Job Application And Interview Flashcards
Tips for job searching
- Organize the search - know yourself
- Know the market: geographical area of interest, primary employers of interest, competitors in the region
- Employ multiple job search strategies
- Timing: when does that company hire, clump applications
Primary objective for resumes
Answer employer’s primary questions
average time for first skim of resume is 6-8 seconds
Displays previous PT work history — for us its our clinical rotations which is best way for future employer to know about preparation to fulfill the role of PT at their company.
Organization of resume
- Emphasize most important features of your preparation for the job
- Use headings to facilitate ease of reading
- Focus on training that translates most to job opportunity you are pursuing
Formatting of resume
- 1-2 pages
- Keep regular margins — don’t make them narrow just to fit more
- Profesh fonts and 10-12 font size
- Consider value of open space to ease reading
Cover letter vs. Email
Purpose: introduce yourself, highlight 2-3 main qualifications, clearly articulate your motivation for applying for position
Opening paragraph - introduce self, explain why you are writing, grab the reader’s attention
Body — 2-3 paragraphs to expand on resume, organize paragraphs by themes/skills/motivation
Concluding paragraph — reiterate interest, thank the reader
Format of interview
- typically an hour or 2 and may be 1 or 2 meetings
- may interview with 1-4 people
- may start with phone or video interview
- tour of department
- you can ask what format and who you will be interviewing with when an interview is offered.
Interview tips
- Sell yourself
- Multiple lists/things considered before the interview that make you qualified
- Give complete answers
- Never talk negatively about past employer or school
- Know your answer to questions that are meant to challenge you
Preparing for questions
- Prepare for common interview questions
- Create a “what do i need to convey or what do i need to know” list
- Prepare your own questions to ask at end
What is STAR method
Great strategy when discussing a difficult/challenge experience, an example of a time you went above/beyond, example of something really proud of…
1. Layout STRATEGY or TASK
2. Describe the ACTION you took
3. Describe the RESULT
What to do after interview
- Offer to leave hard copy of your resume and professional references with interviewer
- Send follow up thank you ASAP
- Follow up if you haven’t heard back — ask when they are looking to fill position during the interview
Professional references
- CI’s perfect professional references in this point of our career. Think about which CI will be able to speak on your skills that are relevant to the job you are applying to
- You can have one person that you know outside of professional world as a reference but be clear on what that person adds to your applications
What to do once you receive an offer
- Thank employer
- Express enthusiasm/interest in position
- Ask for time to consider
Questions to ask after the offer
Obvious — but look at slides 23 and 24
Goal of negotiations
Find a middle ground. You want the highest salary you can get and employer wants the best “deal” possible. Both parties will have to compromise.
How to go about negotiating
- Prior to deadline for notifying them if you accept/deny and reach our via email to set a meeting. Be positive again and thank them for offer
- Let them know you have 1-2 questions. Consider what is most important to you for negotiation - can’t do it all.
- Respond professionally
