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PLEASE NOTE: To visit any webpage link mentioned in this newsletter, copy and paste it in your browser.

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In today's Newsletter:

~Finding a Job~

**Surgical Technology - A Student's Perspective-**

--CONGRATULATIONS--

~Updates & Reminders~

~HELP WANTED~

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Finding a Job!

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One of the most common questions, issues, concerns, and sometimes even complaints I often receive are from recently graduated Surgical Tech's who cannot seem to find employment.

Very often they express to me how they've submitted application after application and nobody is willing to give them a chance.

Some ST Grads have even been looking for as long as a year or so...

Well, what I'm about to say may not sit to well with some of these recent grads AND I'd like to say that I'm not being hard on you or trying to upset or anger you.

Rather, I'm going to express myself and tell it the way I see it.

Here's the deal, before graduation from ST school you should have already begun your search for employment.

If not, no worries, ==> Start now.

One thing you have to understand is that there are employers out there who absoultely require a certain amount of experience and there is just no way around that.

However, I say there is a way around that and you should never have a problem finding employment.

The way I see getting around the "experience required" is by getting yourself in front of (or at least on the phone with) an O.R. Director and selling your knowledge and skills.

Believe me, there have been times when I'd be looking for a change and couldn't find any ST Employment listings. BUT, once I did a little foot work and actually got myself in front of the person who could hire me, I was batting a thousand.

Ok, ok you've done a little foot work and submitted an application here and there.

You checked the classifieds and internet employment boards.

But have you made any phone calls directly to the O.R.'s?

Have you prepared a professional resume and gotten your letters of reference together?

Have you taken your "sales package" (i.e resume, letters of reference, business suit & positive attitude) to each and every facility in your area?

No - you say... Well then, what are you waiting for????

If all of that sounds like a bit of work, it is.

Listen, nobody is going to come knocking on your door offering you work. AND you certainly can't expect to be a top candidate by simply mailing a resume or application and then waiting for the phone to ring.

You have to get out there and pound the pavement.

There are plenty of Surgical Tech Jobs out there waiting to be filled. AND believe it or not but many of them are not listed in any employment section of any publication.

Some O.R.'s look for people via "word of mouth"

Some O.R.'s may just have a position open up and haven't had a chance to post it yet.

Trust me, there are jobs out there. You have to do some work and get your face in front of the employers.

If there is no way you can actually get in front of the O.R. director, you can certainly walk into the H.R. dept -IN PERSON- in a business suit or outfit, with a professional resume in hand, possibly a business card with your contact numbers on it, and letters of reference.

Yes, letters of reference can come from your instructors or other O.R. professionals you worked with during clinicals.

So, get your "sales package" together and start knocking on doors.

PERSISTENCE & PREPARATION PAYS!!!

There are a lot of FRE'E employment tools here:

https://www.surgicaltechsuccess.com/surgicaltechemploymenttools.html

It's very common to get discouraged if you get a couple of "No's - we need expereince"...

But why take no for an answer. Sell yourself~

You've worked pretty darn hard to get through Surgical Tech School, don't let that education and determination go to waste.

Sometimes I'm just blown away when I get an email from a ST Grad telling me they've been looking for the past 6 months. But when I ask them if they've actually knocked on any doors with resume in hand, I often hear something like: "Well, I didn't see any job openings..."

Come on my fellow scrubs, I'm telling you there are jobs out there!!!

Most of the jobs I've had never spent one second in a help wanted ad.

I've even gotten Travel Contracts in hospitals and facilities that weren't even looking for a traveler and didn't have any job openings listed.

Believe in yourself!

Believe in your education!

Believe you have a special skill and talent as a Surgical Tech!

Believe you can sell your unique education & knowledge!

And believe you will find a job!!!

That's it, there's my take on finding employment. I hope I didn't anger, upset, or hurt anybody's feelings.

Believe me, nothing in this newsletter is aimed at any one person.

I just want you to get out there and put some work into finding some work.

You can do it if you believe you can!!!

AND you can read a lot more detailed info about my employment techniques in the Surgical Tech Success Handbook here:

https://www.surgicaltechsuccess.com/surgicaltechhandbook.html

AND one more thing, please read the student's perspective on Surgical Technology below.

As always, feel free to contact me anytime, I am always here to help you in any way possible~

Until Next Time~

Your friend,

Robert Prince, CST

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“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” – Seneca, Roman Philosopher

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**Surgical Technology - A Student's Perspective-**

I recently returned from a Surgical Technology Career Presentation in Beaufort, South Carolina (Technical College of the Lowcountry ) where I met an incredibly motivated group of Surgical Technology students.

Not only did they welcome me into their school to speak, but they made me feel like a mini-celebrity.

Ms. JoLane Buss, Technical College of the Lowcountry - Surgical Technology Program Director, was a most gracious host and I can tell you for a fact that her students are in excellent hands. I saw first hand the amount of energy and work Ms. Buss is putting into her students and ST Program.

Well, after I returned home, I received an article written by Ms Danyell Smalls, who happens to be a new student at TCL.

Her perspective on Surgical Technology is that of a well educated Surgical Technologist.

Please take a moment to read Ms Small's article here:

https://www.surgicaltechsuccess.com/surgicaltechsuccesslinks.html

AND thank you once again to Ms Buss, her students, and the faculty of Technical College of the Lowcountry for welcoming me and treating me very well!

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--CONGRATULATIONS--

To my friend and colleague Ms Jean Stewart of Lurleen B. Wallace Community College.

Ms Stewart recently sat for and PASSED the CST exam.

When she emailed me to give me the good news, she specifically thanked me for my certification tips. I'm quite flattered and grateful, but the true CONGRATULATIONS goes to Ms Stewart for showing her dedication and professionalism to her students, herself, and our incredible field.

CONGRATULATIONS TO:

Jean Stewart RN, MSN, CNOR, ==> CST <== Surgical Technology Instructor SkillsUSA Campus Advisor Lurleen B. Wallace Community College Opp, AL. 36467

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~Updates & Reminders~

~Help Me Help You~

Make sure you visit the "Surgical Tech Questionnaire" today.

https://www.surgicaltechsuccess.com/stquestionnaire.html

The selected entrants will be notified by Sunday - August 27, 2006-.

There are a lot of FRE'E employment tools here:

https://www.surgicaltechsuccess.com/surgicaltechemploymenttools.html

Surgical Tech Traveler Update

I've been extremely satisfied with the feedback from Surgical Tech's who have gotten their travel career started from our Surgical Traveling page.

Take a look here:

https://www.surgicaltechsuccess.com/surgicaltraveling.html

The -SURGERY NEWS- continues to be EXTREMELY popular:

https://www.surgicaltechsuccess.com/surgerynews.html

The fre'e Questions, Answers, Tips, & Resources ebook is still available for newsletter subscribers here:

https://www.surgicaltechsuccess.com/surgicaltechinformation.html

Surgical Tech Success Handbook here:

https://www.surgicaltechsuccess.com/surgicaltechhandbook.html

If you would like to order the printed hardcopy edition of the Surgical Tech Success Handbook, the bonus digital download material IS included as digital downloads.

https://www.surgicaltechsuccess.com/stshorder.html

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~HELP WANTED~

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If you have a Surgical Tech position available or know of a facility that is looking for Surgical Tech's, visit the following page for a FRE'E Surgical Tech Job posting.

https://www.surgicaltechsuccess.com/postsurgicaltechjob.html

POST your Surgical Tech position today OR if you know of a facility that is looking for Surgical Tech's, visit the following page for a FRE'E Surgical Tech Job posting.

https://www.surgicaltechsuccess.com/postsurgicaltechjob.html

Currently, there is absolutley no cost to place a Surgical Tech Job - Help Wanted listing on our site.

https://www.surgicaltechsuccess.com/postsurgicaltechjob.html

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HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

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