By: Mia Phillips, Executive Recruiter, Lighthouse Lab Services
Although people like to think getting a great job as a medical laboratory professional is solely based on qualifications, the reality is this: Regardless of your qualifications, networking plays a huge part in obtaining an amazing lab job.
In this guide, we’re sharing 5 unexpected tips to help you achieve your dream job. They include:
- Looking up and being present
- Caring about your appearance
- Updating your LinkedIn
- Becoming a “regular”
- Telling everyone what’s what
Let’s get to it!
1. Look up and be present
The whole point of networking as a medical lab professional is to connect with people and peers within your industry. In today’s world, we can get so wrapped up in doing our own thing that it can make it almost impossible to do just that. Whether you’re at a networking event or out and about around town, take some time to look up from your phone, take your headphones out, and keep your eyes/ears open. You never know what job posting you might see or opportunity you might hear about simply by being present.
2. Care about your appearance
We always hear the old adage “don’t judge a book by its cover”. It’s a nice sentiment, but you can learn a lot about a book based on the cover. That’s why so much time and effort is put into making a book look appealing to potential readers. The same applies to connecting with potential networking contacts. Having said that, we aren’t suggesting that you wear your Sunday Best every day of the week, but a little effort can go a long way.
It’s important, especially at a laboratory or healthcare networking event, to make sure that you put some effort into your appearance while you are trying to connect with others. Brush those teeth, fix that hair, put on something that makes you feel good, and we can assure you, it will make a huge difference!
3. Update your LinkedIn
It’s a myth that you must be super active on LinkedIn to be effective at networking, but having a profile can be an easy way to give people your contact information and resume in a pinch. Say you connect with someone unexpectedly and you don’t have a pen or piece of paper handy, but you want to be able to follow up. Pull out your phone and connect via LinkedIn! Just make sure you have a professional photo and updated work history and you’ll be good to go.
4. Become a regular
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to connect with other lab professionals. Do you like to get coffee in the morning or go out to a bar on the weekends? Try finding a spot that you really love and stick with that rather than bouncing around. Local coffee shops, libraries, bars, etc. can be great places to bump into the same people while also meeting new people constantly. Start striking up conversations with the employees and other regulars. It’s an easy way to connect with people at places that you already frequent. The more people you meet, the better you network, it’s that simple.
5. Tell everyone what’s what
If you are looking to network to find lab jobs, this is our biggest piece of advice: Talk to anyone and everyone about what you want to do with your life. Whenever anyone asks, “How are you?” always answer with something like: “I’m great! Currently looking for a job in the medical laboratory industry. It’s been a process, but I’m eager to find something that I can really settle into.” Let everyone know that you are job searching. Most people like to be able to help others so it’s never a bad idea to throw it out there. Eventually one of those people will hear about an opportunity and ideally think of you first.
Start using these tips to network effectively
It can be intimidating to network, but even if you start off with practicing just one of these tips, you can exponentially increase your chances of connecting with someone who can help you find your dream lab job.
Lighthouse Lab Services also offers recruiting and placement services to help match labs and candidates, including temporary and travel positions. If you’re struggling to find the next career move that’s right for you, we’d love to help! Feel free to reach out to us directly today!