Good Hiring Decisions

Who benefits from a "good hire"?

A "good hire" in Human Resource jargon is a new employee that is competent to do the job, motivated and is a proper fit as it relates to attitude, drive and character.  It's nice when a hiring manager can point to one of their employees and say to the recruiter "that person is a 'good hire'".

Despite the welling pride that such a revelation produces, the recruiter is not the only beneficiary of a good hiring decision:  everyone benefits.

A newly hired employee who pulls his/her own weight is a great asset to co-workers. Especially when those same co-workers had to put in extra hours or extra work while the position was open.

Of course in  healthcare, our first priority is to be certain our patients and their families are properly cared for; good patient care is a by-product of good hiring decisions.

If patient care goals are being met and the team is working together in harmony - then the hiring manager and other leaders are certainly happy.

Finally, the new employee benefits.  He or she is able to make a meaningful contribution with their knowledge, skills and abilities; and can do so on a team and with an organization they like.

On the other side of that coin is the employee who is hired into a position for which they are not a proper fit.
This can lead to conflicts at work and anxiety; in some cases patient care may be compromised.  Have you ever found yourself in the wrong job?  It can be quite frustrating.

That is why companies everywhere invest so much time and attention into the hiring process - they want to be sure the person they hire is a proper fit; they want to make a good hiring decision.

It is also why applicants with Tanner Health System may find that the application process takes a little longer and requires more attention to detail.  Sometimes our interviews may even seem - grueling.  At times we even turn down applicants that appear to meet all of the requirements for a position.

It's all in an effort to make a good hiring decision.

Good Hiring Decisions

Tanner in the Fall

Autumn is my personal favorite among the seasons.  Rustic colors, cooler temperatures, football and hayrides are just some of the aspects of this time of year that warm the heart.

When you work at an organization like Tanner Health System, Autumn can also be a very busy season.

For instance just over the past week, employees that do not normally perform invasive procedures have pulled out their scapel and scissors and have put them to use . . . carving pumpkins. 

The annual pumpkin carving contests at Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton and Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica always bring out some very interesting and creative entries.  Pumpkins are adorned with a variety of acoutrements from hats to hosiery; and the carvings span from the traditional "Jack O' Lantern", to architecture, to babies and one even bore a remarkable resemblance to one of our VP's.

Higgins General Hospital just completed their annual Chili-Cook Off.  Team members not only get to show off their culinary prowess by preparing the dishes, but they also get to sample all of the entries.  There are awards for "Best Tasting", "Hottest" and "The People's Choice!".  The point is that everyone has the opportunity to share in the fun (and maybe the heartburn, too).

Other happenings this Fall have included participation in a 5K Moonlight Run, an "Ideas in Motion" process improvement exposition, blood drives and community health fairs - not to mention an accreditation survey at the Carrollton facility.  
In the near future there will be Farmer's Market events and a big "Choirs for Cancer" concert.

Healthcare is an adventurous career choice. Employees share in experiences that are both exhilerating and difficult; celebratory and sometimes sad. 

Struggling together, laughing and crying together.

These shared experiences help solidify relationships and teamwork.  Out of this grows a great organization that is also a wonderful place to work.

Like Tanner Health System.

Tanner in the Fall

Things Change

Earlier this week, I had the rare opportunity of attending a nurse recruitment career fair at a nearby college.  Career fair adventures are usually reserved for members of our recruitment team - but being an honorary member of said team - I am sometimes endowed with the privilege.

As I talked with potential candidates ranging from those that were already licensed RN's to those that were just hoping to make it into a nursing program, I was struck with a sense of irony.  Two years ago hospitals were in the throes of a nursing shortage and a new graduate could choose from any number of potential employers. 

Now things are different, for the time being at least, the market has shifted and even nursing jobs are fewer. Sadly, I spoke with several candidates that graduated some time ago and have not yet landed solid employment.

My purpose in posting this blog today is not to discourage those of you that find yourself without meaningful employment - rather I hope to encourage you.

There are positions available (if you don't believe me, browse through our Search Tanner Jobs area) both for licensed health care providers and for non-clinical workers; but organizations are being more selective these days. So it is important that your job search begin with a look in the mirror.

"Stop the whole car"
My dad, who spent most all of his life in sales and marketing, used to tell the story about a time in which he and another salesperson were driving along about to start a day of sales calls.  At some point, the driver remarked that they had no particular plan and no particular list of prospects to call on.  The other exclaimed, "stop the whole car!!".
"Stop the whole car" he repeated, "- and pull over so we can build a plan!". 

If your job search has no particular plan, it is time to stop everything.  Hold your resume up to the mirror so-to-speak and take a fresh look at it. Ask yourself some hard questions:

Does it present you in the best light? 
Is it honest?
Is it easy to follow or cluttered and confusing?
If someone handed it to you - would anything compel you to take the time to read it?
Would you hire you?

Take a Look at Yourself
Next take a look at yourself.  When you meet potential employers, are you dressing the part - even if you're only showing up to apply?  How about that smile, are you reflecting confidence and a proper attitude?

Your frame of mind is reflected in your facial expressions.  If your mind is set on the negativity of your situation, chances are that your smile - or the lack thereof - will reveal it. There is nothing compelling about a bitter or angry person.

Details. Details.
Are you paying attention to details?
I have a little book that was published early in the twentieth century, it is filled with short articles about a variety of subjects.  One such article discusses preparing for a job interview - I find it interesting that it points out that one should be mindful of dirty fingernails and offensive breath. That advice is still timely.  When the job market is tight and employers may have several equally qualified candidates to pick from; the minor details can make all the difference in the world.

Finally, are you growing while your search is ongoing?  Are you taking advantage of education or volunteer opportunities?  Are you reading articles or books that will give you new insights?  Are you getting out and talking to a lot of different people?

My career fair experience this week served as a reminder to me that things do change.  If you feel that you are locked into a situation of permanent unemployment - it is helpful to remember that - things change. 

Often the first step to changing one's situation is to change one's thinking.

Thanks for stopping by.

Things Change

The "Run-for-Cover" Cover Letter

Today I read a cover letter for a resume.  To me it read something like this:

Hi:


I am interested in working for your organization.  I would like to have a job that involves a lot of clerical work, so that I can write more letters like this one and also be responsible for duties that will require a great deal of accuracy.


If you hire me, you will not only reap the benefits of my extensive education but you will also have the joy of knowing that all of your correspondences will be filled with fragmented sentences and misplaced words - just like this cover letter.  In fact, when people read your letters that I have typed, they may get the general impression that you cannot convey a complete thought on paper.


In addition, I would also like to be given responsibility for all your important figures and reports in order that I might handle them in the same flippant and haphazard way I produced this letter.


In fact, Mr./Ms. Employer, I would consider it a great privilege to join your organization for the sole purpose of making you look bad.


Sincerely
Eager Applicant.

As you have already guessed, I did not actually receive a letter with these very words, but I have seen cover letters that convey the same message.

Often candidates piece together some type of introductory letter to accompany their resume because they have been advised to do so.  However, some do not seem to realize that the cover letter can be a major part of the initial impression your potential employer develops.

If you are going to take the time to write a cover letter, please take the time to do it correctly.  It, along with your resume and application, present a snapshot to your prospective employer.  Make sure these documents reflect you in the best possible light!

There is nothing compelling about a cover letter filled with poor grammar, misspellings and redundant statements.  The hiring manager expects that the cover letter and resume represent one's best effort.  If it is poorly constructed, it is likely they will assume that your work will be the same.
Ask someone - an instructor, advisor, or other professional - to review your cover letter -critically - once you feel that you have all the kinks worked out.  Then act on their advice.

Branch Rickey, the Brooklyn Dodgers coach that first signed Jackie Robinson, once said "baseball is a game of inches".  In like manner, the process of obtaining employment in today's economy can be a "game" of minute details.

Be sure you have paid proper attention to those details as you continue your search!

The "Run-for-Cover" Cover Letter

The People Pillar

One of the ways we illustrate our foundational values at Tanner is with pillars.  One such value is People; they are recognized as a key ingredient to our future success.  

In the Human Resources department, the people we deal with are mostly employees and potential employees so those are the folks I want to talk about in this posting.

We are a fairly large organization - consistently a top employer in our area - and poised to continue to grow.  In healthcare, they say that it is easy to lose that "small hospital feel" when you grow.  In other words, it is easy for employees to lose that connectivity with one another when the landscape keeps changing.

Today, I am remembering just a few instances that provide anecdotal evidence that the People Pillar  is still intact at Tanner Health System.

I know of a particular department that has had more than one of their team members to tragically lose family members over the past year.  In each instance, they came together to support the employee, giving of themselves and out of their resources, working extra shifts, making those comforting phone calls, or sending a note now and then.

At the same time, they continued to care for their patients with unfettered diligence; not swayed from the duty of their call.

The same particular department also found time recently to combine their efforts and prepare trays of homemade candies and sweets of all sorts, to send out to other departments! (The Human Resources group happened to be on the receiving end of one of those trays *WOW*.)

In the corner of the cafeteria recently, I watched as a group of employees gathered around a co-worker to celebrate her birthday with a cake and singing.

A couple of employees teamed up to intervene and find resources for a colleague who suddenly found themselves without a home.

When an emergency with an employee's family resulted in one of our hospital's Nutrition Services department being short of staff.  The Director of Nursing stepped in and quickly pulled together a team to help them get through the lunch time rush.  On that particular day - I got wash dishes.

Tanner even has a benevolence program set up that allows employees to contribute to a fund providing assistance to those that encounter setbacks beyond their control.

Ours is a culture built around people and the interdependence of our employees results in a vast improvement in the care we provide for the community.  We are more efficient because we know one another and rely on one another.

The People Pillar: another reason Tanner Health System is a Great Place to Work!

The People Pillar

Social Media and You

Social Media:  that is a term that's tossed around a great deal these days.

More and more people are wading into the social media waters each day and organizations are trying to figure out how they can use this new tool to their advantage.

According to a recent article in American Medical News, there are less than 800 hospitals among the more than 5,000 in the United States that have established a social media presence.

I am proud to say that Tanner Health System is one of those hospitals. In recent years we have launched our own YouTube channel, Facebook page and at least two Twitter sites.  In addition to these outlets, we have recently enhanced our web presence with the new tanner.org and tannerjobs.org (which includes the blog you are reading right now!).

So if you are seeking employment with Tanner, what does all this social media stuff mean to you?

Communication.

As a job seeker, how many times have you submitted an application or resume only to wait and wonder in silence - hoping that somehow your information would fall under the gaze of the right person's eyes?

The fast and easy response to that problem is for me to tell you that our Applicant Tracking System allows you to follow your application through the review process - updating you when your application is under review and when it has been sent to a hiring manager.

But beyond that - by utilizing the many social media outlets - you can better take charge of the situation.  With our websites you can find a deeper understanding of Tanner Health System - our values and culture.  You can also research more details on the position you wish to fill - the specific requirements, the work schedules, etc.

The "Opportunity Talks" blog regularly presents insights into our recruiting process and allows for questions and comments.
If you like your communication in smaller doses - sign up for Twitter and follow tannerhealthhr.  The Twitter format allows for more back and forth real time conversation.

All of this communication helps you make an informed decision as to whether Tanner is a fit for you; and you for Tanner.  It will also help you fine tune your resume or LinkedIn profile to better display your knowledge, skill and abilities as they relate to your target position.

So get connected and join the conversation.  If there are items you would like to see us address in upcoming blog posts, let us know through Twitter or by commenting here.

Social Media and You

Wanted: Qualified Certified Medical Assistants

Our Certified Medical Assistants (CMAs) are highly valued at Tanner Health System. They work in many capacities in multi-specialty areas. Whether it be pediatrics, heart and vascular, or general family practice the right CMA can make a patient's visit not just ordinary, but extraordinary.

We are looking for CMAs with the following qualifications:

• High school education or equivalent



• Completion of an accredited Medical Assistant program and/or prior experience



• Must have American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or American Medical Technologists (AMT) certification

Tanner Health System currently employs over 40 Certified Medical Assistants...could you be next?

Wanted: Qualified Certified Medical Assistants