Remote Job Application Simulation Using Technology in Athletic Training Students: A Preliminary Teaching Technique

Background: While athletic training students go through extensive preparations for engaging with patient populations as healthcare providers, less time is spent on preparing athletic training students on how to secure employment after graduation. Without proper employment skills development, securing employment can pose as a challenge for the athletic training student trying to enter the workforce. These skills include developing cover letters and resumes, and remote interviewing skills. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the preparations, execution, and lessons learned from a simulated, remote job application and interview process for athletic training students. Methods: This educational technique was performed using certified athletic trainers as interviewers and reviewers of job application materials (i.e., cover letter, resume, and application email) created by athletic training students. Athletic training students were interviewed by a certified athletic trainer with whom they had no previous relationship. After the structured interview process, a debrief was conducted between the certified athletic trainer and athletic training student. The process was conducted via Zoom. Results: By using simulation techniques, athletic training students are able to experience a realistic review of their cover letters and resumes and engage in a realistic, remote job interview in a low-stakes environment with real-time, objective feedback. Conclusions: Overall, athletic training students reflections indicate the utility of the experience through interviewer observations, introspective observations, and overall thoughts on the experience. The faculty also identified ways to improve the experience in subsequent years.