#77 – Thrive in Training: how to land your first job in anesthesia with Jon Bradstreet, MSN, CRNA

In this episode, I talk with Jon Bradstreet, MSN, CRNA who at the time of this recording was the chief CRNA/Director of CRNA Services at Maine Medical Center, Maine’s only level 1 trauma center. Jon was the chief CRNA who gave me my first job in anesthesia. At the time he hired my wife and I, in June of 2015, there were around 50 CRNAs in our group. Seven years later, our group has more than doubled in size with just over 100 CRNAs. Jon has overseen that growth and the development of an incredibly healthy culture within the anesthesia team at Maine Medical Center. We originally recorded this interview in December of 2015. In this episode we talk about how to prepare for the job hunt as a SRNA… everything from what to look for in a job and how to weigh various pros & cons, how to prepare your resume or CV and how to ace the interview & follow up communications with a prospective employer. You’ve worked incredibly hard during anesthesia school to develop the skills & knowledge to become a competent provider; following through with a similar degree of proactive ownership to land your first job is key to making a successful transition into working as an anesthesia provider. This episode will tell how to do just that. Key topics: * CV Preparation – what works and what’s fluff on your CV* When to and how to contact prospective employers* Tips for interviews including:* What chief CRNAs are looking for in your interview* Questions you should be asking in your interview* Things to consider doing and avoid doing in an interview* When to follow up on an interview* Tips for promoting yourself as a CRNA* Advice for how to prioritize important aspects of jobs including location, practice type, group culture, compensation packages and more* Advice for CRNA couples who are in the job hunt together Parting words from Jon Bradstreet, MSN, CRNA: “Have fun… we have a great profession and we have a great lifestyle.  We’re very lucky to do what we do for a living.  Always keep that in mind – how fortunate we are in this profession.  And then finally I think I would say listen to your gut.  It’s taken you very far in life already… don’t repress what it’s telling you as you’re in that interview.”