You’ve just graduated college with your hard earned degree in healthcare. It should be a piece of cake to find a job in healthcare, right? Think again. Depending on your degree concentration, you may find it difficult to land your first job.
It is important to make sure you are doing the right things when you begin searching for your first job in healthcare.
Network
One of the most valuable ways to land your first job is through networking. Many people instantly think of social media platforms such as LinkedIn when they begin to network. However, make sure that you are not limiting your network to only social media.
As Tampa Bay Times points out, you should stay connected with fellow students. You would be surprised how strong this network can be. Yes, technically you are competing against fellow classmates for the best job, but just think about the possibility of receiving a recommendation from one of your classmates who just so happens to land a job before you. On the other hand, perhaps one of your classmates has been contacted about a position that is not a good fit for them, but is exactly what you are looking for.
You will also want to stay connected to your professors, as they may be contacted by healthcare businesses searching for new college grads to join their team. A reference from a professor can go a long way when searching for your first position in healthcare.
Tampa Bay Times also recommends that you join networking groups. A great resource is meetup.com, which allows you to search for local and topic specific groups to join. Many groups have networking events that you could attend and meet others in the healthcare industry.
Volunteering
Volunteering is an excellent way to get into healthcare and be known in the industry. Tampa Bay Times offers excellent advice in stating that you are already looking for a job, so go ahead and spend a few hours a day volunteering your time in healthcare. Contact the local healthcare facilities to find out about their volunteer programs.
Volunteering not only allows you to put yourself out there in the industry, but it also gives you the opportunity to make sure you are doing what you desire.
Keep an Open Mind
When you are searching for your first job in healthcare, make sure that you are maintaining an open mind. Your first job may not be the perfect job you have dreamt of, but it will allow you the chance to get your foot in the door and acquire experience in the healthcare field.
Do not be offended if the pay is not what you imagined while studying all of those late nights in school. Your first job in the industry will likely be lower pay due to the fact that you simply do not have the experience. Again, think of your first position as the starting point of your career.
What are some things you are doing to land your job in healthcare? Please share your tips and experiences in the comments below.
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