The Modern Job Search as a Behavioral Health Professional
You’re ready to take next step in your behavioral health career, but you don’t have any job leads just yet. As a savvy professional, you’re not willing to settle for anything less than a position that checks all your boxes. However, finding your dream job isn’t as easy as it sounds.
Many candidates limit their job searches to postings on career sites, but you can do better than that. Getting creative with your search is the best way to find your ideal fit. Use these five tips to modernize your search for the perfect behavioral health job.
Reach Out to Your Network
It’s very possible someone in your network will know about a behavioral health opening that might interest you. If not, many people will be happy to reach out to their own contacts to see if they have any intel.
Having an ‘in’ at a company can be your golden ticket. Hiring a new employee is always a gamble, so employers prefer candidates who come with a recommendation from someone they trust.
Put Yourself Out There
Your existing network is great, but the more connections you make, the better your chances of finding your ideal behavioral health job. Attend networking mixers on a regular basis, go to job fairs and consider joining a professional association to make face-to-face connections. This will require a notable time commitment, but consider it an investment in your future.
Seek Informational Interviews
Unlike a traditional job interview, there isn’t an actual job at stake in an informational interview. Instead, this type of meeting allows you to learn more about a certain behavioral health job or employer, while making a new contact.
If you’re trying to decide which direction to take your career or have your sights set on a certain employer, this can be monumentally helpful. Plus, if you make a good impression on the interviewer, they’ll likely reach out if they hear about an opening that might meet your needs.
Score an informational interview by reaching out to your network for assistance or using LinkedIn to connect with professionals who meet your criteria.
Create a Professional Social Media Presence
Nearly half (47 percent) of employers are less likely to invite a candidate to interview for a position if they can’t find them online, according to a 2018 CareerBuilder survey. Avoid falling into this category by building a professional presence on one or two social media platforms. Use these accounts to reach out to behavioral health professionals, share relevant content and weigh in on topics currently impacting the industry.
Keep Your Options Open
If your professional history includes only permanent, full-time behavioral health jobs, you’re probably not searching for anything else. Consider expanding your options to include temporary and temp-to-hire positions, as this could lead to your big break. Having the opportunity to try out a variety of positions and employers will help you figure out what you really want from your next job.
Taking the next step in your career is a big move, so help from a trusted advisor is a must. If you would like to learn more about how we can help you find your next behavioral health position, contact us today at (513) 651-9500 or by email at [email protected].