Read Chapter 12
APA FORMAT AND REFERENCES
1. What are three questions you should ask yourself when you begin your job search?
2. What are the most common mistakes people make in preparing their résumés?
3. What should you know about your prospective employer before the job interview?
4. What should the interviewee try to achieve during a job interview? What should you look for? What red flags should you watch for?
5. What can you do in advance to prepare for the changes during the first year of employment?
6. Create your own SWOT analysis. How would you respond to your personal strengths and weaknesses if you were a prospective employer? How can you enhance your strengths and improve in areas of weakness?
7. Draw a career path for yourself, beginning with the present year and extending to the age of retirement. Be sure to include any “twists and turns” of the path you expect to experience along the way and any barriers you expect to encounter. How will you handle these experiences?
Do an online nationwide search for information about current job prospects in nursing.Compare opportunities in various regions of the country. Why do you think these opportunities are the same or different?
8. Develop a list of questions that you should ask a potential employer. What “homework” will you need to do to prepare for an interview?
Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company
Your Nursing Career
Chapter 12
*
Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company
SWOT Analysis
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats
*
Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company
MBTI
Extroversion (E) or Introversion (I)
Sensing (S) or Intuition (N)
Thinking (T) or Feeling (F)
Judging (J) or Perceiving (P)
*
Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company
Beginning the Job Search
Be psychologically self-employed.
Learn for employability.
Plan for your financial future.
Develop multiple options.
Build a safety net.
*
Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company
Ask Yourself…
What oral and written communication skills do I have?
Where should I begin looking for a position?
What “pearls of wisdom” can I glean from other career nurses?
*
Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company
The Potential Employer
Ownership
Mission statement
Core values
WWW
Current and past employees
*
Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company
The Initial Interview
Review SWOT analysis.
Review requirements for position.
Professional appearance
Background questions
Professional questions
Personal questions
*
Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company
Asking Questions
What other opportunities for professional growth are available?
How are promotion and advancement handled?
*
Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company
Additional Question Tips
Do not begin with questions about vacation, benefits, or sick leave.
Begin with questions about the employer’s expectations of you.
Be sure you know enough about the position to make a reasonable decision.
*
Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company
Additional Question Tips (cont’d)
Ask questions about the organization as a whole.
Bring a list of important points to discuss to help you if you are nervous.
*
Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company
The Second Interview
Dress professionally.
Be professional and pleasant.
Do not smoke.
*
Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company
The Second Interview (cont’d)
Remember “table manners.”
Avoid controversial topics for small talk.
Obtain answers to questions you might have developed since the last visit.
*
Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company
Making the Right Choice
Job content
Development
*
Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company
Making the Right Choice (cont’d)
Direction
Work climate
Compensation
*
Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company
The Critical First Year
Adopt the right attitudes and adjust your expectations.
Manage a good impression and build effective relationships.
*
Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company
The Critical First Year (cont’d)
Develop organizational savvy.
Master the skills and knowledge of the position.
*
Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company
Conclusion
Finding your first position is
More than being in the right place at the right time
A complex combination of learning about yourself and the organizations in which you are interested
Presenting your strengths and weaknesses in the most positive manner possible
*
Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company
Conclusion (cont’d)
Remember
Recognize that the independence and the ability to “do your own thing” may not be the skills you need to keep you in your first position.
Be a team player.
Learn about organizational politics.
Find a mentor.