Whenever you are looking for a new position in the medical industry, you need to treat the job search as your full-time job. This involves everything from to creating a résumé, a cover letter template and interview practice, to finding interesting opportunities with a variety of healthcare organizations. Patience, fortitude and a positive attitude all help you achieve a successful outcome.

With an eye towards finding the medical job of your dreams, here are a few tips on how to stay productive throughout a job search. Becoming lazy is simply not an option. Good luck in your efforts!

Start off With a Plan – and Stick to It!

Make a schedule detailing the time you need to spend looking for opportunities, personalizing cover letters, practicing interview techniques and researching companies where you are to interview. Creating a plan and following it closely puts you on the right track to success.

Use a Spreadsheet to Track Your Progress

A spreadsheet is perfect for detailing your plan as well as tracking its progress. Consider using either Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. The latter application is freely available online – cheap and convenient!

Use the spreadsheet to detail the medical companies where you’ve applied, interviewed or are merely interested in. This helps make sure you don’t repeat any tasks, keeping you efficient and productive.

Leverage Alerts to Be Notified About Open Positions

Some healthcare organizations allow you to sign up to be notified when a position becomes available. Subscribing to these alerts may give you a leg up on the competition, allowing you to quickly apply and submit your résumé. Track the companies you’ve subscribed to in your spreadsheet.

A Job Search Buddy Keeps You on Track

If one of your friends is also looking for a job at the same time as you, pair up your efforts to keep each other focused and productive. This “buddy” concept serves people well when it comes to physical exercise, and it also works for a job search. You can proofread each other’s résumés and cover letters and serve as each other’s hiring manager when practicing your interview techniques.

When you need any additional tips and tricks of the medical job search, talk to the knowledgeable recruiters at Pinnacle Workforce. As one of the nation’s top healthcare staffing agencies, we can help take your career to a higher level. Connect with us soon!

So, you felt your performance during a recent nursing interview was less than impressive? This is never a good reason to lose hope and give up looking for a new position. Staying positive throughout the entire job search process is vital to ensure it finishes with a happy ending.

Here are a few ideas on how to handle a poor interview. Remember – all is not lost, simply brush yourself off and get back into the game. Good luck in finding the nursing position of your dreams!

Don’t Give up – Keep Focused on Your Success

The important thing at this point is to not give up. Send a thank-you note to the interviewer and mention you are still interested in the position. Restate an answer you feel you flubbed during the interview, and mention you are still interested in the position. Ultimately, your performance might not have been as bad as you originally thought.

If they decide to choose another candidate, express a desire to be considered for their next opening, provided you are still looking for a new job. Once again, keep a positive attitude until you receive your first job offer. Don’t fret – you’ll ultimately succeed!

Review Your Résumé – Educational Background and Medical Work History

Perhaps you didn’t spend enough time reviewing the work history on your résumé? When asked about this information during the interview, you fumbled your words trying to remember the details.

The night before your next interview, spend some time going over your educational background and the details of your professional experience, as this helps you feel less nervous when faced with those questions while in front of the interviewer.

Practice for the Next Interview

Maybe you didn’t practice enough for the previous interview? A dress rehearsal is important so you feel more comfortable with your body language, eye contact and speaking in a direct, clear voice. Try to get a friend to serve as the interviewer, and treat it as the real thing – dress professionally, etc.

Use these tips to ensure you keep your eyes on the prize, while staying focused for the next opportunity. A little research and interview practice helps ensure you end up with a job offer the next time.

If you need additional advice on navigating a job search in the medical industry, talk to the experts at Pinnacle Workforce. As one of the top medical staffing agencies in the country, we also know the top companies looking for nursing talent. Connect with us soon!

The interview plays an important role in ensuring you are either called back for a second time or – better yet – gain that coveted medical industry job offer. It takes practice to hone your interviewing techniques for an exemplary performance. The right preparation also helps stave off any jitters, potentially leading to a poor interview.

With a successful medical job interview in mind, here are a few tips on preparation and technique so you’ll shine when under the gun. Good luck and go get that job offer!

Practicing Your Interview Is a Smart Strategy

Practicing your interview with a friend or even a recruiter helps you fine-tune your “presentation.” Work on speaking clearly and making natural eye contact while watching out for poor body language like slouching or fidgeting. Make sure the practice interviewer asks a few tough questions, especially about details of your medical work history.

Treat the practice interview as a “dress rehearsal” for the real thing. Professional attire and good personal grooming is a must.

Study the Contents of your Résumé

Spend time going over your résumé, especially the sections on your professional experience and medical industry abilities and skills. You can expect quite a few pointed questions on these areas throughout the interview. It helps to have that information at the front of your mind so you can answer confidently without stammering over your response.

This is also why it is important your practice interviewer covers these topics in your prep interview.

Research the Company You Are Interviewing With

Deeply research the company in question, especially their history and current leadership team. When prompted to ask a question during the interview, show off your research with an enlightened query. Hopefully, it leads to a meaningful discussion of the company, including the culture of their medical office.

Select Appropriate Attire for the Interview Day

Be sure to dress appropriately for the interview, and spend some extra time on your personal grooming. Make sure you feel comfortable and relaxed before heading to the site. Try to arrive at least 15 minutes before the interview is scheduled to begin; it helps to make a practice drive to the location to ensure traffic issues (or even getting lost) don’t cause you to be late.

When you need additional advice on looking for a job in the healthcare industry, talk to the experts at Pinnacle Workforce. As one of the top medical staffing agencies in the country, we can take your career to a higher level. Connect with us soon!

Well, all that hard work is soon to pay off with your upcoming graduation from nursing school. Even when graduating in December, your chances of landing a great nursing job are good. After all, most healthcare organizations don’t shut down during the holiday season!

What follows are a few tips to help you out when hunting for a nursing gig during the holidays, or any time of the year. Hopefully, these insights place you in a new position as soon as possible. Good luck in your job search!

Preparing to Search for a Nursing Job

Your first task is to create a résumé and cover letter. Highlight any relevant medical industry experience on your CV, even if there isn’t much due to your schooling. Personalize every cover letter for each position you are applying for – a cover letter template makes this process faster.

Research Every Medical Company Before an Interview

Once you’ve earned an interview with a medical establishment, research the company before your big day. When prompted to ask a question or two of your own during the interview, take this opportunity to show off your research by asking a meaningful question. Hiring managers will be impressed you did your homework!

Interviewing Practice Helps You Get a Job Offer

Practice your interviewing techniques beforehand with a trusted friend. Pay close attention to your body language (no slouching or fidgeting!), speak confidently and make eye contact with the interviewer. This helps lessen any nervousness, ensuring you will perform great when interviewing for real.

Dress for Success on the Big Day

When the day of the interview arrives, be sure to dress professionally, paying close attention to your personal grooming. This also helps boost your confidence when face-to-face with the interviewer. Give off a confident air throughout the interview without being arrogant.

This is where all your preparation and practice pays off – hopefully with a job offer! Whatever the result, stay patient and focused while keeping a positive attitude. Additionally, consider working with a staffing agency experienced in the world of healthcare to boost your chances of landing a great new job.

When searching for the right staffing agency for your emerging career, look no further than Pinnacle Workforce. As one of the nation’s top medical employment agencies, we know what top healthcare establishments are looking for talented professionals. Connect with us as soon as possible!

Whether you are new to the healthcare industry, or if you are an experienced medical professional, having a mentor is a great way to ensure your career stays on an upwards trajectory. A mentor offers the right advice when you need it, or they can suggest a training course or certification to improve your resume and future job prospects. If you only knew how to find someone willing and able to help!

What follows are a few ideas for how to find a mentor in the medical industry. Good luck in your search. Ultimately, it’s not a difficult process.

Leverage Your Professional Network

Your professional network and your LinkedIn account are great sources for finding a mentor. Look among your connections to see if there is someone currently working in a medical specialty of interest to you. It also helps to define your professional goals ahead of time when searching for a mentor, so they are better able to help you reach them. Another option would be one of your teachers from school, especially if you’ve maintained a good relationship.

What About Your Current Medical Workplace?

While it is possible to find a mentor among your supervisors or the more experienced co-workers at your current place of employment, it is better to look outside the office. If you ever have a problem at work, it helps to get a different perspective from an outsider. The same advantage also applies if you want to look for another position in the medical industry.

How to Approach a Potential Mentor

Send your potential mentor an email message describing what your goals are and inquiring whether they are able to work with you to achieve them. Find about their availability for a face-to-face meeting and schedule a time for a get together. If they are located in a different region, a video conference works as a valid alternative.

If they are open to a regular meeting schedule after your first get together, work with them on a time convenient for both of you. Be sure to do most of the agenda planning yourself; remember that your mentor is freely giving their time. Whether you choose a long-distance mentor or someone closer, they definitely provide the insight to help develop your medical career.

When you need additional advice on career growth in the healthcare industry, don’t forget the knowledgeable recruiters at Pinnacle Workforce. As one of the top medical staffing agencies in the country, we also know what companies are looking for talented professionals. Connect with us at your earliest convenience.

Medical professionals are by nature empathic people. If someone close to them – possibly a friend or family member – wants insight on their health, they want to help. If you are ever faced with this scenario, consider any possible liabilities or legal risks due to giving medical advice outside of your job.

What follows is a look at some of the potential issues you may face by offering any recommendations regarding someone’s health when off the clock. Sometimes, it is best to stop and think before helping out.

The Legal Risks for Off-site Medical Advice Are Real

Unfortunately, simply giving a medical recommendation when not at work – and under the umbrella of malpractice insurance held by your hospital or doctor – carries a legal risk. Providing any sort of medical advice, education or care in an informal setting means you can be named in a lawsuit. Having someone sign a quick disclaimer notice isn’t realistic in most situations.

The only scenario where offering advice may be considered okay is if you trust the person in question. Even in that situation, your legal risk isn’t zero.

Check the Medical Laws in Your State

It is important to note the laws regarding off-site medical advice vary by state. Do a little research on your own, and ask a trusted supervisor at your employer to see if they can offer any insights.  When in doubt, the wisest move is to tread lightly on offering any medical recommendations unless you are on the clock.

The Same Liability Risks Apply on the Internet

Not surprisingly, you are subject to the same legal risks for providing medical advice over the internet, in an email or by text messaging. Consider writing a quick disclaimer along with your recommendations to lessen your liability, but the risk of a lawsuit still remains. There are even some cases of state licensing boards contacting people offering dietary and nutritional advice over the internet without a license.

The bottom line is simple – tread lightly whenever giving any kind of medical advice if you aren’t on the clock. Tell the person in question to make an appointment to see a doctor, or visit an urgent care facility or emergency room if the situation warrants it. You don’t want to put your career and financial situation at risk.

Whenever you need additional insights on your medical career, talk to the experts at Pinnacle Workforce. As one of the top healthcare staffing agencies in the country, we know what medical establishments are looking for talented professionals. Connect with us as soon as possible!

Whether you are fresh out of school or an experienced medical professional, it helps to understand what skills recruiters and hiring managers are hoping to find among potential nursing employees. Armed with this knowledge, you are able to tailor your candidacy — including your résumé and cover letter — to ensure a chance at an interview. If you decide to work with a medical staffing agency, their recruiters can prepare you for a successful job search process.

With a great new medical industry job in mind, here are the things recruiters want to see in a nursing candidate. Good luck in your efforts!

In-demand Technical Nursing Skills

There’s no denying the impact made by technology in the healthcare industry. Because of this, recruiters remain on the prowl for nursing candidates comfortable with computers as well as a whole host of specialized medical equipment, including dialysis machines. Familiarity with electronic medial records (EMR) software and quality assurance programs is another important ability for nurses.

Consider becoming certified in any of these technical nursing skills to add some heft to your résumé. Showing practical application of these abilities in a cover letter or during an interview definitely increases your chances at a job offer.

Soft Skills are also Important

Softer skills are also vital in the world of nursing. An empathic nature is a must; arguably being the most important trait for any nurse to possess. Leadership ability, especially with experienced nurses, also holds weight with many healthcare recruiters and hiring managers.

Bilingualism continues to grow in importance, and can be a requirement in certain areas of the country. Consider taking a language course to improve this part of your skill set. If interested in relocation, this ability simply gives you more options for potential employers.

Being Flexible is a Plus

Flexibility is important for all nursing candidates, but especially so if you are fresh out of school. Many hospitals or medical offices typically want nurses who are willing to work different shifts as well as regular weekend schedules. Once again, being open in this regard simply shows you are willing to help a potential employer.

Hopefully, these insights into what nursing recruiters hope to find in a candidate helps your job search end up successful.

When you need additional advice on looking for employment in the healthcare industry, talk to the experts at Pinnacle Workforce. As one of the top medical staffing agencies in the country, we can help take your career to the next level. Connect with us at your earliest convenience.

The influence of mobile technology upon the business world — including the medical industry — continues unabated. A variety of apps for both the iOS and Android platforms are used for a wide range of clinical purposes. Enterprising doctors and other medical personnel are even able to leverage mobile apps as help when searching for a new position.

If you are a physician considering a job change, or are merely interested in what opportunities exist in today’s market, check out this list of the best job search apps for physicians. Hopefully, a great new position lurks only a screen tap away!

The New England Journal of Medicine Career Center

As one of the most respected names in the healthcare industry, it stands to reason the New England Journal of Medicine would offer one of the top job search apps for doctors. The NEJM Career Center provides a host of interesting features, including a facility for physicians to upload their résumé to the app. This lets them apply for available positions with a simple tap of the screen.

You are also able to be notified when new job postings appear, including emailing your account about any positions of interest.

American Academy of Family Physicians

The American Academy of Family Physicians is an app developed by PDA Verticals Corporation. It provides a convenient link to a list of current job openings all over the country. A collection of peer-reviewed medical articles, the latest industry news, and healthcare blog postings round out this app’s feature set.

Find Temporary Physician Work with Locum Jobs

Locum Leaders offers a mobile app aimed at the locum tenens job market. Called Locum Jobs, the app was developed by Run Mobile LLC. Physicians looking for temporary work can upload their CV and easily apply for positions, as well as share the job postings with other parties.

HealthcareJobsite.com

Offered by Beyond.com, HealthcareJobsite.com is an app and companion website aimed at the job market for the entire healthcare industry. As such, doctors, nurses, and other interested medical professionals should check it out. This app allows users to link their social media accounts, which allows them to see open positions wherever their social network connections are located.

While mobile apps sometimes make finding an open medical position easier, there is no substitute for the human touch provided by an experienced recruiter. As one of the top staffing agencies in the healthcare industry, Pinnacle Workforce can take your career to the next level. Connect with us as soon as possible.

As the preeminent social network for professionals, a LinkedIn profile is a must for anyone working in the medical industry. Your profile essentially serves as an online version of your résumé, plus you gain the additional benefits of networking with others working in healthcare and publishing content with an eye towards becoming a thought leader in your field. However, you still need to follow a certain etiquette when connecting with others on LinkedIn.

With building a robust professional network in mind, here are a few ideas for connection etiquette on LinkedIn. The benefits of online networking for your medical career are immense. Good luck!

When sending a Connection Request — Personalize It!

It’s important to personalize every cover letter you send when looking for a new job. In the same manner, make sure you personalize each connection request on LinkedIn, especially if you don’t know the person. Using the default message is simply poor form!

The same rule applies when asking for a recommendation from one of your connections. Make the effort to personalize it while keeping these requests to those you know.

A Professional Profile Photo is a Must

Having a professional looking profile photo is essentially a requirement on LinkedIn. Don’t bother to send any connection requests — even to your coworkers — until you’ve uploaded a photo.

Regularly Interact with your LinkedIn Network

Your LinkedIn professional network needs to be nurtured to be ultimately successful for your career. Make it a point to like other posts by your connections while including meaningful comments when appropriate. Additionally, be sure to endorse the abilities of those in your network; in most cases they will return the favor.

Don’t hide your Connection List

Some LinkedIn users restrict others from seeing their list of connections. In a sense, this defeats the purpose of being on a professional social network in the first place. Parsing through the connections of others in your network is a great way to find new contacts; allow others the same courtesy by never hiding your connections.

Never Spam your LinkedIn Network

Don’t use LinkedIn as a repository for spammy content. Keep your posts to a minimum of one per day. Sharing personally authored content is great for your LinkedIn wall, but tread lightly when posting this material in a Group.

If you need any further advice for leveraging social networking to help your medical career, talk to the insightful recruiters at Pinnacle Workforce. As one of the top staffing agencies in the healthcare industry, we can help you reach new plateaus. Contact us as soon as possible!

While an empathic nature is a vital trait for all nurses to possess, you need to tread carefully when it comes to caring for your patients and their families. Simply put, too much time spent handling the needs of others can lead to a condition known as compassion fatigue. This kind of stress adversely affects your productivity, job satisfaction, as well as your emotional and physical health.

Don’t let compassion fatigue result in a negative impact to your nursing career. Here are a few tips aimed at dealing with this important issue facing the nursing industry today.

Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue

The symptoms of compassion fatigue are similar to other work-related stress disorders. Emotional issues include mood swings, anxiety, and depression, which combine with physical ailments like fatigue, muscle tension, and chest discomfort. You may begin to take more sick days, in addition to feeling less empathic towards the patients in your care.

If these symptoms tend to be chronic, especially combined with a loss of empathy, talk to your supervisor about potentially undergoing an assessment for compassion fatigue. It is important to handle this issue before it adversely impacts patient care and your career.

Steps to Assess and Manage Compassion Fatigue

If a formal assessment reveals you are suffering from compassion fatigue, your employer will likely make available a variety of resources to address your problem. In many cases, talking about your problems with a trained counselor is a great first step in developing an action plan to manage the stress and fatigue. This plan generally includes classwork focused on managing daily stress and fostering a better work-life balance, which helps to mitigate the adversity caused by compassion fatigue.

Other steps to handle nursing stress include reducing the number of overtime hours you have to work, a change in assignments, and possibly even scheduling you on a different shift. Having a mentor at your medical establishment to turn to for advice or simply to listen to your problems also helps immensely in managing the adverse effects of compassion fatigue.

Smart medical organizations are able to prevent compassion fatigue from taking hold in the first place by providing many of these same resources — especially the classwork and mentorship.

If you need additional insights on a rewarding career in nursing, talk to the knowledgeable team at Pinnacle Workforce. As one of the country’s leading medical staffing agencies, we can help you in a myriad of ways. Contact our staffing experts as soon as possible!