Preparing for a Physician Assistant Interview

Landing an interview for a physician assistant job is exciting. But actually attending the interview can be nerve-racking. Taking the time to prepare for the interview will make you seem more knowledgeable and like a natural fit for the position. Read on to learn interview tips that can help land jobs:

Learn buzz words in the industry. If you’re applying to a new sector, talk with physician assistants in that industry to learn the lingo. This will make you appear more knowledgeable in the interview.

Research the hospital or medical practice. Having a solid understanding about the practice will earn you points in the interview. Learn about the doctors, when the practice was established and their philosophy for treating patients.

Be prepared to talk about your grades. If you just graduated from college, be prepared to discuss your academic track record. This is your opportunity to showcase your enthusiasm for the career you’ve chosen, and win the hiring physician over.

Hospital Jobs: Cover Letter Tips

If you aren’t looking forward to writing a cover letter, you aren’t alone. Many professionals applying to hospital jobs struggle with creating this document. And since it’s literally your first impression with the employer, it’s important to make every word count. Read on to learn tips for creating a better cover letter.

When creating your cover letter, skip a lengthy introduction. Instead, include the logistics first (the position you’re apply to and how you learned about it). Since hospital recruiters read hundreds of resumes each day, having this information upfront will earn you points.

After you’ve gotten the technical information out of the way, it’s time to dive into the meat of the cover letter. This is your opportunity to tell the hospital job recruiter why you’re right for the job. For example, a registered nurse might outline an internship she completed in college in a hospital ER, or a previous job that required similar skills.

And finally, include a call to action. This is your last chance to close the deal for an interview. In this paragraph, focus on why your skills are a good match for the position, and outline your contact information.

Choosing a Hospital Interview Wardrobe

Whether you wear scrubs or a suit to work, candidates for hospital jobs often wonder “what should I wear to my interview?” Since making a good first impression can help secure a job offer, it’s important to choose wardrobe wisely. Read on to learn tips for choosing the perfect interview outfit.

Err on the side of being conservative. If you ask any recruiter, they will tell you: it’s better to be overdressed then underdressed. So, if you’re not sure what to wear, dust off that old suit (or even better, splurge on a new one), and you’ll be in good shape.

Take advantage of your inside contacts. Your best resource in finding out what’s interview appropriate, is asking a current employee. If you know someone who works for the hiring company, ask about the manager’s style. Are they casual or more formal? Finding this out ahead of time will help you make the right wardrobe decisions.

If you haven’t already, partner with a staffing firm. A company that specializes in filling hospital jobs is your best resource. Staffing companies know exactly what the employer’s expectations are for a candidate’s wardrobe.

Hospital Job Interview Blunders

When applying for hospital jobs, it’s exciting to get an interview request. But before stepping into the hospital recruiting department, it’s important to avoid common interview blunders that may cost you the job. Here are a few pointers to get you started.

Don’t focus on the negative. Don’t get blindsided by questions such as “have you ever quit a job” or “have you ever dropped a class.” If you’ve made mistakes in the past, turn those experiences into positives. Discuss what you learned and applied from any mistakes.

Be prepared to discuss your grades. If you’re applying for a hospital job right out of college and have poor grades, be prepared to discuss those. Then, focus quickly on your proven abilities in practical knowledge. For example, you may have completed an internship and have a glowing recommendation about supervisor.

Don’t forget to follow-up. Keep your name at the top of the pile with timely follow-up. This means, sending a thank you note within 24 hours of the interview, and calling a few days later to answer any additional questions the recruiter may have.

Hospital Jobs: Getting Ahead of the Competition

If you’ve applied to dozens of jobs without any response, it’s time for a few simple tricks to redeem your resume from the “maybe” pile. Simple actions like working your network and refreshing your resume can make a huge difference.

The first step in getting ahead of the competition is to maximize your networking opportunities. If you belong to professional organizations, brainstorm contacts you have that work for the hiring hospital. Then, contact those individuals and ask if they’re willing to personally hand in your resume.

Also, don’t forget to refresh your resume before handing it over. A recruiter will spend seconds on a resume, making a first impression more important than ever. A quick trick to catching the reader’s attention, is putting your most impressive accomplishments in the first paragraph of the page.

And finally, don’t forget to partner with a recruiting firm like ClinicalOne.com. Companies that are highly specialized in helping candidates find hospital jobs have access to positions that aren’t available on mainstream job boards.

Best Paying Hospital Jobs

Even during the toughest economic times, healthcare is an industry that continues to hire a variety of professionals. But if you haven’t chosen a career path yet, consider looking into five of the best paying hospital jobs.

Hospital Surgeons. At the top of the income scale are surgeons, typically making as much as $200,000 annually. To become a surgeon, a person much earn a bachelor’s degree, complete medical school, and complete a hospital residency.

Hospital Nurses. The demand for nurses continues to be on the rise. These professionals can earn $50,000 or more annually. If a nurse earns a Master’s degree, they can typically qualify to earn another $20,000 or more annually.

Certified Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). These professionals are some of the highest paid hospital nurses, earning $100,000 or more annually. Although, this field can be very competitive.

Physical Therapists. When applying for hospital jobs as a physical therapist, you can expect to earn $50,000 or more annually. Those who focus on highly specialized areas, such as becoming a respiratory therapist, can expect to earn $75,000 or more annually.

Nuclear Medicine Technologists. These technologists work in a hospital setting administering dyes into patients to determine if damage has occurred inside of the organs. In this profession, you can expect to earn $57,000 or more annually.

Hospital Job Outlook: 5 Careers with Growing Demand

With the aging population on the rise, hospital jobs are booming, even when other sectors are facing cuts. If you haven’t decided which career path to take yet, consider five hospital jobs that are increasing employment by at least 20% by 2016.

Registered Nurse. Registered nurses work alongside doctors to implement patient treatment plans, and ensure comfort while staying at the hospital. With more then 587,000 new jobs anticipated by 2016, the demand for registered nurses is on the rise.

Medical Assistant. Medical assistants in a hospital environment can expect to room patients and manage administrative and clinical tasks to support the patient plan of action. Job growth for this occupation is expected to increase 27% by 2016.

Pharmacy Technician. These individuals assistant pharmacists with providing medication to hospital patients. Job security is strong, with job growth reaching 27% by 2016.

Medical Records Technician. This hospital job will entail maintaining thousands, and even millions of healthcare documents including: x-rays, lab tests, and treatment plans. Job growth should reach 27% by 2016.

Physical Therapist. As a physical therapist, you will work with a variety of patients, from small children to the elderly. And as the population ages, this occupation is expected to grow 27% by 2016.

Physical Therapist Jobs: Building a Better Resume

With only seconds to make a first impression, every word in your resume needs to count. Making a few small changes can save your resume from the “do not call” pile and land you an interview. Read on to learn tips for building a better resume.

Tailor your career objectives to the industry. When applying for positions, stay away from generic resumes. Instead, tailor your resume to the specific industry. For example, if you’re applying for a home care position, discuss your experience working with elderly patients.

Make a list of accomplishments. Before you start work on your resume, make a list of your accomplishments. Choose items that are measurable, and show the positive results of your work. These items should be worked into the first ¼ of your resume.

Ensure that qualifications are easy to spot. Before diving into reading your resume, the recruiter should be able to see your certifications and licensure information. Include this information next to your resume header.

Send your resume to a staffing firm. These companies read dozens of resumes each day making them a huge resource. Make sure to contact staffing firms that specialize in physical therapist jobs, like Clinical One.