RE: CV Help

Mark Hedberg — Mon, 11 May 2015 10:01:15 GMT

Hi Danielle! I wrote a post for another qualified nurse here on vn.co.uk - here it is below, with minor modification.

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Personal statement: It's no longer forbidden to talk about yourself in the third person. One example: "I am a qualified veterinary nurse with an interest in XXX and YYY [medicine, surgery, parasitology, or whatever your favorite subjects were.] I am looking for a veterinary nurse position in order to continue my personal and professional development. I am an organized team player and I particularly enjoy working with feline patients." [or canine, or rabbit, or horse, or whatever your particular favorite is.]

You don't need to copy the above - what you've done is three sentences that tell a little bit about yourself and give a deeper picture than just a regular CV.

When you list your interests, don't list every little thing you do. CV's are expected to be fairly standardized so this is one of the few places you can personalize it to reflect yourself. The key here is making yourself sound interesting enough to get them to ring you for an interview. It's perfectly fine to say you like reading and watching movies - not everyone knows how to tapdance or bungee jump. Make it specific. Do you read? Mention your favorite author. Do you like walking? Say where you like to walk; or if you walk everywhere your dog walks, say that.

Newly qualified and graduated people aren't expected to have giant long oodles of outstanding talents and a history of conquering all. Which is good, as a CV is a fairly static document with an expected format.

This brings us to your secret weapon - the covering letter. This, in my opinion, is the best bit - because you have the change to really shine!

Rule 1: Address it to someone. Practice Manager or Practice Owner are good choices, or even the Head Nurse. Do NOT write "to whom it may concern" - it will concern nobody. It's an emotional thing - address it to someone and someone will have to open it and take responsibility for it. Even if all they do is shove it at the right person, they've done something. Yes, it will add a little time to your search - but how long does a google search really take? This is your life we're talking about; an extra 30 seconds to change the name before you hit 'print' might be what makes someone ring you up!

Rule 2: Explain what you're looking for. (The job, of course - but are you looking for a small animal job, a job in Yorkshire, a specific point or kit?) Ideally, and again, this will take a few extra minutes - point out what it was about the practice that made you send them your CV and letter. Do you like that they're a multi branch practice? Or maybe a one man band? Perhaps you're looking for colleagues who all like dogs. (This last one is unlikely - but you're looking to engage with the people who are going to hire you.) Maybe you like all the charitable work they do, or you like that they've got fancy high tech modern kit. Tell them what attracted you to write to them.

Note: you don't need to rewrite the letter each time - just change the sentence or two where you talk about why you applied here specifically.

Yes, this takes more time than just printing 40 copies of the same letter. However, I stand by my statement that this is your life, and you shouldn't leave a photocopier and some luck to handle your career.

Point out that you are competent and capable, not that you are desperate for the job. (Of course we all know you want it badly, just don't SAY so!) Explain in a few sentences why you became a vet nurse and how you are keen to move ahead with your professional development or perhaps work in the Leighton Buzzard area - obviously you would write your own reasons here!

Thank them for their time, and sign off.

Now spell check it. Please. (I see a fair few CV's and nobody likes it when 'veterinary' is misspelled.)

If you print the letter, sign it - again, takes time, but it's a personal touch, and personal touches are important. Now more than ever. Email makes it easy to send out dozens of CV's and letters without a second thought, and far far too many people do just that.

(I understand you can't sign it if they ask you to email your CV and letter, but if you're posting it, sign it.)

Good luck!

(Oh, and don't send chocolate or cookies. You don't need to bribe them to hire you - you're a qualified, competent nurse who will add a great deal of value to their practice!)

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Good luck!