Introduction

As many of you know, the baby boomer generation is starting to strongly impact the healthcare system. Hospitals and rehab facilities are offering good benefits and compensation with the increased demand for allied health therapists. However, finding the right therapy job may still be difficult. You may invest a great deal of time searching before you find the right position to keep your interest and increase your skills.

These are some key tips when looking for your therapy dream job.

• When you go and meet the interviewer make sure you have done your homework. Always know a few facts about the facility and demonstrate your knowledge in the interview process. You do not want to come across as an encyclopedia on the facility, but you also do not want to appear uninterested in the facility or the job.
• Always consider your long term options. If the facility only has a opening for a float position and no full time department positions consider this fact. Most therapists stay at their current job for less than 5 years. It is highly probable that you can transfer within the department when the right position opens up. In addition, you will have shown your flexibility and ability to be a team player.
• Always have a long term career plan in mind. If your long term goal is management, start networking and meeting people as soon as possible in your new job. Some therapists move around every year for a few thousand dollars, but most management positions more than compensate for sticking to one location.
• During the interview process, convey what skills that you want to learn in your specific field to improve your overall therapy skill set. Make sure that you ask about continuing education and the department's position on this issue. Found out if they are going to finance your continuing education and how many hours are compensated for per year. Also, find out what is included in the compensation i.e. travel expenses, hotel, food. You don't want to join a practice or hospital that doesn't have a strong teaching/learning commitment. During your interview, you may want to let the interviewer know that you would be willing to take additional training to help improve the services the facility offers i.e. if the vestibular program is weak offer to gain experience in that area through classes.
• Make sure you are in good standing with your professional boards. There are few phone calls worse than the one that says we have reviewed your application and become aware of the fact that you are not in good standing with the state boards. It is also helpful to be a member of your professional organization. Sometimes professional organizations offer discounts for students who are transitioning into the professional community. By meeting individuals with your local professional organization, you will be able to determine local hiring trends in the job market.
• If the interviewer says at this time we just don't have something that would be a good fit, stay positive. Do not say thanks and just leave. If you storm out of their office, remember bad news travels fast. Let them know that if something comes available in the future to please contact you. After you leave the interview, drop a note in the mail to the interviewer to thank them for their time and consideration.
• If you know someone at the facility, you may want to drop their name in the conversation. Make sure that this someone is well respected in the facility. You don't want to be name dropping a person that may be perceived as a slacker.

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