3 Ways to Market Yourself on the Job Hunt
One of the best things about working in healthcare is the massive variety of jobs available. You can work in hospitals, clinics, in the community and people’s homes, with many different patient populations, or not seeing patients at all. You can change your job completely without returning to school or earning a new degree. But if you haven’t been on the job hunt in a while, dusting off your resume and applying for something new may seem overwhelming. Luckily, there are several things you can do to give yourself the edge over other applicants and land yourself a great new opportunity.
Polish Your Resume
First, you need to update your resume (or create one if you don’t have one). Think outside the box with this, the days of only listing dates and places are gone and you will need something much more unique and informative to catch an employer’s eye. In addition to those important facts like where you got your education and where you have worked, include descriptions that show off your skills and knowledge base, like your job responsibilities, leadership or teamwork recognition you have earned, and technology you are familiar with.
Put Yourself Out There
When searching for jobs, don’t just rely on a company’s website or online job boards. If there is somewhere you’d like to work, give them a call and ask if you can send over a resume and let them know you’d like to help them build their team. Even if they don’t currently have posted openings, if you can convince them they need you on their team, many companies will create a position to get you on board. And at the very least, this extra gesture will make your name memorable for the next opening that occurs. A phone call and personal touch goes a long way to help you stand out from other applicants when applying for posted jobs as well.
Cast a Wide Net
Don’t create imaginary limitations for yourself and your capabilities. Look around for jobs that you meet criteria for, but may not have considered before. Or if you are wanting to switch specialty areas or try something new but have been hesitating, take the leap! Highlight any variety you have in your work history as an example of your ability to learn new things and demonstrate knowledge in many areas. You never know when a very unexpected or unconventional opportunity might just be the perfect fit.