1. How to market yourself effectively
Cathy Taylor, Julie Watkins
Career Advisers

2. We will cover Context – current reform – themes
Implications for nurses
Neworking
Marketing yourself in CVs, application forms and at interview
Support from RCN

3. Current context
Recent health care reforms: more providers, beyond traditional NHS
Francis Report – focus on quality
NMC re validation plans
Chief nursing Officer’s – 6 Cs – importance of attitude and positive behaviours

4. Impact on nursing careers
Employers are looking for nurses and HCAs who:
Display positive behaviours
Demonstrate ‘caring’ attitudes
Are enthusiastic and passionate about providing high quality, dignified, care

5. How can you demonstrate these behaviours?
Make every ‘contact’ count
Pay attention to detail in your
Appearance
How you write – take time and effort
How you speak – be positive
Plan and prepare examples to demonstrate your positive attitudes

6. Marketing opportunities
Networking
CVs
Application forms
Interviews

7. ‘Working’ the Jobs Fair
Make a list of employers you want to see
Look positive, smile and warm handshake
Rehearse points to present about yourself:
Brief summary of your experience
Five positive things you could bring to the organisation
Leave CV and all contact details
Write notes and take details of people you have spoken to, make contact a few days after the event
Eg specific job you are looking for, find out what’s out there, useful contacts for the future

8. Other networking opportunities
Conferences, study and training
Friends, colleagues and peers
Meetings
Secondments, job swops
Shadowing
Mentorship and clinical supervision
Getting active in the RCN

9. Your CV can be used.... When asked to apply ‘in writing’
When a vacancy asks for one
For speculative applications
Apply in writing – ensure covering letter – try not to duplicate information. Tailor and add additional comments for your suitability to the role and can highlight any experience, skills you have and are relevant to the role
Vacancy asks for one – some employers may ask for a CV along with the application – only send if this is asked for (NHS usually online application)
Speculative applications – organisations you are interested in working for.... For example, organisations at the jobs fair – as mentioned by Cathy. There may also be an opportunity to complete shadowing to network and a way of introducing and marketing yourself.

10. Preparing your CV Logical, clear and concise Consistent format
Chronological order
Font/layout
Ideally on two pages
Spelling and grammar is correct

11. Preparing your CV Target Experience
Personal profile – tailor specifically to the role you are applying for
Showcase your skills – provide relevant information and your suitability for the job
Experience
Key responsibilities/duties
Action words – Co-ordinated, Managed, Developed, Organised, Identified, Trained
Past/present tense
Frequently common areas which I work with members to develop are targeting your CV. This can include tailoring your personal profile specifically to the role you are applying for. Highlighting the key responsibilities and duties which may be relevant. Also try and use ‘action words’ – active positive words can add a positive impact to your CV and also an application

12. Explaining gaps in employment
Examples can include:
Voluntary work
Any personal examples, interests
Keeping up to date with nursing initiatives
RCN events, online resources, RCN’s e-Library, nursing or health care articles
Caring responsibilities

13. Completing your application
Follow the guidelines on the form
Make it easy for employers to find the information and that you tick all requirements
Tailor your application to the job
Personal or supporting statement section
Often competency based – provide evidence of how you meet competencies

14. Evidence how you meet the competencies
For example:
I have excellent communication skills and have always been able to deal with challenging situations - such as when a relative became angry about the treatment of their mother. I was able to allay the relative’s anxiety by listening to and empathising with their concerns and arranging for them to discuss their mother’s care with the senior nurse in charge.

15. Completing your application
Check you have provided evidence to meet the Person spec criteria and what the employer will be assessing at Application

16. Online Applications Different types of online applications
Save on to computer and to employer when completed
Complete and save online (e.g. NHS jobs)
Complete online in one-go (can’t save it)
Review and check for any mistakes/spelling errors before you press ‘send’
Save or print a copy for your records
Allow enough time

17. An interview is a performance:
Like all performances, success depends on practice

18. Preparation Look at job description/person spec
List examples from your experience which match the above
Plan responses to common interview questions
Prepare questions to ask
Update on national initiatives
Update your Portfolio

19. Difficult questions Scenarios – what would you do if…
Consider the processes involved:
Assessing the situation
Taking appropriate action
Following protocols and guidelines
Appropriate communication
Record Keeping
Evaluating and learning from situation

20. STAR technique to provide evidence of competencies
S - situation T - target A - action R - result

21. Eg S – patient fell out of bed T – need to maintain their safety
A – call for help, assessment, treatment, record keeping, informing Dr, relatives etc
R – Patient able to be helped back to bed, no injuries – learning - why did it happen, how to prevent again, looked at NICE guideline

22. Other forms of selection tools
Presentations
Personality and ability measures
Role play
Group exercises
Written assessment – including numeracy and written exercises

23. Member Support Services
Welfare Rights & Guidance
Counselling
Immigration
Services
Careers
Peer Support
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24. Member Support Services www.rcn.org.uk/mss
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