advice/help/pointers?

advice/help/pointers? (Full Version)

All Forums >> [Casual Banter] >> Off the Grid

Message

slaveaurora -> advice/help/pointers? (7/23/2007 5:05:14 PM)
Ok, this is a question for all the wonderful people on here. I need some good tips on how to land a job you really want that you are not 100% qualified for? Some detailed info: I recently graduated from college with a degree in Radiology. (x-ray tech) I am sitting for my boards on Aug 4th, and currently hold a temporary license. I got word tonight of a job opening for a x-tay tech in a medical group. They will cross train for CT, (cat scans) and the lucky candidate will go on to get certified in that as well. This is a full time position, and I really want it. I called the contact person immediately, talked with her briefly, and she said she would call to set up an interview after talking with the doctor, and finding out what time would be good for him. (this made me worry a bit, as I expected to set up an interview right away) I also faxed my resume to her. Problem is: I am sure there will be other candidates who already have their permanent license, and perhaps even some experience in CT as well. How do I successfully compete with them? If I do get that interview, (crossing fingers) how do I present myself in a positive way, and land this job?? Or am I doomed from the start? Any ideas?? a~

LuckyAlbatross -> RE: advice/help/pointers? (7/23/2007 6:00:03 PM)
Have a kick ass resume, a kick ass interview outfit, do all the right things that everyone is supposed to do in interview, and VERY CLEARLY outline your plan and passion for where you see your career going and how you can offer this position exactly what it needs, today and in 5 years. Then write a thank you note and mail it that day. Oh and I wouldn't be worried about the interview, doctors assistants either end up having all the control of things like that or being at the total mercy of his/her whims usually.

SexyRed -> RE: advice/help/pointers? (7/23/2007 6:03:52 PM)
I have gotten practically every job I interviewed for even with less experience in a particular industry. How did I do it? Aside for LA's great advice, one word: CONFIDENCE.

TheHeretic -> RE: advice/help/pointers? (7/23/2007 6:38:29 PM)
I did something like this not so long ago. The only thing I had to present when I walked in to interview was a positive attitude and the fact that I WANTED that job. Sell yourself and your willingness to learn what you don't know.

farglebargle -> RE: advice/help/pointers? (7/23/2007 6:39:26 PM)
It's a straightforward marketing/sales gig. The product is YOUR SERVICES AS AN EMPLOYEE.

ElectraGlide -> RE: advice/help/pointers? (7/24/2007 12:42:18 AM)
Dont worry about the other candidates, they may not even want the job if it is entry level, just worry about yourself. Make sure you are on time, I have seen many people late for job interviews or not even show up.

slaveaurora -> RE: advice/help/pointers? (7/24/2007 4:20:53 AM)
There is some very good advice here. Thanks to all of you that replied. Now all I have to do is take your advice and pull it all together. I have never had real good luck with interviews, so I need to change my attitude about it. After I wrote this last night, I thought of something else that totally slipped my mind because I was so caught up in this job. My oldest um is getting leave from the military and coming home for two weeks to visit in Aug. I haven't seen him in almost 4 yrs. Which brings up another question... I know it is probably not proper to ask for that week off if I get this job, and the thought of having to work the whole time he is here is killing me. How would you work around an event that was already planned and can't be changed? His plane tickets are already bought, and his leave approved. a~

LuckyAlbatross -> RE: advice/help/pointers? (7/24/2007 7:30:51 AM)
The internet is chock full of great interview tips, so read and PRACTICE. You should inform them on the 2nd interview (or when things begin to get serious) that your son is going to be on leave from the military and you would like to take a week in August to be with him and if that would be acceptable. As long as you're up front about it to begin with and assure them that you won't have anything else preventing you from coming in after that, most employers are ok. And I have to say, I know you're his mom and all- but does HE really want to spend every day, all day, of a week with you? Maybe just 2 days for a 4 day weekend instead.

Mercnbeth -> RE: advice/help/pointers? (7/24/2007 9:44:32 AM)
Welcome to the real world - post college. The fact that you have been granted an interview means they already pre-qualified you for the job. Don't have your licensing status mentally or emotionally make you feel inferior to anyone else being interviewed. The screening process is over - you made it. Now it's the opportunity to close the deal. Always give the interviewer a new, clean resume. Check the resume for spelling and accuracy. Go to the interview dressed and appearing similarly to those working for the company. If the medical office has uniforms dress in good business clothes and shined shoes. Do not wear your fancy party or dress clothes. You'll have about 15-30 minutes to get the job. The best way to do it in your situation is to make them feel it would be their loss not to hire you. Do your homework. Find out as much as possible about the facility. Call some similar groups, and ask the office manager for a few minutes to learn about routine. Tell them you are a recent graduate and would appreciate any insight they can provide. You're applying for a Radiology job. Find out how many x-rays are performed at the group. Find out the specific machine they use, model # and age. Discuss specifics about what you know about the machine, and any other equipment that you will be using at the start of you job or down the road. Let them know you know about the equipment - its good and bad points. Your school or the internet should have good information and maybe some reviews and/or feedback. In the interview smile be enthusiastic for the opportunity but don't go overboard and come across giddy. Ask what their expectations would be for you. What happened to the person who held the position prior to you? Be ready with information and to talk. Also be ready to ask questions. Not self centered ones such as, when can I expect my first raise, or how much time do I get for vacation; but questions based upon your homework interjecting the knowledge you learned about their group in particular and similar medical groups in general. LISTEN to the interviewer, and look them in the eye. Don't be afraid to say you don't understand the question and have the interviewer re-state it. Make sure you are answering the question asked and not what you want to make sure to say. Tell the truth about your experience and yourself. Currently with the ability to verify information lying on resumes is a bad idea. Should you get the job and they didn't do a complete background check, you may be required to sign a document warranting the information you provided is accurate. With licensing involved there is little chance for deceit, but any discover of false information would be grounds for termination down the road. The most important thing to have in mind with any job, is that you have to justify your expense to the company hiring you. (Except if you work for any tax payer funded government job) Keep in mind, your "expense" isn't limited to your salary; benefits, employer tax and SS, all add to the expensive side of the ledger. At the interview the goal should be to tilt that scale in your favor. Convince the interviewer that you will have a positive impact on the operation and you'll be in position to get the job. The last image remains. Be professional, ask when you can expect notification. On whatever day that is - you call, don't wait for a call. Often if I have two or three candidates qualified for a position the one who calls first and sounds excited at the prospect of working for me - wins. Good luck!

slaveaurora -> RE: advice/help/pointers? (7/26/2007 2:54:33 PM)
Ok... thread revived so I can vent. First I want to thank everyone for their replys, they were very helpful. I need to make clear however, that I have not yet been called for an interview, I just faxed my resume when I heard about the job opening. VENT: I made a follow up call the next day after faxing my resume to make sure they recieved it. I was put on hold while they went to check. I sat on hold for 18 minutes ( I timed it) and finally decided to hang up. I called back again and told them I thought we got disconnected, ( a little white lie) and asked if they recieved my resume. She told me they hadn't. I faxed it again, this time there was an error and the fax didn't go through. So, I drove 15 miles into town to fax it from a place that does that and recieved a confirmation that it went through. Today I call again, just to follow up and make sure they recieved it. I was once again put on hold, this time for 8 minutes when I was disconnected, or they hung up, not sure which. I called back immediately, and was once AGAIN put on hold for about 3 minutes. She comes back to the phone and tells me she doesn't know if they got it or not, takes my name and phone number, says the contact person is on another line, and they will call me back. I am still waiting for that call. I guess I should probably assume they are not interested. What do you all think?? BTW.. this is typical of the kind of luck I have. a~

LuckyAlbatross -> RE: advice/help/pointers? (7/26/2007 3:11:22 PM)
Who knows, might just be a busy day- my last job worked with CT sites all the time and it was a constant game of chance on getting to people. Next time immediately ask for the person doing the HIRING, ask THEM if they received the resume. Then, if not, ask for their EMAIL, and then email them the files of your resume and cover letter. If they don't have email, then you just have to rely on fax, but make sure to talk to the person hiring. That's who needs to know you're interested and following up- the chick there already has a job she wants.

slaveaurora -> RE: advice/help/pointers? (7/26/2007 3:29:47 PM)
Thanks LA, I did actually ask to speak to the contact person, whom I think is the office manager. The first time I called, she wasn't there, she had left for the day. Today when I called and ask to speak with her, after being put on hold, I was told she was on another line. The "chic" I spoke too didn't know if they had recieved my resume or not, and that is when I gave her my name and phone number and was told they would be calling me back. As I said, I am still waiting. I don't plan on calling again. Well, maybe I will, I don't know. I am really frusterated. a~

windchymes -> RE: advice/help/pointers? (7/26/2007 4:08:30 PM)
One thing that comes to mind is that, with the place sounding so hectic and poorly managed, it might not be the dream job you think it is. I mean, maybe it was a really busy day, but it sounds to me like you're getting a bit of a run-around from people who really don't care. Be that as it may.....congratulations on getting your degree, you're in a great field. Radiology techs are in big demand and you can almost write your own ticket these days. Even if you don't get this job, plenty of companies offer tuition assistance and the opportunity for further certifications and advancements. It's possible that they're a little short-staffed, since it is the middle of summer. There are probably people out on vacation. And, for that reason, hiring of personnel can be slow in general. It's frustrating, but just the way it is. But, assuming you get an interview....afterwards, write a little thank-you note to the person who interviewed you, thanking them for their time and telling them how impressed you are with their organization, and reiterate that you are very interested in the position. This helps make you stand out and keeps a positive impression of you fresh in their mind. Most important thing (and if this has been mentioned before, I apologize, I didn't read the entire thread) smile and MAKE EYE CONTACT. I have had several employers say, "I liked you because you looked me in the eye." and things like, "That other girl seemed so nervous, she never made eye contact." It makes a really big impression. Good luck!

Mercnbeth -> RE: advice/help/pointers? (7/26/2007 4:20:27 PM)
quote: I drove 15 miles into town to fax it from a place that does that and recieved a confirmation that it went through. Since you drove 15 miles anyway, it begs the question. Why didn't you drive and hand deliver the resume? Maybe you'd even have gotten the opportunity to say that you did so because you wanted the job badly and wanted to be sure this second attempt made it to the right person. Doctor's offices are notoriously bad, non essential paper processors. The Fax machine is going 24/7 with requests and responses for referrals and the like. Your resume getting "lost" may not have been fiction.

slaveaurora -> RE: advice/help/pointers? (7/26/2007 6:04:30 PM)
Thank you. I am actually glad that you brought this up. The place I went to fax was in the opposite direction of this job, but the thought had crossed my mind after I faxed my resume. I do in fact, have to go tomorrow in the general vacinity of this place of employment, so it will be a GOOD opportunity to actually hand deliver my resume. It might be a good idea to get a look at the place as well. a~

SDFemDom4cuck -> RE: advice/help/pointers? (7/26/2007 7:09:04 PM)
I'm in the same boat (just finished coursework for xray) but I haven't sat for the boards yet. Most of the people I've spoken to regarding potential positions want you to be licensed in the next 6 months. So no worries there. I was an executive head hunter for several years. These things always worked for my clients. Show up a few minutes early. Be attentive. Occasionally use their name when answering a question. Listen to and make eye contact with the interviewer. Leaning forward towards the interviewer shows interest. Smile! Be confident and enthusiastic. Do some research on the company so you know their background. Not difficult to do with the web now. Google is our friend. Ask questions about the company that will show that you've done your homework and checked them out. Ask exactly what qualifications they are looking for in a potential employee. (Take notes) Ask some general questions regarding the company and the position itself. For ex: What's their growth exponential for the next year/5 years? What is the turnover rate for that position and why did the last person leave? Their response will give you an idea about possible personality conflicts within the office. If there's been a high rate of turnover for the position it may give you pause. It never fails to suprise me when I was interviewing someone and they didn't have any questions. I can't stress confidence enough! Go in there KNOWING you've got the job and think of it as though you're interviewing them. There are some basic questions that most interviewers ask of candidates. Be ready for them and don't be afraid to practice them before hand. Usually they will take the form of....What's your greatest strength? What's your greatest weakness. (spin this as something positive..you're compulsively on time or you're a workaholic) Where do you want to be in a year? In 5 years? ( I jokingly said "Doing your job" to the 5 year question once...I was doing her job in 3 years time.)What do you feel you would bring to the company as an employee? After reading your update... I would definitely suggest getting dressed up and hand delivering the resume. Do not just hand it off to anyone. Ask if the OM is in. You may just get to sit down and talk with the office manager for a few minutes while you're there. If nothing else s/he will see that you're determined and you'll have some familiarity when it comes time for the interview itself. Even if you don't have other prospects act as if you do. When they want to set up an interview take a minute to look at your "schedule" and mention another appointment near that time and suggest a time that is a half hour to an hour after that. I know it sounds corny but it rarely fails. One of my clients wasn't the most qualified candidate for a position he went after. After he got the job the HR manager confessed to him that they figured if he was that sought after by other companies then maybe they were missing something. Get some very simple but elegant Thank You cards that are blank inside in cream, ivory or white. Get business cards from anyone you've interviewed with. Take notes during the interview regarding what they are looking for in a candidate. When you get home sit down and go over their want list and then match it up to your qualifications and explain why you are the best candidate for the position. If you don't have legible handwriting type up a note on the PC to use for this and then change the info with each interview. Enclose the note in the thank you card and hand sign the card itself. Mail them out immediately so that they'll get there before they make a decision. For my last position (before I resigned and went to school) I was actually hired and had started working the same day the thank you cards arrived in the mail. Ask when they will be making a decision and close out the interview saying how you look forward to hearing from them. Best of luck and let us know how it goes. If you have any questions feel free to pm me on the other side.

Sinergy -> RE: advice/help/pointers? (7/26/2007 8:22:38 PM)
Interviewing is a skill, like any other. I have been on hundreds of job interviews, even when I was not looking for a new job. Go on lots of interview, when you are not picked, ask them why not. Accept it as feedback, modify your approach, and go on other interviews. Most importantly, learn to accept rejection. You will do fine. Sinergy

came4U -> RE: advice/help/pointers? (7/26/2007 8:39:33 PM)
don't fax the resume, send it as an x-ray..well, a fake x-ray of course, maybe on clear plastic, with lil bones for decoration around the edges lol. Be sure to use a pointer stick when you are being interviewed to draw attention to certain important information on the resume. I once (well obviously once) worked security (24hrs) for y2k guarding university lab monkees lol, for that resume I put a background of newsclippings (light font) of the possible upcoming disasters predicted for the roll-over. The guy who hired me loved it, he said it made me seem like I was 'necessary'. do something different to make yourself stand out..like in Legally Blonde when she hands out pink perfumed resumes. Not everyone is so formal nowadays..be different, it is ok. Doesn't make you less serious nor more irresponsible than others, shows you have imagination and you worked hard thinking about and are egar for the position.

slaveaurora -> RE: advice/help/pointers? (7/27/2007 4:24:33 AM)
Thank you for your post SD. You bring up some very good points, as did MercandBeth in an earlier post. Congrats on getting through school, I know it wasn't easy. I have not sat for my boards either, I am doing that next Sat. Aug 4th. Frankly, i am more than a little worried. The Radiology program at our school is brand new. We were the first graduating class, thus, the giunea pigs in a way. One of our instructors was 24 yrs old. She taught most of our classes, including the two hardest, radiographic imaging, and physics. There were many days we went for class, she would hand out a powerpoint, tell us to go home and read it, and we would be tested on it. The class lasted a whole 15 minutes, if that. If we did'nt understand something and ask her, she didn't know either. During one of our physics classes, we spent the class period outside, shooting a potato gun. I still haven't quite figured out the connection between shooting a potato gun and the physics of x-rays, but I am sure there is one. lol. At the end of our third semester, she was fired. None of our papers, exams etc. was graded and the entire class got an incomplete. It was later fixed by our program director, but left us all pretty upset. We later found out the fired instructor contracted MRSA and was in the hospital. Apparantly she was dating one of the students in the class behind us, had his name tatooed on her back and got MRSA from it. She was caught in bed with him at the hospital and fired. We did'nt realize how bad it really was for us, until our last semester, when we started taking the mock exams. We had four of them during the semester and not one person in the entire class ever passed one. Most of our grades were in the 60's. My highest was a 69, and luckily the instructor for that class decided to grade on a curve and we all did pass. However, I found out yesterday that several people from my class have not passed their boards, and have to take them again. This is not good news and I am worried about it. I find myself cramming like crazy right now, and hoping for the best. And I keep telling myself, I can do it, I can do it. Back to the job thing... this might be one reason why I am not getting any bites for jobs, because I haven't sat for my boards yet. I do hold a temporary license and am legal to take x-rays, but they want that ARRT. I did mention the bad luck cloud that hangs over my head in an earlier post, right?? lol. a~

SDFemDom4cuck -> RE: advice/help/pointers? (7/27/2007 2:50:01 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: slaveaurora Thank you for your post SD. You bring up some very good points, as did MercandBeth in an earlier post. Congrats on getting through school, I know it wasn't easy. I have not sat for my boards either, I am doing that next Sat. Aug 4th. Frankly, i am more than a little worried. The Radiology program at our school is brand new. We were the first graduating class, thus, the giunea pigs in a way. One of our instructors was 24 yrs old. She taught most of our classes, including the two hardest, radiographic imaging, and physics. There were many days we went for class, she would hand out a powerpoint, tell us to go home and read it, and we would be tested on it. The class lasted a whole 15 minutes, if that. If we did'nt understand something and ask her, she didn't know either. During one of our physics classes, we spent the class period outside, shooting a potato gun. I still haven't quite figured out the connection between shooting a potato gun and the physics of x-rays, but I am sure there is one. lol. At the end of our third semester, she was fired. None of our papers, exams etc. was graded and the entire class got an incomplete. It was later fixed by our program director, but left us all pretty upset. We later found out the fired instructor contracted MRSA and was in the hospital. Apparantly she was dating one of the students in the class behind us, had his name tatooed on her back and got MRSA from it. She was caught in bed with him at the hospital and fired. We did'nt realize how bad it really was for us, until our last semester, when we started taking the mock exams. We had four of them during the semester and not one person in the entire class ever passed one. Most of our grades were in the 60's. My highest was a 69, and luckily the instructor for that class decided to grade on a curve and we all did pass. However, I found out yesterday that several people from my class have not passed their boards, and have to take them again. This is not good news and I am worried about it. I find myself cramming like crazy right now, and hoping for the best. And I keep telling myself, I can do it, I can do it. Back to the job thing... this might be one reason why I am not getting any bites for jobs, because I haven't sat for my boards yet. I do hold a temporary license and am legal to take x-rays, but they want that ARRT. I did mention the bad luck cloud that hangs over my head in an earlier post, right?? lol. a~ There is not a black cloud that hangs over your head darlin'. Think positive! One of our instructors was 26. A student from a previous class that had to take his boards 5 times before he passed. Nuff said there. I successfully petitioned to get him removed as an instructor. I hadn't taken physics since my soph year in HS and I still knew more than he did on my worst day after working an 11-7am shift. He was also of the Power Point presentation ilk. After the 3rd time (in a month) of showing up for his lecture time and seeing a note posted that we were to go to his msn group for a PP presentation I threw a little tizzy fit to the Department Head. We had finals or midterms on a monthly basis that were board level and multiple quizzes on a daily basis. My main prof was a sadist. LOL but very few of his previous students have not passed the boards on their first try. I think that you can go to ARRT even with the temp license and get certified if your program was not associated with them. Try going to their main site to see if your program qualifies. There are some programs out there that aren't. http://www.arrt.org/index.html?content=certification/certwhat.htm I'm assuming you've finished your internship. Perhaps you could get a letter of recommendation from the LO and any physicians that you worked under to include with your resume and cover letter or at least have on hand for interviews? I have letters of recommendation from 3 of my Profs as well. Since I work with a rotating schedule of doctors in my internship (I just started mine this month) I will be asking for letters from some of the more influencial ones. I figure it can't hurt and there may be a chance of someone having worked with one of the recommending physicians. Networking is a very good thing. I have also heard some horror stories of some of the students in the previous classes not having passed their boards. Scared the hell out of me even though I was the top student in my class of 32. I know you're taking yours this weekend and I'm sure you'll pass it but if you don't... If you haven't picked up the Corectec Radiography Exam Guide I would urge you to do so. Do not purchase the online course. Order the book. It contains a CD Rom with simulated timed exams as well. Someone from one of the previous classes recommended it to me and has said that there are many similar questions in it that they found on the boards. https://www.corectec.com/book.html Check your mail on the other side...I wrote you a PM there.

Page: [1]

Collarchat.com © 2025

Terms of Service

0.046875