COVID-19's Impact on the Job Search process

2020 was a year filled with uncertainty and new normals.  Our society adapted to a new way to educate our children, stay connected to friends and family and perform our jobs.  The pandemic also changed how companies hired and how job seekers thought about starting new positions.  Let's hear from one of our new Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA) colleagues, who decided to jump in with both feet and brave the new hiring process.

Meet Amel

Amel Ahmed began working for Fresenius Medical Care in April 2020 as a recruiter for our travel division.  She chose to take on a new career at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and has found that choice to be painless and rewarding.  Read on to learn more about her experience and why she recommends now as a great time to take on a new career with Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA). 

LET’S HEAR WHAT AMEL HAD TO SAY:

Q: Why did you join the FMCNA team?

A: I wanted to work for a company with a mission that I felt like I could support. I was searching for a company that truly made a difference in patient's lives and I knew I found that with Fresenius Medical Care.

Q: What was your experience like beginning a new career during a pandemic?

A: Although I joined the company remotely, the process was easy and painless. My manager did a great job communicating what the onboarding process would be like. I received the orientation packet to my personal email, and on my first day of work, my laptop was delivered to me. Training remotely was a new concept, but the travel team did it effortlessly. I never felt like I missed much by not being in the office because every time I had a question or needed help everyone was always online and available.

Q: The pandemic has required us to all adjust our daily routine.  How are you adjusting to staying safe? Is there anything you are doing to help maintain both safety and/or connection during this time?

A: At first, I truly did not think that I was going to enjoy working from home because I am an extrovert and one of the reasons why I chose to be a recruiter is because I love interacting with people. Of course, COVID-19 made me appreciate my new normal because I was able to stay safe and work from the comfort of my home. I learned to enjoy Facetime as that was the new way to stay connected with my family and friends.

Q: What would you tell someone hesitant about starting a new career during this pandemic?

A: I would tell anyone who is hesitant about starting a new career during the pandemic to not be hesitant. It is always terrifying to start a new job, but you should not let fears or uncertainty hold you back. The best part is that this pandemic is new to all of us and we are all learning to live and work in our new normal.

Q: How do you feel that your role is a "vital part" in supporting our patients and our company?

A: The nurses and patient care technicians make a difference in our patient's lives. I try my best to hire the most compassionate people that I could find because I know that alone makes a difference to a patient. Travel nursing is hard because we are asking our employees to leave their comfort and go to a facility in sometimes a state that they have never been to. But it is so rewarding to see them go out there and deliver the best care to those who need it the most. The best part of my job is getting the email or phone call after a traveler’s first week and they tell me that they know they made the right decision to travel with Fresenius Medical Care.

Q: Describe an experience or feeling that stands out when thinking of your career with FMCNA?

A: During my orientation, we talked about what it means to have a serving leader in a company, and I gave the only example that I could think of because it is something that was true in my experience at Fresenius. My answer was a serving leader is someone who fosters leadership in others. I came to that conclusion because both my director and manager embody that. I have always looked for leadership that allowed me and that pushed me to become a leader myself. She allows me to learn from my mistakes but more importantly, she helps me find solutions. This to me is the definition of professional growth with personal meaning. And the best part is that I have never met anyone on my team in person, but it feels like I have known them my entire life and that is the best feeling in the world.

About Fresenius Medical Care

We have become a global leader in healthcare because of the unwavering dedication our people bring to work every day. Whether that means developing new-to-market dialysis technology or educating patients, our team touches the lives of more than 190,000 patients through innovative care and profound, personal connections.

With Fresenius Medical Care North America, you will “be the difference,” enabling patients to thrive, providing comfort to families, supporting coworkers so they can realize their goals, compelling our company to achieve through innovation and performance, and driving the development of your career.

Our team is made up of over 70,000 dedicated employees in North America. All of them focus on being the difference and delivering the highest-quality care to people with kidney disease – helping them to lead longer, better, and healthier lives.