Applying For Your First Job
It may not seem like it when you first start out, but those 3 years studying will fly and before you know it you're applying for jobs and reality hits!
As I've mentioned previously, nursing is a job that has many options for after qualification. However, I'm just going to give you some advice applying for a job within the NHS, as the majority of graduates get their first job working there (plus it's our largest employer).
You probably won't start looking for a job until your 3rd and final year, although I know in some fields (such as mental health) jobs become available much earlier and 2nd years can apply. But I only know about the process for my own field and my own location (the 2 hospitals I applied for held interviews about 3 months before the job start date).
The application process begins by creating an account with NHS Jobs. You can search for jobs without an account, but you won't be able to apply for any. Once you have created an account, you just search for the type of job and location you want and once you've found something of interest to you, you click 'apply for this job'. It's pretty straightforward!
The online application is spilt into the following sections:
- Personal information
- Qualifications
- Employment history
- Referees
- Supporting information
- Monitoring information
- Safeguarding
- Submit and declarations
Most of it is simply filling in details you already know, but some sections require a bit more time than others.
The Referees section requires you to provide the names and contact details for 2 people. It is recommended you would have you personal tutor at university and a mentor complete this, usually your sign off mentor from your final placement.
The Supporting information section is basically like writing a personal statement about yourself, your skills and why you'd be suited to that job. Make sure you read the job description and person specification carefully and demonstrate how you meet the criteria for that role. I found it helpful to write this section out in a word document and then copy and paste it in. It's normally a good idea to have someone else read over this for you as well to check for spelling mistakes etc. Make sure you really invest some time into this section because this is where you sell yourself and highlight to the employer why they should want you. If you're really struggling, most universities will have a career centre to support you with writing this or you could ask one of your tutors to look over for it. It's important to get this right because once you have submitted, there's no changing it or going back!
Once you are happy with it and have submitted your application, it's just a waiting game from there. You can find the applications you've sent off in the 'my applications' section on the website. If you're anything like me you'll be checking back constantly for updates! If an employer invites for you an invite you'll normally be notified on the 'my interviews' or 'messages' sections on the website, but it will also come through to the email address you used to create your account. It's a good idea to have a read through of your application before you head to interview because some employers will ask you questions based on the things they have read about you, so don't be caught out!
Most of all take your time with it, ask for help if needed and always double check everything. It can be stressful, but try to stay organised and think positive. You've got this far and this is the final hurdle - you can do it!
