If you are searching for speech and language jobs, the Internet is one of your biggest tools. Don’t be afraid to start searching online – your perfect job might be just around the corner.
1. Start using the Internet to search by both job title and by area. Do this every day to ensure you stay up to date with the latest job developments.
2. Find out about the companies you would like to work for by looking at their websites. Extra knowledge will pay off if you have an interview with the company, as you will be able to clearly outline just why you want to work for them.
3. Ask current colleagues and friends within the healthcare sector whether there are any speech & language therapy jobs coming up in your local area. Sometimes it pays to find out about these from a direct source, as smaller practices or trusts may not always advertise positions straight away.
4. Use the Internet to consider positions from all over the country. You may find a job that you are willing to move for. Try not to be put off by a commute, either. The time you ‘waste’ travelling to work may be more than made up for if you are happy in your new job.
5. Whilst searching for healthcare jobs, register with recruitment agencies to ensure you have your pick of the best positions. Agencies which specialise in your sector will have invaluable knowledge of how best to secure new employment.
6. Build an online profile so that potential employers can view your CV online. This makes the process quicker and is also one way to impress. You can easily set up a blog page with your CV available to download.
7. Remember to network, both online and in the real world. The more people in healthcare you know, the more likely you are to find a job. Join groups, forums and debates and get involved in the issues which are at the heart of speech and language therapy.
8. Use LinkedIn as another way to raise your profile for potential employers. Remember to keep your profile up to date and ensure that your grammar and spelling are correct.
9. Watch out for Facebook! Everyone knows the ease with which employers can access photos and videos of you which end up on the web. Just remember to be discreet and to not have any pictures of yourself online that you wouldn’t be happy for your Mum to see!
10. Keep your profile up to date. Check your emails regularly and remember to monitor your online profile. It would be a real shame to go to all this trouble and then miss an important email from a potential employer!
We hope these tips have been of some use for you in your job hunt within the healthcare sector. Good luck in your search!