What is next in your future? Resumes Cover Letters Interviews RT 255 rev 2009 RESUMES & Cover Letters Dawn N.
Download ReportTranscript What is next in your future? Resumes Cover Letters Interviews RT 255 rev 2009 RESUMES & Cover Letters Dawn N.
What is next in your future? Resumes Cover Letters Interviews RT 255 rev 2009 RESUMES & Cover Letters Dawn N. Charman, M.Ed., Rt(R)(M) Professor, Program Director Donald J. Visintainer, B.V.E., RT(R) Professor Emeritus El Camino College Radiologic Technology Program RT 255 - SPRING RESUME AND COVER LETTER HOW DOES AN EMPLOYER KNOW YOU WANT A JOB? HOW DOES AN EMPLOYER KNOW YOUR TALENTS? HOW DOES AN EMPLOYER KNOW YOU HAVE THE QUALIFICATIONS? You've heard about a position that interest you. The facility is excellent and the location is ideal. You decide to make contact with your prospective employer. Two pieces of paper will decide the first impression you make on the recruiter: A resume outlining your qualifications and a cover letter aimed specifically at the job you're trying for The following will help you make them a winning combination. WHAT IS A RESUME A tool for the job search process Generates prospective employer’s interest A calling card Represents you as positive and professional RESUME CONTENTS PERSONAL DATA EDUCATION EMPLOYMENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS HOBBIES YOUR RESUME SHOULD Present you Accurately and Positively List assets and qualifications List only enough information YOUR RESUME SHOULD NOT Be to long or wordy Have abbreviations, slang, or buzz words Exaggerate, misinform, or lie GET ORGANIZED YOUR PRESENT JOB IS TO “GET A JOB.” IT SHOULD BE A “FULL TIME COMMITMENT.” GET A LOG / JOURNAL YOUR RESUME PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD YOU’RE THE ONE FOR THE JOB FIRST IMPRESSION Most hiring managers and recruiters agree that a resume should have a clean professional look that is easy to read. While content is considered more important than format, the chronological format is clearly favored over others Cover letters Are a very important part of your challenge to communicate with employers and market yourself in an effective manner Most employers will be impressed that you have included a cover letter. It will make a statement that this is important to you Cover Letter Develop cover letters that are centered on the needs of the employer and the position. Use the same high quality paper you use for your resume. Address your letter to a specific person with his/her correct title whenever possible. Get to the point early in the letter. Identify where you heard about the position. Don’t ramble. Keep the letter to one page. Cover Letter Letters should be tailored to each individual situation. Do not use generic letters that are mass mailed. Employers are aware of generic letters and are not impressed. COVER LETTER A formal business correspondence Short, Specific Consists of three main parts 1. Introduction 2. Main points 3. Conclusion COVER LETTER Paragraph #1 INTRODUCTION Introduce yourself State your purpose State your motivation for sending your resume COVER LETTER Paragraph #2 MAIN POINTS Respond to job description Describe 3 - 4 skills that make you a match for the job COVER LETTER Paragraph #3 CONCLUSION State with confidence that you are the person for the job State how you can be reached for an interview COVER LETTER POINTERS Should be addressed to someone specific (never address “To Whom it May Concern”) Send with resume and/or application Use the same color and bond of paper as used for your resume Cover Letter Style and content Find out who's in charge of hiring call the facility's personnel office and ask for the information explain briefly why you want to work there Mention an employee (if true) Your cover letter personalizes the application cover letter Follow up with a phone call You may need to talk directly with department head. Personnel isn’t always informed about possible positions SAMPLE COVER LETTER YOUR ADDRESS AND CITY Mr. Big Director, Medical Imaging Hospital Where I want to work and make $$$$ 727 Marion Drive. Stone Mountain, CA 30087 October 5, 2001 Dear Mr. Big: I am applying for the Radiologic Technologist position that was advertised on the RT JOBS.com website this week. The position seems to be a perfect fit with my education, experience and career interests. The position advertised requires an assertive individual with strong communication skills and experience. I feel that my work experience and academic preparation makes me an ideal candidate for this position. I will graduate this October with a A.S degree from the El Camino College, Radiologic Technology Program. My extensive internship experience at HOSPTIAL ABC, as well as my course work, has prepared me well for a career in radiologic technology. As a student intern, I learned to have strong communication and team skills, while developing proficiency in performing radiologic technology procedures and patient care. My background and career goals match your job requirements and I am confident that I can perform in this position effectively. Furthermore, I am genuinely interested in starting my career at Hospital Where I want to make the $$$., Inc. Your imaging center is an established leader in industry and I am confident that I can make a meaningful contribution, if given an opportunity. Please consider my request for a personal interview so that I may further discuss my qualifications. I will call you next week to see if we can arrange a time to meet. If you need to reach me, please feel free to contact me at (404) 241-0515 or at [email protected]. Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to talking with you. Sincerely, 10 ELEMENTS OF A GOOD RESUME Keep to two pages in length; Pages must look organized; (one page preferred) Typed or word processed (10-12 font) Content must be balanced and centered; 10 ELEMENTS OF GOOD RESUME Keep information concise and easy to read; Content should be related to employment. Be consistent in display techniques and punctuation; Use perfect spelling; (Have two people proof-read) 10 ELEMENTS OF GOOD RESUME Be honest, Don’t exaggerate; Avoid abbreviations, slang, and trite expressions; Use high quality paper; “Do not Use action words, strong verbs; fold” YOUR RESUME Your name, address, and phone number go at top of the page, so that the recruiter can easily see how to reach you. If you have more than one address or telephone, indicate when you can be reached at each one Education Experience and licensure Honors and Actives Use action verbs when describing your roles References Your honors and activities are examples of your academic ability and social maturity Recruiters like to see students involved in on-campus and community activities. “A student involved in activities is an indication to us of social maturity and leadership,” SAMPLE CHRONOLOGICAL RESUME GOODY R, TWOSHOES 303 Yellow Mill Drive Bridgeport, CA 06604 [email protected] Objective: RadiologicTechnologist seeks employment at your dynamic imaging center. Experience with all aspects of diagnostic radiology, emergency room, intensive care and pediatric patients. Experience with portable and operating room radiography as well. Familiar with both film/screen and computed radiography imaging. Education A.S. in Radiologic Technology, El Camino College, Torrance, CA June 2005 Certificate in Radiologic Technology expected completion October 2005 (3.5 cumulative GPA, 3.7 major GPA) Relevant Course Work Clinical Education Internship: Hospital A October 2003 – October 2005 Hospital B Feb 2005 – April 2005 Honors and Activities Dean’s List, Alpha Phi Alpha, Tennis Team, Health Sciences Club Volunteer for American Red Cross & American Cancer Society Work Experience Hospital C – Radiology Transporter January 2004 to present Good Eats Restaurant – server June 1995 to present Language Skills Speak fluent Spanish and German and Tagala RESUME TEMPLATES WORD SEARCH : RESUME ON YOUR COMPUTER SOMETIMES IT IS EASIER TO CREATE YOUR OWN PROFESSIONALLY PREPARRED 1 page Example For Radiologic Technology Position 2nd page Example included For Teaching Position or ASRT submission for CEU course Extra pointers Other sections though not essential, can enliven your resume and enhance your candidacy. Some possibilities: A) A short statement of your professional objectives, placed just underneath your name and address. B) Seminars taught or attended. C) Professionally related community or volunteer work. D) Fluency in foreign languages. Sample from MONSTERS.COM What Employers Look for in Candidates Communication Skills Interpersonal Skills Computer Skills Work Experience Motivation/Initiative GPA/Academics Leadership Abilities Analytical Skills Ethics Teamwork Skills Career Focus Writing Skills some things are better left omitted in cover letter & interview Omit your age marital status number of children or other information that's not directly work related DON'T send a picture some things are better left omitted don't waste space talking about early achievements after you've reached a more advanced level of accomplishment What you did in high school isn't of much interest when you can discuss achievement in higher education. MORE POINTERS Avoid starting every sentence with “I” Your cover letter demonstrates your communication skills Proof read all written information Use high quality white, off-white, or gray bond paper Research the facility, department Write a killer cover letter. If you start your letter with anything resembling, “I am writing to you regarding the position you have posted…” or “I am a senior and will be graduating from the university of blah blah in May,” you’re out. B-O-R-I-N-G. Everybody starts their letter like that and it says nothing. Cover Letter Make your cover letter unique. Whatever you do, do NOT write a generic cover letter or base your cover letter on a template. Taking the time to write a professional cover letter that lets your true personality shine through is a great way to make it to the top of the "call for an interview" list while the canned, boring cover letters are going straight to the garbage. While you can't put too much personality into a resume, your cover letter gives you the chance to really sell yourself so make sure you don't neglect this important step Put your accomplishments on your resume Even if you’re repeating what you said in the cover letter, this is your chance to embellish. Use bullet points and expand on saying “wrote press releases” or “answered phones” by explaining some specific things you did (i.e. “wrote media alerts for store opening,” “pitched radio and TV about new product, resulting in five interviews with company president”). Make sure your resume is perfect! Proofread, then proofread, then proofread some more. While it's always advisable to have a resume free of grammar and spelling mistakes This question seems simple enough and you would think that an interviewer could answer it simply by looking at your resume and reading your cover letter. However, an interviewer wants to hear it from you. Why do you stand out from everyone else? Bad Answer: I’m more qualified than the other candidates and I have what it takes to be an asset to this organization. Better Answer: I have 8 years of experience in radiologic technology performing a number of procedures. I also love my job and enjoy working with patients. I always have great relationships with my colleagues. Best Answer: I have an advanced degree in health administration as well as 5 years of experience has the head of the nursing department at John Smith Hospital. I am comfortable as a leader and follower and have served in both positions. In my last job, I developed a patient advocacy program which worked to ease patients’ fears and alleviate stress during procedures. Thus far, over a dozen healthcare professionals have become volunteer patient advocates. http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.allhealthcare.com/nfs/allhealt hcare/attachment_images/0004/5061/worst_answers_crop380w.jpg&imgrefurl=http ://www.allhealthcare.com/careers/articles/3416-10-worst-answers-to-healthcareinterviewquestions%3Fpage%3D6&usg=___MeK1RLTJLHXIXPfDQGG4U8TZbQ=&h=250&w= 380&sz=97&hl=en&start=310&um=1&tbnid=_jCNJLgT8Ug7TM:&tbnh=81&tbnw=1 23&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dradiologic%2Btechnologist%2Bjop%2Binterviews%26n dsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26start%3D300%26um%3D1 Tips & Warnings The person who opens your letter has 3 -5 seconds to decide whether they will keep reading your letter or throw it in the trash. So you had better grab them from the very first words. Think of the biggest communications-related accomplishment you’ve done so far in your career. Start with that. Tell them very quickly about other accomplishments followed by what you can do for them, how you can help their business. If you’re responding to a blind ad, make sure to address a couple of the ad’s points. If the ad says: “Must be a sports lover,” make sure to say not only how much you love sports, but give a couple of examples of what you’ve done in sports. If you are targeting a company or firm for a job, tell them within the first two paragraphs that you know something about them. Mention a couple of clients (if they are a firm), or what announcements they’ve made lately (if it’s in-house). Show that you have done your homework. Tips & Warnings Check every single e-mail and document you send a potential employer for spelling and grammar mistakes with a fine tooth comb. Put your name in the file name of your document (i.e. “John Smith resume”) to differentiate yourselves from the hundreds of people who send resumes called “Resume.doc” or “New resume.doc.” Send an ink-on-paper letter and resume instead of e-mail, which can be easily deleted. Show up 5 to 10 minutes before your scheduled interview time – no earlier. Always come to an interview with a clean copy of your resume and any nice portfolio of your communications-related work. Potential employers value an enthusiastic attitude – just don’t go overboard. Tips & Warnings Do not send potential employers e-mails with the subject lines of “Hello” or “Hi.” Besides being the most common subject lines of spam, it’s not professional. Put the addressee’s name in the subject line and a few words reflecting the topic (“I was referred by John Smith”). Don’t blow off an interview – not only is it unprofessional, but it’s a small world and people won’t forget what you did. Don’t send letters with unusual fonts or colored paper. I’ve seen this mistake made several times: taking a job that pays only few thousand dollars more than another job, even though it’s not what you’re really interested in or not ideal, only to hate the job later and regret doing it for the money. PREPARE FOR THE INTERVIEW ROLE PLAY GET IN FRONT OF A MIRROR TAPE RECORD KNOW SOMETHING POSATIVE ABOUT THE EMPLOYER THE DAY OF THE INTERVIEW PLAN THE ROUTE DRESS CAREFULLY KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING ARRIVE EARLY BE RELAXED, UNRUSHED BRING A NOTEPAD, PEN / PENCIL HAVE A COPY OF YOUR RESUME AT THE INTERVIEW BE HAPPY WITH WHO YOU ARE LOOK THE INTERVIEWER IN THE EYE (MAINTAIN EYE CONTACT) REFER TO THE INTERVIEWER BY NAME MAKE A CHECKLIST OF QUESTIONS ANSWER DIRECT, BE CONCISE Dress to Impress ……. Appropriate dress is often the last thing on a person's mind when a recruiter calls to arrange a job interview in today's job market, where all health professionals' value has come under intense scrutiny by insurers, patients and the public at large, it never hurts to put forth a professional, well-dressed public image. A rule of thumb is to dress better than the people you are interviewing with. You can’t go wrong by dressing up to much. Go with the suit and tie or at least a dress shirt & slacks or modest skirt Interview Mistakes Here are some common interviewing and other jobrelated bad first impressions: Drawing a blank, or being slow to answer at a critical time, particularly in response to questions about your qualifications for the job or business, you distinguishing qualities or other personal capabilities. Being overly nervous or too low-key. Being late, or not as prepared as you should have been. Forgetting someone's name, getting it wrong or confusing the person with someone else. Your Interview What to wear Arrive EARLY !!!! Take some deep breaths & relax! Who looks more professional ? As a manager – Who would you hire The requirements for the position are: Successful completion of an AMA-approved school of radiologic technology. ARRT registered or eligible (must obtain within one year of hire). State of California licensure required. (CRT), (Fluoroscopy) Mammography experience preferred. (?) The requirements for the position are: Flexibility to work nights and weekends. Ability to travel to other sites as needed. Proven ability to effectively contribute to the work team. Excellent interpersonal and patient/customer relations skills. Maintains professional decorum at all times. Ability to learn all required duties of the position and accept constructive feedback. Must be reliable, dependable, and conscientious. Common Interview Questions Why should we hire you? Why do you want to work here? What are your greatest weaknesses? Why did you leave your last job? Describe a problem situation and how you solved it. What accomplishment are you most proud of? What are your salary expectations? Tell me about yourself. Common Interview Questions Why should we hire you? Here's the chance to really sell yourself. You need to briefly and succinctly lay out your strengths, qualifications and what you can bring to the table. Be careful not to answer this question too generically, however. Nearly everyone says they are hardworking and motivated. Set yourself apart by telling the interviewer about qualities that are unique to you. Why do you want to work here? This is one tool interviewers use to see if you have done your homework. You should never attend an interview unless you know about the company, its direction and the industry in which it plays. If you have done your research, this question gives you an opportunity to show initiative and demonstrate how your experience and qualifications match the company's needs. What are your greatest weaknesses? The secret to answering this question is being honest about a weakness, but demonstrating how you have turned it into a strength. For example, if you had a problem with organization in the past, demonstrate the steps you took to more effectively keep yourself on track. This will show that you have the ability to recognize aspects of yourself that need improvement, and the initiative to make yourself better. Why did you leave your last job? Even if your last job ended badly, be careful about being negative in answering this question. Be as diplomatic as possible. If you do point out negative aspects of your last job, find some positives to mention as well. Complaining endlessly about your last company will not say much for your attitude. Describe a problem situation and how you solved it. Sometimes it is hard to come up with a response to this request, particularly if you are coming straight from college and do not have professional experience. Interviewers want to see that you can think critically and develop solutions, regardless of what kind of issue you faced. Even if your problem was not having enough time to study, describe the steps you took to prioritize your schedule. This will demonstrate that you are responsible and can think through situations on your own. What accomplishment are you most proud of? The secret to this question is being specific and selecting an accomplishment that relates to the position. Even if your greatest accomplishment is being on a championship high school basketball team, opt for a more professionally relevant accomplishment. Think of the qualities the company is looking for and develop an example that demonstrates how you can meet the company's needs. What are your salary expectations? This is one of the hardest questions, particularly for those with little experience. The first thing to do before going to your interview is to research the salary range in your field to get an idea of what you should be making. Steer clear of discussing salary specifics before receiving a job offer. Let the interviewer know that you will be open to discussing fair compensation when the time comes. If pressed for a more specific answer, always give a range, rather than a specific number. Tell me about yourself. While this query seems like a piece of cake, it is difficult to answer because it is so broad. The important thing to know is that the interviewer typically does not want to know about your hometown or what you do on the weekends. He or she is trying to figure you out professionally. Pick a couple of points about yourself, your professional experience and your career goals and stick to those points. Wrap up your answer by bringing up your desire to be a part of the company. If you have a solid response prepared for this question, it can lead your conversation in a direction that allows you to elaborate on your qualifications. ICE BREAKER It's OK to conduct safe small talk, but avoid personal topics Wait to be invited to sit, then sit straight, making good eye contact BODY LANGUAGE: What is she saying? The Typical Body Language Your actions speak volumes as to what is going on in your mind. The way you sit, stand, move around all show as to whether you are nervous, confused, scared or confident. Look at the following chart below and find out more about your body language. The Typical Body Language 1. An equal handshake. Your handshake should be strong and confident. If you can match the interviewer's grip it avoids any dominant/submissive vibes. The Typical Body Language 2. Relax and be at ease. The way you sit conveys a lot of subtle information to the people on the other side of the desk. So sit straight and take a moment to be comfortable. If you look relaxed, it'll encourage your interviewer/s to feel at ease in your company. 3. Maintain eye contact. Keep it true and steady, but remember to blink. Make sure that your gaze doesn't drop below eye level. Don't keep turning your attention to the floor or the ceiling. It might be a blank canvas for your thoughts, but it appears as if you're evading a question. 4. Steer your body. If you are wearing a short skirt then crossing your legs is fine, but the best position is to 'point' at the interviewer with your knees or your feet. This shows that you're focused right in on them. 5. Use your hands. Be physically expressive when you speak and use your hands to roll out your answers or give shape to your ideas. This is also a good way to control nervousness. 6. Be open. Folding your arms across your chest conveys a nervous, negative and even aggressive attitude. Therefore be open in both body and mind. The Typical Body Language Walking tall, erect and briskly = Confidence Standing with hands on hips = Readiness, aggression Walking with hands in pockets, shoulders hunched = Dejection Hands clasped behind back = Anger, frustration, apprehension Sitting with legs crossed, foot kicking slightly = Boredom Sitting with arms crossed on chest = Defensiveness Sitting with hands clasped behind head, legs crossed = Confidence, superiority Biting nails = Nervousness The Typical Body Language Touching, slightly rubbing nose = Rejection, doubt, lying Stroking chin = Trying to make a decision Pulling or tugging at ear = Indecision Patting/fondling hair = Lack of self confidence, insecurity Rubbing hands = Anticipation Pinching bridge of nose, eyes closed = Negative evaluation Tilted head = Interest Open palm = Sincerity, openness, innocence Tapping or drumming fingers = Impatience QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT BE ASKED Here are a few typical examples: Tell me about yourself. Why do you want to work for this company? What do you know about us? Why did you choose your particular field? If you had it to do all over again, would you choose the same career? What is your greatest accomplishment? What areas of this job would be the most challenging for you? More examples: What can you do for us that someone else can't? Describe your best / worst boss. What are your strengths? Weaknesses? Where do you see yourself in five years? Give me an example of a problem you recently solved at work or school.* Tell me about the most challenging person you've ever worked with.* Why are you leaving your current job? Who would you hire? And for what? Know what to expect Delay the money talk until after you get an offer. Remember that a signing bonus is a one-time deal. If a company is offering a salary that seems too low, a signing bonus will only make up the difference for one year. Negotiating a more reasonable salary will have a long-term impact. DON'T ask "red flag" questions. Questions that indicate you'll be a problem employee. How many sick days will I get? (Indicates that you plan to be absent often.) Points to make points Be a team player Realize good opportunities can pop up anywhere Do a good job - no matter what and earn a life-long ally WRITING YOUR REFERENCE LIST How Familiar Are Your References With You and Your Work? Employers want to fill jobs just as much as you want the job! One of their worst nightmares is checking your references so that they can make you an offer and finding out that your reference doesn't know who you are, is unaware of your job search, or has nothing good to say about you. Call all your references and ask them for permission to use their names, and ask them what they might say about you. It's a good idea to give all your references a copy of your current resume, samples of work, and a brief description of the jobs you are looking for as well. WRITING YOUR REFERENCE LIST Are Your References Appropriate? Make sure that the references you list aren't a list of friends, but rather that they include supervisors, faculty, customers, or peers. After all, what would you expect your best friend to say about you except nice things? Keep in mind, too, that employers question motives of candidates who do not list any previous supervisor (were you fired?), as well as individuals who appear to "jump jobs" repeatedly within a relatively short timeframe. PLANNING FOR A PROFESSIONAL CAREER Have an alternate plan available Never stop asking meaningful questions Never assume or take for granted How important is the money ???? Decisions are necessary Never give up in the face of adversity Ten Ways to Blow a Job Interview… and How to Avoid these Traps! do not…. Get lost/show up late: Dress inappropriately:. Take your child with you to the interview: Negotiate a salary outside of the range initially quoted you by your staff supervisor: Talk about personal information not pertinent to the position Talk about past experience that has no bearing on the job for which you are interviewing: Change your interview time: Talk negatively about past employers: Oversell the “advancement” issue: Talk extensively about time-consuming hobbies: Ten Ways to Blow a Job Interview…and How to Avoid these Traps! For every job interview opportunity, there is a way that an applicant can effectively sabotage the process. If you find that you interview and interview without an offer, perhaps you are inadvertently committing one of the following “cardinal sins” of interviewing. Here is a list of everyday errors applicants commit. If you can avoid making them, you stand a better chance to get the job you really want. So, for your next interview, do not…. Get lost/show up late: This is a surefire way to tell a company you are not going to be on time for work and you don’t allow enough time to get where you need to go. Do yourself a major favor — take a trial run past the location the day before the interview, and allow more time to get through rush hour traffic, if applicable. Dress inappropriately: Remember...in a business casual environment, appropriate dress for the actual job may not match appropriate interview attire. Wear formal business clothing: suit, dress, jacket and slacks. Do not interview in the more casual clothing the dress code might allow you to wear once you’re working there. If you want a company to think you are employable, look the part. Dress only in professional business attire on an interview. Take your child with you to the interview: While a company cannot by law ask you if you have any children, bringing one with you to the interview not only tells a prospective employer you have children, rightly or wrongly it also implies you do not have appropriate day care for the children and you might not be as reliable an employee as they want. Negotiate a salary outside of the range initially quoted you by your staff supervisor: When you are matched to a job by a QSS staff supervisor, part of that person’s task is to screen your salary requirement to ensure what you want is what the company can pay. If you tell QSS your money requirement is suitable for the client’s budget, we share that information with the client. When an interviewee tries to negotiate a higher salary directly with the company, it appears you either did not listen to the information offered to you, or QSS did not do their job in finding the right person for the client’s position. Negotiating a salary outside the range quoted does not put you in the best light to land the job. Talk about personal information not pertinent to the position: Similar to #3 above. The company with whom you are interviewing has no reason to know your cousin’s mother’s friend’s sister was in a car wreck and you had to leave your last position to take care of this person. This may be the real reason you left the job, but it will convey a more stable tone if you simply state due to compelling family reasons, you had to stop working and now the situation has been completely resolved. Talk about past experience that has no bearing on the job for which you are interviewing: All of us have experience that is not used on every job we perform. If you are interviewing for an entry level position in an industry new to you, do not talk extensively about the duties that could be perceived as “higher level” work. It will make you sound as if you will not be satisfied with the duties on the new job. Rather, look for links between your past work and the new job duties and push the point that your background has uniquely qualified you for the position. Remember all jobs offer learning experiences — don’t let the interviewer perceive you as “overqualified”. Change your interview time: Every now and again, we all have illnesses or emergencies that cause us to reschedule appointments. Whatever you do, try not to have this happen when it’s interview time. You run the risk of sounding either unorganized or disinterested in the position. If you set an interview time, make sure you don’t give the company reason to wonder how committed or interested you are. Talk negatively about past employers: If you had a bad experience on your last job with a difficult supervisor, do not bring this up in the interview, under any circumstances! No matter how dissatisfied you are with a past employer, it’s much more acceptable to say you were/are looking for a new opportunity than it is to bad-mouth your last supervisor. Oversell the “advancement” issue: Most employers hate the interviewing and recruiting process. If you come on too strong about wanting a job with a lot of advancement potential, you run the risk of making the interviewer fear they will be going through the same recruiting process next year because you have moved onto a new position. It’s fine to say you want a position with growth potential, as long as you define the concept correctly. We all want to be able to learn new tasks and to master new challenges, but it doesn’t mean you expect to be president of the company within the next 6 months. Be careful how you broach this topic! You may be giving the message that this position will be boring to you. Talk extensively about time-consuming hobbies: If you are active in your church, an avid cyclist, or participate in any number of community activities, you could be a considered a valuable member of society. However, you don’t want a prospective employer to wonder if you are so overcommitted you wouldn’t have the time to work a full shift or to put in extra hours, as needed. Once again, tread lightly. If you are asked what you do in your spare time, respond, but don’t over emphasize the time commitment. While some employers seek staff that are involved in outside activities, make sure the interviewer knows the job would absolutely, positively, come first! JOB SOURCES Newspapers Journals: RT Image, RT Advance Professional Organizations Word of mouth Hotline: Internet Cold Calling (70%) Imaging Centers Out patient offices Offer conditions not available in hospitals Where to look for a JOB Websites: RTJOBS.COM Monsters.com JCAHO – Website – google search for local area hospitals addresses Where to look for a JOB Rtjobs.com www.rtjobs.com (888) 663.5700Carlsbad Ca. rsi (Radiology Staffing Inc) www.RADSTAFF.COM (866).723.7823Nebraska Diagnostic Temps www.diagnostictemps.com (888).687.3606Texas *RTTEMPS www.rttemps.com (800).677.823 Medicaljobspot www.medicaljobspot.com *MED OPTIONS USA www.medoptions.com (800).817.4903 StarMed Staffing Professionals www.StarMed.com (800)StarMe *Medhealthjobs www.medhealthjobs.com (800) 983.773 Techstat www.techstatusa.com (877).998.993 www.jointcommission.org Search by Zip code – Hospitals etc Address for resume THANK YOU LETTER Send immediately after interview Address it to interviewer Format is the same as the cover letter 1. Introduction 2. Main points 3. Conclusion THANK YOU LETTER Paragraph #1 INTRODUCTION State your purpose Give identifying information THANK YOU LETTER Paragraph #2 MAIN POINTS Respond to interview positively Review something interviewer did that you appreciated Restate skill and experience that match you to the job THANK YOU LETTER Paragraph #3 CONCLUSION State how follow-up will take place Either you will call or wait to be contacted AFTER THE INTERVIEW SELF EVALUATION Make a list identifying your feelings List Pros - Cons of the job Assess your performance FOLLOWUP PHONE CALL WHY CANDIDATES ARE REJECTED POOR PERSONALITY POOR SCHOLASTIC RECORD POOR PERSONAL APPERANCE LACK OF ENTHUSIASM AND INTEREST LACK OF AMBITION POOR COMMUNICATION SKILLS WHY CANDIDATES ARE REJECTED UNREALISTIC SALARY DEMANDS LACK OF MATURITY LACK OF PREPERATION FOR INTERVIEW EXCESSIVE INTEREST IN BENEFITS NO PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE LACK OF INTEREST IN COMPANY Why do our techs and students leave? Students ●Poor academics ●Too many things on their plates ● Money ● Lack of support and guidance in clinic ● Lack of support at home R.T.’s ● Lack of respect ● Lack of trustworthiness ● Salary ● Lack of support and guidance ● Insurance ● Over worked/stressed One more thing……… Never burn your bridges The RT community is a small one Make your reputation a good one YOU represents US as well…. Don’t let this be about you… What you don’t want them to say about you…….. "This employee is really not so much of a 'has-been', but more of a definite 'won'tbe'." This young lady has delusions of adequacy.“ "Got a full 6-pack, but lacks the plastic thing to hold it all together." Taken from actual interview "If you see two people talking and one looks bored, he's the other one." "Donated his brain to science before he was done using it.“ "If you give him a penny for his thoughts, you'd get change." "It's hard to believe that he beat 1,000,000 other sperm to the egg." "Takes him 2 hours to watch 60 minutes." "The wheel is turning, but the hamster is dead." These are actual quotes taken from Federal Government employee performance evaluations. 1. "Since my last report, this employee has reached rock-bottom and has started to dig." 2. "I would not allow this employee to breed." 3. "This employee is really not so much of a has-been, but more of a definite won't be." 4. "Works well when under constant supervision and cornered like a rat in a trap." 5. "When she opens her mouth, it seems that it is only to change feet." 6. "This young lady has delusions of adequacy." 7. "He sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them." 8. "This employee is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot." 9. "This employee should go far, and the sooner he starts, the better." 10. "Got a full 6-pack, but lacks the plastic thingy to hold it all together." 11. "A gross ignoramus -- 144 times worse than an ordinary ignoramus." 12. "He doesn't have ulcers, but he's a carrier." 15. "He's been working with glue too much." 16. "He would argue with a signpost." 17. "He brings a lot of joy whenever he leaves the room." 18. "When his IQ reaches 50, he should sell." 19. "If you see two people talking and one looks bored, he's the other one." 20. "A photographic memory but with the lens cover glued on." 21. "A prime candidate for natural de-selection." 22. "Donated his brain to science before he was done using it." 23. "Gates are down, the lights are flashing, but the train isn't coming." 24. "He's got two brains cells, one is lost and the other is out looking for it." 25. "If he were any more stupid, he'd have to be watered twice a week." 26. "If you give him a penny for his thoughts, you'd get change." 27. "If you stand close enough to him, you can hear the ocean." 28. "It's hard to believe he beat out 1,000,000 other sperm." 29. "One neuron short of a synapse." 30. "Some drink from the fountain of knowledge; he only gargled." 31. "Takes him 2 hours to watch '60-minutes'." 32. "The wheel is turning, but the hamster is dead." GOOD LUCK You’ve Worked Hard – Now enjoy the rewards YOU HAVE ALMOST ARRIVED AT YOUR DESTINATION 2012 PLANNING FOR A PROFESSIONAL CAREER Be ready when opportunity knocks Don’t pass up an opportunity Be an active participant Be organized, Put the horse before the cart Be observant of peers Have a plan of action PLANNING FOR A PROFESSIONAL CAREER Lay the groundwork Don’t litter your path Train your replacement PLANNING FOR A PROFESSIONAL CAREER Too many advisors can be dangerous Hard can often be it’s own reward You may have to step back in order to step forward Watch your steps Risk is often necessary PLANNING FOR A PROFESSIONAL CAREER Know when to change direction Reputation - People are always watching You represent others / others represent you You may know what you want but not be aware of it’s different forms Ask for assistance