Locums

Merrainiacs:

"Locums" is a Latin word used interchangeably with a number of other terms: Travelers, Interim Staffing, Contract Staffing, Road Warriors.....you name it. In short, it's a business we're growing like "Wildfire" (not to be confused with the classic Michael Murphey song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pc3OnSQc48s&a=mUP2mnpFtp0&playnext_from=ML). There could be any number of reasons a hospital might choose to hire an interim employee. For example, one of their staff members takes a medical leave, a maternity leave, a position is open and needs to be filled until a permanent hire can be made, a hospital wants to take a "permanent" employee on a "trial period" until they can be certain everything will work out......Whatever the reason, it's a business that continues to grow, and we've carved out a nice following with our prestigious list of clients. Generally, assignments can last anywhere from 30 days up to two years although there are no rules. Our specialty is at the director level although interim employees are hired at the staff level, in the executive suite and yes....even that Doctor that is treating you can be simply an "interim" employee covering for someone else.

In short, our firm will find the employee in usually two - five days and have them on site within a week. We provide the insurance, handle the payroll, taxes, benefits, housing and any related matters. The hospital can onboard them very quickly, and they don't have to worry about all of the usual HR "stuff" (this is a technical term) because we're handling it.

Short case in point, we got a call from a client that needed an Interim Director Laboratory Services ASAP. They called us last week because they failed an inspection and the state came down on them. Three days later we had their new interim director onsite. While we look for their next permanent director, we've got a turnaround expert in there that will make sure the ship is sailing right before the new director comes in. Perhaps the interim candidate we placed there might even transition into the permanent role.

It's a great business. In our case, we have specialists that do nothing but handle the interim side of our work. It requires a great deal of knowledge, and each minute counts. We might work all through the night on an interim assignment depending upon how tight the timeline is. To learn more about this business or if you have questions about whether an interim assigment is appropriate for you, feel free to contact us: info@merraine.com

Until next time........

Merrainiac

Shameless Self-Promotion

Heya Merrainiacs,

As a followup on our series about resumes, heres a few tips on the art of self-promotion.Everyone is repulsed by braggarts – people who are shameless self promoters. So don’t be one, ya hear?!

The truth is that (thankfully) these people rarely exist in the job search and career transition arena, as I can’t remember the last time I spoke with a candidate whom I felt was arrogant. Sure, people say off-color things when the stakes are high in an interview. But this doesn’t mean they are bragging. Typically, they are nervous and get caught in an awkward moment.Here’s a good formula for broadcasting your skills without being viewed as bragging. Write down and rehearse the 4-5 points that distinguish you from your peers. In other words, what home-runs have you delivered that demonstrate why you are such a strong candidate for a job. Know your messages cold so that in the heat of the moment, they are ready to be launched without a moment of consideration.

Don’t be afraid to speak matter-of-factly about your specific achievements. For example:

· - Exceeded management’s expectations by deploying a restructuring initiative that achieved…

· - Helped position my previous employer to be more market competitive and provide value-added service to its clients by…

· - Received multiple awards for generating year-over-year improvements to…

· - Worked with world-class experts in “x’, which provided me with a unique perspective to…

Be proud of who you are and what you have done and deliver your accomplishments in a direct, professional and measured way. Every action creates a reaction, and your role in selling yourself is to activate job opportunities, promotions or advancements. You’ll know if you did this well when a faint smile appears on the listeners face or you sense some other visceral reaction that captures their interest.

Hope that helps.

Merrainiac

Integration, and a Prayer

Hey Merrainiacs!

The big change this week was the completion of our website integration- a project I've been working on for quite a while- so I’m pretty psyched that we’re up and running. From now on- all of our social networking links are integrated into our website! Yipee!

Extra donuts for me on Monday…I think I'll hold out for the Vanilla Cream Filled!

On a more serious note, just wanted to send a prayer into cyberspace for all the people affected by the oil spill in the Gulf. If you want to move out and need a new job, we are always here for you!

Merrainiac