LESSON 37:

Which of these statements about LinkedIn is true?

A. It's a great place to search for targeted job listings. B. It's a great place to post funny photos of you and your friends. C. Once you have a LinkedIn profile, companies will find you instead of you looking for them. D. LinkedIn is like Facebook, only with more companies involved. A

Résumé Writing Tips

Here are a few rules to follow when designing your résumé: Be absolutely accurate and truthful. >Use as few words as possible to describe what you accomplished. If you do that, your résumé should be only one page long. >This document represents you, so make it professional . . . including your email address. Avoid email addresses that focus on hobbies or sports teams or that make you sound rowdy. "[email protected]" sounds professional; "[email protected]" doesn't. >Don't use pronouns to describe what you did. In other words, write "Completed a six-month project two weeks ahead of schedule" rather than "I completed a six-month project . . ."

Using LinkedIn to Search for Jobs

In addition to finding job openings through the LinkedIn groups you're part of, LinkedIn offers a Jobs tab that allows you to search for jobs by location and company. There's also an "Advanced" tab (next to the Search icon) that lets you target your search. You can choose from Advanced People Search and Advanced Jobs Search. The Advanced Jobs Search option lets you select any or all of these: >Keywords >Company names >Job title >Job function (accounting, advertising, consulting, and so on) >Your ZIP code and/or the ZIP code of where you'd be willing to work >The date the job was posted >The industry (hospital and health care, executive offices, and so on) >Experience level required

How to Answer Some Common Interview Questions

Interview Questions - Part 1 ">Tell me about yourself. What adjectives would you or your friends use to describe you?" Before you answer this, get clarification: "What specifically in my résumé stood out that you would like me to talk about?" >"What got you interested in what you do?" or "Why did you choose to do what you do?" Employers want to know that you're genuinely interested in what you do (and that you're not working in this field because you've heard it's easy to find work or make money in it). In other words, you're passionate about it. So talk about what initially got you interested in your field . . . and how you've gotten yourself trained in it because you just had to work in it and be great at doing what you do. Interview Questions - Part 2 >"What do you think makes you a good candidate for this job?" You can say that you designed your career training by always noticing what qualities employers were seeking. And then you can talk about those qualities and how you embody each of them. >"Describe a time when you worked with someone "difficult." What happened, and how did you resolve the problem?" To answer this question, follow these three points: (1) Briefly describe what happened. (2) Explain how you took action. (3) Describe the result, which should be some sort of improvement. >"What is your greatest weakness?" Everyone has weaknesses. What the employer is reallyasking is whether you are aware of your weakness and if you've learned to manage it. For example, you could say, "I tend to work too hard. But I've discovered that after about 10 hours, my productivity declines. So I've learned to go home and recharge after a certain point, so I can come back the next day refreshed." Interview Questions - Part 3 >"What are your greatest strengths?" Remember, this is a business meeting. Your interviewer is interested in strengths that help the company make money or save money. The company's needs come first. Mention qualities like your attention to detail, your ability to work hard, and your creativity in finding solutions. >"What do you consider your greatest accomplishment?" Provide an answer that applies to your career. If you don't have a lot of on-the-job experience, talk about your accomplishments in school. If you've raised children—your own or your siblings—you can use that. >"Are you a team player? Give me some examples." Your answer should show how you put the team's needs above your own. Interview Questions - Part 4 >"Why did you leave your last job (or why are you leaving your current job)?" Don't say anything bad about your current or former employer. >"What would you like to be doing a year (or five years, or 10 years) from now?" If you're young, you may not have any idea. Remember, you're not under oath, so you don't have to commit to what you say. What the interviewer really wants to know is if you're ambitious and forward thinking. So your answer could be something like, "I see myself becoming the CEO of this company or one like it," or "Someday I'd like to run my own business in this industry." >Why is there a gap in your résumé? You were doing something between jobs. Taking care of a family member who was ill? Going to school? Working in another field? Doing volunteer work? Any of those are valid and can be included in your résumé.

Keep Your Language Formal on Your Résumé

Many of our students use casual, everyday language in their résumés. You don't want to sound like a stuffy know-it-all, but a résumé is a formal document, so use formal, professional-sounding language. These examples can help you get the tone right. BAD: Rang up customers GOOD: Operated cash register Too Jargon-Filled: Utilized computerized data-management system while interfacing with clientele

Summary of Your Qualifications

Other names for this are Profile or Highlights. This optional feature is basically your sound bite targeted to the position for which you're applying. If the job posting requests four years of experience, and that's what you have, mention that in the summary of qualifications. Next comes either your job experience or your educational achievements. Which one should you put first? Whichever one is stronger.

A Template for Your Résumé

Putting together a résumé can be confusing, especially if you've never created one before. Here's a template to help you get started. There's a version in Microsoft Word and one in portable document format (PDF). Many books and websites offer different layouts for résumés, and you can use one of those if you prefer. But this is a standard template that many students have used successfully. We'll discuss each part of the résumé in detail. For now, just take a look to get a sense of what information it requires. **Downloaded as resume template

Hard Skills and Soft Skills in a resume

Skill Type: Hard skills Definition: These are specific talents that are easy to measure and recognize. Examples: >Speak, write, and read Spanish fluently >Earned associate's degree in office management and supervision Skill Type: Soft skills Definition: Also called "people skills" or "interpersonal skills," these are harder to measure and recognize. Examples: >Led a team of three employees and two volunteers for 18 months >Worked with accounting department to make sure all bills were paid on time

Put Yourself in Your Employer's Shoes

Start your job search by thinking about what your potential employers want from you. Since you're interested in medical assisting, your employers might be hospitals, doctor's offices (solo practitioners or group practices), clinics, HMOs, physical therapists, chiropractors, skilled nursing facilities, or many other businesses. Start your job search by thinking about what your potential employer wants from you. Since you're interested in medical assisting, your employer might be a hospital, doctor's office, clinic, rehab facility, chiropractor, podiatrist, skilled nursing facility, university healthcare center, urgent care center, or other facility. Think about: >Which skills and qualities do these potential employers need? >What specifically can you offer them? >What skills and experience do you have that will allow them to maximize the efficiency of their office? Take a few minutes to write down your answer to each question.

What's Different About the Gig Economy?

Today's workplace has become a freelance world. Corporate loyalty is a thing of the past. Don't expect to stay with one company until retirement—or even longer than three years. Companies now often don't pay benefits and prefer to treat their workers as independent contractors. It makes financial sense for them to keep their costs low. It can be tough to accept this new way of doing things. But the sooner you embrace it, the easier it will be for you to navigate the working world . . . for many years to come.

Which of these statements about cover letters is true?

A. It's a great opportunity to explain why you're fun to work with.- That's not the point of a cover letter. B. It should talk about how this job will fulfill your childhood hopes and dreams.- Employers aren't interested in that. C. It should be a short explanation of how your skills are a good match for the job. D. Your cover letter should be at least as long as your résumé.- Keep your cover letter short. C

Variations on the Animal Question

Other, similar questions include: >If you were part of a salad, what part would you be? >If you could be any superhero, which one would you be, and why? >What color best represents your personality?

Your Marketing Plan

You need to think of yourself as your own business. This makes sense because in the gig economy, you're always going to be marketing your services. A business looks for customers; you're going to look for clients and projects. These may last for as little as a few weeks each or as long as a decade.

Some Sample Résumés

Examples downloaded on laptop résumés created by medical assisting students. As sample resume 1, 2, 3

What's Your Goal?

>Your job goal-What kind of a job are you targeting, and at what kind of company? What do you want your job title to be? >That job's qualities and skills- Think about the specific qualities and skills that a company would need in order to hire someone for that position. In other words, what do you need to have to make a hiring manager at that company say, "You have just what we're looking for. How soon can you start?"

What's the best way to showcase your skills on a résumé?

A Use general terms like "fast worker" and "intelligent." Then potential employers can see what they want to see in your résumé. B Describe your interests and hobbies so that potential employers can get a sense of what a fun, interesting person you are. C Be specific. For instance, list the names of the certifications you have and the percentage of money you saved a company while working on a particular project. D None of these. A résumé should focus on your educational achievements, not your job skills. C

When it comes to finding a job, which of these factors is most important for the majority of job seekers?

A Whom they know. B How well they know people. C What they know. D How friendly they are. B

Why Is a Résumé Worth Time and Effort?

A résumé is a marketing document. You need to design yours to show how your skills and experience are a good match for your potential employer. That employer doesn't care about everything you've ever done. Instead, he or she is interested in how you can help the organization save money, make money, or both. Your résumé only highlights your qualifications. Think of your résumé like a professional portrait. You still are who you are; the photographer simply shows you in the best possible light.

The Difference Between a Résumé and a CV

A résumé isn't the same thing as a curriculum vitae (usually called a CV). Curriculum vitae is Latin for "course of life." A CV may include personal information (such as hobbies, height, weight, and marital status). Résumés don't include these. In fact, in the United States, it's illegal to ask about personal information such as marital status. =CVs may also include information on books or articles that the job candidate has published or grants that he or she has won. Unless you're applying for jobs in Europe or as a college professor, you're unlikely to need a CV.

What's a Granular Database?

A traditional database contains the names of the contacts plus their phone numbers and addresses. The word granular means "extremely detailed." A granular database includes all this and much more: >Locations and details- Places your contacts have lived and worked, including their job titles >Loved ones- Loved onesNames of their significant others, children, and pets >Important dates- These may include birthdays and anniversaries. >Interests- These may include hobbies and favorite sports teams. >Sweet spots and pet peeves- In other words, their personality traits, likes, dislikes, and quirks You'll want to be able to access your granular database at any time, so it needs to be both electronic and portable. Keep it in whatever device you always carry around (for instance, smartphone, tablet computer, or laptop) because you never know when and where you'll need to connect with someone or access information about them.

What is a résumé?

A. A document that includes personal information like your hobbies, age, height, weight, and marital status- That's a curriculum vitae, also called a CV. CVs aren't appropriate for most jobs in the United States. B. A document that's at least three pages long- One page is probably enough, especially if you're looking for an entry-level job. C. A history of everything you've ever done- Potential employers don't have the time or interest to read all that. D. A marketing document that shows you in the best possible light D

What's the best way to find out what the typical salary is for the type of job that you want?

A. Check online salary survey sites such as salary.com and glassdoor.com. B. Call or email someone who has the type of job you want and ask that person, "How much do you make?" C. Salary isn't important. Instead, focus on what you really love to do. D. There's no need to try to find this information. The employer will tell you in the job listing or at the job interview how much the position pays. A

Which of these statements is true when it comes to sending emails to potential employers?

A. Each email should be short and to the point because employers' time is valuable. B. Emails can be as long as you like because there's no limit to how much you can write. C. If you're a funny person, make your email messages cute and funny so you stand out from the crowd. D. The important thing is to send as many emails as possible, even if you don't have time to proofread them all. A

Quiz: Which of these statements about the gig economy is true?

A. It requires you to think of yourself as a business. B It's becoming less common in modern workplaces. C It means that companies are showing increasing amounts of loyalty to their employees. D It's encouraging workers to stay with one job for longer periods. A

What's an Externship?

An externship is another way to find work. It's a short-term learning opportunity that gives you a brief period of practical experience in a field of study. Externships are sometimes known as shadowing. Ask the people you'll be meeting in your industry if you can spend some time in their workplaces in order to see how things are done. And if they're amenable to the idea, you can volunteer to help them. This will give you an opportunity to see firsthand what it's like to actually work in your field . . . which may be very different from what you imagined!

Using Websites to Search for Jobs

As you expand your network of contacts in person, you'll want to simultaneously pursue job postings. An excellent website for this purpose is indeed.com. It allows you to: >Search for the type of job you're seeking. >Target its location, including how many miles you're willing to commute. >Post your résumé. >Filter your search so you see the salary range you want. >Filter your search so you see the type of job you want (full-time, part-time, contract, or temporary). >Search by company name. >Create alerts so that you regularly receive notifications of jobs appropriate for you. Monster.com and CareerBuilder are other popular job listings websites.

Attend Job Fairs

Be sure to attend job fairs in your field. These can provide a number of benefits, including chances to . . . >Interview for appropriate positions >Practice your sound bite >Meet new people and reconnect with people you've met before >Discover companies, industry trends, and technologies you didn't know about

What's a Cover Letter?

Cover letters are less popular than they used to be, but some employers require them. A cover letter is a brief business letter that states your interest in a specific job position and briefly explains why you would be an excellent choice for it. Employers use them to check your writing skills and gauge how persuasive you are. **sample will be sent through gmail, was unable to open it

Examples of Sound Bites

Here are some examples of sound bites that our students have used. >"I'm trained in ICD-10 and would like to find a job in a coding department." >"I've worked with insurance companies for over two years and have been really successful in negotiating for reimbursements. I'd like to find a medical practice where I can do that." >"I studied medical terminology and medical assisting, and I love working in a fast-paced environment, so I think I'd be a good fit in an urgent care center."

The Basics of Networking

How did you answer the question on the previous screen? In this chapter, you'll find out that there's a third factor that's even more important than what you know and whom you know. Whom you know is important, though. You can greatly increase your chances of getting hired by meeting and talking with people who can hire you . . . or who can recommend you to people who can hire you.

The Animal Question

If you were an animal, what animal would you be? Interviewers ask this to throw you off balance. Try to match the animal to the kind of job for which you're applying. For a sales job, they'd want someone who's quick and aggressive, like a cheetah or a shark. For a senior management position, maybe you'd be an elephant or a lion.If you're looking for a billing and coding job, you might say you'd be an owl. After all, an owl is smart, has good eyesight, and notices small but crucial details, like a mouse running across a field. Or you might say you'd be a watchdog because it's loyal and dedicated, it knows when something's going on, and it can tell the difference between what's important and what's not.

The Body of the Email

Keep your emails short. People are busy and will appreciate that you got right to the point. This isn't the place to try to "sell" the recipient on how you're the perfect person for the job. Your mission is to get them to open your attached résumé. Before you send the email, read it aloud. You'll be surprised that what you meant to say is not what's in your email. This is also the time to correct any typos and delete any unnecessary words. If possible, use your email's spell-checker and ask a friend or family member to proofread the email for you. This is a useful strategy for writing all the emails you send, not just the ones related to your job search.

INTRO

Many students get nervous at the mere thought of job hunting. Competing with dozens or even hundreds of other applicants, having to answer tricky questions during interviews, figuring out what to put on a résumé . . . it all seems overwhelming. The truth is that you can learn and apply techniques to stand out from the crowd—in a good way! In this lesson, we'll talk about how the job market works.

Using Social Media

Social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and other sites are becoming increasingly important, so it's vital that you learn to use social media effectively. Employers now search for your name on social media to get a deeper and broader picture of who you are beyond your résumé. Pretty much anything you post to social media stays up there forever. So always be mindful that you're building a reputation for yourself through social media, and every embarrassing photo or post or tweet will be seen by potential employers. What your friends find funny can, in five or 10 years, come across as juvenile and negative and can potentially eliminate you from contention for a job you really want. So if you have any doubt about whether to post something . . . don't. It could harm your chances in the future.

More Résumé Writing Tips

These guidelines may seem picky, but a résumé is a carefully crafted document. >If you're still doing it, write it in the present tense, as in "Answer an average of 60 calls per day at reception desk." If it happened in the past, use past tense, as in "Answered an average of 60 calls . . ." >If you choose to use periods at the end of sentences, be consistent and use them everywhere. Or don't use them at all. >Use a font that's easy to read, and use this same font throughout the résumé. Use a font size of 11 or 12 points. >Omit any sentences dealing with your references (for example, "references available" or "references upon request").

Your Education

This can come before or after your experience, depending on which is more impressive. For each high school, college, trade school, or university you graduated from, list this information: >Your degree or certificate and the name of the program in which you participated >The name of the school and the month and year you graduated >The city and state in which the school was located >Any awards or honors you earned, plus any clubs and extracurricular activities in which you participated If you're in the process of earning a degree or certification, list it along with the month and year you expect to graduate.

Your Contact Information

This goes at the top of the résumé. >Name >Address >Email >Phone number **Don't Forget Your Voicemail Message Since your résumé lists one or two phone numbers, make sure that your outgoing message or messages are professional. Employers don't want to hear music or jokes when they try to call you. Instead, simply state the phone number and ask the caller to leave a message after the beep. And smile when you're recording the message! It makes you sound friendly.

What Do You Already Know About Salaries?

This ungraded activity will help you get ready to learn. If you choose the wrong answer, don't worry. Later on in the lesson, we'll discuss this issue in depth.

Getting Started: Your Email Address and Subject Line

We've already discussed the importance of having a professional email address. If your email address is "[email protected]" or "[email protected]," and you've had that address for years, then keep it. Just create a new, professional-sounding email for business correspondence, and check it regularly. Next is the subject line of your email. This is most likely the first thing the email recipient will see. Since the recipient probably won't recognize your name or email address, be sure that you directly address the reason you're emailing. Here are some examples: >Your posting for a medical assistant >Résumé for medical secretary opening >Job posting for patient care coordinator If someone that you and the email recipient both know recommended you for the job, be sure to put that in your subject line, like this: >Referred by Dr. Julie Johnson >Job opening—referred by Bill Novoselic And if you've already met the recipient and he or she requested your résumé, your subject line should say where you met: >We met at AAMA conference . . . Here's my résumé >Résumé attached at your request (Tri-State Job Fair)

How Can You Showcase Your Skills?

When you're listing your skills, be specific. Examples include: >Passed a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant program through (name of partner school) >Five years of medical receptionist experience >Three years of increasing responsibility as a medical assistant .Earned a national certification in Medical Assisting (CCMA)

Designing Your Sound Bite

You want to use a few words as possible to convey the most important things you offer. And you want to focus on your audience: What are they looking for? What background and experience would interest them? You probably want to avoid any personal information (this is, after all, a business conversation). And you probably don't want to begin by talking about your education. Instead, design your sound bite to start with your job function. If you don't have one yet, talk about what you're trained to do and what kind of job you're looking for. That will make for a professional opening presentation. You'll know it's working when they say something like, "That's interesting. Tell me more."

This Database Is Useful Even After You Find Work

Your granular database is a tool you'll be able to update and use for the rest of your life to keep track of the people you know. It is the key ingredient for organized and systematic networking. You will eventually have thousands of people you know and need to stay in touch with; your granular database is what will allow you to do that. **Keep Your Database Confidential You're collecting detailed, personal information on people who are important to your career. Don't share this information with others, as many people like to keep their private information private.

Sample Student Goals

Question: My job goal Response: Medical receptionist Question: Facilities in my area that offer that type of job Response: Doctor's offices, hospital clinics, skilled nursing facilities, physical therapy centers Question: Qualities and skills that I'll need in order to be a perfect fit Response: Training in telephone techniques, scheduling, registration, collecting copays, medical terminology, HIPAA, good communication skills Question: My job goal Response: Clinical medical assistant Question: Facilities in my area that offer that type of job Response: Doctor's offices, hospital clinics, physical therapy centers, chiropractors, urgent care centers Question: Qualities and skills that I'll need in order to be a perfect fit Response: be a perfect fitTraining in obtaining vital signs, helping with examinations, drawing blood, administering injections, performing ECGs *Go to sites like salary.com and glassdoor.com to check salary rate

Which of these social media sites is most likely to be of help to you in your job search?

A Instagram. B Facebook. C LinkedIn. D None of these. When it comes to job searches, social media sites are a waste of time. C

LinkedIn Tips

>Check in regularly.- Since LinkedIn is a business platform, companies use it to find qualified applicants. Be sure to use it regularly, as new job postings appear all the time >Make connections.- As you use LinkedIn, reach out and invite people to connect with you. The larger your network is, the more opportunities you'll learn about. >Update your profile and post messages and comments often (after proofreading carefully).- As people read your profile and interact with you, both one-on-one and within the groups you belong to, they will better understand what you offer. And the more often they read about you, the better the chances that they will remember you when an appropriate position becomes available.

Negotiating Your Salary

>Do research online. >Decide on two numbers. >Look at more than the salary.

What's a sound bite?

A A brief description of your personality traits and character. B A brief description of what you have to offer a potential employer. C A detailed description of your job history and future career path. D A few sentences that you repeat to yourself to build your confidence. B

What's the difference between a résumé and a curriculum vitae?

A A résumé is in English, and a CV is in Latin. B A CV usually includes information about hobbies, height, weight, and marital status. C Most employers in the United States want CVs, and many European employers prefer résumés. D A résumé usually includes information about hobbies, height, weight, and marital status. B

When you're sending an email to a potential employer, which of these tips should you keep in mind when you're writing the subject line?

A Be fun and friendly. B Be specific and keep it short. C Be dramatic so you'll stand out. D Keep it simple, such as "Hi from" and then include your name. B

Which of these is a soft skill?

A Being bilingual. B Leadership. C Programming experience. D None of these. B

Which of these terms describe a person's character?

A Fast typist who learns new computer programs quickly. B Reliable, a team player. C Certified medical coder with billing experience. D Sports nut, enjoys movies and TV. B

Should your résumé showcase hard skills or soft skills?

A Hard skills. Soft skills can't be measured, so they don't belong on a résumé. B If possible, it should showcase both. C Female job seekers should showcase soft skills, and male job seekers should showcase hard skills. D Soft skills. The employer needs to know what inner qualities you have, not what job skills you've completed in the past. B

Why do interviewers sometimes ask the question, "If you could be any kind of animal, what kind of animal would you be"?

A Interviewers want to see how funny and charming you can be. B They want to see how you react to a question that throws you off balance a bit. C They want to see if you will assert yourself and say that it's a ridiculous question. D Interviewers want to see how much you know about animals. B

Why is it a good idea to volunteer to help run events for associations in your industry?

A It will give you a way to fill up your time while you're between jobs. B You'll meet and work with people you already know well. C You'll meet and work with people who can hire you or recommend you for jobs that interest you. D It will give you enough information to expand your résumé to two or three pages. C

Should you be absolutely accurate and truthful on your résumé?

A No. Everybody exaggerates on résumés, so if you don't, employers won't contact you. B Yes. Lying or stretching the truth is likely to get you into trouble. C If your job skills and educational achievements are impressive enough, you don't need to exaggerate. D Exaggerate if you have the confidence to repeat those exaggerations during a job interview. B

If you've visited many countries, can you list them on your résumé?

A No. Visiting other countries is a hobby, and hobbies don't belong on résumés. B Yes, in the Skills section. C Yes, in the Education section. D Yes, in the Experience section. B

Which of these is an action verb?

A Professional. B Planned. C Certification. D Friendly. B

Which of these is a wise approach to take when looking at job listings?

A Read each one aloud. B Apply for as many as you can. C Apply for at least one job per week. D You don't need to look at them. Once you put your résumé on the Internet, employers will come to you. A

Which of these terms means "specific talents that are easy to measure and recognize"?

A Soft skills. B Hard skills. C Job skills. D Personality skills. B

Why are letters of recommendation valuable?

A They provide proof that you can actually do what you say you can do. B They show that you have powerful friends who are willing to help you. C These letters show that you've met lots of people at conferences and volunteer events. D They show that you know how to proofread to make sure that each letter is free of errors. A

Which of these is a wise first step to take when you're beginning a job search?

A Think about what potential clients want from you. B Decide how much salary you want or need to make. C Start looking at online job listings and sending out as many résumés as possible. D Give yourself permission to take some time off before you start your search. A

How long should your cover letter be?

A Three sentences. B Three paragraphs. C Three pages. D As long as it needs to be for you to describe your work history and future career path. B

Which of these is the most effective way to find a job in your field?

A. Search for jobs on sites such as indeed.com. It's great to get to know people, but the actual job listings are what really matter. B. Combine several strategies, such as joining and volunteering for industry associations, doing externships, finding mentors, and searching job listings. C. Join associations in your field and create an extensive granular database. D. Ask your friends if they know of any job openings. Most people find jobs through someone they know. B

What's the best way to use your granular database?

A. To send email blasts to everyone telling them about your vacation plans B. To find new friends to party with C. To stay in touch with people in your industry D. To collect names so you can truthfully tell interviewers that you know a lot of people C

A job listing says the employer wants someone with five years of experience. You have only four years of experience. Should you apply?

A. Yes. You may not be an exact fit, but your other qualities and skills may persuade the employer to hire you. B. Keep checking the site where you found the listing. The employer may modify the experience requirement if he or she isn't finding the right candidates. C. Move on to the next listing. If you don't meet the exact requirements, there's no point in applying A

What's the difference between character and skills?

A. You need skills if you're working with information and character if you're working with people.- Whether you're working with information or with people, you'll need both skills and character. B. Character has to do with the things you have training in, have experience doing, or both. Skills have to do with the type of person you are.- It's actually the other way around. C. Skills are the things you have training in, have experience doing, or both. Character means the type of person you are. D. Skills and character mean the same thing. They both refer to qualities you need to have so that you can get the job you want.- "Skills" and "character" are both important, but they aren't the same. C

Searching for Mentors

As you volunteer in your industry associations and do one or more externships, always be on the lookout for mentors. These are people who have worked in the field and are willing to guide you in your career path if you ask them. Veteran employees are often very generous in offering advice and counsel to new people they perceive as being passionate and hardworking. They can save you a lot of time and help you avoid pitfalls as you advance in your field.

Tips for Your Cover Letters

First of all, read the job description carefully. Is there really a fit? Read it aloud again. Ask your friends or family members to read it, and ask them if they see a fit and if it's worth your time to apply. Also, most cover letters are too long. Hiring managers have neither the time nor inclination to read about your life story. Instead of wasting their time, get to the point. Your cover letter should consist of three short paragraphs: >The connection-Why are you submitting your résumé? Is it in response to a job posting? Or did you meet this person at a networking event or a job fair? Or were you introduced through a mutual colleague, and he or she asked for your résumé? Your answer to these questions goes in the cover letter's first paragraph. >The match- The job description (or what the person to whom you're writing told you about the job when you met) will include information on the most important skills and qualities they're looking for. In the second paragraph of the cover letter, list those skills and qualities and what you've done that matches what they're looking for. >The next step- In the third paragraph, thank the letter recipient for his or her consideration, and say that you hope to meet with him or her in person about the job. Or if you're sending your résumé in response to a personal request, say that you look forward to meeting the recipient again in person.

More Interview Questions

Here are some more questions that interviewers don't ask quite as often but that are still important to consider. >What new skills have you recently developed? >How do you handle deadlines? >How do you balance your priorities? >How do you deal with criticism? >How do you deal with stress? >Give me an example of a time you failed. >Give me an example of a time you showed leadership. >Why should we hire you? What unique qualities or abilities would you bring to this job that would make you successful? >Give me an example of a time you had to be creative to solve a problem at work. >Tell me about your most difficult boss. How was he or she difficult? How did you deal with him or her?

Sample Answers

Here's what other students came up with when we asked them to see things from potential employers' point of view. Back office- Question: What I can offer them Response: Attention to detail, flexibility, desire to learn, motivation, initiative, accountability Question: Skills and experience Response: Training in measuring vital signs, preparing and restocking exam rooms, helping with examinations, instructing patients on special diets and medications, administering injections, performing CLIA-waived testing Front office- Question: What I can offer them Response: Empathy, interpersonal communication skills, adaptability, professional demeanor, team player Question: Skills and experience Response: Training in medical terminology, health insurances, HIPAA, telephone techniques, scheduling, registration, EMR, copays and deductibles Billing office- Question: What I can offer them Response: Attention to detail, flexibility, desire to learn, motivation, initiative, accountability Question: Skills and experience that can either make or save money for them Response: Training in medical terminology, health insurances, HIPAA, reimbursement methods, ICD-10-CM coding, CPT/HCPCS coding, fraud and abuse, claim forms, EOBs, practice management software, accounts receivable

What If You've Never Worked in an Office Before?

If you have...: Worked at a fast-food restaurant Then you can tell an employer that...: You have experience in customer service (and maybe in inventory management too). If you have...: Waited tables Then you can tell an employer that...: You have multitasked by (for example) efficiently providing service to six large tables in one shift. If you have...: Been a salesperson at a retail store Then you can tell an employer that...: You have experience in customer service and inventory management. If you have...: Volunteered for a nonprofit organization Then you can tell an employer that...: You showed initiative by working without pay, and you worked with others to solve problems. If you have...: Managed a store or restaurant Then you can tell an employer that...: You solved difficult customer service problems, recruited and trained others, managed a complicated scheduling system, and hired and fired employees as needed. If you have...: Cleaned houses Then you can tell an employer that...: You stuck to a schedule, negotiated with existing clients, and found new clients. If you have...: Raised children (your own or your siblings) Then you can tell an employer that...: You developed organizational skills and found accomplishment in a very difficult job.

What Is the Gig Economy?

In the old days, when someone got hired at a company, he or she might stay there for years, decades, or even an entire career. This had its advantages—people felt secure and taken care of. But it had disadvantages too. Because people stayed at the same company for long stretches, it was hard to find a new job. If you worked at the same company for a long time and then either wanted to change careers, move to a different part of the country, or just try something new, it was tough to make the transition into a new job. Today we live in a gig economy. Most of us work at jobs that are designed to be short-term or may turn out that way—more like the gigs a musician performs than the long-term jobs of the past. In the gig economy, just about everyone is a freelancer, in charge of his or her own business.

How Can You Succeed in the Gig Economy?

In this lesson, you'll learn the steps you need to take to find work—and keep finding work for the rest of your career. We'll get into much more detail later in this lesson, but let's talk about the big ideas first. >Define your personal brand.- In other words, what do you do well and enjoy doing? What skills and qualities make you a standout? >Articulate that brand.- You'll do this by developing your critical thinking and communication skills. >Market your brand- This means connecting with the people who can hire you or refer you for work . . . and learning to develop the relationships that are the foundation for building and sustaining a successful career. **What if you are shy> Many of us don't like to talk about ourselves because it seems like bragging. Remember this, though: If you accomplished it, it's not bragging! In this lesson, we'll discuss how you can let people know about your qualifications calmly and confidently. Self-marketing will become second nature to you. Now that we've talked about the general idea of this lesson, let's get into some of the specifics. It's time to focus on what you do well.

Your Skills

In this section, you can list your notable achievements, including: >Professional affiliations, such as membership in the NHA (the >National Healthcareers Association) >Military service >Languages you know fluently >Countries you've visited >Sports in which you've participated You can also list volunteer work you've done for any of these organizations: >Professional organizations, such as the NHA >Medical charities such as the Red Cross or the American Lung Association >Children's charities such as the Boys and Girls Club >Religious organizations >Other nonprofit groups

Your Experience

List your experience in reverse chronological order. So your most recent job comes first, and then the job before that, and so on. For each job, list this information: >Your job title >The name of the company (and if it's not well-known, a brief description) >The city and state in which the company is or was located >The dates you worked there, including the months >No more than four bullet points describing what your duties are or were and what you accomplished. Include an action verb. If possible, quantify your accomplishments—in other words, use numbers. Action verbs include supervised, organized, planned, trained, and guided. You can see a list of action verbs by clicking this link:

Lesson Goals

Once you've finished this lesson, here's what you'll know and be able to do. >Explain how the job market has changed in recent years. >Create a marketing plan for yourself. >Research companies, salaries, and career options related to medical assisting. >Perfect your own "sound bite" or "elevator pitch" to briefly describe what skills and knowledge you offer and why you'd be a good fit for a specific job. >Develop an accurate and effective résumé. >Write appropriate cover letters, emails, and social media posts. >Create a granular database as the foundation for your networking. >Formulate answers for the most common job interview questions. >Negotiate your salary. >Create an action plan for your first 90 days in your new job.

What Employers Want

Skills Skills are the things you have training in, have experience doing, or both. They're very specific and may relate to things you've accomplished at a job, through volunteer work, or through school, either working independently or as part of a team. Character Character is who you are. It's the answer to the question that employers ask: "If you work for me, then what kind of a person do I get?" They want to know if you are reliable, have a positive attitude, are a team player, work hard, and are a self-starter.

Using LinkedIn

The main tool you want to use will be LinkedIn. It's the primary business platform on social media. Your LinkedIn profile should include: ✔ A professional-looking photograph ✔ A summary that's an extension of your résumé. Think of it as your résumé without the bullet points. Your LinkedIn profile gives you a chance to stretch a bit, to tell the narrative of your professional life and goals. This is also true for the sections detailing your experience and education. You can use "I" here if you wish, as in "I've always had a passion for . . ." or "I enjoy working as part of a medical team to..." ✔ Join appropriate LinkedIn groups. These are colleagues who work in your field or the specific area in which you want to work. Use these groups to develop and deepen relationships with people who may be able to refer—or hire—you. Join in discussions. If you have information that may be of use to them, post it. Stay involved in the group by posting comments to others' postings.

Even More Interview Questions

Whew, we've covered a lot of questions! Here are a few more. Studying these and thinking of answers for them will pay off when one comes up during an interview. >How does your previous experience relate to this position? >Why do you want to work here? What do you know about this company? >What are you passionate about? >What are the most rewarding aspects of a job for you? >What are your pet peeves? >What does success mean to you? >If you felt any weakness pertaining to this job, what would it be? >What has been your biggest career-related crisis? >What are the things that motivate you? >Describe your ideal job. >At what point did you choose this career? >What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort? >Give examples of your experiences at school or in a job that were satisfying (or dissatisfying).