By Jack Shaw, senior writer and editor at Modded
Starting a new career path is a big step. Whether someone is graduating from college or changing specialties as a working professional, making the transition is easier with preparation. Anyone interested in starting a healthcare career can use straightforward strategies to guide their experience. They will have a less stressful time finding the right position for their skill set if they break the process into steps.
1. Break the Industry Into Sectors
The healthcare industry has vast professional opportunities. Everyone begins the application process with different skills, so curious graduates or professionals should divide the field into sectors. Job opportunities will vary by the skills necessary to support each service, such as:
- Hospitals
- Pharmacies
- Family medicine clinics
- Administration
- Teaching hospitals
- Health insurance companies
- Public health organizations
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that healthcare employed over 22 million workers in 2024. The diverse industry has numerous career paths to explore. Understanding which jobs are available in each sector will help anyone find their ideal career options more efficiently.
2. Review Education Requirements
People get into the healthcare industry at all stages of their careers. Applicants should carefully check the education standards for each open position. Someone applying for an entry-level role as a medical receptionist might only need their associate’s degree, while an IT support new hire could need a Bachelor of Computer Science. Pinpointing necessary education levels reduces the risk of wasting time on jobs that better fit other candidates.
3. Research Growth Potential
Someone with a lifelong career ahead of them should start a healthcare job that has room to grow. Hospitals offer numerous career growth opportunities for nurses, while a community health center may only provide limited services. Anyone interested in the field could have a more fulfilling career if they can expand their responsibilities or skill sets without leaving after a few years.
A medical student could eventually go into various specialties, while a hospital HR professional will have a more limited career ladder into management. Considering those potential futures makes it easier for people to pinpoint their next best job in the healthcare industry.
4. Develop Soft Skills
Degrees are not the only requirements for health-focused job posts. Recruiting teams also look for soft skills. Anyone planning on entering the industry should develop abilities like empathy and communication while gaining the experience necessary for their next position. They will stand out from other applicants and do their jobs better because they will connect with others more easily.
Do not underestimate the power of soft skills. A patient financial counselor who cannot empathize with people seeking support could adversely affect the clinic’s community reputation. Professional teams want to hire well-rounded individuals.
5. Get Volunteer Experience
Volunteer opportunities exist for people with a variety of backgrounds. They can shadow medical professionals if they have similar career aspirations or volunteer for office work. Those with prior career experience could even offer their time as a mentor. Research shows that 80% of individuals with mentors feel engaged and motivated in the workplace.
Although volunteering does not come with a paycheck, participants develop essential skills that put them ahead of future job applicants. They also learn if they like doing the work before potentially going back to school to start the next phase of their career. People can save time and effort by exploring what is available through local volunteer positions.
6. Practice Interview Answers
Interview questions are always specific to the applicant’s chosen career path. Future healthcare professionals can practice their answers when they are ready to submit their resumes. Understanding how to respond regarding education history, prior job experiences or problem-solving skills in fictional medical situations could reduce the chance of panicking during real interviews.
7. Update Resume Formatting
People may feel tempted to put their education at the top of their resume, a former job and their contact information. While those are important details, other essential information is also vital. Applicants should showcase hard and soft skills relevant to their desired healthcare field. Any volunteer work or related jobs should appear as well.
Someone getting into healthcare later in their career might worry about breaking the one-page resume myth by including so much information. Recruiters understand that everyone cannot fit their careers onto a single piece of paper. A person with a master’s degree might need one to two pages to summarize their career. The same data shows that an applicant with a Ph.D. could require two to three pages. Keep the most relevant information so the resume is useful, even if it is long.
8. Watch Industry Trends
Every industry experiences trends. Consumer demand, emerging technologies and things going out of style make professionals change their daily operations. The healthcare industry is no different. New treatments, outdated medical information and advancing tech will change its numerous sectors.
People searching for healthcare industry employment should pay attention to relevant trends. They may find jobs faster by applying for the more in-demand positions. Trending skills like artificial intelligence (AI) experience may also make some applicants stand out. Anyone with those abilities could highlight them on their resumes to reach the interview process faster.
Start a Lifelong Healthcare Career
The healthcare industry has numerous opportunities for professionals with diverse skill sets. People graduating from medical school or transitioning from an established career could find a great workplace by using actionable strategies. Steps like volunteering or meeting recruiters at careers fairs simplify the process while getting everyone closer to the best jobs for their interests.
About the Author
Jack Shaw, the senior writer and editor at Modded, specializes in weaving together the threads of business and entrepreneurship with greater concerns about sustainability best practices and industry developments. With a commitment to providing actionable insights and empowering readers. Through his writing, Jack seeks to educate and inspire individuals on their journey toward more success-driven decisions. Feel free to connect with him via LinkedIn.