The holidays are fast approaching and oftentimes those seeking employment generally get less enthusiastic in seeking out positions. The career hunt energy sometimes diminishes during this time, or at least the enthusiasm does. But, this is a great time to seek employment and to continue your quest on your destined career path. Here are some simple pearls to consider during the month of December as the holidays approach. Some have been passed along from our mentors and the various mentoring programs here at HIMSS.
For a person seeking employment, this is a perfect time to reassess your resume and consider updating it. Perhaps it does not reflect your most recent activities? Perhaps you can optimize it now knowing your soft and transferable skill sets? Maybe you have now been aware of these skills because you have been listening to our coaching and mentoring in Career Services? This is also a great time to reassess your LinkedIn (LNKD) account to ensure it reflects your skills and attributes as well as that Facebook (FB) account you might have. Contrary to what people think, employers view these social exchanges to see the potential and the possible not-so-nice attributes of a candidate. So, bottom line, ensure your LinkedIn and Facebook are reflective of how you want the world to view you – at least the world that pays your bills!
Another idea to employ during this time of year is to volunteer and get some hands on training in your area, on a technology you always wanted to learn, or had a job opportunity requiring a needed skill. The best way to do this is to engage in your local HIMSS Chapter and scout out your regional landscape with the help of your local HIMSS Chapter.
It’s also a great time to review those positions you sought out but were not able to secure and figure out if there is a skill you need to fine tune or acquire. Perhaps a certification might have done the trick? If you have interviewed with an organization and you did not secure the position you applied for, thank them for the opportunity and have them keep your resume on file for future consideration when an opportunity might become available. It’s a great time to continue to build your network. Consider going to local fund raisers to network and engage with your community. This is a great way to meet new people and perhaps listen for career opportunity pearls in your regional market.
Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available and remember...Be passionate about your career path and strive to make a difference and learn, learn…learn. Technology is only the enabler; individuals will be the “transformers” of health IT in the years to come!
