“R” sent in this query:
Dear Salvatore
I am no longer able to do my job due to physical limitations and need
a new career that is both fulfilling and gives me the opportunity to
make a decent living. Possibly in the medical field.
I suggest…
Dear R
If you are interested in working in the medical field, but don’t yet
have an exact idea of what you want to do, then I suggest doing the
following:
1) Find a local expert:
Ask your family and friends who they know who works in the medical
field. The actual job they do is not necessarily important (yet) – you
want to find a source of first hand information on medical jobs in
general, and the opportunities and possibilities near your home.
Ask for an introduction, then arrange to meet over a coffee (make
sure you pay!). Have a friendly chat and get their opinion about the
types of jobs available, what might be possible for you with your
physical condition, what training you might need – and if this is really
necessary, and what pay might be like.
Be Very Careful! You are not looking for a job yet – just getting
information. Don’t come on too strong and decide half way through to ask
for a job – go home and think about what you really want first. Job
hunting comes later, at the right time, and with the right person.
Then ask them for a list of at least 3 names of people they know who
might be able to help you further understand these potential careers –
people who are currently employed in each of the careers that interests
you. Now talk to each of these 3 in turn.
If none of your family or friends knows anyone in the medical field,
go down to the local hospital or health clinic, and wait around the
coffee shop. Be polite and ask a nurse or doctor on their break if they
might be able to help you – you are thinking of a career in the medical
field, and want their expert opinion. Ask “Who would be a good person to
talk to?”. They may help you themselves straight away if you are lucky,
or arrange another time, or give you a name or number to call.
So that’s 4 phone calls and 4 cups of coffee. It might take a couple
of weeks, but you’ll have plenty to think about at the end of it. And
you will have at least 4 contacts in the medical field (more if you ask
for more names of potential experts who can help you) who may be helpful
later when you are looking for a job. They may not know the right
person to give you the job you want, but they will know who does know!
2) Have a look at NIH LifeWorks Career Finder for a list of potential medical careers and educational requirements, that might spark some ideas.
3) Go to your local library and take out at least 4 books from the
medical section that look interesting to you. Skim through them and take
some notes. Get ideas about what it is that you would like to be
involved in. The medical field is very broad, so you’ll need to narrow
down your focus to what will be most interesting for you.
4) Check out Open Courseware
You can search this site for free courses related to the medical field.
You will be able to learn more about the areas that interest you – all
free.
5) Once you have an idea of the career that you really want, get back
to your family, friends and medical contacts. You might want to get
some more names if your focus has moved out of their area of expertise.
Have another round of informational interview chats over coffee. Find
out if you can spend a day or a few hours at their place of work, to get
a good understanding of what the job is really all about.
This day will be a golden opportunity to find out if this is really
what you want, and to make as many new friends as you can. Impress them
with your interest. Ask lots of questions. But don’t be a pain in the
ass.
6) Once you have decided that this is really what you want, the real
work starts. Can you work voluntarily to get some experience? Use your
new network of contacts to help you find the best way to get your foot
in the door.
If you need training, can you do it on the job? Can you get a grant
to pay for it? Can you get a loan? Can you study by correspondence or
part time?
7) Use the yellow pages online – just google “yellow pages” and your
city or state name. Search for medical and get a list of all the
potential employers who might be able to give you the job you have
chosen.
8) Do any of your contacts know the person at any of these places on
your list that has the power to hire you? Ask them if they know anyone
who works there at all, and then make another coffee appointment. Find
out what the place is like to work at, and get the name of the person
who can hire you.
9) Arrange a face to face meeting with this “hiring person” if at all
possible. Explain why you want to work at this place – have a lot of
good reasons – make sure you do your homework. Explain why you want to
work in this career – show that you have a god understanding of what the
job is all about, how you have worked a day at such and such a place,
and read this book, and had a look at such and such a course, and spoke
to so and so, etc.
Be very enthusiastic, and determined. Ask for the job. This is not
the time to be shy, or expect them to guess what you want. Ask for the
job, and explain why you will be good at it.
10) If nothing is immediately available, leave your resume, and call back in a couple of weeks. Keep calling every few weeks.
Do this for all the places on your list that look like the type of
employer you want. Be persistent. You will have the career you want.
Good luck!
Let me know how you get on.
Regards,
Sal
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