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 Once upon a time allied healthcare professionals barely needed a resume to land the job they wanted; new grads were hired before they graduated. Today's job market offers intense competition for both experienced and new grad positions.
Anyone in the job market today will do well if they employ a few rules of thumb, the most important being patience. Landing a job today can take months; for new grads it could be 12 months or more. This is undoubtedly frustrating but you must stay focused and professional. Don't aim your frustrations at the recruiters or a facility.
Another rule is to practice smart marketing. Use all the resources available to you to find open positions, especially networking. Job fairs are a great place to do this. When you attend, dress professionally, bring a polished resume and meet as many people as you can -- both recruiters and attendees -- and tell them what you have to offer an organization and why you would be a good hire.
Take full advantage of everything a job fair has to offer. You might as well take some CE classes. And at an ADVANCE Job Fair, reward yourself by winning prizes, and maybe even do some shopping at the ADVANCE Healthcare Shop.
Build Your Assets
While getting a job is likely your No. 1 focus, this is also a good time to add experiences to your resume in the form of education, whether an advanced degree, certifications, or relevant continuing education. Especially if you are unemployed, use this time wisely.
It can be a challenge to secure a job when haven't yet had any experience. Many facilities are reluctant to hire inexperienced staff. If you find yourself at this impasse, what should you highlight on your resume?
"Even non-related healthcare jobs give us insight into the type of candidate you are," said Jodi Parrish, employment manager, human resources, Glendale Adventist Medical Center, Glendale, CA. "For instance, if you work in a customer service role or in a job that entails a high level of multitasking, these are traits we look for in our candidates. It is important to highlight why you are applying at the organization, show the research you have done and why you think you would be a good fit."
And don't be tempted to exaggerate. "I have had new grads try to pass off internship experience as genuine working experience," said Amy Foy, BSN, RN, PHR, a nurse recruiter at Harbor Hospital, Baltimore. "Don't ever be desperate enough to lie about your experience or credentials. That will get you more trouble in your employment search than you want."
Stay Involved, Stay Current
While you're working on landing your dream job -- particularly you new grads -- recruiters want to see that you're staying in the healthcare mix. This is true even if it means what you might consider downgrading.
Candidates "need to have some kind of job in whatever branch of healthcare they could find," stated Foy.
Deborah Rowe, MS, RN, PHR, CHCR, senior director, Genesis HealthCare, Towson, MD, concurred. "Graduates can make themselves more marketable by obtaining a volunteer position in healthcare. This will not only provide them an opportunity to continue in healthcare, but also may lead them to an employment opportunity. This also demonstrates their commitment to obtaining a position."
Additionally, as Marina Karkas, MBA, BSN, RN, nurse recruiter at San Antonio Community Hospital, pointed out, "Often, positions are first offered to present employees, so any way someone can get their foot in the door is to their advantage."
To increase marketability, not-new-anymore grads not employed in their field should consider a refresher course. "I would be impressed if someone went back for a refresher course after a year," said Foy. That would show me they were willing to keep current."
Karkas agreed. If candidates "have never worked as a coder and been out of the field more than 2 years, a refresher class would be recommended," she noted.
Stand Out
Finally, if a candidate's resume catches a recruiter's eye, why? What sets certain job-seekers apart? The tried-and-true strategies can certainly be effective. "I am a proponent of work, volunteer experience and educational/community achievements," said Rowe.
Recruiters also want to know that candidates have done their homework. "You would be surprised when following up on applications and the question is asked, 'What do you know about our hospital?' and people don't have an answer," said Parrish. "When you are being compared to the hundreds of other new grads, this can make a difference."
And as understandably frustrated as the job search may leave you feeling, present a positive image. "If you have a chance to talk to the recruiter, be your best on the phone, speak clearly, be grateful for the opportunity and don't argue or complain about the times," advised Foy. "Be as upbeat as you can. That's the kind of employee we want, and it starts with the phone call."
Linda Jones is editorial director at ADVANCE; Adrianne O'Brien is special projects editor.
For more information on ADVANCE Job Fairs (both in-person and virtual), visit our Events website.
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