Episode 22: How to Get Hired as a Medical Assistant After Graduation

Graduation is only the beginning. Landing your first healthcare job takes more than technical skills. It takes confidence, professionalism, preparation, and knowing what employers are looking for. In this episode of Voices of Vital Care, host Nohelani Graf sits down with Suzanne Biggs, Career Services Advisor at Pima Medical Institute and former Medical Assistant and Practice Manager, to talk about what separates graduates who get hired quickly from those who struggle to land their first opportunity. Suzanne shares what it felt like to transition from student to healthcare professional, the biggest surprises she faced in her first Medical Assistant role, and the lessons she now teaches students preparing for their own careers. She also explains how resumes are screened, what interview mistakes cost candidates opportunities, why employers value a growth mindset, and how mentorship and professionalism can shape long term success in healthcare. Whether you're a Medical Assistant student, allied health graduate, career changer, or preparing for your first healthcare interview, this conversation offers practical advice you can use immediately. In this episode: How to get hired as a Medical Assistant Medical Assistant interview tips Resume advice for healthcare graduates What employers look for in new graduates Common mistakes that keep candidates from getting hired Why confidence and professionalism matter How externships prepare students for real patient care Building a successful healthcare career from day one The importance of mentors in healthcare Career growth opportunities for Medical Assistants Subscribe to Voices of Vital Care for conversations that prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals with real career advice, industry insights, and stories from the people shaping the future of allied health. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, stance, or position of Pima Medical Institute. #MedicalAssistant #HealthcareCareers #AlliedHealth #MedicalAssistantStudent #CareerAdvice #HealthcareJobs #HealthcareEducation #FirstJob #MedicalAssistantCareer #PimaMedicalInstitute 00:00 Why Some Healthcare Graduates Get Hired Faster Than Others 00:45 From Medical Assistant to Career Advisor 01:05 What Your First Healthcare Job Really Feels Like 02:21 Why Externships Matter More Than You Think 03:11 The Biggest Surprise After Graduation 05:13 Medical Assistant Careers Go Far Beyond the Clinic 06:17 The Biggest Fears New Graduates Have 07:43 How to Build a Resume That Gets Noticed 08:51 Do Employers Care About Previous Job Experience? 09:30 The Truth About Finding Your First Healthcare Job 10:13 The Biggest Red Flags Hiring Managers See 11:28 What Employers Want From New Medical Assistants 12:51 Why So Many Students Struggle With Confidence 14:09 The Mindset That Sets Top Students Apart 16:43 Your First 90 Days Can Shape Your Career 18:05 The Patient Who Changed Everything 19:49 Why Every Day in Healthcare Is Different 21:03 How to Earn Trust With Your Employer 23:01 Why Suzanne Left Clinical Practice for Education 24:36 The Biggest Lesson She Teaches Every Student 25:30 Final Advice for Every Future Healthcare Professional