By: Trey Martin PT, DPT
If you like this article, you can find more content from me on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook with the username @athletedocrehab, enjoy!
The whispers say this is the worst job market since the Great Depression. Healthcare unemployment is sky high. A good chunk of new graduates are either furloughed or laid off. You can choose to accept the first three sentences as defeat and stop reading now, or read on and see how you can survive the Covid-19 World.
Thought 1: Adapt To the Digital Age
Physical therapy is going digital. It won't happen overnight, but Covid-19 is unearthing even more trends in that direction. My opinion, you better learn how to provide value to patients without them being in the same room. With this trend, employers will want tech savvy PT's to lead this charge. Learn things like telehealth, making video based home exercise programs, creating content for social media sites, mastering workout programming, and studying the art of communication. Soft skills and tech skills will dominate the landscape in the next decade. Ride the wave.
Thought 2: Go Old School on the Job Hunt
What?! I just said go digital?! This could be a coincidence, but job sites such as: LinkedIn, Monster, Snagajob, and Indeed were fruitless for me. As in, I filled out 50+ applications on these sites and it resulted in 1 phone call and ZERO interviews. The most successful approach to getting an interview/offer for me: Cold call or drop in on the place you want to work. This takes some guts, gall, and/or gumption. However, it is way more efficient to call the facility and ask for the hiring manager or owner. With large corporations or hospitals this approach doesn't work as well. Results may vary. The other key to this thought, thoroughly research the company before calling. Sprinkle in details that you value about their location. Tickle their pride points and you will have success.
Thought 3: Don't Skip Steps
The job I ended up accepting at Pursuit Physical Therapy in Orlando had one unique pre-interview requirement. I had to submit a short video that explained why I wanted to work at Pursuit. The owner tells me weeks after this, "15-20 people applied for your position, you were the only one to send the video." Don't get lazy, if you want the spot, put in the sweat equity. Thoroughly go through each step on the application process. It's easy to not want to fill out long application after long application. But, if it is a spot you really want, dot your i's and cross your t's.
Thought 4: Set Yourself Apart
"You are a new grad and all new grads are the same." Yes, I heard this during an interview. Some companies believe this and that is ok, these aren't the companies you want. That being said, we all have unique attributes that smart employers look for. You must highlight them! It can be the smallest things in your mind. Have experience with writing, photography, technology, speaking, or construction? Seems unimportant right?! Wrong! An employer may be very attracted to a candidate who can provide unconventional skills. For example, an applicant who can write and speak would be able to grow business through blogs and public engagements, etc. If you are a new grad, you don't have a ton of experience or unique PT skills.
"You do have unique life skills that can set you apart."
The Thought to Rule Them All: Be a Good Person
A savvy employer knows this one truth, you can teach Physical therapy, but you can't teach being a quality person. This tip is quite boring and also common sense. But, it is easy to try to prove "how smart you are" or "how well you will do your job." In my opinion, employers probably don't care. All of the hard skills in the world won't replace a willingness to learn, drive for growth, and being a genuine person who desperately wants to see their patients get better. Let this side of you be shown in the interview process.
Free Pro Tip: Check Out "How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie"
This book has been a life changer for me. I don't practice all of the tips in it yet, but I am working towards it. This book teaches you how to build connections, be a quality person, and through this, be influential.
I hope you guys enjoy these tips! Make sure to give me a follow on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok under the username: @athletedocrehab. I am constantly putting out the best content I can to help us all learn something new and have a bit of fun with it on the way.
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