The job market for nurses is one of the most active in the United States. That's good news for nurses with the right skills and the desire to move up.

However, simply having good experience, education and credentials may not be enough to land your next job.

This month and next, this column will help you prepare for a job-winning interview.

In this month's column, we talked with Robin Singleton, FAAHC, FACHE, with health care executive search firm Tyler & Co., about how to prepare yourself for the interview on paper, talking about your résumé, your accomplishments and ways that you can make yourself stand out from the crowd and get in the door.

Why should an employer interview you?

While the job market for nurses is extremely good, managers are swamped with a million other responsibilities. Screening applicants and determining which candidates to interview can be a bothersome chore and one that's usually done under deadline pressure to fill a shift.

Most managers aren't skilled at screening résumés or interviewing; they're in their positions because of their management and clinical abilities.

So, it's up to you as a job candidate to make the task simpler for them. Here are some ideas:

· Keep your résumé simple - one page is best. The interviewer will be looking for a few key elements to determine whether you make the cut for an interview - education, certifications and experience.

· Highlight your accomplishments and focus on what you've done beyond your day-to-day work assignments. Have you served on a community board or a nonprofit? Are you frequently called on by management to spearhead projects? Have you led the way in process improvements, quality initiative, care-mapping or patient services?

· Be direct in your cover letter - don't beat around the bush. When you write a cover letter expressing interest in a job, use the letter to highlight two to three reasons why you are the best candidate. Cite your accomplishments as bullets in the letter, even though they may be listed on your résumé.

Select accomplishments that will benefit your prospective employer and show why you're the best candidate for the job. Make the letter easy to read, using short sentences and paragraphs.

Provide your contact information in the body of the letter; don't make the screener search for the best way to contact you. Always list your mobile number.

A note about accomplishments: Write key accomplishments on paper on a regular basis. Take a few minutes at the same time each week to reflect on what you're most proud of from that week.

Jot notes on a piece of paper and file it for future reference. Be sure to cite numbers, facts and figures, plus any comments made by peers or supervisors about your work.

These accomplishment notes can come in handy to update your résumé or prepare for a performance review. Developing a good habit like this can go a long way in building your career.

- To suggest a topic of interest for health care professionals, e-mail pam@pamelakeene.com.