Child Life Council 26 th Annual Conference on Professional Issues

Transcription

1 Child Life Council 26 th Annual Conference on Professional Issues 46. Child Life Position Available: Tips and Techniques for the Student or Interviewing Professional Presented By: Arleen Tripp, CCLS, Child Life Specialist/Coordinator, Columbus Children's Hospital

2 Resume styles Child Life Position Available: Tips and Techniques for the Student or Interviewing Professional Chronological: Most recent positions listed first Online and paper applications typically request this method Does not necessarily demonstrate skills relevant to available position Arleen Tripp, BS, CCLS Nationwide Children s Hospital Columbus, Ohio arleen.tripp@nationwidechildrens.org Functional: Focus on skills and achievement Best for limited work history or frequent job changes Job history then based on relevance to available position Goals for today s session Resume styles continued Acknowledge resources to assist in the job search process Identify two benefits of creating a professional portfolio Discuss three techniques to improve interviewing skills Hybrid: Chronological resume structure with the skills and achievements characteristic of the functional resume often emphasized in their own section Obvious structure but requires thought regarding achievements Remember most employers prefer a traditional resume Recognize three methods in which to introduce yourself in a new clinical area Locating a position Child Life Council resources Directory of Child Life Programs, the forum, and mailings Hospital websites Networking Newspaper Others Resume content Header including contact information Name which you prefer, phone, address, and appropriate Summary of qualifications Mirror job posting Education List schools which degrees received from Eliminate graduation year to discourage age discrimination

3 Resume content continued Employment history Title, employer s name, dates of employment, and a brief, bulleted description of responsibilities/achievements Relevant practicum, internship, and volunteer experiences Child life related experience section; possibly listed before employment history Awards, achievements, and skills Resume don ts Resist using computer based templates Eliminate first person pronouns such as I or we and articles including the, a, and an Avoid shifts in tense Past for previous positions and present for current job Refrain from including personal information such as religion, hobbies, family, and martial status Do not state reasons you no longer work for previous employers Resume do s Resume don ts continued Use resume paper in gray or cream Maintain consistent style and font throughout and uniform size per topic Suggested fonts include: Arial, Courier, Optima, Palatino, Times New Roman, and Tahoma Use action words Avoid eliminating blank space and reducing font size to squeeze information onto one page Keep at least a 1 margin all around Avoid 2 pages unless all information is relevant Don t include items such as letters of recommendation, transcripts, or awards unless requested to Never lie or exaggerate Resume do s continued Resume samples Verify contact information of previous employers Use an 8.5x11 envelope if mailing Adapt resume for each position Remember this is a prospective employer s first impression

4 Cover letters Interview preparation continued (1) Importance of 4-5 paragraph form I Introductory: Title of position, interview request, and selling points Body: Qualifications and motivation with examples from the past and review of key resume points Closing: Re-state interest, possible plans for further interaction, and thank you Appearance Dress to fit general nature of profession Practice possible questions Use mirror, video camera, or family/friends Print extra copies of resumes to bring Creating a portfolio Interview preparation continued (2) Benefits of Gather artifacts Consider Child Life Council competencies found in the Official Documents of the Child Life Council Plan and practice external and internal routes Bring notepad and pens Have emergency kit Breath mints, tissues, safety pins./sewing kit, and stain wipes Organize items in logical fashion Determine method of presentation per interview Interview preparation Research the organization Websites School and/or local reference librarians Review your personal web postings Develop questions for interviewers Confirm exact location within organization and specific contact information including last names/title Interview styles Behavioral Questions about past performance used to determine future responses Looking for specific examples of certain skills being used; such as conflict management Directed Work from an outline of prepared questions Often write down your responses giving more of a formal feel

5 Interview styles continued (1) Non-directive interviews More relaxed and typically unstructured Discuss a range of topics and allows applicant to lead conversation Stress interviews Attempts to intimidate Questions quickly asked with little time for response and lack of physical and verbal feedback from interviewer During the interview Provide copies of resume Make eye contact with everyone in room Introduction should focus on educational/internship rather than personal information Consider your body language and observe interviewer s language Turn negatives into positives Sell yourself through examples and your portfolio Interview styles continued (2) Post interview Situational interviews Immediately write thank you letters Various situations to assess your reactions Individualized to each of the participants Focuses on critical thinking skills and problem solving Peer interviews Discuss qualifications and important points mentioned during interview Restate enthusiasm for position Employees who would not be supervising Remind employers of contact information Do not assume less difficult as peers are often more critical Interview formats Post interview continued Face to face Phone Follow up only once a week Message to the point stating name, position, reason for call, and your contact information Use land line in a quiet location Web Dress for interview and consider background

6 Rejection letters Establishing yourself in your child life role If organization does not offer you position Be pro-active Still important to thank staff for their time Re-state your interest if further opportunities arise If you decline position Do so by phone first Arrange meetings with key people: nurse managers, peers, members of the multi-disciplinary team, etc. Determine what others expect of child life and share what you have to offer Shadow other professionals to learn more about the organization and becoming a member of the team In a letter again thank staff for their time and discuss your decision to pursue/accept other opportunities at this time Join committees (pain task, child life week, student, etc.) Acceptance of job Marketing Okay to take a day to consider offer Confirmation letter Re-state position and proposed start date Signage in key locations including nursing stations, conference rooms, treatment rooms, med rooms, and even staff bathrooms Bulletin boards for families/staff Remind employers what you hope to bring to the organization Enthusiasm to be a part of such a team Attending nursing, physician, and multidisciplinary rounds and/or education days In-services for staff on topics such as distraction, positioning for comfort, children s developmental perceptions of hospitalization, etc. If the search continues Stay involved by maintaining membership in the child life council Consider volunteering at a hospital or at special events possibly through organizations previously involved in (be aware of your current role) Best of luck Questions? Thank you for attending Shadow other child life programs and share resumes Participate in local and national conferences Locate a position which still relates to child life such as working with children or within a hospital Consider further education or fellowships