Job Hunting in the Healthcare Field: Part 1, Where to Start First

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the largest growing sector offering employment opportunities continues to be in healthcare, due largely to the growing elderly population and its medical needs. Physicians and PAs, nurses (RN, LPN, CNA), therapists, and home health caregivers top the list of forecasted employment opportunities. But as opportunities grow, so does the qualified pool of applicants. Making yourself stand out from the crowd as the best candidate will be more challenging than ever!

Where to start
So you have the necessary education and experience, but what you need is the perfect job. Start with a resume format that best presents your experience and qualifications. For example, if you are a student entering the medical field with little experience, consider a format that emphasizes your skills and educational accomplishments. As a skilled healthcare provider, a chronological resume will best demonstrate your professional growth and experience.

Plan on tailoring your resume to highlight skills or experience important to the job opportunity you’ve identified. You’ll likely be able to use versions more than once, but here’s a hint: save each copy with a unique file name that includes the company’s name. Then you won’t send it out to the wrong potential employer, and it’s an easy way to keep track of the resumes you’ve mailed out.

Be sure to read your resume with a critical eye; grammar, spelling, and punctuation matter to those who have to read it. Ask a friend, colleague, or family member to give it a read, looking for errors or omitted words. Take the time to address any issues before you send it out, and before it lands on the desk of a hiring manager who won’t have the time to figure out what you wanted to say.

Formatting and submitting a resume
Technology has put more demands on the application process, for the job seeker. Sometimes, you can just mail in a cover letter and resume. But often, you’ll be asked to email a cover letter and resume, in a specific file format or as an attachment. And more and more, you’ll be asked to complete an online application, requiring you to fill out a pre-built form, with the option of submitting a cover letter. (Always, always take advantage of the opportunity to submit a cover letter, no matter the format. It’s the one part of the application process that allows you to convey a little of your own personality, or address areas that you weren’t asked about in their application form.)

Keeping those application possibilities in mind, consider making two resume templates: one in a typeset format; and the other, as a text document without any formatting (e.g., no bold, italics, underline). The latter will be the text version from which you can easily copy and paste information into any required online forms, ensuring a cleaner version that can be printed out by the hiring manager. And always have your resume in front of you before tackling the online application form. It will help with accuracy and help save some time.

But no matter which application process you are asked to follow, DO follow their directions! When you get your interview, always bring a clean hard copy of your formatted resume to offer to your interviewer. Many still prefer to see your formatted version, as opposed to trying to understand a printed email or online application format.

A successful job search is a job in itself. But a specialized staffing firm like MAS Medical Staffing can help. We can assist with resume writing, identifying opportunities, and preparing for the interview. Contact us today, and let one of our trained placement specialists help you on your way to landing the perfect job.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this article, which details how to prepare for the big interview!