Category Archives: Resources For Candidates

Dressing for Interview Success

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Something that many people struggle with is figuring out exactly what to wear for an interview. What you wear helps form that important first impression and creates an image of the type of person you are. There may not be a direct correlation between the length of your tie and the length of the qualifications on your resume, but attention to your attire can tell an interviewer a lot about the type of professional you are, as well as your level of interest and dedication in landing the position.

Many make the mistake of “dressing down” for positions with little or no dress code to match the office culture. While this may seem logical at first let us remind you, you get one chance to make a first impression and you still want to project that you are a professional who is extremely dedicated in securing this position. Take your decision on what to wear to your interview very seriously, and your interviewer will likely assume you will take your job very seriously. Always consider that an interview is your time to put your best foot forward and project the “best version of yourself”; you can’t be too polished and poised when your dream job is on the line.

Check out our list of attire tips listed below:

Men’s Interview Attire

  • Suit (solid color – navy or dark grey)
  • Long sleeve shirt (white or coordinated with the suit)
  • Belt
  • Tie
  • Dark socks, conservative leather shoes
  • Little or no jewelry
  • Neat, professional hairstyle
  • Limit the aftershave
  • Neatly trimmed nails
  • Portfolio or briefcase

Women’s Interview Attire

  • Pant suit, skirt suit or dress (navy, black or dark grey)
  • Coordinated blouse
  • Conservative shoes
  • Limited jewelry (no dangling earrings or arms full of bracelets)
  • Professional hairstyle
  • Light make-up and perfume
  • Neatly manicured clean nails
  • Portfolio or briefcase

Tips for Everyone:

  • Make sure your clothing is clean and wrinkle-free
  • Pick your interview outfit the day before so there is no chance of running late because of wardrobe malfunction.

Must-Haves for Your Healthcare Resume

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Few people enjoy writing and updating resumes. Fortunately for those in the healthcare field, you have an advantage over others. Job requirements tend to be more clearly defined in healthcare positions, which should make writing a resume easier and more enjoyable. Here are some things that any applicant in the healthcare field should have on their resume.

Credentials

Be sure to include very specific information about any degrees, licensing, certifications, or specialized training and experience. This is a common area that employers use to narrow down a field of candidates.

Previous Employment 

The last 10 years of experience is what we look for. We like to see the month and year you started and left each position along with at least 3 bullet points describing your responsibilities in that role. Bullet points are a great tool to make a well -constructed resume that’s eye catching and easy to read.

A Demonstration of Responsibility 

While it’s great to note on your resume that you held a leadership role at your last place of employment, you should get even more specific than that. Include the number of people that were under your supervision and any significant achievements. Recruiters and hiring managers love this type of information.

Applicable Skills 

Especially if your previous employment was in a different industry, you need to make sure a prospective employer recognizes the value of your experience. The best way to do this is to highlight any skills you used in your previous position that would benefit you in a new one.

Contact Information 

What good is the perfect resume if an employer can’t get ahold of you? Make it easy for them by including your full name, full address, applicable phone numbers, and a professional email address.
Including this information on your resume will help you stand out amongst your peers. Don’t underestimate the power of a well-constructed resume – it truly is invaluable in your search for employment.

3 Tips for Networking

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You’ve probably heard someone tell you that you need to network to land the right job in healthcare– it’s true. Networking can help you find the right position – or at the very least, help you to get your foot in the right door! But how do you network and where do you start? Use these tips to help optimize your connections!

Shake hands online and in person

Job fairs are a great place to start, but you can also make connections from the comfort of your home by networking online. Joining groups on LinkedIn is a great place to start. Once logged in to LinkedIn start typing keywords in the search field. You’ll see a drop down list that includes “Groups” you can join and “Companies” you can follow. From there you can directly connect with industry experts or higher-ups in companies that you’d be interested in working for.

Pay attention and take notes

A great secret to networking is taking notes. Pay attention to the people you meet at job fairs and write down key details about them. Use the introduction as an opportunity to find out more about the healthcare jobs they offer and their interviewing process. When you send a follow up email include a brief note including details of your conversation to help differentiate you from thousands of other resumes.

Volunteer and make connections

An excellent way to spearhead your networking in the healthcare industry is to volunteer. Whether it’s a few hours a week or a full day every month, the connections you’ll make and the knowledge you’ll acquire is priceless.

7 Tips to Help Nail the Interview

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Employment in the healthcare industry is very competitive. Although your resume can get you the interview, handling the process can be a huge contributor in whether you’ll clinch the job. To ensure you get the job offer, follow these surefire tips!

Make a good impression

  • Dress professionally- conventional, but tasteful. The position may call for scrubs, but still show up in business formal attire.
  • Arrive 10-15 minutes before the interview and have several copies of your resume on hand.
  • Maintain eye contact and smile, it’s a sign of confidence.

Research

Learn as much as you can about the company. Know their mission statement and the range of services they offer. Use the information whenever it’s applicable; it shows the employer that you came prepared.

Be passionate

Asides from describing why you’re enthusiastic about the job, also explain what it is about the company that interests you.

Prepare for questions

Anticipating the common questions will help you reduce awkward pauses and clumsy answer. Preparing a short list of intelligent questions to ask will also impress the hiring manager.

Maximize your strengths and acknowledge your weaknesses

Most hiring managers want to hire people who show confidence in their strengths, recognize their weaknesses, and know how to manage them.

Have references ready

Feel you’ve had a great interview? Presenting a list of professional references could seal the deal! Offer a copy at the close of the interview to help show your confidence that your references will be positive.

Send a thank you letter

After your interview send a thank you letter to all parties involved. This special touch keeps you on the forefront of their mind and increases your chances of landing the job.

Unsure of something? Let your Recruiting Consultant know during your Interview Prep. At HealthCare Support we are more than recruiters, we are career coaches with inside knowledge or the industry.