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 Helpful hints for your job search

Resume Tips
Interviewing Skills
Job Search
Advancing Your Ultrasound Career

Resumes and CVs are both used in the healthcare field. The decision to use one type over the other is dependent on your experience and your goals within the industry. A resume is preferred for healthcare professionals seeking positions in administrative or back-office operations. If you seek a management position, reverse-chronological resumes are preferred, as your experience and skills can be evaluated with regard to the organization’s needs.

A curriculum vitae ("Course of One’s Life") is used primarily by people in medical, academic, and scientific professions. The CV should list all credentials, but not necessarily boast about the achievements. Typical headings include education/degrees, internships, professional experience, awards and honors, publications (books, articles, reports, journal publications), speaking engagements, conferences, and professional affiliations. The length depends on your level of experience.

A simple online search will provide you with many tips and tricks to help you write a good resume.

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Interviewing Skills

The interview can be a very stressful part of your job search. Many job seekers get very anxious before an interview. But an interview doesn’t have be scary, if you are well-prepared and knowledgeable about the interview process — and the employer.

There are a few general tips that apply to all interviewing:

Prepare Beforehand: Preparation is key to a job interview. Make sure to bring all necessary documents with you. This includes extra copies of your resume and references, and a pen and paper to take notes. Also, research the company. Whether you are interviewing in a hospital or a private practice, it is important to find out as much as possible about your prospective place of employment before you walk in for the interview.

Be Prompt: It is very important to arrive early for your interview. You should plan on arriving at least 15 minutes before your interview begins, and build in some time for unexpected events like traffic congestion or getting lost.

Dress for Success: Pick a professional outfit and make sure that it is neat and clean. Avoid uncomfortable clothing, as you want to be as comfortable and relaxed as possible.

Show Interest: Make sure to show you're excited about the position. Speak with confidence, and use as much eye contact as you can. You can also show your interest by listening. Pay attention to what others are saying, and reiterate important points that they tell you.

Answer the Question Asked: During the actual interview, take a bit of time to make sure you think about each question carefully before answering it. If you don’t understand a question, ask for clarification. Also, give specific examples to back up your answer whenever possible.

Ask Questions: Asking questions of the interviewer shows that you have a genuine interest in the company and the position, and also that you have researched them thoroughly beforehand. Asking questions is also a good opportunity to learn more about the company. Remember: the interview is not just a time for the interviewer to observe you, but also for you to make sure you fit with the organization.

Follow Up: Make sure that you contact your interviewer after the interview. Whether you follow up through email or regular mail, should thank the interviewer for meeting with you. This is also a good time to restate your interest in the position.

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Job Search

A job search may seem like a daunting project. It is a lengthy and time-consuming process. A valuable resource to help you find the perfect job in the ultrasound field is www.UltrasoundJOBS.com, a website designed to help sonographers succeed, whether they are trying to begin or advance in their career. At this site, you can post your resume, search the job database, discuss job-search related topics with others, and find invaluable salary information.

Another source of ultrasound jobs is your local newspaper’s classified section. This search will likely provide some local opportunities. Remember that medical sonographers are in high demand, and it shouldn’t take you long to find a rewarding position. Many sonographers choose to stay on at the institution where they did their clinical training, and avoid the job search process altogether.

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Ultrasound Career Advancement

Many people in the ultrasound field happily retain their positions as sonographers for their entire career. However, there is much room for advancement within the field, for those who aspire to move on.

Once a sonographer acquires 3-5 years of experience, he or she can become lead sonographer or director of an ultrasound department. There are also opportunities in consulting, sales, working for manufacturers of ultrasound equipment, imaging administration, and ultrasound education.

Many of these positions are more easily attainable if you’ve earned one or more credentials from the ARDMS. A candidate with these credentials is usually more desirable to an employer.

After you become an ultrasound professional, there are many avenues you can take to move throughout - and beyond - the field. The career paths are plentiful in this ever-growing field.

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