Here’s a known fact: there is tremendous and fierce competition for nursing jobs out there, especially for new nursing grads.
4 Ways to Rise Above Your Competition for Nursing positions:
Prove it
Need a simple formula that will immediately help your nursing resume stand above 80-90% of your competition? Here it is… Action Word + Detail + Impact. Use this formula with each of your employment entries, especially any statements that start with bullets. Why? Because most people indicate Action Word + Detail and then stop. Right when they could make a world of difference, they move on with hardly a backward glance. Follow through; don’t quit too soon.
Align it
Become a fan of customized resumes. Why? Because a recruiter or hiring manager can tell when you’ve taken extra time and attention in ways that will help them meet their immediate goals in their hospital clinic, nursing home, or community health agency. Unless your last job title was “Super Hero Nurse” and your talents and accomplishments already outclass every other nurse on the planet, take the time and effort to align what you can do with what they need. Read the posting carefully, review additional information on the organization’s website, and talk to people on the inside BEFORE you submit your nursing resume and cover letter for consideration. It makes a world of difference.
Connect it
Not all nursing jobs are posted. That means there is a wealth of opportunity if you seek it out on your own versus waiting for it to find you via search alert. Use LinkedIN. Comb hospital, clinic and related websites for high ranking individuals who hold the bulk of decision-making power and know sooner than everyone else about upcoming strategic initiatives.
Reach out
Engage and be engaging in return. Don’t avoid conversation and productive two-way dialogue. This is your way to start the nursing interview on your terms. Take it a step further: connect your list of references to the job you want. In other words, compile a list of professionals who can verify that you have done the nursing tasks that will be required of you in a new position.