Chapter 51: Obtaining Employment

What are the advantages and disadvantages of faxing a résumé?

A faxed résumé will be received quickly, and if it follows a telephone conversation, it comes when information is still fresh in the mind of the recipient. A faxed résumé does not have the professional appearance of an original résumé, however. This can be a disadvantage if there has been no previous contact with the recipient.

Describe what a résumé is and identify its function.

A résumé is a summary of information about a person that describes education, work experience, and other details that employers may find pertinent in deciding whether or not to hire an individual. Its function is to obtain a job interview for the job candidate.

Identify four routes that an MA may take to advance his or her career.

Advancing to management, upgrading clinical skills, obtaining additional education to enter a different profession, becoming an instructor in a medical assisting program.

Identify six specific ways that the MA can make a favorable impression during a job interview.

Be prepared to provide information about experience and previous employers. Appear well-groomed and professional. Behave maturely but not stiffly. Keep feet flat on the floor or legs crossed at the ankles. Ask intelligent questions. Be prepared to answer questions that are commonly asked by interviewers. Avoid negative comments about previous jobs, supervisors, or employers.

What are three questions the MA might ask himself or herself when setting goals for job hunting?

Do I want to work full-time or part-time? In what area of the country or region do I want to work? Do I want to work in a city? In the suburbs? In the country? Do I have a preference about the size of the organization where I would be happy? Am I interested in working in a particular medical specialty? What are my particular strengths and weaknesses? Do I want to specialize in either clinical or administrative duties or do I want to do both?

What are three types of information that might be included in the "Special Skills" section of a résumé?

Foreign languages in which a person is fluent, skills that were learned in school but never applied in a work situation, computer skills with particular programs.

How should the MA prepare a list of references?

Former employers, instructors, and externship supervisors should be asked if they would be willing to provide a reference. The MA should prepare a list including those who agree, with each individual's name (spelled correctly), job title, and contact information.

In a previous job at a supermarket, the MA often helped put price tags on new items and arrange them in the store. Describe this using the past tense as she might include it on a résumé.

In this position, I priced new merchandise and restocked shelves.

In addition to a résumé, what information should the MA bring when applying for a job?

Information to complete the job application (Social Security number, names and addresses of previous employers, and dates of employment); a list of references; and possibly letters of reference from people who have agreed to provide references.

What specific information should be included in the education section of a résumé?

Institutions attended and degrees or certificates received in reverse chronological order. Usually the high school diploma is included only if no additional degrees or certificates have been earned.

What kind of follow-up is appropriate after a job interview?

It is appropriate to write a thank-you note after a job interview, to provide additional information that has been requested, and to telephone to determine if the position has been filled if the MA has not heard from the interviewer within the time frame that he or she outlined for filling the position.

What is the purpose of a cover letter when sending out résumés?

It provides a brief introduction and informs the recipient whether the résumé has been sent in response to a job posting or advertisement.

Identify four benefits for members of a national professional organization.

Peer support, continuing education programs, legislative advocacy, publications and/or newsletters.

What information should be included on a résumé?

Personal demographic information, objective, education, experience, skills, credentials, a statement about references (optional).

Should an MA include personal information on a résumé ? Why or why not?

Personal information about the MA's children, hobbies, or marital status should not be included. This information is neutral at best, and it may also provide a reason for the potential employer to screen the résumé out and fail to offer an interview.

Discuss two ways that previous experience can be presented, and give the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Previous experience can be presented under the heading "Work Experience" or "Related Experience" and "Other Experience." If all experience was obtained through employment, using the heading "Work Experience" may be more efficient. Using the heading "Related Experience" allows the MA to begin with the medical assisting externship, which is probably the most relevant experience, but it may cause the potential employer to be less aware of a strong employment record.

What kinds of questions might an MA ask during a job interview?

Questions about salary range, job benefits, specific duties, and to whom the person in the position reports.

Identify three specific actions an MA can take to avoid or respond to job burnout.

Reduce the number of hours worked, increase social activities, try to find a hobby or activity to deal with worries or anxieties stimulated by the job.

In a previous job at a retail store, the MA worked at the cash register. Describe this using the participle form of the verb as it would appear in a bulleted list.

Responsibilities included: Taking customer payments at the cash register.

What are the two parts of successful job hunting?

Setting appropriate goals and identifying potential employers.

Describe three styles of résumés.

The chronological résumé lists education and work experience in order by date. The functional résumé categorizes experience according to skills or abilities. A targeted résumé organizes information to highlight skills and work experience needed for a specific job opportunity.

What format should be used for the final version of a résumé?

The final version of a résumé should be formatted with at least 1-inch margins and centered on the page. It should be printed on high-quality white, cream, or light gray paper if it will be sent through the mail or hand delivered.

After obtaining employment, how can the MA keep his or her administrative and clinical skills current?

To keep administrative skills current, the MA needs to learn about software updates or new software used in the office. He or she must also attend classes or conferences or read updates to stay current with information related to insurance billing, because that changes often. To keep clinical skills current, the MA must obtain training in the use of any new equipment for laboratory or diagnostic testing and must also read promotional literature about new medications.

Identify three resources to identify potential employers other than newspaper or Internet advertisements.

Yellow Pages, friends and family (especially if they work at health care institutions), human resource departments of larger medical facilities that provide ambulatory care.