Whether you’ve completed a FastForward certificate program or earned an associate’s degree in a healthcare field, understanding how to navigate the job market is crucial to starting your dream medical career.
The good news? The demand for trained healthcare talent continues to grow, and there are more job opportunities than ever, if you know where to look! Our guide outlines the key steps to finding a medical job, from healthcare job board shortcuts and resume best practices to tips on nailing your interview.
7 Tips to Jumpstart Your Healthcare Job Search
- Leverage Your Professional Network
- Use a Healthcare-Specific Job Board
- Tailor Your Resume to the Job Description
- Update Your Social Profile
- Work With a Healthcare Recruiter
- Research Potential Employers
- Practice Interviewing for the Job
Leverage Your Professional Network
Your personal and professional networks are two of your most valuable resources when it comes to job hunting. If you’ve been networking throughout your credential program or academic career, you already have a head start!
Make the most of your professional network with these steps:
- Reach Out to Your Apprenticeship: If you’ve completed an apprenticeship or similar program with a potential employer, contact your supervisors about job openings. They may also connect you with contacts at other healthcare systems who need support.
- Use Your College’s Career Services: Many schools offer career guidance, resume reviews, and job placement assistance. Take advantage of these resources to bolster your resume and expand your network.
- Attend Networking Events: Participate in industry conferences, workshops, or alumni events. Building relationships with professionals in your field can open doors to job opportunities. You can also connect with individuals through LinkedIn and ask to chat about career opportunities.
2. Use a Healthcare-Specific Job Board
Did you know that healthcare job boards accounted for about 75% of hospital hires in 2017? General job boards like Indeed can help you find employers, but they’re often filled with outdated job descriptions and spam. One-click applications also encourage a high volume of low-quality candidates.
Instead, we recommend using a healthcare job board like On Board Virginia to discover real job listings from local Virginia hospitals. Follow our tips to optimize your search:
- Search by Job Title Variations: Not all healthcare positions hold the same title. While you may be familiar with one position, the same role could go by a slightly different name at another hospital. Try searching for variations of your desired role to discover more options.
- Search by Experience: Your credentials, certifications, and licensures may qualify you for healthcare jobs you might not have considered. Try searching for jobs based on your certifications to see if any roles apply to you.
- Search by Location: If you’re willing to commute or relocate, consider exploring healthcare jobs in nearby areas. Different job markets can have distinct perks such as a better work-life balance, lower cost of living, and more.
- Adjust Filters: Job board filters can help narrow down relevant openings by specialty, salary, and scheduling. Try adjusting the filter to find your ideal position. Then, expand your settings to cast a wider net.
- Set Up Job Alerts: Many job boards allow you to set up alerts for new postings that match your criteria. This way, you can be among the first to apply.
Healthcare job boards are also great resources to find and research local hospitals. Explore the hospital’s career page to uncover additional roles they might not have advertised on the job board
3. Tailor Your Resume to the Job Description
Once you’ve found a healthcare job to apply to, remember to adjust your resume to match the job requirements adequately. Your resume is a living document that tracks your achievements and experiences while conveying your skills to potential employers. This is no time to sell yourself short—make it count!
Follow these tips from FastForward Career Coaches:
- List Your Credentials: Not only do credentials and certifications give insight into your skill level, but they also show a dedication to continued education—an important factor in healthcare. Certifications can also set you apart from competing candidates.
- Incorporate Keywords From the Job Description: Employers may look for different factors, even for the same job posting. It’s important to read the job description and tailor your resume to match the employer’s criteria.
Keep in mind that many employers use recruitment software to screen applicants. If your resume lacks the right keywords from the job description, the program may think you’re unqualified when you are. Incorporate keywords and phrases from the job responsibilities and qualifications section to indicate that you fit the role. - Highlight Relevant Experience: Real-world clinical experience, internships, volunteer work, and shadowing experiences can help you stand out. Being familiar with the healthcare career means you understand the clinical setting and can hold your own in the environment.
Format your experience based on your core responsibilities, key accomplishments, and measurable results. - Reframe Transferable Skills: If you’re changing careers or just getting started, you might not think you have relevant experience beyond your training program. However, many skills such as time management, customer service, and data management apply across many industries. Additionally, being bilingual can give you a competitive edge, especially in healthcare roles. Reframe your transferable skills to your dream role.
- Keep It Concise: Recruiters may only spend a few seconds on each resume. Make sure you include your most important information up front, format your content to be skimmable, and keep everything to a page.
4. Update Your Social Profile
If an employer or recruiter likes your resume, there’s a good chance they’ve checked your digital presence to learn more about you. They may review your LinkedIn to see your full work history and interests while identifying potential concerns. Keeping your social profiles clear of compromising content goes a long way to maintaining a professional image.
- Leverage LinkedIn: Update your header to show you’re open for work and the type of work you’re looking for—keep your header to a short sentence at most.
LinkedIn is also a professional networking tool. Use it to keep in touch with contacts in the healthcare field, connect with mentors, and see job openings at hospitals in your area. - Align Your Profiles: Ensure consistency between your resume and online profiles. Any discrepancies might raise red flags. Update your LinkedIn credentials, work history, and skill sets, expanding on any additional points you might not have had room to include.
- Maintain a Professional Image: Use a professional headshot and ensure your profiles are free of unprofessional content.
5. Work With a Healthcare Recruiter
A healthcare recruiter can streamline your healthcare job search process. Not only do they have insights into multiple hiring medical partners, but they can also help you highlight your skills and strengths. After all, they see several applications each day and want to see candidates succeed.
Healthcare recruiters can also help you expand your search by identifying additional roles you’re qualified for but might not have considered. We recommend working with multiple recruiters to expand your job pool.
So, what do healthcare recruiters look for in candidates?
- Specialized Skills: Are you trained or certified to operate specialized medical equipment? Are you familiar with hospital management systems? Are you familiar with medical terms? Specialized skills give you a leg up over competing candidates.
- Bilingual: Can you talk to patients or staff fluently in another language? Being multilingual can go a long way toward building rapport with patients, making it a desirable trait in the medical field.
- Experience: Even if you’re just starting, any practical experience, such as shadowing, volunteer work, or clinical rotations can set you apart. Highlight these on your resume and be prepared to discuss them during interviews.
- Collaborative Personality: Healthcare is a team-oriented field. Recruiters value candidates who can work well with others, communicate effectively, and contribute to a positive work environment.
6. Research Potential Employers
Finding the right healthcare job is only part of the equation—applicants should do their due diligence to research potential employers before applying. After all, landing a job in an environment that doesn’t suit you will only lead to burnout and high turnover. Look at a hospital’s website, social media presence, and reviews to get a better picture of the work environment.
When evaluating hospitals and healthcare systems, consider:
- Company Culture: Investigate the organization’s values, mission, and workplace culture. Does it align with your own values and career goals?
- Employee Reviews: Websites like Glassdoor can provide insights into what it’s like to work at a particular hospital or clinic. You could also reach out to an employee and ask for a shadowing opportunity to experience a bit of the day-to-day firsthand.
- Opportunities for Growth: Look for employers who offer professional development opportunities, continuing education, and room for advancement. Many hospitals will cover additional training for high-performing employees.
7. Practice Interviewing for the Job
Interviews are a two-way street where applicants and employers gauge if either party is the right fit. While it’s important to understand how to market your skills, you should prepare questions for the employer to see how you can best integrate into the environment.
Here’s how to prepare:
- Answer Open-Ended Questions: Practice responding to common interview questions like “Tell me about yourself,” “Why do you want to work here,” and “What is your greatest weakness?”
Frame your answers in terms of your skills, learned experiences, and thought process. Employers want to see if you’re proactive when it comes to solving problems and how you communicate. - Prepare Employer Questions: This is an opportunity to examine the employer’s leadership styles and ask about the company culture. Additionally, consider asking about what they’re looking for in a candidate. Then, respond to their list with examples that show why you meet their criteria.
- Mock Interviews: Consider doing a mock interview with a friend, mentor, or career counselor. This can help you get comfortable with the interview format and receive constructive feedback.
Find a Healthcare Job After Graduating
The healthcare job search can be daunting, and finding a healthcare job after graduating often takes time. But don’t lose hope!
By understanding what recruiters want, polishing your resume and online presence, leveraging your network, and preparing thoroughly for interviews, you can increase your chances of landing a fulfilling position in the healthcare field.
Start your job search with confidence and take the next step toward a rewarding healthcare career.