I’m Dr. Hassan, a Board-Certified Physiatrist and Independent Practice Owner. I help physiatrists start and grow their own profitable practices so they can achieve financial independence and live without limits.
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There is still stiff competition for many job openings, so you need a way to make your CV stand out in a crowded field of candidates. The CCAR model is one proven technique that can help you get noticed by employers and show off your accomplishments to your best advantage. This guide explains the four elements of CCAR and how to use this format to create a dazzling CV.
The four elements of CCAR are as follows:
1. Context. Describe the context. Begin by setting the stage for your story. Set out what organization you work for and any relevant details like its mission and size. Provide your official job title and the role you play.
2. Challenges. State the challenges. Explore the obstacles you work to overcome. Maybe your organization faced rising costs due to increased supply chain costs, or your patients asked to see evidence of sustainable environmental practices.
3. Actions. Chronicle your actions. Spell out precisely what you did to respond to the challenge.
4. Results. Report the results. Talk about the outcome and its impact on your organization. Specify what you achieved in cost savings, increased patient satisfaction, lower patient complaints, or similar measures.
Additional suggestions for using CCAR:
1. Tell a compelling story. Try reading your stories out loud to test how interesting they might sound to a recruiter. Make your language concise and vivid.
2. Develop multiple examples. If possible, include more than one CCAR story for each position on your CV. Recruiters will usually read a CV slightly longer than one page if they see the qualifications they are looking for.
3. Draw on all your experiences. Sometimes other areas of your life can provide useful stories. In addition to your past jobs, think about what you’ve done through volunteer services, self-employment, and other activities.
4. Use numbers. Quantifying your contributions strengthens your credibility. Calculate how much money you helped to save or the percentage increase in revenue you brought about.
5. Be specific. Paint a clear picture throughout your story. Details and particulars are more convincing than generalities.
6. Remain relevant. Read vacancy announcements carefully so you can tailor the stories you used to each opening. You may wish to emphasize different aspects of your background, depending on the circumstances.
7. Start with the recent past. Stick to the last few years of your work history for the most part. If you have something from further back that you want to cite, mention it in your cover letter.
8. Focus your job search. If you get stumped when you try to come up with relevant CCAR stories for a particular job, it could be a warning side. When your qualifications are a good match for the opening, the process is usually more straightforward.
9. Highlight awards and recognition. Recognition by others is another strong selling point. List any awards you’ve received or cite positive media references to work.
10. Include your education and training. You can also include your education and training in your CCAR stories. CCAR is recommended by the office of personnel management, so you’ll want to master the format if you plan to fill out a job application for the federal government.
Whatever your career goals, the model can also be adopted to improve your performance in any behavioral-based interview or employee evaluation. Put CCAR to work to drive your career to the next level.
I am Dr. Hassan, Board Certified Physiatrist and Independent Practice Owner. I help physiatrists start and grow their own independent practice so that they can live without limits. Please go to businessofrehab.com\contractnegotiations to pick up the free guide to help you negotiate that contract once you get that job.
Has your CV landed you a job offer? Check out these 8 questions on our blog that you will want to ask yourself before accepting that offer.
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Attention, Physiatrists! Stop leaving money on the table. Sign up for the free video series: How To Build A Profitable Practice in 90 Days or Less: http://www.sixtytosuccess.com
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I’m Dr. Hassan, a Board-Certified Physiatrist and Independent Practice Owner. I help physiatrists start and grow their own profitable practices so they can achieve financial independence and live without limits. Follow me on social media @DrHassanRehab.
