Whether you’re a new grad looking for that first job in respiratory care or a therapist who already has a few years of experience and is thinking about making a change for a better position, getting out there in the job market can be stress-inducing.
These 12 tips are worth considering before heading out for your first interview –
- If you have yet to earn your RRT, get it before you embark on your search. These days, the RRT is a crucial factor in any hiring manager’s decision. Of course, additional credentials such as the BLS, ACLS, PALS, and NRP certifications help as well.
- Make sure your resume is complete and free of typos. Be sure to include any respiratory-related volunteer activities you may have taken part in too.
- Be on time for the interview — or even a little early. Showing up late is a sure-fire way to crater your chances for the job.
- Dress for success. Appearance and clothing make a big difference, so go in with your best “business casual” at a minimum.
- Focus on patient care. Hospitals are looking for clinicians who are willing to do whatever they can to make sure patients receive quality care and are satisfied with that care.
- Familiarize yourself with behavioral interviewing questions. These questions, which can easily be found on the internet, are often asked in interviews today and can be tricky if you haven’t given them some thought beforehand.
- Answer questions thoroughly and in complete sentences. Managers are looking for RTs who can be good communicators with their fellow therapists, physicians, nurses, and patients.
- If the job market is tight in your community, be willing to accept any shift or even part-time work, if necessary. Once you’ve proven yourself on the job, you can work your way up to full-time employment and the shift you’d prefer.
- Research the hospital you are applying to show you are interested in working there, and don’t be afraid to ask questions about the job.
- Show your passion for respiratory care. Managers are looking for goal-oriented job candidates who demonstrate drive, direction, a can-do attitude, and a willingness to improve the department as a whole.
- Share your plans for your future, focusing on where you want to go in respiratory care and how you plan to get there. If you don’t already have a bachelor’s degree, showing an interest in earning one can give you a big leg up.
- Be sure to send a thank-you letter or email to the manager after the interview, and if you don’t hear back soon, follow up with another email or phone call reiterating your desire for the job.
These 12 tips can go a long way to helping ensure that your next job interview will result in an offer you can’t refuse!
