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What to do? (related to job app/interview process)


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This might seem silly, but I'm pretty stressed out and discouraged. I figured there was no harm in asking for advice from those with more experience.

 

I graduated in May, passed PANCE, obtained state licensure and began the job hunt. Yes, I was late to the party, I'm aware. I was painfully naive about how challening the search would be, particularly if I restricted it to one locale. Unfortunately, I've found out the hard way that the "specialty, location, salary; pick two" mantra frequently used on this forum is, at least in some parts of the country, probably more accurately stated as "one".

 

The first thing I did was contact my "dream job", knowing they weren't hiring, but hoping to be contacted about openings in the future after gaining experience elsewhere. I got the generic "no positions currently available, will hold your resume blah blah" and began an aggressive job search with no success so far.

 

Fast forward to a few weeks ago when Apple released iOS8. Since upgrading my iPhone, there have been multiple instances when I received a VM from someone without ever getting a call, and with no evidence of a missed call. So the fact the person left a VM was the only way I knew they contacted me. This happened again today (4pm) when I saw a VM (left at 845am) by an unfamiliar number with no missed call. It was the staffing manager from the "dream job" group, seeing if I'd be interested in a position that opened. I was crushed. I called back, it rang until VM, and I left a brief msg apologizing for being unavailable and requesting another call at any time. Not sure if they left for the day, didn't want to deal with it at 4pm on Friday, or - my biggest fear - had already filled X number of interview slots from however many people they made contact with. It's a rather large group with a high amount of interest from prospective employees.

 

The point of my novella-- I'm trying to decide whether to send an e-mail this weekend and reiterate my desire to speak with them, or if that borders on redundant and annoying.. or just pointless, if it'll likely be seen at the same time as the VM. I know these people have lives, but do you think they receive work e-mail on their phone and would therefore get it sooner and possibly keep me in mind? And, if so, should I explain my phone issue?

 

Thanks guys. :/

Sorry this happened to you. Forgive me if you already have this figured out: I had similar problems after updating my phone- It is very easy to turn" Do Not Disturb" on by accident ( shows as crescent moon at very top of your screen).  Depending on settings it may only ring if they call 2x in 3 min or less.  Go to settings or swipe up from the bottom and tap the crescent moon icon.  Good luck with the dream job.

Also agree with ronin: email- save the phone story for after you get the job. Sorry I missed your call, I'm very interested in the position. I'll call you Monday etc or something like that.  Everyone misses cell calls- avoid the desperation angle and go for it.

Several things.

 

Getting a job is sales work. Lot of footwork, rejection, but eventually everything aligns. Since we are in demand, our job search angst is much less than the usual job seeker but new grads do have that inexperience obstacle to overcome, which most do.

 

Always have a secondary contact other than cell # ie email, landline, etc on the resume.

 

Staffing at many groups and facilities is not an overnight process. Interviews, background checks, logistics of taking the job all take plenty of time, not unusual for the new hire process to take 3-6 months or more depending upon all the moving parts.

 

An email or call monday will suffice. No one will pay attention to your email over the weekend because as you point out people have lives. My anecdotal experience is that HR and staffing people stick to the M-F, business hours model. Unlikely that someone will be checking email over the weekend and getting back to you but if it relieves your anxiety over this issue then send it off.

 

I wouldnt present in person, too desparate acting. This is a process that can become a dance. Anxiety and desparation make you look like a poor candidate or set you up to be taken advantage of.

 

Good luck.

G Brothers PA-C

Agree that there is no harm in the email.  Personally I would probably wait (despite wanting to email them) and just call them on Monday.  If no answer on Monday, then it is time to email them.

 

I applied for what felt like and could have been hundreds of jobs and took me quite a while to get the right fit (as a new grad).  So don't give up.  It takes a while.

Thank you all so much for your thoughtful responses. I really appreciate it. I received a variety of advice from people in my personal life, as well, before making this post. Clearly, the correct approach isn't black and white when it comes to these things.
 
I ultimately decided to call again tomorrow. If I don't get a response, and I hope it doesn't come to this, I will then draft an e-mail and say that I would still like to be considered for other openings in the future, in the event that this one was filled. I would like to think they're a reputable enough group to at least let me know something, even if it's bad news. I just don't want them to think I'm already employed elsewhere.

 

 

Sorry this happened to you. Forgive me if you already have this figured out: I had similar problems after updating my phone- It is very easy to turn" Do Not Disturb" on by accident ( shows as crescent moon at very top of your screen).  Depending on settings it may only ring if they call 2x in 3 min or less.  Go to settings or swipe up from the bottom and tap the crescent moon icon.  Good luck with the dream job.

 

Historically, I've always received a missed call notification even when "Do Not Disturb" was enabled, but your post made me consider whether it's possible that the bug I'm experiencing is somehow related to this function. As a precaution, I'm going to make sure I don't use it for a while and will just manually put my phone on silent during times when I need to avoid an audible ring/vibrate. Thank you so much for the advice.

Several things.

 

Getting a job is sales work. Lot of footwork, rejection, but eventually everything aligns. Since we are in demand, our job search angst is much less than the usual job seeker but new grads do have that inexperience obstacle to overcome, which most do.

 

Always have a secondary contact other than cell # ie email, landline, etc on the resume.

 

Staffing at many groups and facilities is not an overnight process. Interviews, background checks, logistics of taking the job all take plenty of time, not unusual for the new hire process to take 3-6 months or more depending upon all the moving parts.

 

An email or call monday will suffice. No one will pay attention to your email over the weekend because as you point out people have lives. My anecdotal experience is that HR and staffing people stick to the M-F, business hours model. Unlikely that someone will be checking email over the weekend and getting back to you but if it relieves your anxiety over this issue then send it off.

 

I wouldnt present in person, too desparate acting. This is a process that can become a dance. Anxiety and desparation make you look like a poor candidate or set you up to be taken advantage of.

 

Good luck.

G Brothers PA-C

 

^ I agree with the above.

 

You're finding out, like a lot of us, that finding a job as a new grad is not a cake walk. Several reasons, as you've noted:

 

No experience

Most new grads want to work in one specific metro area (supply and demand)

Even when hired, credentialing can take 3+ months. 

 

I think of job hunting similar to dating, although I do more "pursuing" with jobs than I did dating. You don't wanna come off as too eager or desperate, but you do want to show initiative and follow up on potential interest.  It takes a lot of footwork, and it is largely a numbers game. Doubly so if you are a new grad....you essentially have no leverage. Expect to send out a lot of CVs, fill out a lot of time-consuming apps for corporate jobs and hospitals, and get very little feedback. Also, expect to get low-balled when you do get an offer, and expect the job to sound better on paper than it actually is. There is a reason many ortho/neuro groups hire new grads--they are malleable and naive when it comes to what to expect with work hours, QOL, etc.

 

Not trying to be a negative nancy here, just the reality of being a new grad PA.

^ I agree with the above.

 

You're finding out, like a lot of us, that finding a job as a new grad is not a cake walk. Several reasons, as you've noted:

 

No experience

Most new grads want to work in one specific metro area (supply and demand)

Even when hired, credentialing can take 3+ months. 

 

I think of job hunting similar to dating, although I do more "pursuing" with jobs than I did dating. You don't wanna come off as too eager or desperate, but you do want to show initiative and follow up on potential interest.  It takes a lot of footwork, and it is largely a numbers game. Doubly so if you are a new grad....you essentially have no leverage. Expect to send out a lot of CVs, fill out a lot of time-consuming apps for corporate jobs and hospitals, and get very little feedback. Also, expect to get low-balled when you do get an offer, and expect the job to sound better on paper than it actually is. There is a reason many ortho/neuro groups hire new grads--they are malleable and naive when it comes to what to expect with work hours, QOL, etc.

 

Not trying to be a negative nancy here, just the reality of being a new grad PA.

 

I definitely understand the dating analogy, because debating over whether or not to call back-to-back (as some people in my real life suggested) felt rather reminiscent of bad relationships in the past, lol. I think another big factor that probably contributes to the kind of first jobs that new grads can end up with is the panic that begins to set in when you know your loans will be coming due and you simply need to get a job, ANY job, and hope that you can stick it out for a year while looking elsewhere in the meantime. I'm basically at that point.

 

No call today and no answer when I called. I did not leave a message. When should I send an e-mail? Or do I need to chalk it up to a missed opportunity and let it go?

I spoke too soon. I was called back shortly after I made that post. I'm feeling excited and optimistic now... Fingers crossed that this leads to my first job!! Thanks again, everyone.

Glad to hear that.  Keep us updated.  There is a lot of credentialing, HR crap, admin people's stuff, etc etc especially if this is for a hospital or hospital based job.  Nothing wrong with staying on top of things and sending people friendly reminders when they are clearly dragging their feet, but also remember you may be among one of hundreds of RNs, MDs, NPs, PAs, etc etc being hired right now so you will need some patience for this!

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