As you progress in your search, you will realize that online applications have become the norm for most employers. Some online applications link from postings on job boards. But even if you go directly to the employer’s site, expect to complete you application online. This can even be true if you are applying in person. Many human resource departments have kiosks with terminals where you complete your application.
Why has the hiring process become so high tech? Technology saves time and money for employers. Rather than having a person screen applications, the computer can be used to screen out unsuitable applications. Sometimes applicants are dumped into the reject pile not because of their job qualifications, but because of mistakes they made in completing the application.
So while it saves employers time and money, online applications present some new hurdles for job applicants. To get through these, you need to understand the process so you can avoid the hurdles. This, in simple terms, is how the process works.
Applications and/or resumes are collected in a database. Someone in the human resource department decides on key words to use to screen applicants. This makes the computer look for certain phrases or words in your application. No matches and you go to the reject file. You will also get kicked out if the computer can’t read your application because of a formatting mistake.
As you can see, it takes more than job qualifications to make it out of the database with your application intact. Here are some tips to help.
• Read the directions before filling out the application! While this seems like an obvious step everyone would take, many people just skip right over directions. It is not safe to assume that if you’ve completed one application, you can complete any application. The process varies from employer to employer.
• Don’t cut and paste from your resume to answer questions. The wording from your resume might not use the same words that the computer is searching for.
• Match the words and phrases used in the job description. Model you language after that used in the job posting.
• Make good use of the comment section. Use it to highlight your skills or to add quotes from your references.
• Complete all fields. This includes the ones that are optional.
• When asked, attach your resume. For online applications, make sure you have created a resume in a simple form, with no extra graphic elements or font styles
Tips for Online Nursing Applications
Medical Billing – A Home Career?
Medical Biller: A Rewarding Home-based Business Opportunity in the Health Care Field
Do you have an entrepreneurial nature but want the security of working in a growing field? If so, you might want to consider starting a medical billing business. As a medical biller you can earn a good living while pursuing an entrepreneurial lifestyle.
Of course, any business startup will require significant effort in both marketing and sales and you will want to ensure that you have a sufficient savings to make it through the first six to nine months when cash flow will be minimal.
While it is exciting to start a new business, you will need to perform some amount of due diligence to determine if the costs of training, job responsibilities, and income ranges are aligned with your expectations and needs. To get you started here is a brief overview of the field.
Medical Billing
Job Description: The primary responsibility of medical billers is to ensure that health care providers are paid for the services they render. Medical billers are responsible for submitting electronic insurance claim forms on behalf of physicians and other health care staff to insurance companies, as well as such government programs as Medicare and Medicaid. Those just starting out in the field can expect to bill between $8.00 to $10.oo per hour while those with significant experience and large accounts can earn upward of $65,000 per year.
Job Outlook: Those already employed in the health care sector, such as nurses and allied health staff are generally better prepared to launch a medical billing business because they are familiar with the insurance claims process and medical terminology. It may also be that they have a base of contacts on which to draw to obtain their first clients. Many medical billers have expanded their business by adding on such services as medical coding and accounting. Medical coding is the process by which illnesses are assigned to a category for the purposes of reimbursement. The classification process determines the amount that health care providers will be reimbursed under their particular insurance coverage whether that is Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance.
There are many training programs available to become a certified medical biller. In most cases a highs school diploma or GED is required for entry. The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) offers certification in the field of coding and will be a valuable credential to have when seeking out your first clients.
For more information on this career, visit the Department of Labor’s Online Occupational Outlook at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos103.
Using Online Health Care Job Boards
It’s everyone’s dream. Get up one morning. Click a couple of tabs on your laptop internet connection. And get hired, all while still in your jammies! While there are stories about this happening to some people, you can bet that these are the lucky few. Finding the right job is itself a job. And unfortunately, there aren’t many shortcuts. While you should include job boards in your job search plan, don’t devote all of your time answering ads on Monster or Career.com. In fact, health care workers are better off using the job boards that specialize in healthcare careers.
There is good news and bad news when talking about job boards. Job boards are good research tools to use to see hiring trends in your particular field. The bad news is that your chances of getting actually hired from a job board are pretty slim. Because so many people have access to the listings, each posting can generate hundreds of applicants. However, some employers only accept applications through online listings. So you need to review the listings in your field on a regular basis. Job boards are no replacement for the research, preparation and follow up.
