Good afternoon! We have a new IR Beat interview with Naga Kamineni, PMP, Project Lead at Sentara Healthcare. Take a few minutes to listen as Naga describes the certification process and his take on why it is important.
Monday
Friday
IR Beat
Intellect Resources is proud to announce the launch of our newest service, IR Beat. IR Beat is a radio show aimed to increase your knowledge of the healthcare IT industry. Twice a month we will interview movers and shakers in the industry.
Our first interview is with Holt Anderson, Executive Director of the North Carolina Healthcare Information and Communication Alliance. He spent some time speaking with us about his view of the Economic Stimulus package. Click below to listen to his interview!
Monday
Ask a Recruiter
Question:
I was just laid-off from my job. I didn’t see this coming, and I don’t know where to begin in my search for new employment. Can you offer some advice?
Answer: 
I’m so sorry to hear that. I’m sure you’re feeling quite overwhelmed at the moment, understandably. I’m happy to help. Here are some initial thoughts:
1. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the ranks of the unemployed grew beyond 13 million this April. In today’s economic state, the simple reality is that everybody is at risk of being downsized! So, please do yourself a favor. Don’t take your employer’s decision personally.
2. Reach-out NOW to colleagues and others in your inner circle.
a. Line-up your professional references, being sure to ask permission to share their names, titles, and preferred method of contact.
b. Let friends and co-workers know that you’re suddenly in the market for a new position. Don’t be afraid to ask for job leads, personal recommendations, and introductions to hiring managers and Human Resource professionals (when appropriate). Most importantly, ask for their support.
c. Do share your resume with trusted colleagues and Recruiting professionals. However, I encourage you to use discretion in posting your credentials online.
3. Accept that the search that lies before you will not unfold overnight. While consistency and determination will be imperative in the weeks and months ahead, impatience will get you nowhere. Like it or not, you must commit to the process.
4. Approach your employment search with the same level of commitment and work ethic that you’ve exhibited in your career to date. Rise early, plan your day, prioritize your activities, set short-term goals, return calls and correspondence promptly, and follow-through on promises made (your deliverables).
5. Set yourself apart from the average job hunter, simply by maintaining a positive attitude. While there may be a lot of talent in the market right now, optimism is becoming harder to come by! Be that rare candidate.
6. If you’re not up to speed in the world of social networking, there’s no better time to get started!
7. Pause to take stock of both your accomplishments and your opportunities for professional development.
a. Calculate your value-add! How have you personally benefitted your employer? Consider time saving initiatives that you’ve led (reduction in man hours), improvements in process and workflow, error reductions, and increased revenue. Be as specific as possible in your calculations. Add this material to your resume and be prepared to explain your methodology to prospective employers.
b. Are there professional organizations and affiliations (HIMSS, PMI, etc.) that you’ve not previously joined? Perhaps it’s time.
c. What certification programs or management courses are available to you? If feasible given your financial situation, invest in your education during this downtime, to maximize your earnings potential in the years to come.
8. Polish that resume! Make it relevant, fresh, specific, up to the minute, grammatically correct, factual, and pleasing to the eye. Enlist others in the review process. Ask your Recruiter for suggested improvements to streamline your resume for the types of positions you’re seeking. (See the “Candidate Services” section of IR’s website for additional resume tips and resources.)
9. Get organized! Develop a tracking system that will enable you to document all resume submittals, company identifiers (names, websites, affiliates), points of contact (search firms, HR professionals, hiring managers, interviewers), dates, reminders, and job titles, etc. Know where your resumes are in the process. Plan your daily submittals and inquiries. Document everything!
10. Get healthy! Regular exercise will improve your energy, stamina, and your outlook. You’ll feel better about yourself, as you burn off both calories and stress. As a bonus, you might actually find that your interview suit suddenly looks sharper on you too!
11. Again, don’t take this temporary situation personally. Remember what you have to offer, and don’t lose faith!
– Brenda Witkemper, Recruiter
What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with Brenda? Have further questions? Leave your thoughts in the comments section and Brenda will reply!
Ask a Recruiter
Question:
Can you comment on having a long generic resume covering everything versus having job-specific resumes?
Answer: 
“I would recommend that you do have a single, full resume which covers all of your skills and experience, which you would use as an introductory, exploratory mailing, or to post to a generic resume board. However, if you are applying to a specific job, I would recommend that you send a version of your resume which you have specifically tailored to the requirements of that job, highlighting those elements of your resume which are relevant to the job, and summarizing the rest.”
– Eileen Dick, Recruiter
What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with Eileen? Have further questions? Leave your thoughts in the comments section and Eileen will reply!
Friday
Travel Tips: Wilmington, NC
One of our employees, Stowe, shares some of his favorite stops in Wilmington, NC!
(Image from localism.com)
Downtown Wilmington is full of fun things to do – from an outdoor concert series to a wide variety of restaurants, riverfront shops to haunted pub crawls. You’re sure to find something you enjoy!
(Image from ncbeaches.com)
If you’re interested in a more educational activity, check out the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher. They boast a wide array of organisms, including several hands-on exhibits. Perfect for kids and adults alike!
The Beach!
(Image from northcarolinatravels.com)
And finally, you can’t visit Wilmington without making a trip to the beach! Even in cold weather, it’s definitely worth your time to take a walk by the sea!
Monday
Ask a Recruiter
Question:
Webcam interviews are becoming more common. Any tips?
Answer: 
“Keep in mind that visuals are magnified on camera. Ever watched a news reporter who had flyaway hair or a distracting background? It very quickly becomes the focus, regardless of what the reporter is actually saying.
So, take even more care than you would for a face-to-face interview. Make sure your hair and makeup are immaculate – have them professionally done if you aren’t confident in your own ability to do so. Wear a conservative or understated suit. For women, this means a wool or wool-blend jacket and slacks, along with a cotton-blend button down, perfectly pressed. Try to find a button down in a color that is flattering to you, along with simple jewelry – such as pearls. Men should also wear a wool blend suit, pressed shirt, and a conservative, or at the very least, non-distracting tie.
Next, take some time to practice on camera. Have a friend look at the video and give feedback about any distracting habits you might have. Again, little things such as repeated use of “um,” shifting in your seat or focusing on the wrong place will quickly annoy the viewer.
Lastly, be aware of the background, particularly if doing the interview from home. Choose a room that is well-lit, neat and doesn’t reveal too much about your personal life. Do not use the bedroom. No posters, family photos, piles of laundry, stacks of unopened letters, etc. should be in the frame. Do not let the family dog or cat wander through, or children interrupt.
Web cam interviews have their advantages – they save both you and the potential employer time and expense. They remove the pressure of getting lost or running into traffic on the way to the interview. Like anything, these interviews also pose unique challenges, so taking the time beforehand to deal with these potential issues will go a long way.”
– Jennifer W. Salter, Senior Recruiter
What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with Jennifer? Have further questions? Leave your thoughts in the comments section and Jennifer will reply!
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