Job Search Tips :Using Trade Shows to Stay Current on Healthcare Advances

Posted on Monday, September 29, 2008

Healthcare trade shows and their smaller, local cousins, health fairs, provide unique opportunities to broaden your career horizons. Attending these industry exhibitions provides a convenient way to keep your fingers on the industry pulse and do some networking at the same time.

Trade shows draw exhibitors from all walks of the healthcare industry that are eager to showcase and demonstrate new products, technologies, and services. A typical regional show may draw representatives from hospitals and surgical centers, nursing homes and assisted living facilities, pharmaceutical companies, medical laboratories, medical software firms, medical equipment and product supply companies, physician and dental groups, staffing companies and government health departments.

Trade shows provide an opportunity to discuss new treatment techniques, give new technology a “hands-on” trial, learn about new services that might assist your patients, try out new equipment and sample new healthcare products. You can collect cards and literature to create a referral file of products and services for future recommendations to patients. Attending trade shows allows you to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in diverse areas of the healthcare industry in one convenient location.

When you attend a trade show or local health fair, don’t neglect the opportunity to network. This is a great opportunity to meet other industry professionals and learn about potential employers in your area. Carry extra business cards to exchange with other professionals. If you are intrigued by a particular company, ask about employment opportunities and remember to get the name and contact information of the firm’s hiring director. You might take along a few copies of your resume, but be sure to follow up by sending an introductory letter and another copy of your resume directly to the hiring director.

Maxim Healthcare Services attends dozens of national trade shows, as well as local shows and fairs. To see the events Maxim will be at in the coming months, visit our tradeshow schedule on Maximnurses.com.