Healthcare Career Center Healthcare Job Search Strategy Workshop CUNY 2011 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… What steps should I be taking to look for a job? How can I get the results that I’m looking for? Typical Job Search Send resumes out to dozens of healthcare organizations…. Wait to hear…… Apply online to dozens of jobs… Wait to hear… Start applying to jobs you don’t qualify for……. Wait to hear….. More resumes, more online applications….. Wait to hear….. Strategic Job Search Steps What steps can I take to improve my job search? Have Clear Goals Differentiate between short and long term career goals: How can I get to where I would like to be in my career? Short term: Consider gaining experience through alternative pathways Demonstrate flexibility: Willingness to work in a variety of healthcare settings, per diem work and temporary positions Long term: Plan to gain skills and experience leading to your career goal Consider attaining BSN to be more marketable 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: Ambulatory Care Long Term Care Home Care Private Practice Consider alternatives to hospitals In addition, consider and research jobs in: Social Advocacy Organizations Health and Human Services Organizations Public Schools Diagnostic Laboratories Examples of alternative organizations: Children’s Aide Society Harlem’s Children Health Project Bowery Residents’ Committee Daytop Village Inc Institute for Community Living FEGS YAI 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 to find out if my contacts know of job openings. 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 Online Job Search: Job Alerts 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) On-line Professional Networking Questions: • What is LinkedIn? • How can I use LinkedIn or other networking tools? Using LinkedIn • LinkedIn is an online professional network that helps you increase your visibility and links you to your connections, your connections’ connections and all of the professionals that are in their network. • Through your network you can get introduced to other professionals through people you know, find potential employers and search for jobs. Tips for using LinkedIn • Search for names of organizations you would like to work for and see which of your contacts know people there. Then contact them and ask for a referral. • Incorporate keywords and skills so that your profile can be found by employers. • Search for people in your area with similar backgrounds as you and see where they are working. Volunteering and Internships Question: I need a job! Why should I work for free? Volunteering and Internships Volunteering and Internships help 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 Whenever possible, follow up in your communications with employers and networking contacts Follow Up Following Up Means: Keeping in touch with networking contacts Contacting employers by phone or e-mail Attempting to speak with potentials supervisors rather than Human Resources Departments Don’t expect employers and networking contacts to remember you! It’s your job to make contact and stay in touch. Be A Success! Stay ahead of the curve Keep an updated resume on hand Maintain physical, titers, up-to-date certifications Be professional and positive Stay connected How The Healthcare Career Center Can Help Healthcare Career Center Services Interview Skills Workshop Individual Job Search Strategy Job Strategy Sessions Search Resume Guidance Healthcare Job Sites for Nurses Nursingjobs.org Medhunters.org Nursingjobs.allnurses.com Nursingjobs.com Healthopps.com Healthcareerweb.com Healthjobsusa.com Idealist.com Indeed.com Ayatravelnursing jobs.com Ultimatenurse.com Job Strategy Workshop Questions/Comments? Workforce 1 Healthcare Career Center Address and Contact Information Workforce 1 Healthcare Career Center LaGuardia Community College 30-20 Thompson Avenue Rm. B-A22 Long Island City, NY 11101 Telephone: (718) 730-7500 Fax: (718) 609-2174 E-mail: healthcareercenter@lagcc.cuny.edu Rachel Wiss, Career Advisor E-mail: rwiss@lagcc.cuny.edu Judy Ko, Recruiter E-mail: jko@lagcc.cuny.edu Jocelyn Batt, Recruiter E-mail: jbatt@lagcc.cuny.edu Omari Asante, Recruiting Manager E-mail: oasante@lagcc.cuny.edu