SOLID STRATEGIES FOR SECURING THAT FIRST PRACTICE INTERVIEW

Your CV and cover letter are important keys to getting that all-important first interview. Most people however, are not well versed in the methods and procedures of presenting and transmitting these credentials so that they become a true reflection of quality and clinical excellence.

Source Medical has a foundation and image of excellence in the preparation and presentation of Physicians to the clients. We have compiled some of the very best strategies in credentials development and transmission. In addition to our own skills in the preparation of CVs, we have asked many of our Healthcare Clients and Physician Practices that we work with nationwide their valued opinions as to CV composition. They review literally thousands of CVs a year and have discovered that the quality and clarity of these written presentations vary dramatically. Most important, they make the point that deficiencies in the basic skills of CV and cover letter presentation can compromise your chances of securing the position you want and, in some cases, can misrepresent your qualifications and professionalism. The following are some suggestions that will help you put your credentials and experiences in their best light.

PREPARING YOUR CREDENTIALS.

The Cover Letter

An individualized cover letter should always accompany your CV. At times, the cover letter is the potential employer¹s initial introduction to you, so take particular care in preparing it. Double-check the name of your recipient. Spell check and spell check again. Be sure your language is simple, clear, and to the point. Always use quality paper and make sure it's your own. Residents and fellows often write cover letters on the stationery of their academic medical centers. It's commendable to be proud of this affiliation, but be careful not to give the impression that you're pilfering the stationery.

Finally, it is well worth the extra effort to individualize a cover letter for each position, indicating why you are interested in the opportunity. Providing this information is an excellent way to advance your candidacy, particularly if the opportunity is in geographic area in which you have no family or educational ties. Clearly identify the position for which you are applying. Include all the particulars such as specialty, location, and how you learned of the position. Tell the recipient how best to contact you. If you are a physician in practice, indicate whether it is acceptable to contact you at your practice location. Include a beeper number if your responsibilities make it difficult to reach you via an office phone or hospital extension.

Your CV

The most serious consideration goes to a CV that is succinct and easy to follow, with work history presented in chronological order. Your education, training, and experience should be stated clearly and briefly. If you are a recent graduate of a residency or fellowship program, make that fact prominent..

It is particularly important that your CV contain no gaps in training or work history. If there is a hiatus in your education or career, be sure to explain the reasons in your cover letter. Finally, resist the temptation to include every detail about your training and experience. Instead, concentrate upon distilling the highlights of your clinical training and qualifications, and keep your CV just one or two pages long

With all this being said…make sure that you utilize the tools at hand and press your spell check in your system to ensure your spelling is correct. When addressing any correspondence with any employer, make sure you have the correct spelling of their name! Call the hospital or clinic and simply tell the party that answers the phone that you are sending a letter to a party and want to spell the name correctly!

Transmitting Your Credentials

Sending credentials the old-fashioned way (i.e., via the US mail) confers several advantages. The quality of your stationery, the crispness of the printed page, the care with which the total package is assembled are all immediately obvious when this package arrives in a sturdy envelope, neatly addressed.

New electronic technologies (i.e., faxes and e-mail) are faster and more immediate ways to submit your qualifications. But take particular care that good interpersonal communication is not lost in the transmission. If you fax or e-mail your CV, for example, always include an individualized cover letter, just as you would when mailing your qualifications.

If you fax your credentials, consider telephoning the recipient immediately after transmission to make sure that the fax has arrived and is in good condition. Be sure to make this call directly after sending your fax, otherwise it may be difficult to locate.

It is also wise to mail a hard copy of your credentials as a follow-up to your fax. To avoid confusion, attach a note letting the recipient know that this is a follow-up to a fax and not a new CV. Be cautious about using e-mail to transmit a cover letter and CV unless, of course, you are invited to do so. At this time, many systems do not convert attachments easily or open documents in a consistent and readable format.

On the other hand, e-mail can be very appropriate for ongoing communication once you have become an established candidate, particularly if time differences are an issue. The best strategy here is to ask the recipient which form of communication (phone, fax, mail, or e-mail) he or she prefers.

If it is necessary to leave a voice mail message for your potential employer, be sure to speak slowly and clearly. These messages can be difficult to return if your name or phone number is difficult to understand. Allow a reasonable period of time to pass before calling a second time: one business day is a good rule of thumb.

A Final Note

It is impossible to over-emphasize the importance of demonstrating care and courtesy in every step of the employment-seeking process. This is especially true today when more and more employers look to good interpersonal skills, as well as clinical excellence, as essential components of superior patient care.

AN IMPORTANT REMINDER!

When working with a professional recruiting firm MAKE SURE YOU KEEP THEM IN THE LOOP! Nothing brings a potential great situation to a halt quicker than the duplication of efforts. Let your recruiter know where you have sent your CV. Inform them of any conversations you have with any employer. Remember the recruiter is an extension of you and your family in assisting you in securing a practice.

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