• Make time!  A job isn’t going to land in your lap so make sure to take at least 15 minutes out of your day to work toward your career goal.  Update your resume, check on your online profiles or if working with a recruiter, call in to check on progress.
• Sell yourself!  You know you better than anyone so make sure you are putting your best foot forward.  Your resume should have your accomplishments and outline your best attributes.  Make sure to point these out to your recruiter so he/she is marketing you to the fullest. 
• Stay positive.  Looking for a job can be tiresome but also draining.  Keep your outlook in the right direction, meaning that you know the right job will come eventually.  A positive attitude shines through and people, even hiring managers, are drawn to that type of appeal.
• If looking on your own, check local newspapers, web ads, and online communities.  Networking is huge so don’t neglect to make connections where you can.  Be careful of putting your resume out on various job boards or search engines as that may lead to constant barrage of unnecessary phone calls or emails, even spam.
• Attend job fairs.  Research who will be there and make a point to visit their booths.  Some fairs can be overwhelming so targeting those you want to make an appearance to is essential.  When there, make sure to ask questions and to set up a follow up time in which you and the person can speak further.  Be careful of “over marketing” yourself and make sure to be selective as to who receives your resume.  If wanting to use a recruiter, make sure you understand their processes because the last thing you want is for someone to blindly submit you everywhere. 
• Be organized.  Know who you have spoken with or applied to and keep a list.  Have a portfolio with your resume and references ready to go, especially when attending fairs.   Keep a list of your accomplishments and certifications on your resume.  If there are quite a few (good for you!), select the most important and relevant and leave the rest on a separate list. 
• When working with recruiters, make sure to have a frank discussion on the ground rules of the relationship.  Talk about how often and what type of communication is preferred, but more importantly, make sure your recruiter understands what you are looking for, your needs and overall, who you are.  Make sure that your recruiter provides you with the information you need to know of the company you are being submitted to and more importantly, make it clear that you want to know where your info is going prior to it happening.  On the flip side, your recruiter also needs to know where you have applied.
• Know your requirements and be flexible.  Try this math:  # of students graduating in your program + # of students graduating in another nearby university’s program + # of those already looking= total # of those looking for a J-O-B.  The number one statement I make to students all over the country, “your degree does NOT guarantee you a job in the place YOU want to be”.  You may be in a great field but needs are relative to the job market and to the supply.  I suggest looking at where you want to be, outline the universities within that area, and then apply outside of that radius.  Usually aiming for 50 miles out is a good rule of thumb, but keep in mind, this is just a suggestion.  This is where having a recruiter can come in handy because if he/she is good, you will know what your chances are in finding a position and what steps you need to take.

The job search can be arduous but with a little patience and research, you’ll soon get results.  Over the years, you will probably look for a job at least once or twice for various reasons, learning some basics now will stick with you.  If choosing to work with a recruiter, make sure that you develop a very collaborative relationship.  Your recruiter should understand what you are looking for and what your needs will be on the job. 

Good luck on your search and if I can be of any assistance, you can reach me at ssnook@aureusmedical.com.

Sun Hui (Sunny) Snook graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from Truman State University and received a Master’s in Human Services from Bellevue University. She has been in the healthcare staffing field for 11 years, first working with nurses before moving to a nationwide work strategies consultant where her key responsibilities were to coach staffers and hospital managers on effective staffing. In 2009, Sunny started with Aureus Medical as an Account Manager in the Rehab Therapy division, working with both clients and prospective employees. Most recently, she moved to Student Outreach Coordinator. Sunny was named the 2011 Employee of the Year for C&A Industries, the parent company of Aureus Medical Group. Prior to working in healthcare staffing, she served as an addictions therapist and residential treatment coordinator for five years.

Sunny Snook / 800.456.5857 ext 6578 / ssnook@aureusmedical.com / Facebook / LinkedIn / Twitter

Help your recruiter help you get that next great assignment! Here are a few tips to help you make sure your resume stand out and increase your chance to shine on that next interview.

1. Know your resume
Know your resume like it is your telephone number or address. You should be able to recite its content and elaborate when called upon. This one page summary of your work history, skills and achievements is what gets you to the interview.  Go over the details of your resume with your recruiter so they can effectively sell your skills to the client.

2. Assess Your Credentials
How do you measure up for the position?  Besides the qualifications described, do you offer any added bonus? If you are lacking in one area, do you make up for it with other credentials? It never hurts to get help assessing your skills. Ask your colleagues and supervisors what they see as your top qualifications and attributes. Review your performance evaluations to see what others say about the quality of your work. Then write a list of your top five marketable credentials.

3. What Do You Bring to the Table
We call this “sizzle” at Aureus. Work your top qualifications into your summary. This summary helps the hiring manager determine if you should be called for an interview so you want the manager to see the most important information first. Include a synopsis of your career achievements. Explain how you would help solve their problems while answering the question “how will the employer benefit from hiring me?”

4. Focus on specific skills and instrumentation experience
Be sure to update your resume frequently and include new instrumentation, skills, computer experience and facility size that you have added along the way. 

5. Proofread, Proofread, Proofread!
First impressions are lasting impressions. Errors, however small, give the impression that you do not pay attention to detail. You want your resume to be free of errors.