With the demand for healthcare professionals continuing to rise in the US, there are many healthcare opportunities out there! While you may think that these increasing needs translate to a quick and effortless job search, you still need to come up with a well-thought-out plan in order to land your next healthcare job.

“Although the demand for healthcare professionals is unprecedented, you should approach your job search as if the opposite were true,” says Katie Kiekrash, Vice President of ES Healthcare, a Division of The Execu|Search Group. “Since healthcare organizations will not compromise on quality when hiring, you’ll need to put your best foot forward in your search by being strategic.”

Here are five things healthcare professionals should do in order to lead a successful healthcare job search:

Read the job essentials

In an effort to find a job as quickly as possible, you may be tempted to submit your resume to any role that seems interesting. However, this can be a dangerous trap to fall into! “Two mistakes that many healthcare job seekers make are not reading the whole job description and not properly doing research on the organization,” warns Katie. “Not doing either shows a potential employer that you ultimately aren’t that interested in that specific role.” While you do want to apply broadly during your search, you also want to be cognizant of your career goals and how a particular role will help you accomplish them.

Reach out to your network

As you navigate your healthcare job search, you’ll want to leverage every connection in your network. Why? It’s the best way to land a job in the healthcare industry! “Like many other fields, landing a job in healthcare depends on who you already know in the industry,” explains Katie. “Not only can someone in your network put in a good word for you, but they can also direct you toward opportunities that aren’t being advertised as publicly on job boards and the facility’s website.”

Utilize LinkedIn

Even though LinkedIn hasn’t been a popular resource for healthcare professionals in the past, it is now considered a necessary part of any healthcare job search. “As well as being an excellent asset for finding and making connections, LinkedIn is a powerful branding tool,” says Katie. “Posting blog articles and relevant industry news on a regular basis demonstrates a commitment to the field and a deep knowledge of evolving market trends.”

Read more: 3 Reasons Why All Health Professionals Need LinkedIn

Be smart about using job boards

While you may be able to find a wealth of opportunities on general job boards like Indeed and Monster, you’ll want to focus most of your energy on job boards that are healthcare-specific. “Most facilities are using healthcare-specific job boards when it comes to sourcing new talent,” says Katie. “Using niche job boards like Nurse.com and PhysicianJobBoard gives you a better chance of making contact directly with a facility than applying through broader job board sites.”

Reach out to a recruiter

If you’re feeling lost during your search, consider reaching out to a recruiter! As industry experts, recruiters will be able to provide guidance and answer any questions you may have as you look for a new healthcare job. “Not only do recruiters have the industry connections to help you find a job, but they also know which areas you should focus on during the process,” says Katie. “Whether that involves helping you set a salary range or telling you which certifications and credentials you should list on your resume, a recruiter is a valuable asset to have in your corner.”