Dear Donna’s Expert Advice
by Donna Cardillo, RN, MA Dear Donna, I have been a nurse for three years (late bloomer in life), but prior to that I was a surgical technician. I went to outpatient surgical services, working in preop, recovery, and the OR right after graduation. I would like to get back to the hospital. But that unfortunately means giving up a nice position (6:30-3:00, no weekends or holidays), to make less and work other times. My colleagues say that I’m crazy and that I should be content. However, I have to work another 10 to 15 years before I retire, and I can’t imagine doing this for the rest of my nursing career. I will learn more things and have more opportunities to grow at a hospital. Am I foolish to give up my current job? Late Bloomer Dear Late Bloomer, First let me say that each of us is a work of art in progress, hopefully for all of our lives. I believe that everything we do is part of a bigger plan and is a necessary step to lead us to our own growth and development as a person. So, hopefully, you have been blooming for years and will continue to do so in the future. Comfort and seeming security, although seductive, provide only short-term, superficial happiness. For most of us to be truly happy in our careers, we need to be learning, growing, and feeling challenged, and we must believe that we’re making a difference. Otherwise, we become stagnant and stop blooming. Many people get stuck in the “comfort” trap and never get out. And sometimes the longer you stay, the harder it is to leave. That doesn’t mean you have to suffer to grow. It just means that, while salary and schedule are important, they’re not the only factors to be considered in making career decisions. Let me leave you with one of my favorite quotes from Mark Twain: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines and sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sail. Explore, dream, and discover." Donna Dear Donna, I will be attending my first career fair soon and have some questions. Since I will be leaving résumés for many different positions with several hospitals/organizations, should I leave the objective portion out altogether, or should I just use a generalized “Seeking position as a registered nurse” instead? Should I wear the black suit and be prepared for the full interview, or is business casual acceptable? That way, I’d save the suit for a callback interview. How up close and personal are these things? Are they so crowded that you’re just passing by booths dropping off résumés and picking up complimentary pens? On the Hunt Dear On the Hunt, Career Fairs are important and excellent networking opportunities. You will make some of your most important professional connections at these events. I know many individuals who have gotten great job offers as a result, so you want to maximize your impact while there. Before you go, read “How to Get the Most Out of Attending a Career Fair”. Don’t use an objective on your résumé at all. In fact, I don’t recommend ever using one. If you have a specific objective, then you have to change it every time you apply for something different, which isn’t practical. A specific objective can also be self-limiting. Most people have a very generic and meaningless objective. Since this is the first thing someone will read on your résumé, you don’t want it to be meaningless and obvious. Discuss your interests with the recruiter instead. Career fairs are definitely up close and personal. Recruiters are interested in you as much as, if not more than, your résumé. Exhibitors want to meet you and talk with you, so make that happen even if you have to wait to talk to a recruiter or come back later. These events are great opportunities to have face-to-face contact with people, and face-to-face networking is the most powerful of all. First impressions matter big time. So you should definitely wear a business suit. Look your absolute best from head to toe. Approach exhibitors you’d like to speak with. Extend your hand to shake, make eye contact with them, smile, and introduce yourself. Ask questions about the facility and the opportunities, get some corporate literature, and ask for the business card of anyone you speak with. I recommend that you have your own business cards made to distribute. Followup is also important. Send a note afterward to any contacts that you make, noting that you enjoyed meeting them. Make follow-up phone calls to those you are particularly interested in staying in touch with or working for. Donna Copyright Nursing Spectrum Nurse Wire (www.nursingspectrum.com).
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