Creative Questions you can ask candidates on interivew to gain insight.

You can make interviews engaging and exciting for both parties. Too many times people make interviews more difficult than necessary. Below is a list of questions to really have a great discovery interview rather than a interagation. What single project or task would you consider your most significant accomplishment in your career to date? To see why this simple question is so powerful, imagine you're the candidate and I've just asked you this question. What accomplishment would you select? Then imagine that over the course of the next 15-20 minutes I asked you the following follow-up questions. How would you respond? •Can you give me a detailed overview of the accomplishment? •Tell me about the company, your title, your position, your role, and the team involved. •What were the actual results achieved? •When did it take place and how long did the project take? •Why were you chosen? •What were the 3-4 biggest challenges you faced and how did you deal with them? •Where did you go the extra mile or take the initiative? •Walk me through the plan, how you managed it, and its measured success. •Describe the environment and resources. •Explain your manager's style and whether you liked it. •What were the technical skills needed to accomplish the objective and how were they used? •What were some of the biggest mistakes you made? •What aspects did you not especially care about and how did you handle them? •Give examples of how you managed and influenced others. •How did you change and grow as a person? •What you would do differently if you could do it again? •What type of formal recognition did your receive?

Healthcare industry remains hot with electronic records playing role

Healthcare continues to be a prime source of job growth throughout the United States, with employment projections in the near future to remain as healthy as healed patients. Of the top five fastest-growing industries across the country in 2012, healthcare ranked first or second in seven of nine regions, never falling below third in the others, according to Fierce Enterprise Communications. In addition, Bureau of Labor Statistics predictions expect to see see another 20.5 million jobs created in the industry through 2020, with healthcare support, personal services, social assistance and health care practitioners each to see sectional growth of at least 25 percent. Of the industry's total jobs, at least 2.5 percent are expected to be directly linked to electronic health records and similar information technology positions, according to EHR Intelligence. The technology has actually been limited by a lack of skilled applicants, according to a survey from Industrial Relations- nearly half of EHR participants in a recent survey reported delaying projects in lack of a qualified candidate, while a full 75 percent revealed they needed to outsource the work itself. www.bauerhealthcare.com

RN employment demand varies throughout North America

Professionals searching for employment may find that the demand for their skills varies, depending primarily on location. One field in which a number of individuals may be discovering inconsistencies in job opportunities is nursing. Although nurses throughout the U.S. are expected to have little trouble with landing a position, those who live north of the border could face more of a challenge. Despite employment troubles plaguing other American industries, individuals looking for nursing work may have better chances of securing a job. Forbes explained that there are currently 186,625 employment postings for work available to registered nurses. Hiring growth in this occupation is mainly due to baby boomers growing older. As such a significant proportion of the country's population ages, they will require greater health care services. In turn, physicians and medical care providers will need RNs. Regardless of this surge in RN employment throughout the U.S., the number of Canadian positions available in this field may be declining. Global News reported that the Alberta NDP has announced that it believes the province's Health Services has plans to slash more than 117 full-time nursing positions. This allegation was made after the NDP stated having found certain AHS documents. The AHS refutes this claim, stating that the organization is merely hoping to reorganize the current job structure. Though the actual plans remain unclear, Alberta RNs are on edge

Healthcare industry remains hot with electronic records playing HUGE role

Healthcare continues to be a prime source of job growth throughout the United States, with employment projections in the near future to remain as healthy as healed patients. Of the top five fastest-growing industries across the country in 2012, healthcare ranked first or second in seven of nine regions, never falling below third in the others, according to Fierce Enterprise Communications. In addition, Bureau of Labor Statistics predictions expect to see see another 20.5 million jobs created in the industry through 2020, with healthcare support, personal services, social assistance and health care practitioners each to see sectional growth of at least 25 percent. Of the industry's total jobs, at least 2.5 percent are expected to be directly linked to electronic health records and similar information technology positions, according to EHR Intelligence. The technology has actually been limited by a lack of skilled applicants, according to a survey from Industrial Relations- nearly half of EHR participants in a recent survey reported delaying projects in lack of a qualified candidate, while a full 75 percent revealed they needed to outsource the work itself.

What does it take to be a Great Nurse Manager?

Having a career in nursing is extremely rewarding but not without its challenges. One of the biggest challenges is deciding which path to take in the ever-expanding role of nursing. Some nurses are fortunate to find their niche right away but for others, it takes a while to find the position that best suits them.

Becoming a nurse manager is a goal many nurses include as part of their career development process. Transitioning from clinician to nurse manager, into a role where we are contributing through others instead of independently, can be quite daunting. Today’s nurse manager has one of the most difficult jobs in health care, and it’s imperative to have access to all of the tools required to become successful. Managers need to know how to manage budgets, deliver presentations, and should have sharp communication coupled with negotiating skills.

 The days of the starched, polished whites, opaque stockings and stiff hats are long gone from the nurse leader figure. Business suits, advanced degrees, laptops and spreadsheets are the stuff modern nurse managers are made of. Turning to my own team, I asked what they valued the most in nursing leadership. Cathie, RN, expressed nurse managers are made from something even more palatable:

“The characteristics of an exceptional manager resemble that of mayonnaise in a tuna, chicken or egg salad sandwich. Too little mayonnaise leaves the substance unable to hold together. Just the right amount of mayonnaise gets little overall recognition, applause or notice; the focus is on the overall product or outcome. Good, clear and frequent communication, creation of a supportive environment for team growth and accessibility are often statements made about clear strong management. The exceptional manager knows well their own strengths, skills and short-comings, and knows the talents, skills and background of their staff." -

Nurse Job Applications?

When searching for a job, we take a lot of time trying to create a perfect resume. But, is this enough? As Jim Collins says in his book, "From Good to Great", let's confront the brutal facts before we tackle how to structure a successful nursing job application strategy.

 

1. Applying for anything and everything will not yield eventual success. Be specific, be choosy and always play to your strengths and experience. If you are not a strong candidate right from the start, you won't "become one" over time, nor will they "find a spot for you" down the road. This is especially true for new nurses and all those who are “open” to new possibilities. 
    
2. Not all resumes meet the requirements of the job. HR Directors and nurse recruiters routinely estimate that roughly half of all resumes submitted for a particular position don't even come close to meeting the requirements of the job and are immediately discounted. Odds are good that your nursing resume falls in to this category. Even if you believe you are perfectly suited for the nursing position in question, your materials might not convey that idea to them at all. Don’t assume they will. 
    
3. Only the best of the best is to be chosen. In the current job market, employers have the privilege of selecting from only the very, very best candidates, which goes back to reinforce Fact #1. While it seems counter-intuitive, HR says over and over that it is hard to find qualified candidates these days, which brings us directly to Fact #4. 
    
4. From paper to phone interviews, everything is seen. In order to be the best candidate for the nursing job, you have to look the best on paper and other formats. You have to respond the best in phone screens, and you have to consistently demonstrate how and why you're the best during every interaction from networking to initial application to final round of nursing interviews. 
    
5. Shortcuts are not the way to success. Searching for the best nursing job takes time and energy. Being successful means you have to work consistently, constructively, and strategically over time and not take shortcuts. Applications alone will not get the job done. You must connect with people personally and professionally in other ways. Reach out. Learn more. Customize your materials accordingly.

Creating an Outstanding Job Application

 

• Make sure your resume aligns perfectly with the job posting. Sending out a generic, universal resume and cover letter combo "as-is" is one of the fastest ways to be discounted. 
   
• Typos are another application killer, yet, errors are quite common on resumes. Creating application materials is an exercise in technical writing and persuasive argument. Raise the bar! 
   
• Have you been job searching for awhile now? Be sure to check any arrogance, cynicism, desperation or anger at the door. It is nearly impossible to hide such feelings. If they exist, they'll show. If they show, you're done. 
   
• Showcase your skills in ways that demonstrate the impact you’ve made in your nursing roles. Discuss how your universal or soft skills directly contributed to specific outcomes. Don't just "list" what you can do. Demonstrate how well you serve as a nurse. Your content should be highly relevant to the position in question. 
   
• Acknowledge what you know about the healthcare organization. There is so much information available out there about the hospitals, clinics and agencies that interest you: websites, press releases, LinkedIn, Facebook, Hoover's, word-of-mouth - you name it! Pick one that you're really interested in working for and articulate three reasons why you want to work there without sounding selfish. Is it their patient-oriented culture? Regional impact? State of the art facilities? Do they specialize in care services that are important to you, personally and professionally? Be clear about "what" and "why". Go beyond: genuinely align yourself with what's important to them. 
   
• Apply for jobs in multiple ways. Yes, HR needs you to apply online. They need your information in their database as connected to a particular job of interest. But don't stop there! Follow up by phone or email or LinkedIn to check the status of your application. Build connections with company insiders. Send materials by regular mail, too. Request an informational interview. Attend networking functions and ask questions about what the needs are, how they are evolving, and who to talk to further.

No, this will not work in every case. You might successfully hit small milestones 10-20% of the time with these methods. But not doing so will surely decrease your chances of overall success.

- See more at: http://www.nursetogether.com/nice-nursing-resume-but-we-dont-want-it#sthash.e1cVlIWB.dpuf

Ask for the Job

Next Steps

By asking good questions you can reduce post-interview doubts. If you feel that the interview went well and you want to take the next step, you should express your interest to the interviewer by asking: "After learning more about your company, the position and responsibilities, I believe that I have the qualities you are looking for. Do you see any issues or concerns that would lead you to believe otherwise?"

This is an effective question because it opens the door for the hiring manager to be honest with you about his or her feelings. If concerns do exist, you may be able to create an opportunity to overcome them, and have one final chance to dispel concerns, correct misconceptions, sell your strengths and end the interview on a positive note.

Developing Habits in your job search

Starting today develop a new habit in your Job Search. Complete the tasks you dread most early in the morning. Often these are the tasks that take you out of your comfort zone, which is why you push them back to the end of the day. Unfortunately, many actions scheduled for the end of the day never get completed.

If you do not have a sales background, the entire job search process can be uncomfortable. On top of that, you are asked to “sell yourself” which is not the easiest thing to do in this competitive job market. The more you force yourself to do things that you perceive as difficult, the more results you will enjoy. The skills needed to conduct an effective job search do improve with practice and repetition.

• View mistakes as learning experiences
• If you can’t overcome an objection – practice and you will be prepared to overcome it the next time
• Remember, every no is that much closer to a yes
• Set minimum daily standards and hold yourself accountable to complete them

If you put something off, it is on your mind all day and prevents you from being your best, which can have a negative impact on your job search. Starting tomorrow “swallow the biggest frog first” and you will improve your results.

Why haven't I gotten the call? My resume is Awesome

Hiring authorities do not want to receive a cover letter or resume that was obviously mass mailed. Your cover letter as well as your resume should be customized to fit the opportunity and company you have targeted. Your career summary should be keyword rich to avoid being eliminated by automated systems. 

Only target jobs that require your credentials and interests vs. applying to any and every lead you surface. It is best to target the individual who would be your bosses’ boss. You have much better chance of scheduling an interview when you get your resume in the hands of a hiring authority vs. the human resource department.

This does result in more interviews, but there is the additional challenge to track your job search activities. Track which version of your cover letter and resume you send to each particular employer. If you are applying online, send an additional resume through regular mail to the individual who would be your bosses’ boss. 

When applying to job boards and website postings, too often your resume seems to end up in a deep black hole. It is for this reason that a hard copy sent to an individual is a great backup plan.

Hope this helps.

John Fulcher, CSAM

Questions you should ask to see the BIG picture

Questions to ask:

After you have studied the company's Website, make a list of questions to ask the employer:

• Why is this position available?
• What training programs are available to the person in this position?
• What are your expectations and goals for this position in the first 90 days?
• What obstacles must be overcome for the person in this position to succeed?
• How will my performance be evaluated?
• What opportunities are there for growth in the next two years?
• What growth do you anticipate for your organization in the next 12 months?