A sluggish economy has made it hard to find job openings in any industry over the past few years. As business starts to improve, there will be more opportunities to get where you want to be in your career. Whether you’re fresh out of grad school or looking to move your way up the ladder, getting listed in a physical therapy talent pool is a smart way to get noticed by discerning employers and recruiters.
Physical therapists have a better outlook than most. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for physical therapists is projected to grow by 15% from 2022 to 2032. That’s much faster than the average occupation. Along with clinical physical therapy positions, there will be exciting new opportunities in areas like telehealth, physical therapy gamification and virtual reality PT. If you want to be on the leading edge of physical therapy innovation, joining a talent pool is a good place to start.
So what’s a physical therapy talent pool? In this article, we’ll define what a talent pool is and outline seven reasons why you should consider creating a listing — even if you have a job you like.
7 benefits of joining a physical therapy talent pool
A talent pool is like a directory of qualified, vetted candidates that’s actively maintained by an organization. It’s not an open forum for anyone to join. Submissions from job seekers are typically reviewed before they’re posted, and then the entire pool is routinely reviewed for accuracy. Hiring managers who are looking for specific kinds of expertise will often scour talent pools before posting open positions to make sure their candidate slates include some prequalified applicants.
You don’t necessarily need to be looking for jobs right now to create a listing in a talent pool. If you already have a decent job, it’s wise to keep your options open. You could be approached by another employer offering more than you make right now. Even if you don’t want to leave your company, you could use those other offers to negotiate a raise!
Here are the top seven reasons why you should consider applying to join a physical therapy talent pool:
- Have job searching done for you
If you’re in an active job search, joining a talent pool could save you a lot of time. While you’re looking for open positions, hiring managers who might not have a job posted on LinkedIn or Indeed will be able to find you first. Your listing in a talent pool basically multiplies the number of hiring managers who will see your name and your qualifications. It’s similar to having a LinkedIn profile, but the difference is that it’s hosted by a PT organization with a reputation in the industry. You’ll be seen by people who are looking for the best of the best.
- Stand out for the right reasons
What do you love about being a PT? You can use a talent pool listing to highlight the skills and qualities you bring to the table so hiring managers can see what aspects of the job are most fulfilling to you. These are things that could make you a great culture fit or “culture add” to companies that share your values. For example, maybe you have varied experience, but you’re really interested in working with women. Highlighting volunteer work you’ve done with women’s organizations could put you at the top of the list for the jobs you want.
- Get started on your dream career path
Maybe you’re just starting out and you’ve got big aspirations to do something really specific with your career. Include a vision statement in your talent pool listing to attract employers that can get you closer to the right opportunities. Do you want to run your own clinic someday? Or help train physical therapy AI algorithms? Share your personal reasons for advancing your career in physical therapy, and maybe the next steps you’re looking for will show up sooner than you think.
- Be seen by the most selective companies
Some of the best companies to work for don’t post open positions on LinkedIn or Indeed until they already have a strong candidate slate. Passive recruiting techniques are all about seeking out talented people because of a proven track record — even if they’re happily employed. These employers are often willing to sweeten the deal by offering a competitive salary or a signing bonus. They’ll be looking at who’s who on LinkedIn, and PT talent pools are a no-brainer for the best employers. These are basically a gold mine of talent that’s open to new opportunities.
- Be considered for exciting new opportunities
The future of physical therapy is bright and full of innovations. Are you open to new challenges? Thousands of PTs will be needed for telehealth services as telehealth continues to grow in popularity. There are exciting developments happening in physical therapy gamification and virtual reality, and there will be even more applications that haven’t been thought of yet. If you’re open to new and exciting opportunities outside the clinic, a PT talent pool is a good place to show your interest.
- Keep some skin in the game
It bears repeating that some of the best employers are always passively looking for top talent. It’s OK to put an entry in a pool if you already have a job you like. Your employer might not ever see your listing — and it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re packing your bags. Listing yourself in a talent pool shows you’re looking at your long-term career goals and you’re eager to keep moving forward. If you’re a valued member of the team, maybe seeing your talent pool listing will make your boss consider you for a promotion!
Listing yourself in a talent pool is also a way of insuring your career against any fluctuations in the economy. If something happens with your current employer or if you ever need to switch to a more lucrative position, your listing will increase your chances of finding what you need.
- Be vetted and highly recommended
Most talent pools aren’t open for just anyone with an internet connection and a résumé. An organization that puts the time and effort into creating a talent pool is staking a bit of its reputation on the quality of its candidates. Approving your submission is a kind of endorsement that says you’re not only qualified, but you also meet or surpass the host organization’s standards. That’s not something every other applicant can guarantee.
Ready for a new and exciting career opportunity? You’ll find it at Alliance PTP
Alliance Physical Therapy Partners firmly believes that partnership means creating something that is greater than the sum of its parts. We’re proud to bring together physical therapy clinics around the nation to help people get the kind of treatment they’re looking for and then exceed their expectations.
But we and our partners can’t serve the people in their communities with exceptional PT without amazing PT team members and admin staff. That’s why we’re always on the lookout for hardworking individuals who want:
- A less hectic daily schedule than most PT providers require.
- Exceptional health, retirement and wellness benefits.
- Readily available mentorship and professional development opportunities.
- To be part of a team that’s committed to caring for its patients and the local community.
We’re working on developing our own physical therapy talent pool. Keep an eye on our Careers page to be among the first candidates we list. Our community of partners will definitely be looking at this resource when they need to hire new people. Create your listing to show them what you want your next career move to look like.
Want to learn more about the current career opportunities available at Alliance PTP’s partnership in care? Take a look at open positions on our Careers page.
