You Get Points for Being Organized
The job market is still tight, I'm sure that's not news to any of you. Each and every NP job opening is deluged with applicants. NPs looking for work are casting a wide net, and they are applying for each and every position they see that comes even close to fitting their requirements.
During the course of an intense or prolonged job search an applicant may literally be sending out multiple resumes or submitting online applications on a daily basis. In practical terms that can mean dozens of applications or letters of interest sent over the course of the search. This can test the organizational skills of the best of us. However, if you don't create a system to track your applications, it could come back to bite you.
Let's imagine somewhere into your job search you get a call from HR about your application. You are excited about the call but honestly can't remember much about that position or even when you applied. End result, your initial phone contact goes poorly. Because you can't recall the details, you sound less than enthusiastic. HR isn't impressed, they literally have dozens more applicants they can call, so they cross off your name and...well, I think you get the picture.
This sounds harsh, but it happens. It may sound unfair, but I assure you I am hearing this story from HR folks more and more. It's an employer's market right now so they can afford to be picky -- and they WILL be picky.
What can you do? I suggest making a log of your job search. Note the name of the employer, the job description, anything you know about the hours, pay, or benefits. Record the date and to whom you sent your application. Include whether the application was online or if you sent a resume. Log any follow-up calls as well. Keep the list handy so you can refer to it when you finally get "the call." If the list isn't at your fingertips, let the call go to voice mail, then retrieve your job search list and call them back.
This sounds trivial, but these days you can't afford to sound flustered on the phone. Remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression.
Send your job search questions to rdahring@gmail.com