Given the intense competition for places in graduate nurse programs you will no doubt be keen to learn what it takes to prepare a successful application.

It is important to note that some organisations e.g. SA Health, make their decision to recruit someone based on the quality of their application, their clinical placement reports (or clinical appraisal/review) and feedback from referees.

In other words there is no job interview. So it is crucial that you are able to prepare a quality written application.

Here are 3 very important tips to follow that will give your application that important edge:

1. Read the application instructions carefully and follow them to the letter.
2. Fully research the employing organisation and the position for which you are applying.
3. Using information from your research, tailor the information provided in your application documents.

Let’s look at each of these points in a little more detail.

1. Read the Application Instructions

Given that graduate nursing positions attract hundreds of applicants, employers have little tolerance for applications which don’t conform to their guidelines.

It is almost certain your application will be rejected if you don’t submit all the information required, or you don’t follow the required format, or fail follow other instructions.

Why do employers place so much emphasis on people following application instructions?

One of the reasons is that it makes it easier for them to process the large volume of applications, and to enable a comparison of individual applications in order to identify the best candidates.

What types of instructions can I be expected to follow?

There may, for example, be:

• Limits on the numbers of pages in your resume.
• Limits on the number of words when addressing individual selection criterion.
• Restrictions on the file size of electronic attachments to your application.
• Requirements for providing specific information and documentation relating to your clinical placements.

There may also be conditions on eligibility to apply. You could spend a lot of time preparing an application only to find that you don’t meet one or more of the eligibility requirements.

Every employer will have different requirements and conditions, so carefully read and follow the instructions for every position you are applying for.

So, the message is clear…...read, and follow the application instructions!

2. Research the Organisation and the Job

An important question for any job applicant to consider is, “How are the successful candidates selected?”

For graduate nursing positions, as you might expect, significant weight is placed on your clinical skills, experience and referee comments. But, other factors are also strongly considered, such as:

• Your reasons for applying for the job, and why you want to work for the organisation.
• Evidence that you possess other skills and attributes relevant to the job, for example your communication skills, your attention to detail, the ability to work in a team situation and so on.

As your career progresses, you’ll discover that every organisation has a different culture, a different way of doing things. In fact, an organisation’s culture is often described as being ‘the way we do things around here’.

An organisation’s culture relates to the things that are valued and considered important in the way they operate their business. The organisation’s image, reputation and style of doing business are all a reflection of its culture.

What’s this got to do with recruiting graduate nurses you might ask?

Simple! Organisations want to hire people that are going to fit in. They want to hire people who want to work in their organisation - that is, they don’t want to hire someone who is just looking for a job. They want to employ people who share similar values, beliefs, and motivations to that which exist within the organisation.

By researching the organisation and the area of specialisation/department where you’ll be working, you should be able to uncover all sorts of information about the culture of the place.

What sort of information should you look for? Things like:

• Vision, mission and values statements on websites, reports, strategic plans, brochures etc.
• Charter or customer promise statements.
• Information about the organisation and the job which will be contained in a job and person specification.

	For example, take a look at these websites and see what you can learn about their values, and the ideals which underpin their service offering. You’ll no doubt pick up some valuable clues about the types of qualities they might be seeking in future employees.
	About SA Health SA Health Last viewed 8 September 2017 Vision, mission and values SA Health Last viewed 8 September 2017 Mission, vision, values Calvary Rehabilitation Hospital Last viewed 8 September 2017 Spirit of Calvary Calvary Rehabilitation Hospital Last viewed 8 September 2017 Vision statement ACHA Health Last viewed 8 September 2017

3. Using your Research to Tailor your Job Application

As a result of researching the organisation, and the job and person requirements, you will have a much clearer understanding of the context in which you will perform your work, and the important clinical and non-clinical attributes being sought in candidates.

When completing your application documents it is essential that you communicate that you understand what is important to the organisation you’d like to work for….. and that you share their values.

For example, two of the values in SA Health are ‘excellence’ and ‘equity’.

Think about what these values mean to you. Do you share these values?

If so, say that you do in your application, and back up your claims where possible with some examples.

Here’s one of the values expressed in Calvary Rehabilitation Hospital’s ‘Spirit of Calvary’ – “We provide quality passionate care for the whole person”.

	Write your own notes on the following: What does this statement mean to you? Do you share these ideals? How do you think you could demonstrate or explain that you do share these?
	Write your own notes on the following: Take time also to reflect on the various attributes and skills being sought in successful candidates for the position. Carefully consider why these might be essential to the role, and try to convey your understanding of this in your application.

This reflection on your research will help you to tailor your application. ‘Tailoring’ your application involves communicating to the employer that:

• You want to work in their organisation, not just any organisation that is offering a nursing position, and you can give some good reasons why this is so.
• You possess the relevant clinical and other job related skills and attributes, and that you also understand why these are important in the job you are applying for.

Many unsuccessful job applicants favour a ‘generic’ application – that is, they use the same standard resume, cover letter and responses to selection criteria for every position they apply for.

This approach is interpreted by employers as lack of candidate interest. As such, generic applications are promptly rejected by employers.

In summary, use the information gained from your research to tailor your application. As a result, you will more effectively communicate your genuine interest in working for the organisation, and in the position being offered.