Annie Barnaby, CPC, CPCO, CDEO, CRC, CASCC

From a manager’s point of view, the inclination may be to hire a coder who boasts experience within medical coding. However, the addition of new coders has many advantages as well.

Creating an effective LinkedIn profile is not only a vital step in building a strong professional network; it also serves as a digital representation of your personal brand. It is crucial to invest time and effort into optimizing it.

85% of jobs are filled via networking. Networking can help coders to find their first coding job, navigate the local employment opportunities, and secure mentorship to expand education. So where are the best places to network within the coding community?

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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