Looking for Employment How to get started Annabel

Looking for Employment? How to get started Annabel Smoker /Faculty Lead for Employability Cheryl Keal /Careers Practitioner Careers & Employability Service

CREATING Widening YOUR…. . employability Widening YOUR …. . view © University of Southampton 2007

Health professionals have a reputation…. #employthebest

CREATING AN IMPACT YOU #employthebest

Recognising your own employability • What point are you starting from? • From your time in FOHS, what are your competencies and transferable skills? #employthebest

Skills and attributes developed include: • • 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 #employthebest

Attributes most sought after by employers 1 ü Commercial awareness ü Positive attitude ü Leadership ü Risk taking/enterprise ü A “foundation of positive approach” - using numerical skills effectively - using language effectively - using IT effectively #employthebest

Attributes most sought after by employers 2 üSelf management / self motivated ü Fully committed to the values of the employer, offering the right personal values, attitudes and behaviours ü Collaborative / team working ü Addressing and solving problems ü Customer focus #employthebest

Attributes most sought after by employers 3 üCultural sensitivity ü Integrity of character and behaviours ü Political and economic awareness ü Resilience (to stress) ü Flexibility to (often rapid) change ü High quality communication skills #employthebest

BIG QUESTIONS WHAT DO I WANT TO DO? SOMETHING OLD… NEW? WHAT DO I ENJOY? WHAT ARE MY REASONS? SHORT-TERM EXPEDIENCY ? LONG TERM PLANS

Your priorities for ‘first post’ jobs? • 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?

Understanding Yourself and Your Career 12

Activity With your neighbour take 5 mins to discuss the following two questions? • Where do you see yourself after 3 -5 years of clinical experience? Do you know how to get there? (discuss what setting/ & the level or grade) • What is your 1 st choice of post-registration specialism & why? What would be your second choice & why? Make sure both of you have a chance to cover responding to the two questions. Short feedback afterwards. 13

Understand who you are Ultimately the better you know yourself the easier it will be to choose your specialism and the environment you would like to work in. Engaging in this area effectively will also directly support you in: § § Knowing your strengths and areas for development Creating effective applications & being successful at interviews: It is therefore worth undertaking the Career Readiness Test………. =

How career ready are you? Take the test: https: //www. efolio. soton. ac. uk/blog /gcm/

Your experience so far…. . Think hard about all that you have experienced in your placements so far: – Which aspects have you enjoyed the most and why? • • Was it the team? Was it the patient group? The environment? The variety of skills required for the job? – Also, consider how your strengths match your preferred options. • Reflect on the things you have least enjoyed and why – was it the specialty itself or other factors such as staff shortages? 16

I haven't had an experience of xxx field, but would be keen to know more…. Talk to colleagues, tutors, peers & mentors to get real experiences of various roles Don’t forget to look at less obvious employers such as private hospitals, charities, hospices, prison services & occupational health service providers Using job adverts/role descriptions. List the pros & cons of each role Consider practical aspects such as hours of work, support with education & future job security

Further study Steps to become a Nurse Practitioner…. . An example of the facilitating Advanced Clinical Practice programme below Some courses may be offered by your employer as part of post-reg education/PREP 18

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Where to look 1 • NHS www. jobs. nhs. uk • UNIVERSITY • • Careers Fair (refer to brochure) Employer Portal LBR opportunities Ph. D opportunities • HEALTH FACILITIES • • Notice boards Independent + NHS • PRESS • • www. nhscareers. nhs. uk Local Regional

Where to look 2 • WEB • LOCAL GOVERNMENT – for jobs in social care • SPECIALIST AGENCIES • PROFFESIONAL BODIES/JOURNALS • OWN NETWORK • WORD OF MOUTH • • • Independent sector Statutory Commercial Charitable / thirds sector Prospects – “job profiles” – employer and vacancy section

Speculative letters – avoid ‘cold calling’ ü Direct to the organisation ü Quick and direct route to an employer or manager ü Helps you know if you match the employer ü Puts you in charge of the job searching ü May uncover opportunities that are not advertised or may not have existed v Letter may not be answered #employthebest

Speculative letters – avoid ‘cold calling’ 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. #employthebest

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 #employthebest

Job advertisements • 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

Resources • Employability Week • Healthcare Sciences Careers Fair 01 November • www. jobs. nhs. uk Register now! • All professional and representative bodies • Academic tutor / professional lead / mentors • Career & Employment Services • Books: – Bird, J. & Borrego, M. (2010) Nursing and Midwifery Careers Uncovered. 3 rd Ed. Trotman – Smoker, A. (2016) Launching your Career in Nursing and Midwifery. Palgrave Macmillan

Present yourself as someone you would employ! Thank you! #employthebest