Finding Employment in a Tough Job Market

1. Finding Employment in a Tough Job Market

2. Overview • Economic outlook • Finding your hook • Enhancing - Cover Letter and Resume • Preparing for an Interview • The Interview and its questions • Follow up

3. Statement • This lecture was initially presented at Society of Nuclear Medicine, Student Luncheon, San Antonio, TX, 2011. • Its goal was to give to give appropriate tools for finding employment. • In retrospect, the tools presented in today’s lecture is appropriate for anyone seeking employment, new graduate to seasoned technologist. • This lecture is available on request by emailing mhcrosthwait@vcu.edu.

4. What Caused Today’s Job Market? • Socioeconomic – hospitals and clinics and the budge • Under preforming stock market • Housing devaluations • Declining reimbursement • Medicare cuts • Unemployment • Medical Isotope Shortages • Molly’s back! .. But for how long • How’s your 133Xe supply at least there is a substitute • Isotope disruption has = lost of NMT procedures • Less procedures = less revenue • What is the future of enriched 235U Key Volume + Revenue = Jobs

5. Unemployment vs. Retirement Are fewer people retiring? • Economy • Losses in the 401k Market • Last stat found 3.75% in 2008

6. Projections Data from the National Employment Matrix

7. Positive Data • According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics • Growth will arise from technological advancement, the development of new nuclear medicine treatments, and an increase in the number of middle-aged and elderly persons • ASRT Survey results indicated that nearly 71% of nuclear medicine technology students were able to obtain employment within 6 months of graduating in 2009 ww.asrt.org/Media/pd/Research/EnrollmentSnapshot10.pdf

8. Economical Outlook & Employment • Market flooded with applicants? • Companies can afford to be more selective. • What makes you different? • How do you make yourself more marketable? • Find YOUR hook!! Let’s start with YOU

9. Start with asking yourself • What can I do to be different? • How do I compete with other technologist also seeking employment? • What kind of experience do I have? • What do employers want? • Part-time vs. Full-time • Should I move? • Know the application process • Consider interview and follow-up

10. Research……Yourself How/Why did you choose Nuclear Medicine Consider your long and short term career goals? What skills have you developed? Experiences? Describe your personality? What motivates you? What are your strengths, weakness, how do you compensate? Your failures – what did you learn?

11. Start with Self Assessment • Knowing yourself – you can sell yourself • Visit https://www.strengthsquest.com • Gallup Poll assess your strengths • There are 34 different possible descriptions

12. Stress your Clinical Experience • Employers are looking for experience – What’s yours? (Hook’em) • PET-CT • CT Training • MRI Experience • General Nukes and/or Cardiology • Oncology – Imaging and or therapy • Management experience • Patient care – advanced patient • What types of facilities did you worked at? • Medical Center - Trauma One • Mobile/Stationary PET or Cardiology • Cardiac Pain Clinic • Types of outpatient facilities • Worked with Phase III radiopharms/procedures • Equipment - D-Scan – First pass – Time of Flight

13. Parameters of a Job Search • Don’t be picky or wait for the perfect job • Join sites • LinkedIn, Facebook • Twitter • Post resume online – SNMTS – Upload it! • Volunteer – if possible • Customize your Resume to the employer • Network – Local – Regional - National • While you are waiting find other hospital employment • Transport -- IT – Patient Care giver

14. Finding Those Job Openings • Personal contacts • Internships • Employers • Classified ads: • National and local newspapers • Professional journals • Trade magazines • Internet resources • Attend professional meetings at any level • State employment service offices • Private employment agencies and career consultants

15. Professional Associations • SNM/TS Job bank • http://interactive.snm.org/index.cfm?PageID=209 • ARST Job Bank • http://www.healthecareers.com/asrt • Get a Nuclear Medicine Job • http://www.getnuclearmedicinejobs.com/ • Indeed – One Search. All jobs • http://www.indeed.com/q-Nuclear-Medicine-Technologist-jobs.html • Monster – find a job and/or place a Resume • http://jobs.monster.com/v-technology-q-nuclear-medicine-technologist-jobs.aspx • Careerbuilder.com • Keywords Nuclear Medicine = 130 jobs found on May 2, 2011

16. What employers want? • More experience • Pay lower salaries • Higher productivity • Diversity • Hard working • Strong academically and technically • Good communication skills Oxymoron

17. Who is your competition? • Unemployed technologists • Graduating(ed) students • Those seeking a better job • People that have moved into your area • X-ray technologist?

18. Employment Considerations Job Location Should I move? Cost of Living Is there career cdvancement? Continuing Education Salary Benefits

19. The Cover Letter and Resume • Cover letter & resume are always sent together • Online applications are common • If you can only submit one document, Page 1 cover letter page 2 resume • Know the name in HR who is getting the letter and copy the chief technologist • Follow up to make sure they received the document

20. Action Words - Cover Letter/Resume Personal qualities • adaptable • conscientious • dependable • efficient • hard worker • reliable • will relocate Use active tone • administered • created • developed • established • implemented • launched Don’t be passive!

21. Components of a Cover Letter • Dear Sirs – Identity someone specifically • 1st paragraph • Identify the position and its HR# • Where did you find the position • Close with a “butter up” comment on why you wish to work for them • 2nd and/or 3rd paragraph • Discuss your qualifications and skills • “Hook in” your experience to the position • Last paragraph • Closing comments - Looking forward .. Available at our convenience – Thank you

22. The Resume

23. The Resume • Reverse Chronological is best • Most Important Sections First • Use action words and statements • Tailor Resume to Position • Use Keywords from Job Advertisements • Emphasize Skills • Do NOT use Full Sentences • Perfect Spelling and Grammar • New Grad – should only be one page • Experienced – could have multiple pages • Bring a copy on professional paper when you interview – Tactile senses

24. Resume Main Body • Most important section of the resume. • Your task is to show that you have the skills and experience that the employer needs. • If you do not have a lot of work experience, then include volunteer/clinical experience and related work experience • Demonstrate your accomplishments and indicate that you have the required skills for the position.

25. Resume Content Categories • Certification/Registry/Licensure • Professional Associations/ Societies/Organizations • Personal Information (not recommended) • Hobbies/Interests (include if related) • References - do not include, but … • Have at least 3 • Get permission before you submit the names • Use people who will give good references • For the job application make sure you have: Name, title, address, phone, e-mail, and your association • Bring recommendation list to the interview

26. What goes first – education or experience? • In general educational information follows the job experience section • Three situations in which education should precede work experience: • You are currently in school or a recent graduate. • You are changing careers and your education is more pertinent to the new career than your job experience. • You are seeking a position where specialized education is a prerequisite for employment.

27. Do’s & Don'ts

28. Don’ts • Don’t exaggerate • Don’t overlook non-work experiences • Don’t include information just to fill space • Don’t label the document “Resume” • Don’t use humor in your resume • Keep the same font – suggest Arial or Times New Roman

29. Things not to do on your Resume • Never lie • Don't include salary information • Don’t attach job references & testimonials • Don’t include personal statistics & photographs • Don’t include personality profiles • Don’t copy someone else’s resume. Be original and creative

30. Do’s • Be concise • Carefully proofread and edit your resume • A resume must be error free • Don’t always count on spell-check! • Have someone check over it for you • Tailor your resume to fit information from the job description

31. Five questions to ask yourself before submitting your resume • Does my resume show that I fulfill the employer's needs • Are my strengths clearly stated • Did I include anything that does not add value to my application? (If so remove them) • Have I spelled everything correctly and carefully read through to ensure that there are no typos, grammatical errors, etc. • Read your resume backwards, one word at a time, or have someone else proofread it. • Have I used acronyms/abbreviations that may not be understood by prospective employers?

32. Resumes and Technology • More companies have online databases/websites • Consider the following

33. Resumes & Technology... • If you have to scan your resume into digital • Put first and last name at the top of every page • Use white/light-colored paper, printed on one side • Avoid graphics, italics, script, and underlined passages • Microsoft Word resume • May be uploaded as an *.doc or *.pdf file • May be a copy and paste into text box • If ASCII is required do not exceed 65 characters per line • Best option is to send a PFD file • Requires Adobe Acrobat X Pro or file converter program

34. Watch what you post online? • Employers will look you and your friends • Employers do review Facebook and related social media sites • Employers also read twitter comments Think before you post pictures or comments that might burden your career future!

35. So you have an Interview Before you go

36. Interview Preparation Research Yourself – skills, qualifications, qualities, strengths, and weaknesses Career field, specific employer, and position Interviewing formats, questions, and trends Prepare Develop and practice effective communication skills Practice, practice, practice Perform Make a positive – Give a professional impression

37. Before the Interview • Before the interview: • Shut off your cell phone • Don’t be late to the interview • Do not text in the waiting area • Do not chew gum during the interview • Everyone you meet is a prospective interviewer • Even the Cabbie has input

38. How should you Dress ? Women's Interview Attire • Suit (navy, black or dark grey) • The suit skirt should be long enough so you can sit down comfortably • Coordinated blouse • Conservative shoes • Limited jewelry (no dangling earrings or arms full of bracelets) • Professional hairstyle • Light make-up and perfume • Neatly manicured clean nails • Portfolio or briefcase Men's Interview Attire • Suit (solid color - navy or dark grey) • Long sleeve shirt (white or coordinated with the suit) • Belt • Tie • Dark socks, conservative leather shoes • Little or no jewelry • Neat, professional hairstyle • Neatly trimmed nails • Portfolio or briefcase

39. Points to Keep in Mind • Grooming • Handshake • Body language • Enthusiasm and eye contact • Listen carefully • Communication skills. Good grammar • Never make Negative statements about previous jobs or employers • It's essential that you write a thank-you note to every person you met at the company • Know the company • Know yourself • Know your job history • Know the questions "Tell me about yourself." • Prepare questions of your own – practice answers • Get the big picture. Visualize the entire interview, from start to finish. • Punctuality • Dress • Good night sleep

40. Communication • Verbal communication - only 7% of communication • How you say it/tone of voice – 38% • Non-verbal communication – 55%! • Handshake • Body language/Posture • Facial Expressions • Eye contact

41. Prior communication -Scenario Terrence has an interview with Hospital Y on Monday. He is e-mailing his contact in Human Resources to request directions on Friday afternoon. Terrence’s e-mail looks like this: To: carol.mccullough@hospitalY.com From: crazyterry@hotmail.com Date: Friday, June, 5 2011 4:53 p.m. Subject: Yoooo Carol! carol, have interview on monday need directions. my resume is attatched TTYL THNX!!!:) Terrence

42. Interview Streaming • Check out a local Career Counseling Center • Many schools have computerized interview streaming programs for practice • One on one with the computer asking your question • Your responses are recorded • The staff at the center will evaluate your interview and give you suggestions to improve your technique

43. Final thoughts • Employers want someone who is a team player flexible, open to suggestions, caring, willing to learn more • Bring a pen, information needed to fill out a job application, a typed reference list, cover letter & resume

44. The Interview • A firm hand shake = confidence. • Don’t hurt them and shake too hard! • Don’t have wet hands! • Don’t give a weak hand shake! • Be careful saying UMMM, Hmmm, Well, etc… • Example: A person said the phrase “you guys” in a interview 35 times in 30 minutes

45. Interview Questions Introductory Questions Resume/Application Questions Case/Technical Questions Behavioral Questions Atypical Questions Illegal Questions

46. Introductory Questions Questions about your goals and interests Questions about your qualities Questions about your strengths and weaknesses • “Tell me about yourself” • “Why are you interested in this position?” • “What can you contribute to our organization?” • “What salary range are you seeking?” • “How did you first become interested in radiation sciences?” • “Tell me what you know about our organization.” Think about your audience and Focus on relevant information

47. Resume/Application Questions Questions about your experience, education, skills, and campus & community involvement • “What relevant experience do you have?” • “Elaborate on …(a particular part of your resume)” • “Explain…(a poor grade or another failure)” • “In the Nuclear Medicine curriculum which classes have you enjoyed the most or least?” Know your resume Anticipate difficult questions – don’t make excuses and be prepared!

48. Case/Technical Questions Questions about a technical/clinical problem to solve You are given scenario and asked to explain how you would respond “What would you do if…?” “Explain how would you handle ____________ situation?”

49. Behavioral Questions Questions used to determine how you respond in certain situations Questions that elicit specific supporting examples rather then general responses • “Tell me about a time when…”

50. Behavioral Questions • “Describe a situation where you went above and beyond what would normally do as a technologist to accommodate a patient’s needs”. • “Describe a situation in which you faced a sharp learning curve. What steps did you take to develop your knowledge? How did you apply what you learned?” • “Tell me about a time when you were able to work effectively as a member of the imaging team where people held conflicting opinions. What was the situation? Describe your role.”