Despite physical therapists being in demand, you may not gain employment with the first business you apply to. You may have all the knowledge to be an excellent physical therapist, but you don’t yet have the experience many healthcare businesses seek. Being a new graduate can undoubtedly be a disadvantage. Still, you may land your first job much easier by taking note of these tips:
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Create a Professional Cover Letter and Resume
A qualification is not always enough for physical therapy businesses to hire you. They want to see what else you bring to the table. Don’t underestimate the importance of a professional physical therapy cover letter and resume. These may help you stand out from other applicants.
Your cover letter and resume should include your educational background, relevant details from your clinical rotations, and information about any internships or voluntary work you completed to gain experience. Don’t forget to customize your cover letter and resume for each business. This may show your willingness to work for particular companies and help their clients with ailments like back pain and muscle strain.
Obtain Great References
New graduates don’t have lengthy career histories for potential new employers to review before hiring. They are looking to become physical therapists for the first time and are eager to become more skilled and knowledgeable with time.
This means that obtaining excellent references can be more important than you think. Hiring teams must learn more about you from those who have worked with you during your education or personal life. Talk to your professors, academic advisors or supervisors, mentors, coaches, or even people you’ve volunteered with. These people may be familiar with your skills, personality, and desirable traits. They can then highlight them to potential employers who ask.
Rely On Your Network
Throughout your years of study to become a physical therapist, you’ve likely built up a great network of people. These are people who have supported you and been supported by you on your journey to becoming a qualified physical therapist. This network doesn’t have to end just because you’ve graduated.
Your tutors and advisors may know of job opportunities for new therapists that might suit your needs. Reach out to your network as you reach the end of your educational journey. You can then learn about possible job opportunities just in time for graduation.
Reach Out to Businesses
You don’t always have to wait for jobs to be advertised before sending your cover letter and resume. In fact, knowing you’re competing with other applicants with every job posting can cause a great deal of stress.
Instead, think about the type of environment you’d like to work in, such as a fitness center, hospital, sports facility, or private practice. Write a list of businesses that fit into your preferred category and contact them. They may not have openings now, but your name might be at the top of their list when new positions become available.
Getting a job as a recent physical graduate can sometimes be tough, especially when competing against applicants who may have more experience than you. However, creating a professional resume and cover letter, obtaining great references, and relying on your network may improve your chances of landing your dream job before long.