When searching for the “perfect” job to progress your career, knowing where to start can be the most overwhelming. Any professional recruiter will tell you there’s no precise formula to a successful search but you can follow a few tips to ensure you make the best use of your resources and time. Here are some questions anyone looking for a new job should ask themselves.
The best place to begin is to ensure you are eligible to move into a new position. What does that mean, exactly? UTHealth has guidelines all internal employees will be subject to during the application process. Consider how long you’ve been in your role (i.e., your probationary period) and your last annual performance evaluation status. Detailed information surrounding these policies can be found online. (Hoop Policy 156)
Once you have determined you are eligible, the next best step is to establish your goals. This sounds like a no-brainer, but it is vital to ensuring you are maximizing your opportunities.
For example, what is driving your desire to move into a new position? Does career progression drive you? Is a salary increase the most important factor? Are you looking to take on more responsibility? All of these are vital questions you should be asking yourself. Recruiters and hiring managers often ask candidates to list their top three priorities to establish if candidate and departmental goals align.
This will also help determine if you are looking for a transfer or promotion and how to know what roles to apply for. (Which we will get into next).
Promotion: A promotion occurs when an employee moves to a position with a greater pay range midpoint.
Transfer: A transfer occurs when an employee moves to a different position with the same pay range midpoint or a lower pay range midpoint than their current position.”
Step 3: Do I meet the qualifications?
When considering what roles to apply to, you will want to check job postings for “minimum qualifications.” This is the best way to ensure you maximize your efficiency and consideration opportunities. One excellent resource for exploring requirements and pay ranges is the “Job Code Description” section of the employee self-service site.
The two most important things to know when applying are:
1) Ensure that you are using that Intranet site
2) Not only update and upload a new resume but also fill out all applicable experience. At a minimum, your application should include experience and education that verifies you meet the qualifications for the role. You can also set up job alerts based on critical filters for your search (i.e., location, title, etc.).
Bonus: I’ve applied, now what?
Talent Acquisition: If ever you have questions and want to speak to a recruiter, you can send an inquiry via email to hr@uth.tmc.edu. We are available to answer questions about job postings, how to prepare for interviews, and steer you in the right direction if you have eligibility concerns. You can also check the status of your application by logging into your career page and clicking on “my submissions.”
Be prepared to provide References: Internal candidates must provide a minimum of two individuals who can provide a reference to their prospective hiring manager. (One of the two references must be your current supervisor). UTHealth Houston policy requires internal candidates to give their current department two weeks' notice after accepting a new job offer.