If you’re looking to change careers, the contact tracing field is an exciting option. The job is all about helping people in need and making sure they get the medical treatment they need and there’s no shortage of opportunities for growth.
That said, landing your first job as a contact tracer isn’t always easy. You’ll need to know what the job entails and how it differs from other positions within health care; learn how to talk about this career with potential employers;
And prepare for both phone interviews and face-to-face interviews. We’ve compiled some tips that will help you land your dream position in no time!
1. Know The Basics Of What A Contact Tracer Does
Contact tracing is a method of locating people who may have been exposed to a communicable disease.
It’s often used to help control the spread of disease and outbreaks by finding anyone who had contact with someone who has an illness that can be passed from one person to another.
The importance of contact tracing cannot be overstated: it’s vital in stopping the spread of communicable diseases, which results in fewer cases overall, as well as less risk for those who come into contact with ill individuals.
Contact tracers are responsible for helping health professionals identify people who have been exposed to or infected by a communicable disease, so they can receive treatment if necessary and prevent further infections from occurring (or even stop them before they start).
2. Prepare For Interview Questions
Interview questions are meant to test your knowledge and expertise, so you should be prepared with answers that cover the following:
- Your experience in customer service, including how many years you’ve been doing it, and your title.
- Any competencies or skills that are relevant to this role.
What do you know about the company? This is especially important if they’re a small business or non-profit organization since there’s no way for an interviewer to know everything about their own company or even whether it’s technically still a “company.”
If asked about what specific projects/goals/achievements make this agency unique, ask first if there is anything else he/she would like to know before starting with those things (especially if your interviewers are also friends).
Then proceed according to his or her answer. For example: “I’d love for you to share more about why this project was so important for our client!”
3. Understand The Requirements For The Job
Before you can start looking for a job, you need to understand what the job requirements are. This means researching the company and its open position. What is the job description? What skills are required? What qualifications are needed?
Is there an hourly rate or salary range listed in their ad? Do they provide benefits like health insurance or paid time off?
How many hours will be expected of you each week/month/year? Are there other perks that come with this position such as relocation assistance or travel opportunities?
What’s important here is that you take all of these factors into account when applying for jobs because some companies may not be able to offer what they promise on paper if they don’t meet certain expectations during the interview process (i.e., your commute mustn’t be too long).
4. Showcase Your Interpersonal Skills
Interpersonal skills are a must for any job, and contact tracing is no exception. In this role, you will have to be able to interact with tons of different people across many different levels of an organization to get the information you need.
So how do you show that you have these interpersonal skills?
Here are some tips:
Demonstrate your ability to build rapport with your coworkers by offering real-life examples or anecdotes from previous work experiences.
This will show that you’ve been able to form positive relationships with others before, which makes it more likely that they’ll want to work with (and hire) someone friendly and easygoing like yourself!
5. Brush Up On Data Entry Skills
To land a job as a contact tracer, you’ll need to know how to type accurately and quickly. This is true no matter what level of education you have or which company you’re applying with.
You can improve your typing skills by using an online learning website like Duolingo or typing practice games like Typing Speed Test.
You should also brush up on your keyboarding skills by taking online courses like Learn How To Type on Your Computer!
In addition to being able to type well enough that it doesn’t slow down the work process, contact tracers must learn how to use a mouse effectively so they can navigate through websites quickly and efficiently when researching information about clients’ contacts.
Practice mouse training websites such as Improve Your Mouse Skills will help you get comfortable using the computer mouse so that it becomes second nature for contacting clients’ contacts for them to make appointments with their doctors or dentists without having any problems doing so due solely because of unfamiliarity with using computers in general.”
6. Demonstrate Confidence
Demonstrate confidence. You must show your prospective employer that you are confident in your ability to do the job.
If you have ever worked as a contact tracer, demonstrate your experience by highlighting the skills and traits used in this type of work that make you unique. Make it clear that these skills will transfer well into their company.
Show initiative and be willing to take on challenges. A great contact tracer knows how to solve problems and lead teams in times of crisis, but they also know when it’s time to ask for help when necessary.
By demonstrating these qualities during an interview process, employers will see how valuable a resource (and potential problem solver) they’d be if hired on permanently!
Be a team player who can function well under pressure while performing at the top level during high-intensity situations (such as those found where many people are trying simultaneously).
7. Set Yourself Apart From Other Candidates By…
Be Yourself
Show your personality. If you’re not a fan of dogs, don’t pretend to be in your cover letter! If you love dogs but want to work for a company that doesn’t allow pets on their premises, don’t pretend like it won’t bother you.
You’d be surprised at how often candidates try to fit into the mold of what they think employers are looking for and it almost always backfires in their faces.
Don’t copy other people’s answers. Take risks with your content by being creative and showing off some unique points about yourself that wouldn’t come across through the typical CV or cover letter writing process.
8. Learn Everything You Can About Contact Tracing Beforehand
This is a great time to work with a mentor. They can help you understand the industry and the company, as well as give you advice about how to conduct yourself during interviews.
You can also read books about contact tracing, take online courses on contact tracing (if available), join communities of like-minded individuals in your area, and ask questions from more experienced people who are willing to help out newcomers.
To get started with all this research, research your company: what they do and how they do it.
Research their industry: what other companies do it or provide services related to it? Research your job: what skills do I need for this position? And finally, research yourself: what am I good at doing that would be useful in this position?
9. Know What To Expect During Your First Day On The Job
You’ve gone through all the steps to land your dream job as a contact tracer, and now it’s time for your first day on the job. If you’re nervous about your first day, don’t be! Here are some things to expect:
You will be meeting with other team members as well as the lead contact tracer of that particular company or business.
They will go over all of the key points of what each person is responsible for doing on their assignment, and how they all work together to find lost people and pets in their area.
You should bring some snacks or lunch so that you can take breaks throughout the day if needed (and also because everyone else does).
There are usually vending machines available if there aren’t any options outside of work hours nearby where everyone lives (if they live locally).
It’s important not only because it keeps morale up while working hard but also because many people have medical conditions which require daily medicine doses throughout those twenty-four hours!
Plus those get boring after a while…so bring something interesting such as cookies made by grandma 🙂 This is one-way companies encourage camaraderie amongst staff members who spend most days together at work rather than being home when others might go out at night.”
10. Be Ready to Work Remotely
The final piece of advice I have is to be ready to work remotely. If you’re hoping to land a job as a contact tracer, you must know what to expect. Contact tracing is most commonly done through phone calls and online chats, so be prepared for this type of work environment.
If possible, gather up any necessary supplies ahead of time; office supplies are one thing but other things like headsets will help ensure your success as a contact tracer.
Conclusion
I hope this post has helped you understand what contact tracing is, as well as how to land your dream job as a contact tracer. I know that working in this field can be challenging, but also very rewarding.
You will get to meet people from all over the world and hear their stories firsthand. Your work will help save lives by providing resources for those who need them most, so there’s no better reason than that to pursue this path!
