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By Ann Barnaby, CPC, CRC, CASCC Preparing for an interview is almost as important as the interview itself. When a call comes in to schedule an interview with a company, the first step is, of course, celebration! The second step is preparation. Confidence during an interview is key to presenting your best self, and preparation encourages your confidence. Arriving at an interview with information on the company, your interviewer, and the position at hand will ensure confidence, and ensure a successful meeting. If you’ve applied to a job at a company or organization, you’ve probably already completed research before submitting

by Ann Barnaby, CPC, CRC, CASCC I don’t know about you, but sometimes it can feel like I can’t even remember what I did this morning, let alone the work I completed over an entire year! A work journal is a quick, effective way to jot down accomplishments you’ve met, projects that you’ve worked on, and milestones you’ve achieved. A work journal is different from the detail of tracking your daily productivity to record of your daily work and quality. A work journal will have periodic entries, and acts as your own personal HR record for your personal performance. Your

by Ann Barnaby, CPC, CRC, CASCC It is important to think about how you are presenting yourself to potential employers via the online world. Preparation now will ensure that employers see a professional, polished employee. ONLINE JOB SITES Sites like LinkedIn, Indeed.com, Monster, are all incredible resources for those looking for jobs, as well as those hiring. It’s almost guaranteed that a hiring manager will utilize one of these sites when researching you, your skills, and your work history. This is a great chance to make an impression before you even speak to anyone! Update your LinkedIn profile, upload your

by Ann Barnaby, CPC, CRC, CASCC If your email is the most important and first line of communication when looking for a job, your phone, and most importantly your voicemail is the second. During the job search, answering the phone, talking on the phone, and even your voicemail all play a part in your presentation to employers. You don’t want to become a story that employers tell: There was a baby shrieking in my ear! They were doing the dishes while she was talking to me! A dog was barking, and they took the time to scold the dog, and

by Ann Barnaby, CPC, CRC, CASCC This is it; you’re ready to apply to some jobs! The excitement of finding an interesting job prospect, and your drive to get out there and show everyone what you have to offer, may tempt you to jump right in and send emails and applications immediately. Your determination and ambition have lead you to where you are right now, but don’t move to this next phase of the process before completing some necessary groundwork. Preparation can ensure that employers see a professional, polished employee during your communication leading up to an interview. Small changes

by Ann Barnaby, CPC, CRC, CASCC, Founder and Managing Director of Project Resume A friend of mine once said “Going from working at a start-up to working at a large corporation is like going from riding a freight train, to riding a tricycle.” As someone who has worked in both situations, I have to agree with him; both carry some frustrating aspects, and some exhilarating experiences. Preparing yourself for the pacing that comes with various employment environments is essential to creating an efficient and fruitful job search. As a coder, you have the opportunity to seek employment in a number

By Ann Barnaby, CPC, CRC, CASCC With the growth of medical coding and the need for medical coders, recruiters have become an integral part of the hiring process for employers. Recruiters can alleviate anxiety for coders and act as a “go between” with employers and new coders who are unsure of what to expect in the job search process. Let's take a look at how recruiters interact with, support, and help both employers and candidates. For overworked managers, a coding recruiter can be a godsend in helping to build a successful coding team. Relationships between an employer and a recruiter

By Ann Barnaby, CPC, CRC, CASCC Planning to begin a medical coding job search, or any job search, can be daunting; there are so many avenues to pursue, so many different types of coding jobs available. To complete an effective search and find the perfect job for short and long-term goals, organization and research are key elements to the process. Internet and database searches have changed dramatically over the years. Gone are the days of the very first internet search tools; some of you may remember entering a search term only to receive a message that no results were available.

By Ann Barnaby, CPC, CRC, CASCC Almost every coder has faced the same situation. While looking for their first coding job, they are told: You need a job to gain experience, but you can’t get a job without experience. It is a classic catch-22, and the cause of anxiety and frustration for many newly-credentialed coders who are anxious and excited to get their foot in the door of the coding field. However, the changing landscape of healthcare, and changes within the coding field, command the question: Is coding experience truly necessary for success within every coding position? From a manager’s

By Ann Barnaby, CPC, CRC, CASCC The word “networking” often conjures up images of a huge conference room full of people in suits, giving fake smiles and firm handshakes. But networking opportunities are much more organic, and often are all around us. Networking skills are possibly the most important skills that a coder can obtain, second only to actual coding skills! Networking can help coders to find their first coding job, navigate the local employment opportunities, and secure mentorship to expand education. A recent study of over 3,000 employees showed that over 85% of jobs were filled via networking. This

By Ann Barnaby, CPC, CRC, CASCC Telephone, email, text, even faxing? There are so many ways to communicate nowadays. But no matter the method you use, there is one thing that will never change: Communication is key to success in the job search process! Communication in the job search process and throughout your career will be the first impression that you give to many of your colleagues and supervisors. Your method and timing of communication must be concise, clear, and most of all, professional. We’ve talked about updating an email address and signature, and preparing your voicemail to begin a