candi-date rather than just technical skills. This style of interview-ing is not new; it has been around in the human resourceliterature since the early 1970's.

How does it work?Organizations develop competency models to define themotives, attitudes, skills, knowledge and behaviours thatare essential to perform the job, and to differentiate aver-age from superior performers. It is the belief that technicalskills can always be taught but it is much harder to changea person's behavioural competencies. Interview questionsare structured using questions that highlight past lifeexamples of how a candidate demonstrated the requiredbehavioural skills.

Sample Questions Used in Behavioural Interviewsl Tell me about a time when you felt you went beyond

the call of duty in helping a patientl We have all felt stress in our lives. Tell me about a

nursing-related situation that has caused stress foryou. How do you typically handle stress?

l Tell me about a challenge you faced in one of yourclinical placements. How did you respond?

l Tell me about an emergency or crisis situation inwhich you were involved. What was your role? Whatdid you do?

l Describe the major highlights of your nursingexperience so far. Where do you want to go next?

l Describe a situation that demonstrates your ability toadapt to changes at work

l Can you describe a situation where you have suc-cessfully managed conflict?

Types of Interviewing:Types of Interviewing:Information and BehaviouralInformation and Behavioural


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Employers love using the web to advertise positionsand collect applications. It offers many benefits tothem - and it can for you too, if you know how to takeadvantage of it.

The online application process is quite different fromwhat your parents, friends, or other advisors may beaccustomed to - so how do you prepare for it?

Although one of your top priorities as a job seekerwill be to network your way in the "back door" for anopportunity that never gets advertised, you will nodoubt spend quite a bit of time looking for a careeron the web as well. This means that you will need to"apply online" to be considered for some of the bestopportunities available.

Applying Online - How and Why It WorksFirst of all, let me clarify that "applying online" is asdifferent from e-mailing your rsum as faxing it is.When you apply online, your information is no longera static document but automatically becomes part ofa dynamic database of applications. This databasecan be searched, sorted, updated, and shared.

In addition to submitting a rsum and cover letter(as you would via e-mail, fax, or snail-mail), theonline process often includes answering a series ofquestions "on the spot." These questions play a vitalrole in the application process. In fact, the answersprovided can be more important to the prospectiveemployer than your rsum . These pieces together

are the foundation of a "personal profile" which youwill use to get an interview.

We'll look more at how to prepare for those questionslater, but first it is worthwhile to understand how theprocess works. For now, just assume that all of thatwork you are doing on assessing and understandingyour skills and abilities, as well as your interviewpreparation work, will come in very handy.

Like any type of application process, applying onlinegives an employer to view personal information aboutyou. This enables the employer to sort and searchthrough all of your application information - yourcover letter, your rsum , and even the answers tothe questions you may have been asked. Theemployer can also easily "score" your application,add notes to your file, and share your informationwithin their company. They can also easily e-mailyou to keep you appraised of the hiring process.

In most cases, you will be able to access your profile

after you submit it by using the username and pass-word you have been asked to create. Be sure tokeep this username and password somewhere sothat you can find it again later. You may be able touse it to update your profile when you need to addnew information such as completed degrees or cer-tificates. Keep in mind, however, that you probablywon't be able to change the answers to the questionsyou have submitted.

Click Here to Apply Online:Click Here to Apply Online:How to Make Web Postings Work for You


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Submitting Your ApplicationSubmitting Your ApplicationThere are two main routes to applying online: via a

job site and via a company website (sometimes theseare combined when you get to the company websitevia a job site). When you find an opportunity thatinterests you, click on the "apply online" button tostart the process. If you are applying via a job site,then you may already have your cover letter and/orrsum stored there. In this case, you will need tochoose the rsum and cover letter you wish toapply with (if you have more than one); and, if youare given the option, customize them for the specificposition to which you are applying.

If you don't already have a rsum stored or areapplying via a company's site for the first time, youwill need to create your rsum "on the fly." You will

do this by completing the files/questions they mayprovide. This should be done by copying and pastingpieces from your existing rsum , which you shouldhave open in a separate window. This will enableyou to use the well-crafted wording you have alreadyprepared.

At some point, you will likely be asked to copy andpaste or "upload" your full rsum as well as a coverletter. To do this, carefully follow the instructionsgiven. Be sure to take the time to customize yourcover letter and rsum for the position sought. Dothis customizing in your word processor so that youcan use the spell-check and grammar-check func-tions before copying your information onto the webpage. None of this should be very difficult if youalready have prepared cover letters and rsum s onyour computer.

It may be helpful to think of applying online as initiat-ing a relationship, or dialogue, with an employer.Information will be shared in both directions.Questions will be asked and answered. This relation-

ship will lead to a better understanding, on bothsides, of the hiring equation and the potential fitbetween employer and you. Since it is a dialogue,you should receive a prompt response from theemployer acknowledging receipt of your application.The more diligent the employer is about keeping youapprised of the hiring process, the better an indicatoryou have that you are dealing with a well organizedand professional organization.

The important thing to remember is that this processshould be taken seriously and with great care toavoid mistakes. In most cases, you will not get asecond chance to apply - and small errors likespelling mistakes can ruin an otherwise great appli-cation.

Preparing for Online QuestionnairesPreparing for Online QuestionnairesOne thing that employers love most about onlineapplications is the opportunity to ask specific ques-tions that are appropriate for each position they post.This enables them to collect and view more appropri-

ate information about you quickly. Since the employ-er could ask you just about anything - within thebounds of employment legislation, of course - howcan you prepare? The answer lies in the fundamen-tals of your job search: assess and understand yourstrengths and interests and be prepared to communi-cate these succinctly.

Employers will often conduct their first screening ofapplications by using the answers you provide totheir questionnaire. If applicants must have a driver'slicense and a particular certification to qualify for a

job, then it simply makes sense for employers toscreen out those who do not have these. Thismeans that in may cases, the importance of thersum is going to diminish as other forms of interac-tion, such as questionnaires, increases. Your objec-tive is to get "screened in," not out, so that theemployer will proceed to the next stage of reviewingyour cover letter and resume and then contact youfor an interview. You will do this by providing truthful,accurate, and complete answers.


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Many employers will ask just a few basic questions tohelp them evaluate potential candidates. Theseinclude questions such as:

Do you have a driver's license?Are you legally eligible to accept work inCanada?When are you available to start working?Where are you willing to work?What is your Grade Point Average (GPA)?

Thankfully, these are simple questions for you toanswer directly and truthfully. But employers are notlimited to yes/no, numerical, or multiple-choice ques-tions. They may also ask you open-ended questions,such as:

Describe how your course work, class projects, and presentations prepare you for thisposition.Highlight your skills that are relevant to thisposition.

Describe how your extra-curricular experiencehas prepared you for this position.

These are questions that you may have addressed inyour cover letter. Therefore, the effort you investedin preparing an effective cover letter will prove veryuseful when responding to these questions. Do notbe afraid to repeat information that is in your coverletter - focus on providing complete answers to thespecific questions asked.

One big problem when answering open-ended ques-tions is ensuring that your grammar and spelling iscorrect. An easy solution to this is for you to keep awindow of your word processor open as well as theweb browser you are answering the questions in (justas you did when composing your resume). Whenyou come to questions that require written answers,you can draft them in the word processor and use thegrammar and spell-check functions before copyingthe response onto the web page.

As employers move beyond these basic questions,they may ask an infinite variety of specific questionsrelated to experiences, competencies, interests andso on. Here are a few examples:

Indicate which of the following software programs you are proficient in (check list).Describe how you would build a strong customer relationship.When you are part of a work team, what roledo you play?Please explain any periods in the past fiveyears that you were neither employed nor inschool.What is the minimum salary you would be wiling to accept for this position?What are your mid- to long-term careergoals?How do you respond to pressure?Deadlines?How structure do you like your work environ

ment?

While all these questions may seem intimidating, thegood news is that preparing for these questions isexactly like preparing for an interview. In fact, themore work that you invest in the whole job searchprocess (and especially such fundamentals as self-assessment), the better prepared you will be foronline questionnaires. Preparing written answers topotential interview questions and completing assess-ment tools will help provide you with the languageyou need to describe yourself in questionnaires.

There is no legitimate short cut to answering onlinequestionnaires. The best way for you to success inthe sophisticated new world of online job applicationsis to start with the fundamentals of job searching:

l Explore your skills, abilities, andinterests and practice describing themin writing;

l Prepare answers to common interviewquestions and;

l Assemble "sound bites" or words thatbest convey your strongest assets.

Just as employers can use the web to their advan-tage in finding and selecting candidates, you can useit to draw attention to your greatest strengths anddemonstrate your "fit" with the position you are seek-ing. Having done the preparatory work, all you needto do is answer the questions honestly and carefully.


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Top Tip:Top Tip:To prepare the best possible answers to online ques-tions, review them in advance! To do this, you willneed to "apply" for the job with a false identity. Usean alternate e-mail address and pretend name thatdoes not reveal who you are. Better yet, use a namelike "Test Name" and include some indication that thisis not a real application so that the employer knowsthey can delete it. AS you proceed through the appli-cation, print off or copy the questions so that you cangive your answers some thought before submittingyour real application.

Applying Online Tips:Applying Online Tips:1. Keep track of your online applications by

maintaining a list that includes:l The name of each company and position

applied forl The date you appliedl Information about responses you've

received from employersl Which of your resumes you applied withl Your username and password for the

employer's site (if applicable)l Other useful reference

2. Print copies of your completed application forfuture reference.

3. Spell check your answers to questions by draftingthem in your word processor first (and then savethem for future use).

4. Customize your resume and cover letter for eachposition.

5. Update your profile with each employer you submitted it to when important new information isavailable (i.e. degrees completed, scholarshipwon, new e-mail address, etc._ - employers mayconsider you for other positions months later.

6. Create "alerts" if the website you're applying atallows you to create e-mail alerts that will sendyou a notice of jobs that fit your profile. This willsave you time searching that site in the future.

The Good News:The Good News:Online application systems enable employers to:1. Do their hiring more quickly2. Collect more accurate information about you3. Communicate with you more easily and consistent

ly4. Find a better fit between their organization and

prospective candidates

Although some employers don't yet take advantageof all this, for the most part this is all good news foryou. Employers will be able to consider your applica-tion sooner, keep you posted on their progress, havea better understanding of your skills and abilities, andensure that you will fit well with their organization.

A Note on Privacy:A Note on Privacy:Cover letters, resumes, and questionnaires encom-pass a tremendous amount of personal information.

Fortunately, there is plenty of legislation regulatingthe use of personal information by employers. Youare also pretty safe with the major job sites. Butnothing is foolproof. If you are concerned about theprivacy of the information you are providing, considerthe reputation of the employer and explore the own-ership of the job sites you are using. You should beable to submit information to any of these organiza-tions without receiving any unsolicited e-mails orother contact (except perhaps an e-mail confirmingreceipt of your application or registration).

In the end, if you don't trust a particular company withyour personal information, you probably won't want towork there.

Formatting Tips:Don't worry about making your resume visuallyappealing when applying online. It's not about beingfancy, but more about the employer being able todecipher all of the information you've provided. Hereare some tips:

l Use a common font such as Times New Romanor Arial

l Do not use bolding or italics within your document. Instead use all caps as your headings andsub headings

l Do not use bullets or other symbols. Use dashesinstead.

l Apply online using a false name or call it "test"before sending it to ensure there are no hiddencodes or strange symbols within the text.

More Tips on OnlineMore Tips on Online Applications! Applications!


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765 part 3 - job application process

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