It's become glaringly obvious to many new EMT's that they have a massive amount of competition when looking for employment. From what I've read on these forums time and time again, the OP for each new thread typically expresses suprise and disappointment that they weren't able to get hired anywhere within a few months of finishing EMT school. I don't know if these schools are misrepresenting the job outlook for EMT's in order to fill in their classes or what, but many new graduates have been in for a rude awakening. In addition, the pay is disappointing since there are so many willing to work for next to nothing, just to get some experience. I know, we could get run over while working an MVA, injured while lifting, get woken up repeatedly throughout the night, etc, etc, but supply and demand win out in this case.
I have some suggestions to increase your odds of being hired, whether it's for your first job, or networking for additional employment. I learned these tactics while hunting in NYC, but these suggestions can be applied elsewhere:
Never walk into HR for any company or dept in anything less than business casual when looking to fill out an application. Always bring a resume with you. In fact, when working in the field, always have a folder handy with several up-to-date resumes. You'll meet many on calls, at the hospital, etc. If you have a goot rapport with them, you can lead in by asking if they're hiring. Ask where and how you apply for their agency. Ask them if it would be possible if they took your resume, which you should have in that folder, and put in the good word to HR. Also ask for a point of contact to follow your application status. Hopefully, your app will make it near the top of the pile. Do the same at the ED with the hospital staff and maybe you'll land an ER Tech position. In any event, never badmouth your company to others. I got all kinds of job offers that way. One of my instructors in medic school got me a job offer for Victory Hospital, which I turned down since I had another per diem job for Flushing Hospital, with the help of another instructor. That's how it works.
Call back periodically to "check on the status of your application." The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Don't stalk them; every three weeks or so should be sufficient.
Don't delay medic school. Preferably go for the EMS AAS. Like abckidsmom said on another thread, your mid-career self will thank you. Sure, you could do the cert program and then complete the other classes for the degree, but that doesn't always work out. You'll take a second job, get pregnant/get someone pregnant, take on debt, etc. You'll value the OT and side job $$$'s over continuing your education. You can build on the EMS AAS, get off the road when you start to burn out, and then make some real $$$'s, unlike those who planned poorly and have no formal education. At about the time that you'd rather eat a bullet rather than work another day in the field in lousy conditions and welfare wages, that degree will be real nice to have when you want a well paying admin job.
I highly recommend only working as an EMT per diem. Being owned/exploited by a cheap company as a FT employee, that you're dependant on for benefits, makes for a miserable time. FT IFT in the privates will rot your very soul. You can get better pay and benefits at Starbucks or Walmart. That's what I did. I worked FT for Snapple, worked a shift or two a week at Hunter Ambulance, a local private, and also as a bouncer. A desireable hospital picked me up, so I then dropped Snapple and Hunter.
Edit: Please, please, please, speak the "King's English" when at the interview. No ghetto slang. This also includes mannerisms, the way you walk and sit down, etc. Turn you phone off. Don't interrupt to interviewer.
I have some suggestions to increase your odds of being hired, whether it's for your first job, or networking for additional employment. I learned these tactics while hunting in NYC, but these suggestions can be applied elsewhere:
Never walk into HR for any company or dept in anything less than business casual when looking to fill out an application. Always bring a resume with you. In fact, when working in the field, always have a folder handy with several up-to-date resumes. You'll meet many on calls, at the hospital, etc. If you have a goot rapport with them, you can lead in by asking if they're hiring. Ask where and how you apply for their agency. Ask them if it would be possible if they took your resume, which you should have in that folder, and put in the good word to HR. Also ask for a point of contact to follow your application status. Hopefully, your app will make it near the top of the pile. Do the same at the ED with the hospital staff and maybe you'll land an ER Tech position. In any event, never badmouth your company to others. I got all kinds of job offers that way. One of my instructors in medic school got me a job offer for Victory Hospital, which I turned down since I had another per diem job for Flushing Hospital, with the help of another instructor. That's how it works.
Call back periodically to "check on the status of your application." The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Don't stalk them; every three weeks or so should be sufficient.
Don't delay medic school. Preferably go for the EMS AAS. Like abckidsmom said on another thread, your mid-career self will thank you. Sure, you could do the cert program and then complete the other classes for the degree, but that doesn't always work out. You'll take a second job, get pregnant/get someone pregnant, take on debt, etc. You'll value the OT and side job $$$'s over continuing your education. You can build on the EMS AAS, get off the road when you start to burn out, and then make some real $$$'s, unlike those who planned poorly and have no formal education. At about the time that you'd rather eat a bullet rather than work another day in the field in lousy conditions and welfare wages, that degree will be real nice to have when you want a well paying admin job.
I highly recommend only working as an EMT per diem. Being owned/exploited by a cheap company as a FT employee, that you're dependant on for benefits, makes for a miserable time. FT IFT in the privates will rot your very soul. You can get better pay and benefits at Starbucks or Walmart. That's what I did. I worked FT for Snapple, worked a shift or two a week at Hunter Ambulance, a local private, and also as a bouncer. A desireable hospital picked me up, so I then dropped Snapple and Hunter.
Edit: Please, please, please, speak the "King's English" when at the interview. No ghetto slang. This also includes mannerisms, the way you walk and sit down, etc. Turn you phone off. Don't interrupt to interviewer.
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