Healthcare continues to be a growing career choice, with a 29 percent increase in demand through 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Supporting roles are growing as well, as the need for medical assistants increases. Whether you\’re a pre-med student looking for experience or a new grad of a medical technologist program, healthcare jobs are out there waiting for you to apply. With some fine-tuning of your résumé and interviewing skills, you\’ll be on your way to a future in the expanding health care field.

Résumés with a Slant

As with any job search, your résumé needs to be flawless, and it needs to reflect your passion for the healthcare profession. Note any experience in the healthcare field, no matter how little or specific it is. Did you do any volunteer work? Or care for a family member during a health crisis?

Have you taken any health-related classes that you really enjoyed? Did you go through the Red Cross CPR certification program? Make note of any health-related education you\’ve had. The recruiters want to see that you\’ve followed through with your passion for health care both academically and professionally.

Health Care Job Sources

Don\’t limit yourself to the online job search boards. Check the metropolitan newspapers as well as the small community newspapers. Reach out to the professional organizations supporting the particular job you\’re looking for. Your school may have job listings for employers looking for new graduates. Get the word out to your friends, family and acquaintances.

Make a list of places to check regularly for newly opened positions. Look in your specific areas of interest as well as for general offerings. For instance, if you are interested in helping those who suffer from back pain, search on Indeed for open positions at a surgery center like Laser Spine Institute. Or, you can search under general position titles such as Medical Assistant. Keep in mind that employers maintain their own job descriptions to go with very general titles, so Medical Assistant can mean different things to various employers.

Interviewing for a Health Care Role

Preparing for an interview at a hospital or clinic is much like interviews anywhere else, says Med Resources Staffing. There will be a few field-specific questions that you should prepare for.

You can expect the typical questions on an interview such as:

• Why should we hire you?
• What motivates you?
• What is your ideal work environment?
• How have you overcome a major obstacle?

A health care recruiter may also ask you questions such as:

• What sparked your interest in health care?
• What do you hope to get out of working in a health care role?
• What are the most important traits you\’ll bring into our health care team?

Again, questions such as these are asked to get a sense of the passion you have for the industry. This field can be very demanding and, at times, emotional. The interviewer wants to know that your passion for the field will get your through the rough times.

Consider Supplemental Training

If you find yourself lacking skills to get you in the door, consider a certificate or two-year program. U.S. News reviewed several medical support roles and found that the Clinical Laboratory Technician position has relatively easy education requirements. This technician works in various lab environments with different pieces of test equipment. They do a lot of the behind-the-scenes work that doctors and nurses rely on for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. Working in this role will give you experience and insight as to how the health care field operates. It will also prepare you for more advanced roles.