Travel nurses interact with many different parties throughout the interview process. You work with an agency to connect you to hospitals or medical facilities. You also work with the medical hiring staff. That means your interviews can seem complex and even a bit confusing. By keeping a few ideas in mind, you will make a positive first impression.

Don’t Ask About Pay Packages at the Hospital

When you get to the interview with a hospital’s hiring manager or a medical facilities hiring staff, do not talk about your pay package. The pay package goes through your recruiter. If you have questions about the pay package or your benefits, then you want to talk to the recruiter or a representative of the agency connecting you to the medical facility.

Listen to the Other Party

Whether you are interviewing with a recruiter or the staff at a medical facility, allow them to talk. They will discuss your role at the hospital or facility. They also want to make sure you have listening skills. Do not talk over the other person. Allow them to talk and wait until they ask a question before you respond. Do not anticipate questions, since that may result in making a negative first impression.

Prepare for a Phone Conversation

A travel nurse does not always have the luxury of an in-person interview. Depending on the location of the position, you may not be close enough for an interview in person. That means you will usually have a series of phone interviews before you travel to the hospital or medical facility.

Prepare for phone interviews. Practice talking on the phone with friends or family members. Ask them to ask interview questions over the phone so you have a chance to practice for your interviews. You want to make sure you do not rush your answers or get nervous while talking on the phone. You also want a friend or family member to help you identify areas of weakness when you talk on the phone. For example, if you talk too quietly, then you want to practice speaking up to avoid miscommunication.

Ask Questions

Travel nurses face a variety of challenges when they move and start working in a new location. Before you agree to a new contract, take the time to ask questions about the medical facility. Ask if the facility has an orientation process and how the orientation process works. Ask if the facility has parking or if you must pay for parking. Ask about the size of the facility. Focus on questions related to the hospital or medical facility to ensure that you are a good fit for the role.

Interviews are the foundation of getting a new job. As travel nurses, you will go through several interviews as you take on new roles and exciting positions across the country. The key to making a positive first impression is ensuring that you ask the right questions and you prepare for the interview by practicing.

Modern applications for a job are complex. Employers use an applicant tracking system, or ATS, to cut back on the number of resumes that reach a hiring manager. Nurses must take measures to get past the ATS by setting up the right resume and having access to the right jobs.

Give Your Address

A concern associated with the application process is the location of a potential employer. When you do not live near the employer, you may assume that the ATS will automatically put your resume at a low rank when compared to candidates who live closer to the facility. That leaves a temptation to just avoid putting your address on the application. The problem with ignoring your address is the ranking system. If you do not put your address, then you may end up with the last rank, which means your resume will not make it past the tracking system.

Keep Your Format Simple

Formatting is always important when you apply for a position online. Keep it simple and stack the information in reverse chronological order. By keeping the format simple and maintaining normal spacing, you prevent your resume from confusing or choking the system. That means your resume is more likely to reach a hiring manager.

Use Keywords from the Job Posting

Evaluate the job posting and choose keywords from the posting. By using keywords from the job posting, you increase the chances that the ATS will notice your resume and send it through. Keep in mind that you want the keywords to fit into the context of your resume. Use words that apply to your experience and fit in with your description of your job responsibilities. The tracking system does recognize when your resume has keywords in context and when you list the keywords for a higher ranking, so make sure you use the words in the context of your resume.

Use Action Verbs

Action verbs show your skills, so you want to make sure your resume contains action verbs and tells the reader what you in your previous nursing job. The action words have two roles: they tell recruiters and hiring managers about your skills and they help the tracking system identify quality candidates. Keep in mind that your resume should not keyword stuff or add fluff to beat the system. You want your resume to go through the system and reach the right person to give you an interview. Even though ATS does not always catch keyword stuffing, a hiring manager will notice.

Check your Grammar

Always check your grammar! Applicant tracking systems use grammar, spelling and other details to identify the right candidates. If you forget a period or do not capitalize your words, then the system overlooks your resume or gets thrown off when evaluating your resume. Always double check your spelling and grammar before you send in your resume.

Competition for a job in nursing is complex. The modern application system means you need to do more than just stand out to a hiring manager. You need to fit the candidate mold and make sure your resume passes through the tracking system and appeals to a hiring manager.

When you look at travel nurse positions, you may notice that the details about pay packages are not the same. Recruiters give a quote with differing numbers and different details. The result of complicated pay packages is that you can face challenges determining the best options for your career goals. By learning to evaluate a travel nurse pay package, you can compare your options.

Don’t Confuse the Hourly Rate with the Hourly Equivalent

The hourly rate is not the same as the hourly equivalent. An hourly rate is the amount you make per hour of work. The hourly equivalent is the hourly rate plus a housing stipend, incidentals and any other benefits associated with the position. Expect the hourly equivalent to exceed the hourly rate, since it includes more information.

Always look for the hourly rate and a break down of other benefits before you assume that a position offers the pay you want. In some cases, you will notice that the actual pay is lower than other positions and roles.

Pay Attention to the Variables

The variables are the details given in a pay package or a quote that impacts your total income. Quotes may offer different details in the variables, but most will include incidentals, a housing stipend, your hourly rate and a travel stipend.

Keep in mind that the travel stipend is for the entire length of your contract. Also, in your Travel Nurse Pay is housing stipend is for your monthly housing costs. Incidentals are calculated on a weekly basis and usually give you funds for meals and other necessities. Your hourly rate is taxable and is determined by the number of hours you work.

The variables may differ for each travel nurse position. Keep in mind that quotes may offer different figures and positions may have additional benefits. Do not assume that the position that breaks down into the higher income level is always the best deal for your goals.

Prepare to Ask Questions

Do not be afraid to ask questions about a position. You should keep in mind that each state has different laws and recruiters may overlook details when given a quote. For example, in California you are paid overtime for any work above eight hours in one day. That means if you are working a 12 hour shift, then you are paid overtime for four hours of your work. A recruiter may assume you know the facts about the state’s laws and may overlook the details when you look at a quote for a position. By expecting a few mishaps and miscommunication, you can prepare questions to clarify the details before you assume a pay package works for your needs.

Looking at positions and Travel Nurse Pay packages as a nurse is not always easy. The details vary for each position and recruiters are not always clear about the details. By taking the time to ask questions and comparing the benefits, you can find the right position for your next travel nurse job.

Writing an effective resume starts with a strong first impression. Your summary is the first thing a recruiter reads or skims when looking at your resume. The problem is that they only look at the summary for six seconds. You want to make a strong impression in that short window of time. By writing an effective summary, you will make a positive impression.

Keep It Short and Concise

The first consideration is the length of your summary. Try to keep it within two to three sentences. Short and concise summaries have a positive impact on your resume. They help you make a point without taking up most of your page.

Use a simple format for your summary. Writing in a paragraph format is a common way to set up your summary. You do not want to deviate too much when it comes to the format. The key is making your summary short and to the point without giving up on telling the recruiter what you want from your career.

Use Bold to Highlight Your Summary

Format your summary with bold print. The bold letters will stand out from the crowd and set your resume apart. It also draws the eyes of the reader and tells them to pay attention to the summary.

If you do not feel comfortable highlighting the entire summary in bold, then use bolding to highlight your main points. It will naturally draw the eyes to the main points and makes it easier to skim the summary. The ideal strategy is setting the entire summary in bold and then writing the remaining resume in normal fonts.

Make it Easy to Read

Do not write complex sentences. Make your summary easy to read. You do not want to complicate the process with long-winded sentences and run-on paragraphs. Keep it simple. Assume your reader will skim the summary. Keep your sentences short and to the point.

Give Some Personal Details

Your summary can give an overview of your resume. For example, if you have three years of experience as a nurse, then tell the recruiter that point in the first sentence of your summary. Do not hesitate to explain your skills in a short and concise sentence.

The summary is an overview of your entire resume. Do not ignore the personal details. It shows that you are willing to go out on a limb and showcase your skills. It sets you apart from the crowd because you are telling the recruiter what they get when they hire you.

Tell Them What They Will Get

A hiring manager or recruiter in a medical facility does not want to know what you want as a nurse. They want to know what you bring to the table when you work in their facility. Use your summary to tell them your skills and what they get when they hire you. For example, if you are detail-oriented, then tell them that you focus on the details in your summary. If you are an extrovert, then explain how that benefits their patients. Tell the hiring manager why they want to hire you.

Your resume summary is the first thing a hiring manager or recruiter reads. You want to write an effective summary that helps you stand out. Highlight your main points and help your resume stand out with clear, concise and simple sentences.

Completing your education and getting your license as a registered nurse doesn’t mean a job will fall into your lap. You need to take measures to accomplish your career goals by evaluating the job market. The nursing job market sounds amazing when you look at the national information, but it does have downsides to consider when you start out in a new career.

A Nursing Shortage Doesn’t Apply to All Locations

The first consideration is the nursing jobs shortage. When you hear that the nation has a shortage of nurses, it seems like common sense to start a nursing career. The problem is that a shortage on a national level doesn’t apply to every location. Your local area might not have a shortage. In some locations, you will find stiff competition for a single position.

Take the time to research the area before you apply for a job. If you want to find a job that fits your goals, then make sure you apply for a job in the right locations. You will find more opportunities if you are willing to research the local job market.

You Have Opportunities in Unexpected Places

Opportunities in nursing apply to a variety of locations and fields. You may find that you have an unexpected opportunity for your job. The key is looking into non-traditional job opportunities. For example, you may have a job opportunity in a long-term care facility, a nursing home or even an out-patient treatment facility.

Keep an open mind when you apply for jobs. Nurses can work in a variety of fields and different types of facilities. You may find that the perfect position is in an unexpected place. Do not assume you must start working in a hospital or an emergency room.

Economic Factors Impact Your Job Opportunities

The economy impacts medical careers. When you have a bad economy, people are less likely to seek medical care for minor ailments. They will only visit a hospital or medical facility for major problems.

Look into the economy of your local area. A bad economy means you will want to look elsewhere for a job. A good economy allows you to find positions in different facilities that fit your goals. Be flexible when you look into job opportunities to find a position that fits your education and experience.

You Might Need to Move For Your Career

The final consideration you need to know about the nursing job market is the impact of location on your long-term goals. In some situations, you will need to move to advance in your career. You also need to be willing to move for a position if you are applying for a new job.

The nursing job market sounds simple when you look at the national figures. Many nurses are starting to retire and the opportunities for advancing in your career help you reach out for new goals. The challenge is making sure you apply for the right positions and jobs to fit your needs. You need to research your local area and the areas you want to work to ensure that you find a position that helps with your career aspirations.