Are you a nursing or medical graduate looking for a career in the healthcare sector? Well, there are many jobs to be found. However, it would help if you start by understanding what is expected of you as an employee and how you can use your skills in your new job.
Here are some tips that will help you start your career:
Network and Socialize with Industry Professionals
A recent article posted by CNBC stated that your chances of getting a job interview might rise by 71% if your LinkedIn profile is thorough. Thus it would be best to network and use LinkedIn to connect with people by sending them an invitation. Also, attend professional events as this is a great way to meet people already in the field. If you don’t know anyone in your industry, use social media sites like Facebook and Twitter to connect with professionals. You can also try job boards as they have listings of healthcare openings worldwide.
If possible, reach out to the professionals at your college or university. Ask them whether they have any advice for recent graduates who want to work in the healthcare sector. You may also want to reach out to professionals in your community. Ask them if they know of any opportunities where you could get started working right away.
Build Up Your Resume and CV
Your resume and CV should be the first thing that employers see. A good rule of thumb is to have no more than two pages for your healthcare or nursing resume. Always remember a medical resume should be short, sweet, and to the point.
You also need to make sure that your CV/resume tells a story about yourself and your experiences as they relate to health care. Your educational background should come first on the list and any other relevant experience, such as volunteer or clinical work. It’s essential to include relevant details about each job, including Job title, Dates, Company name if applicable, and a Brief description of duties performed.
Don’t Underestimate the Value of Volunteering
Volunteering is one of the best ways to gain experience in healthcare. You can volunteer at a hospital, nursing home, or hospice. In addition to helping others, volunteering will also help you gain confidence and build your resume. It’s important to note that volunteering isn’t limited to full-time work experience. If you have other obligations, such as school or family time, you may also work on it part-time.
The benefits of volunteering are endless:
- It allows you to meet new people and develop professional connections in the field of medicine;
- You will learn about different career paths within healthcare;
- Volunteering will improve your communication skills while working with patients;
- Volunteering allows you to help others while developing compassion for them
Get Some Work Experience
Getting some work experience before starting your career as a nurse or a doctor is essential. It is especially true when it comes to getting hired. Employers prefer candidates with experience over those who don’t have any. Therefore, you should take every opportunity that comes your way and do the best job possible at each one so that employers will notice you when hiring.
You might find it hard at first, but once you find an employer who appreciates your work ethic and ability to adapt quickly, they’ll be more likely to hire someone like yourself.
Find an Internship in Healthcare
Finding an internship in your field of study is often the first step toward building your network, gaining real-world experience, and landing a job.
Find an internship that is relevant to your career goals. It cannot be easy if you don’t know what you want to do after graduation, but it’s essential to keep this in mind as you search for opportunities. Choose an internship that will give you valuable skills and knowledge if possible. While also aligning with your interests and passions.
It may be hard at first, but try taking time during the interview or even after accepting the position offer. Talk about what makes this company a good fit for both parties involved and why those reasons will make things more likely than not to lead to success.
Keep Visiting the Official Career Section of the Healthcare Units
In 2022, it is anticipated that the healthcare sector will generate US$59.70 billion in revenue. What’s staggering is that by 2025, the market is predicted to reach a value of US$83.42 billion, with revenue forecast to rise at a rate of 11.80% per year (CAGR 2022-2025). Thus, along with revenue growth in an industry also comes growth in career prospects. So, if you want to start your career in this field, remember to keep visiting the official career section of the healthcare units. This way, you can look for job openings, internship opportunities, and opportunities to volunteer at hospitals and nursing homes.
If you want a nurse or medical assistant job but don’t know where to start looking for one, use online resources like job boards that allow users to search by location and industry type. Once you find an opening at an institution that seems like a fit for you, then all you need to do is apply.
Join Your College Alumni Group
As a healthcare professional, you know that networking is one of the most effective ways to get a job. But did you know that building an alum network can also be invaluable? Your college or university is home to thousands of like-minded professionals. They have gone through the same challenges and experiences as you have.
A strong alumni network can help guide and mentor new graduates as they start their careers in healthcare. For example, an alum group can offer advice about how to get into certain specialties or what hospitals are looking for in candidates for particular positions.
Take the Help of a Mentor from the Industry
The most important thing to consider is the value of having a mentor. A mentor can help you find your first job and help you get promoted in your career. They also can provide valuable advice on how to deal with challenges in the workplace. That includes working with demanding patients/clients and handling problems on the job.
A good mentor will not only give feedback about your performance but also offer insight into how you should grow as a professional in the future. Mentors are usually senior members of an organization with extensive experience in their field. Therefore, they know what’s required for success and can guide new employees along their path to success.
Start Early and Do Your Research
Working in health care is a big responsibility, and you should be prepared for it. So, start early and do your research to get the best job in the healthcare sector. Make sure you have a good resume that highlights your skills and experience. You can also get some work experience by volunteering at a hospital or clinic before starting your career as a nurse or doctor.
As mentioned earlier, having a mentor from the industry will help you immensely since they will guide you throughout your career journey in the healthcare sector. However, if there is no one available, look up online resources. They may offer valuable tips and tricks to help you build an impressive resume ready for job interviews.
