Practical tips to consider when searching for a position
On a monthly basis APS receives approximately 1000 calls, emails, and resumes from nurse practitioners and physician assistants seeking new positions. We have compiled a real life list of items that we feel are relevant and important for the professional who is starting their search.
Email Etiquette
Establish a professional, separate email address for all job related correspondence. You may be hotmama3 or dudeiscool4 in your personal life, but these addresses are not appropriate for serious candidates. Set up a straightforward address at a free site that can be cancelled after your search. Your email correspondence can be brief, but don’t use slang and remember to set a professional tone.. Some employers monitor your emails and internet use-enough said.
Phone Etiquette
When inquiring by telephone for a position, greet the receptionist pleasantly and introduce yourself, your specialty area, and where you saw the listing for an open job and ask if you may speak to the recruiter assigned to that particular position. If you get an answering machine, leave a very brief message with name and phone number spoken slowly and clearly. Leave your number at the beginning of your voice mail. This saves time for employers. Often callers speak soft or so fast we cannot decipher the phone number and are unable to call them back. If you need to use a cell phone call from a “5 bar area” that you are familiar with. Great candidates are sometimes lost when half their call is static or dropped suddenly. If you do reach the person who has listed a position, ask them if they are available to speak with you now, or offer to call or email them back at a more convenient time. Often, they are fielding a host of responsibilities and it is better for you to meet with them when you can receive their full attention.
Cover Letters
We love cover letters. Drafting a cover letter is quickly becoming a lost art. This is our chance to meet you personally and for you to shine! For highly competitive positions we select applicants who write cover letters to interview. Don’t forget to spell check your hard work. Click here for a great example of a candidate’s cover letter.
Resumes/CVs
Employers review so many resumes that you literally have seconds to make your first impression. Personally speaking, I like different but legible fonts or other creative means of expression if it is not overdone. We like to see your certification and licensure presented in the beginning of your document, followed by highlights/overview of special skills, education, and finally career experience. We get many resumes that include social security numbers on them. Save this information for your official application and protect your identity. Remember spell check is your friend! Click here for an example of a great resume
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