Linking it Up - August 29, 2009

1. JobRadio.fm Entry level Medical Jobs

Not all medical careers require advanced certifications and years of graduate-level education. If you’re seeking a medical job that can be obtained more immediately, you may want to consider one of these jobs that do not require a college degree. These entry-level, or “stepping-stone” medical jobs offer hands-on medical industry experience, and they don’t require you to invest so much time and money in training and higher education. Therefore, these jobs allow you to “test-drive” healthcare to see if the industry is a good fit for you long-term. Also, you can earn some money and increase your skills while obtaining more advanced degrees or certifications. (Download MP3)

2. Market Yourself in Thank-You Notes says Julie Erickson:

Always send a thank you note after any kind of interview, phone or in person. It’s a chance for you to reinforce your skills, your ability to meet the responsibilities of the position for which you’re applying.

Use the opportunity to reiterate your interest and amplify some point from the conversation that perhaps you wish you had addressed further, or that the interviewer seemed to pick up on and like. Stress how you are able to use your abilities and skills to resolve some challenge in the new position.

3. 7 Ways to Stay Positive During a Long Job Search from Lindsay Pollack’s blog:

  • Engage in activities that make you feel good about yourself. Identify the skills and aptitudes that make you good at your work and also make a list of what you like about yourself, such as sense of humor or empathy. Then find a way to demonstrate those skills and characteristics. For example, if you are good at planning, organize the book drive at your child’s school. If you pride yourself for your ability to put people at ease, volunteer to work in the waiting room for families of surgery patients.
  • Achieve tangible results. Many job search related activities do not provide an immediate tangible outcome. To maintain a sense of control, do something every day that does afford concrete results. It can be as simple as cleaning out a closet, organizing the garage or waxing the car. It can also be related to volunteer or family activities, such as writing a neighborhood watch newsletter or making cookies with the kids. Make sure, that at the end of each day, you can point to something you accomplished.
  • Surround yourself with positive, supportive people. Identify those people who have confidence in you and build your own confidence in yourself. Avoid the people who always see the glass as half empty or those who drain your energy.
  • Keep promises to yourself. Now is a good time to end a bad habit, take a class that you’ve wanted to pursue, or learn a new skill.
  • Reward yourself. At the end of each day, chronicle the things you did well and reward yourself with a good book, a soak in the tub, or some other activity that says to you “job well done.” As far as job searching goes, pride yourself on the things you accomplished that day, rather than waiting for results before you celebrate what you’ve done. The latter usually doesn’t come as quickly as you would wish.
  • Follow a healthy routine. Eat well, exercise and take good care of your body.
  • Allow yourself some down time. You can’t be up and optimistic all the time, so give yourself permission to have a bad day. If you diligently follow the above suggestions, you can count on tomorrow to be better.
 
Posted by funnelthru but reblogged from the405club
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Ask HR: How long should I wait to send the thank you email after an interview?

the405club:

Dear HR,

I never know if emailing that day is too soon, or if I should wait a few days which perhaps puts me in the front of their mind once again? Is one more effective than another? And if I don’t get an email back, should I follow up with a phone call a few days later or are they not writing back because they weren’t interested?

Thank you, Apprehensive Applicant

——-

Dear Apprehensive Applicant,

I don’t really have a preference as to whether a candidate sends me a thank you letter or not. However, almost all of my HR colleagues expect to receive one from a candidate and believe it reflects poorly on a candidate if they do not send one .Given that, I think you should send one but I would recommend you use the following guidelines:

Send a hand written note, a personal touch is often better and shows you went out of your way.

Do not send an email thank you note on the same day of the interview (it seems insincere) and you couldn’t have really reflected on the conversation that quickly.

Do not be disappointed or read into anything if you do not get a response, according to etiquette standards a thank you note does not require a reply.

It is appropriate to make a follow up call a week or so after the interview, but I would recommend that during your interview, you inquire about next steps/timeframes and use that answer as a guideline as to when you  should make a follow up call.

Lots of luck in your search!

-Kelley Anglin, Director of Talent/Human Resources

Reblogged from the405club

Missing Hand Written Notes

Reading articles for the daily links we post I often come across tons of suggestions on thank you notes for you to give after an interview.  I very rarely see anything suggesting hand written, personal, notes.

The more people turn to technology (IMs, facebook messages, email, etc.) the more personal the telephone and handwritten note get.  You actually took some time to write something meaningful or say something thoughtful.  Everyone appreciates a small note with a few details about the day and a note of thanks.

Here’s what I suggest:

  • Try to buy some bulk thank you cards that you’re happy with - something simple and elegant
  • During your interview get to know the person interviewing you, build a connection
  • Immediately after the interview is over go write a quick thank you note
  • Make the note personal and try to write about what you talked about
  • Give the note to either the receptionist or mail it in that day

Sometimes writing a hand written note is not feasible.  When it is, it’s appreciated.

Always Pen a Thank You Note

via thehardworkersays:

A thank you letter keeps you alive in the interviewer’s mind. It’s also a way to mention something critical that you may have forgotten that is pertinent to your being the best candidate for the job. Make the letter short and appreciative. Mention if there was some unique characteristic of the time together, such as having received a company tour. Tell how you feel you fit in, you like the environment because it is conducive to productivity and well-being (if so). Thank you letters are your final exit from the stage and last chance to pitch the job opening for yourself. If you hope to work for the company, say so.

Reblogged from thehardworkersays

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The blog for funnelthru.com - a job board dedicated to honest entry level jobs. We discuss interview tips, hiring trends, videos we love, and anything else we think you might find useful or fun.