Respiratory therapists are always in high demand. The key is to find the right fit for your personality, interests, and needs. And the more patient you are during the search process, the more likely that you’ll find the perfect opportunity.
Why Respiratory Therapy?
Whether you’re contemplating starting a career in respiratory therapy, you’re in the middle of pursuing your certifications, or you’re already in the industry, rest assured you’re in good hands. A career as a respiratory therapist offers a number of benefits, including:
- Positive long-term job outlook. Employment of respiratory therapists is expected to increase by 20 percent or more in the coming years, which is much faster than the average across all other industries. This positive long-term job outlook makes it the perfect industry for individuals who prioritize job security.
- Healthy income earning potential. Respiratory therapists earn a median salary of $61,330. The top 25 percent make $74,160, while the bottom 25 percent earn $52,820. Median salaries have grown by more than 18 percent over the past decade.
- Meaningful and fulfilling work. It’s not all about money. As a respiratory therapist, you get to engage in meaningful work that positively impacts the lives of others. This provides a sense of fulfillment and purpose (which is impossible to put a price tag on).
Tips for Finding a Respiratory Therapy Job
The good news is that respiratory therapists are in high demand. But even with plenty of job opportunities, you want to make sure you’re choosing the right one. Here are some helpful tips to make yourself a prime candidate for the best jobs available:
1. Networking
As the popular idiom goes, it’s not what you know, but who you know. It’s never too soon to begin building connections in the industry. If you’re still in school, begin befriending respiratory therapists who are already working in the field. And if you know a particular hospital or facility where you want to work, make as many connections as you can at that specific location (whether they’re respiratory therapists or not). You never know when having a connection with someone can lead to a job opportunity.
Networking can be done in almost any setting, but it’s especially important that you get to know people when doing clinical rotations. Never miss an opportunity to shake a hand, offer help, or start a conversation.
2. Personal Branding
Every respiratory therapist has their own personal brand. And whether you intentionally decide to control your brand or not, it’s something that precedes you. So you might as well be proactive.
In today’s digital world, much of your personal brand is defined by your online presence. Take time to refine your LinkedIn profile and clean up your social media presence. Run a quick Google search for your name to see what pops up. Remove anything that you don’t like. Future employers will search your name online when doing their due diligence during an employment search. Make sure they’re seeing the best version of you!
3. Education
Take continuing education seriously. It’s not just a box that you check off – it’s something that has a significant impact on your skillset. Work with respiratory therapy CE programs that are known for generating positive learning outcomes, like Last Minute CEU’s.
4. Resume Crafting
Connections get your foot in the door. But no matter how well connected you are with people in the industry, there’s still a formal hiring process involved. If you want to come across as a top candidate for job openings, you need a well-crafted resume.
A good resume goes beyond a properly optimized sheet of paper. In today’s job marketplace, you also need a strong LinkedIn presence. It might even be helpful to have your own personal website with testimonials, recommendations, and past work experience. (This isn’t necessary, but it’s a good touch that doesn’t take too much additional time or effort to create.)
Ready, Set, Go!
Finding a job as a respiratory therapist isn’t necessarily difficult. However, if you want to find the perfect job, it requires some work. Hopefully, this article has supplied you with some insights and suggestions that will help you move forward in the right direction.
