Healthcare Job Search Strategy Workshop CUNY 2011 Healthcare Career Center
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