The Voyager: Job Application

Kyle Barnett, PT, DPT, Cert MDT, SFMA, Area Leader

Job Application

Breaking News! You aren’t looking for a job! You are looking to start or re-ignite your career. It’s a BIG decision. So be prepared to pause, take your time, do your research, go on some interviews, and hopefully get it right. Speaking from experience, if you swing and miss, don’t panic! You can always make a change in the future if needed.

Applying for jobs is easy. Applying for the RIGHT job takes a little bit of work. Let’s give you 3 things to think about, consider, research, and prepare BEFORE you apply for a job:

Decide what you value the most

- Remember, this isn’t a job, it’s a career. It’s NOT ALL ABOUT THE MONEY. It’s important that you feel fairly compensated, but it’s also about working with a team you like to be around, mentorship, learning opportunities, job setting, growth, or any number of other possibilities.
- Action: Make yourself a list of ALL the things you want out of your new career

Know the Market

- Most professions, Physical Therapy included, exist in a small world. You’ll be amazed at how many people know individuals from other local companies or clinics. Before you go apply for a job, get to know the market a little bit.
- Action: Find someone you trust, and see if you can get SOME inside knowledge so that on a potential interview, you can ask insightful questions.

Clean up your resume

- Keep it to a page
  - We don’t need to know that you were the captain of the ultimate frisbee team in 8th grade (no offense to ultimate frisbee players, it’s a lot of fun!)

- Make sure what’s on your resume tells me about your professional experience, knowledge, or something important about YOU.
- Cover Letters – people ask all the time if they should send a cover letter with your resume. The answer is probably 50/50 yes/n0.
  - If you’re going to include a cover letter, keep it concise (2-3 paragraphs) to introduce yourself, demonstrate you have done some research on the company, and briefly ‘why’ you are interested in that particular opportunity. Since the cover letter likely should be company specific to help you stand out, you’ll need to adapt and modify it every time you apply to a different position.

What are you waiting for? You career awaits! Make a list of the things you’re looking for, network and learn about your market, and get that resume out there! Even if a job isn’t officially posted for a company, that doesn’t mean they aren’t hiring. It never hurts to reach out and ask if you could learn more. Get going!

Enjoy the Journey!