healthcare job search

Healthcare Job Search Strategy Workshop

CUNY 2011

Healthcare Career Center

CUNY and Workforce1 Healthcare Career Center:

Presenter: Rachel Wiss, Career Advisor Workforce1 Healthcare Career Center,

Laguardia Community College

Moderator: Ashleigh Thompson, Ph.D. CUNY, Deputy to the University Dean

for Health and Human Services

Job Search: Ask yourself…

Typical Job Search

Strategic Job Search Steps

What steps can I take to improve my job search?

Have Clear Goals

Consider alternatives to hospitals

Why should I consider alternatives to hospitals?

• To gain clinical experience

• To keep skills sharp

• To explore working in various settings with a variety of populations

Future Hiring Organizations

Projected Increase in Employment Prospects for 2018

• 62 Percent for Ambulatory Health Care Services jobs

• 59.4 Percent for Residential Care Facilities jobs

Consider alternatives to hospitals

Research nursing positions in:

Consider alternatives to hospitals

In addition, consider and research jobs in:

Examples of alternative organizations:

Children’s Aide Society Institute for Community Living

Harlem’s Children Health Project FEGS Bowery Residents’ Committee YAI Daytop Village Inc Catholic Charities

Consider alternatives to hospitals

Think outside the box!Alternative job titles for nurses:

• Community Health Nurse• Managed Care Nurse (HMO’s and insurance companies)• School Nurse (Public and private)• Substance Abuse Nurse (Rehabilitation clinics)• Complementary Health Care Nurse (Clinics with alternative

practitioners such as chiropractors and acupuncturists)• Occupational Nurse (Private companies such as large

factories)• Travel Nurse and Goodwill Nurse (Local and international)• Armed forces Nurse

Networking

• What is networking?

• Why should I network?

• Who should I contact to add to my network?

Networking

Networking is….

Establishing contact with people as sources of information and referrals to other contacts or possible job openings, volunteer opportunities or internships.

Networking

Why network?

• To meet people in the industry

• To obtain information about open positions, resources, contacts and referrals • To obtain access to the “hidden job market”

Networking

Who goes in my network and how do I use my contacts?

Networking

Anyone who may be able to help you, including:

• Former co-workers/ employers• Relatives and friends• Friends of friends• Neighbors etc.

Networking Uses

True or False?

Networking is used exclusively tofind out if my contacts know of jobopenings.

Networking Uses

False!• Use your network to talk with people

who work in your field and establish lasting relationships.

• Ask your contacts if they know someone in the healthcare field who might be willing to speak with you, even if they don’t know of openings.

Informational Interviewing: What is it?

Informational Interviewing is: A form of networking involving meeting

with individuals in the field to learn more about an occupation, career field or specific organization and to build relationships with insiders in the field.

How can Informational Interviews help my job search?

• Develop key contacts with people in the field

• Learn about and tap into “hidden job market”

• Build confidence for future job interviewing

• Learn more about a particular organization

• Understand your relative qualifications in order to see if current objective is realistic and to plan for future positions

Informational Interviewing: Getting Started

Where do I find people to contact for meetings?

College Alumni

Online Professional Networks (LinkedIn)

Networking Contacts

Professional Associations

Web Research

Informational Interviewing: Getting Started

Tips for Approaching Contacts:

• Send introductory email then call OR call directly• Introduce yourself briefly, explain how you found their

information and why you are contacting them• Attempt to set up 15 minute in person meeting • Purpose of meeting: Ask questions about their work,

organization, career path and/or field in general Try to schedule in person meeting whenever possible If they cannot meet, ask for other possible contacts Do not send or offer resume unless asked

Informational Interviewing: Meeting with Contact

Informational Interview Guidelines:

• Be professional• Prepare for meeting: research contact,

organization, prepare questions• Begin by very briefly introducing yourself• Keep focus of conversation on other person• DO NOT ask for a job• Ask for additional contacts• Keep record of contacts and stay connected

Informational Interviewing: Questions

Examples of questions:

• How did you get started in your career?• What jobs and experiences have led you to this position?• Tell me a little about your current role.• How is your department organized?• What is the working atmosphere like in this organization?• What part of this job do you find most satisfying? Most

challenging?• What traits do you think are most important for working in

this position?

Online Job Search

Online Job Search Tips:

• Select appropriate job search sites including those that have alternative nursing positions (Indeed.com)

• Post your resume to job boards

• Set up email job alerts

• Use Nursing Associations as information resources

• Join Professional Nursing Associations

Nursing Associations

Use Nursing Association websites to keep current in the field:

• Community Healthcare Association of New York State (CHCANYS) • Greater New York Hospital Association (GNYHA)• Southern New York Association (SNYA)

Join Associations that are open to individual memberships:

• New York State Nurses Association (nysna.org)• National Association of Hispanic Nurses (nahnny.com)• New York Black Nurses Association (nybna.org)• New York Korean Nurses Association (nykna.org)

Volunteering and Internships

Question:I need a job! Why should I work forfree?

Volunteering and Internships

Volunteering and Internshipshelp you:

• Gain experience in a healthcare facility• Practice skills acquired in training• Develop contacts in the industry• Meet potential employers

Following Up with Employers and Contacts

Follow Up

Don’t expect employers and networking contacts to remember you! It’s your job to make contact and stay in touch.

Keep an updated resume on hand

Maintain physical, titers, up-to-date certifications

Be professional and positive

Stay connected

Stay ahead of the curve

Be A Success!

How The Healthcare Career CenterCan Help

Healthcare Career Center Services

Job Strategy Search

Interview Skills Workshop

Individual Job Search Strategy

Sessions

Resume Guidance

Job Strategy Workshop