Wider employability: where and how to look for jobs

Jim Bird Lecturer and Senior Admissions TutorFOHS

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© University of Southampton 2007

CREATING

Widening YOUR….. employability

Widening YOUR …..view

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#employthebest

Health professionals have a reputation….

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CREATING AN IMPACT

YOU#employthebest

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RECOGNISE YOUR EMPLOYABILITY

• What point are you starting from?

• From your time in FOHS, what are your competencies and transferable skills?

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• Ability to evaluate complex information

• Make reasoned arguments

• Strong IT / time management skills

• Research methods and analysis

• Effective team working

• Practice based problem solving skills

• Personal values at core of practice

Skills and attributes developed include:

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Commercial awareness Positive attitude Leadership Risk taking/enterprise A “foundation of positive

approach” - using numerical skills effectively - using language effectively - using IT effectively

Attributes most sought after by employers

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Self management / self motivated Fully committed to the values of

the employer, offering the right personal values, attitudes and behaviours Collaborative / team working Addressing and solving problems Customer focus

Attributes most sought after by employers 1

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Cultural sensitivity Integrity of character and

behaviours Political and economic awareness Resilience (to stress) Flexibility to (often rapid) change High quality communication skills

Attributes most sought after by employers 2

Benchmarking for your degree (or similar)

Higher Education Academy

www.heacademy.ac.uk → resources → employability student profiles

Quality Assurance Agency

www.qaa.ac.uk → subject-guidance → degree-benchmark-statements

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http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/resources/detail/employability/employability-student-profiles

http://www.qaa.ac.uk/ASSURINGSTANDARDSANDQUALITY/SUBJECT-GUIDANCE/Pages/Honours-degree-benchmark-statements.aspx

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BIG QUESTIONS

WHAT DO I WANT TO DO?

SOMETHING OLD… NEW?

WHAT DO I ENJOY?

WHAT ARE MY REASONS?

SHORT-TERM LONG TERM

EXPEDIENCY PLANS

?

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Getting a job! Where to look! 1

NHS: www.jobs.nhs.uk www.nhscareers.nhs.uk

UNIVERSITY: LBR opportunities PhD opportunities

HEALTH FACILITIES: Notice boards Independent + NHS

PRESS: Local / regional

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Getting a job! Where to look! 2

WEB: Independent sector Other statutory / commercial Charitable / thirds sector

AGENCIES

PROFFESIONAL JOURNALS

OWN NETWORK

WORD OF MOUTH

Direct to the organisation

Quick and direct route to an employer or manager

Helps you know if you match the employer

Puts you in charge of the job searching

May uncover opportunities that are not advertised or may not have existed

Letter may not be answered#employthebest

Speculative letters – avoid ‘cold calling’

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Dear Sister Jackson / Mrs Jackson

Ref: Vacancy enquiry

I am enquiring about possible future employment in a women's health environment and would be very grateful if you could consider me for a future Staff Nurse position.

In September I will be graduating from the University of Southampton with a Bachelor of Nursing Honours degree and Registered Nurse (Adult) status. I have been fortunate to have substantial experience in relevant placements during my training, including gynaecology, a recovery suite and a ‘well women’ service in the community. My final placement will be in an acute medical admissions unit, which will enhance my management experience of acutely ill patients. In addition, I currently work a few hours each week as a Health Care Assistant for NHS Professionals in Hampshire, which helps consolidate my training and broaden my experience.

Speculative letters – avoid ‘cold calling’

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From early on in my training, I realised that I gained greatest satisfaction from supporting women needing nurse led care when receiving health care, or enhancing their physical well being. In particular I have developed interest in using evidence to increase access to cancer screening services for women with learning difficulties; some of my academic work has focussed on this important area of care. I am very keen to develop my skills and future practice in this field, and contribute to high quality and progressive nursing practice.

I realise that you are not currently advertising vacancies, but would be most grateful if you would consider advising me when a suitable post becomes available. I enclose a current curriculum vitae for your perusal and would ask if you might keep it on file in the hope of a future vacancy. I can make myself available any time to visit informally if you think this might be helpful.

Thank you so much in anticipation of a future, favourable response.

Yours sincerely

Sarah Smith BN(Hons.); RN. (pending)

Enc: Curriculum Vitae

• Consolidation of training?

• Supported transition to ‘first post’?

• Promotion / career development prospects?

• Flexible hours?

• Convenient location / parking?

• Job security?

• Personal / professional challenge?

• Travel? Self employment? Salary?

• Continuing learning?

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Your priorities for ‘first post’ jobs?

• Extensive placement experience in a range of NHS Trusts and geographical locations

• Passion and aptitude for the profession

• Proven willingness to learn

• New ideas – evidence / research aware

• A proven good team member

• Professionalism #employthebest

Don’t be shy! You are offering……. 1

• Strongly appropriate / evidenced personal values, attitudes and behaviours

• Reliability and self discipline

• Resourcefulness

• Flexibility

• Integrity

• Exemplary standards of care #employthebest

Don’t be shy! You are offering……. 2

• Research the post fully, visit if possible

• Note how to apply, closing date and time

• Record reference no. and contact details

• CV, application form or both?

• If visiting note access, parking, catering, security, facilities, ‘the feel’

• Cover letter to named person?

• Always keep full copy of the completed application and job advert

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Job advertisements

• Employability week• Career Destinations• All professional and representative bodies• www.jobs.nhs.uk Register now!• Academic tutor / professional lead / mentors• Bird, J. & Borrego, M. (2010) Nursing and

Midwifery Careers Uncovered. 3rd Ed. Trotman

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Resources

Present yourself as someone you would employ!

Jim Bird Lecturer and Senior Admissions TutorFOHS

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Thank you! Do enjoy and get the most

out of this week