Ann Klusmeier, 55

Ann KlusmeierThe job: Business and academic manager
The employer: Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics provides state-of-the-art care for children from birth to age 18.
My role: I am responsible for the operating and capital budget in the department of cardiac surgery. The department is developing a research arm for which I also am involved in the budgeting process.
How long have you been in this position?
Since Nov. 17, 2008.
How did you find your job?
I had relocated to the Kansas City area for my husband’s job in the spring of 2007 and took about a year off before starting my job search. Then, in the spring of 2008, I joined the Greater Kansas City Medical Managers Association and went online to check Careerbuilder.com for jobs. I also talked to neighbors, who recommended some of the area job clubs, and I ended up attending job clubs at four locations.
It was at the job clubs that I learned about how to do informational interviews and who were the area’s good professional recruiters. I saw the job posting for Children’s Mercy online and sent in an application electronically. After getting the call that they would like to interview me, I talked with the human resources recruiter and seven other people — a couple from the IT staff, a couple of managers, a couple of coordinators and my future boss, the director of cardiac surgery. Meanwhile, I received another job offer and followed up with the human resources recruiter at Children’s Mercy, who called me back and offered me the job.
What helped the most in the job search?
Participating in the job clubs. Since I had last looked for a job, the environment had changed, especially in regard to how to interview. One of the best tips I got in the job clubs involved doing informational interviews. I wrote cover letters to those organizations in which I was most interested and said something like, “I’m new in town. I’d like to know more about the health-care market here.” I met a lot of people that way; everyone was so helpful.
Did you reach a low point?
Not really. The job clubs were so helpful. They gave me a purpose; I had to report back to the job clubs, so I had to do something every day. Now, I’m trying to pay it forward. I have three people whose job searches I’m assisting with right now.
What is your best advice for others in the job search?
Network! Network! Network! It’s from the job clubs that I learned the “three-foot rule,” tell everyone within three feet of you that you’re looking for a job. From the job clubs also, I learned about developing a 30-second elevator speech, and how to adapt it depending upon who you’re talking to at that moment. The job clubs offer good advice, moral support, friendship; they also hold you accountable.
Any problems with an age barrier after 50?
I did drop my work experience from the late ‘70s and early ‘80s from my resume. But, other than that, I just didn’t allude to age. I’m high energy and outgoing; age doesn’t have to be an issue. I don’t think you should allow age to give you an excuse.
What is your educational and work experience?
I have a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Indiana University in Bloomington (1975) and an MBA from Lewis University in Romeoville, Ill. (1988). Most recently, I was director of services improvement for the University of Missouri Health Care in Columbia.
Is there anything else you would like to share related to the job search?
Organizations are starting to notice if job seekers are blanketing them. Children’s Mercy, for example, limits a job seeker to 15 applications. Don’t apply for anything for which you’re not a good match; it sets you up for failure.
How does this job fit into your long-term career plans?
This job is a little different than what I’ve done before, but I like learning new things. I hope to be doing this for the next 10-15 years.
| Sue Dye Babson, special to The Star