Putting together a really great nursing job application takes more work than you might imagine, and while a standard CV and cover letter may suffice, if it’s a job you really want then you can’t afford to take the chance.
The competition for both clinical nursing jobs and care home nursing jobs has increased dramatically in recent months, and with the threat of job losses and vacant positions not being filled, it’s an increasingly competitive market.
There are steps you can take when you apply for a nursing job to make sure your application is seriously considered and ensures you get an interview.
1. Give your nursing CV a total makeover
One CV definitely does not fit all applications. As you progress through your nursing career, older job roles, school qualifications and hobbies can take a much lower priority on your CV. Rearrange your experience and competencies into the order of most relevant to the nursing job you’re applying for. Underneath your name, address, NMC pin and contact details (which should always be at the very top) you should start with your most recent professional development achievements. Then go on to your current nursing job, responsibilities and competencies.
A recruiter should easily be able to tell from the first page of your CV that your are qualified, experienced and suitable for the job to which you’ve applied. Make sure your CV answers all of their questions easily, don’t make them work to figure out what experience you’ve had.
2. Update your personal statement
Your personal statement is your chance to talk directly to the recruiter about who you are, why you want this role and how you think it will influence your career. They want to read that you are committed to that particular area of nursing, that you are a reliable candidate and that you understand what will be expected of you in the role.
Don’t just send the personal statement you wrote for the last job unless it’s exactly relevant. You can update and re-edit an older personal statement, but make sure you give it a fresh take on the position you’re applying for.
3. Make your cover letter sing
Your cover letter should tell a recruiter that you are exactly right for the role, what experience and qualifications make you exactly right and why they should continue to read your CV. It’s an old cliche but you really have to sell yourself to the recruiter, just as a website sells clothes, shoes or books to customers.
Think about how someone who doesn’t know you will view your cover letter. Can they get all the information they need about you to understand that you could be just the candidate they are looking for? A good way to make sure your cover letter does this is to look at the person specification for the role, and tailor your cover letter accordingly highlighting all the experience you have that fulfills these criteria.
For more information about CVs, personal statements and job applications, visit our nursing career advice pages.
I help run Nurses.co.uk, Socialcare.co.uk, Carehomejobs.com, Healthcarejobs.ie, and Healthcarejobsite.co.uk. We are committed to the promotion of accurate and detailed job listings for everyone working in healthcare or nursing. We cater for Nurses, Social Workers, Care Assistants, Care Managers, Doctors, Dentists and a wide variety of healthcare support staff. You can find your next job in healthcare with us.
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