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You nailed your job interview, wowed the hiring managers, and a job offer is on the table. Now it's time for the dreaded salary negotiations.
For many job seekers, negotiating your salary can be one of the most nerve-wracking aspects of the job search. Taking a job when you're not pleased with the salary can make you feel devalued and cost you thousands of dollars in lost income over the years. But negotiating too hard can create tension with your future employer, and that's not the impression you want to make before your first day on the job.
The best negotiating techniques foster a win-win between employer and employee. That is, both sides of the table agree on a fair compensation plan that's within the company's budget and makes an employee feel valued. Career expert Elaine S. Rosenblum, of Courageous Conversation, Atlanta, offered these salary negotiation tips to ADVANCE.
Come to the table prepared.
Doing your homework before you apply for a job helps jobseekers overcome the awkwardness of salary negotiations. Rosenblum recommends that jobseekers talk to people in their industry in the geographical area where they're applying. If you feel uncomfortable asking these people about their salaries, you can frame your questions generally by asking about the salary range for similar positions in the area, she advises. You also can call recruiters and ask about salary ranges for similar positions.
Pause before accepting a position.
In this economy, many jobseekers are just happy to be offered a position, any position. But Rosenblum cautions against accepting the first offer you receive. Most hiring managers anticipate candidates will negotiate, so they lowball their first offer to give themselves wiggle room. When the salary is revealed during the offer, ask whether it's negotiable. If not, plan on negotiating other items such as flex time and bonuses.
A tactful way to open up the dialogue for salary negotiations, according to Rosenblum, is to say something such as: "I appreciate the offer, and I'm very excited about the prospects of working for you. I need some time to think about it."
Use the time to talk with a trusted advisor about the opportunity and salary range. Rosenblum says people who advocate for a higher salary often position themselves as go-getters who will advocate for the employer in the future.
Become a lifelong negotiator.
Negotiating doesn't end when you accept an offer. Rosenblum advises professionals to negotiate throughout their career. Ask for higher pay in a respectful and flexible way, such as "Is my salary flexible?" or "Is my salary negotiable?" The key is to ask open-ended questions that are not offensive.
Remember, the answer is always "no" unless you ask.
To read the full article, click here.
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Planning your career path over the next decade? You may want to think twice about data entry and postal work. But job openings will be plentiful for registered nurses and home health aides.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released yesterday its predictions for which jobs will experience the biggest growth - and steepest declines - between 2010 and 2020.
Analysts project about 20.5 million new jobs will be added by 2020. That's about a 14 percent growth. Most of the growth will be concentrated in a few industries, including healthcare, retail sales and education. Registered nurses topped the list for largest growth, adding more than 711,000 jobs.
But times will continue to be tough for farmers, postal workers and door-to-door salespeople.
Here's a list of the top 15 professions expected to see the largest growth by 2020:
- Registered nurses
- Retail salespersons
- Home health aides
- Personal care aides
- Office clerks
- Food preparation and service workers, including fast food
- Customer service representatives
- Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers
- Laborers and freight, stock and material movers
- Postsecondary teachers
- Nursing aides, orderlies and attendants
- Childcare workers
- Bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks
- Cashiers
- Elementary school teachers, except special education
Other professions projected to have the fastest, although not necessarily the largest, growth include physical therapists, audiologists, physical and occupational therapy assistants and health educators.
How will this data affect your career decision? Tell us by leaving a comment below?
Click here to view all the BLS employment projections.
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Laid off? Entering the workforce after staying home to raise children? Overqualified? These factors don't have to hinder your employment prospects. With a little preparation, you can put a positive spin on perceived strikes against you and ace your next job interview.
In an article featured on the ADVANCE for Respiratory Care & Sleep Medicine website, career coaches offered these tips for how to broach difficult topics during the job search process.
Situation No. 1: You were laid off from your previous job.
How should you respond to the common interview question: "Why did you leave your last job?"
In this economy employers are understanding about unemployment due to market conditions, and being out of work for six months is no longer unusual.
Rather than getting hung up on negative or personal feelings toward your previous employer, focus your answer on the new opportunities the situation can bring to your career, advises Brent Peterson, creator and president of Interview Angel. Peterson suggests saying something like: "Due to recent organization changes at my previous employer, a decision has been made that impacted my career there. I am now excited about the opportunity to apply my skills and experience at another organization."
Emphasize what you did during your unemployment, such as volunteering and academic accomplishments. Explain how these activities sharpened skills that could be applied to the position in which you're applying.
Situation No. 2: Your resume includes an employment gap.
Maybe you took a year off to have a baby, care for a sick parent or to take a break from the working world. Re-entering the workforce is no easy task. Potential employers will likely ask what you've been up to during the past year while out of work.
"If the interviewer asks about your gap, be honest, be brief, and be ready to change the conversation to something positive," says Ginny Rehberg, president of Rehberg Management Group, a career consulting, corporate outplacement, and executive coaching firm.
Situation No. 3: You're overqualified for the position in which you're applying.
You've been a supervisor for three years, but the only position you can find is one for a staff therapist. What should you say if asked whether you're overqualified?
The fact that the interviewer is taking the time to interview you means he is already prepared to overlook this perception, Peterson says. "Your job is to convince him you fully understand his problems and are prepared to solve them."
Explain to the interviewer why you are interested in the position and assure her you won't jump at the first chance to leave. To prove this, point out your long histories at other facilities.
For more advice on how to navigate tough interview questions, read Amanda Koehler's article in ADVANCE for Respiratory Care & Sleep Medicine.
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Technology has dramatically changed the way nurses diagnose, treat and care for their patients. Because of this, nursing informatics is emerging as one of the hottest subspecialties for nursing professionals. If you have a passion for technology and patient care, this career path may be the perfect choice for you.
In an article on ADVANCE for Nurses, Angela M. Lewis, BSN, RN, BC, CPHIMS, offers these insights nursing informatics as a career path:
What is nursing informatics? Nursing informatics aims to improve the quality of patient care by enhancing nursing communication, documentation and efficiency through technology. This discipline integrates the science of nursing, computer technology and information science.
What skills are needed? The right mix of both clinical and technical skills makes for a good informatics nurse, says Lewis. Part of your effectiveness in a NI role will depend on your credibility as one who has practiced and understands where clinicians in the trenches are coming from.
How do I get started on this career path? With the demand high there are organizations willing to hire nurses (with little or no previous NI experience) and provide the novice nurse informaticist the training needed to be successful in a variety of NI roles.
To get started, Lewis recommends that you learn as much about the specialty. Obtain a copy of the American Nurses Association Nursing Informatics Scope and Standards of Practice guidelines.
In addition, NI contains many roles. Lewis recommends that you familiarize yourself with the different roles and decide exactly what it is in NI you want to do.
Finally, search online job boards and career sections for NI roles will help you learn:
1) what the position salary ranges are per geographical regions;
2) how many years and what type of (if any) experience is required, and
3) what the requirements and responsibilities are.
What education is necessary? Neither certification nor an advanced degree is a requirement to gain entry into this specialty. Unless you currently practice in informatics, hold off making the investment of time and money to pursue an advanced degree, advises Lewis. For entry-level positions your potential to do the job successfully is valued over academic credentials.
Once you have secured a position then you can choose the best educational offering for your future career goals.
For more tips from Lewis, read her full article on ADVANCE for Nurses.
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Growing up, my mom worked full time as a speech pathologist. After work, she'd race home to get dinner started, pick my sister and I up from gymnastics or swim practice and help us with homework. Somehow, she managed to find time to sew us Halloween costumes by hand and keep the house in impeccable order.
She did make some concessions, however. She gave up a lucrative opportunity to run a private practice to work as an SLP in an elementary school. Our dinners were never cooked from scratch. And she didn't serve on the PTA or volunteer to help out with school bake sales.
My sister and I didn't mind. We couldn't be happier with her Ragu spaghetti, and we were spared the uncoolness of having a hovering mom at school. Our mom chose to get involved with the motherly endeavors that had the most impact on our family and didn't sweat the rest.
Recent research shows my mom had the right attitude. A study presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association found that working moms have lower rates of depression than their stay-at-home counterparts. But buying into the "supermom" myth puts working mothers at greater risk for depression.
Researchers analyzed survey responses from 1,600 stay-at-home and working moms aged 40 and married across the United States. The respondents were participating in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, administered by the U.S. Department of Labor.
As young adults, the women answered questions about work-life balance by ranking how much they agreed with statements such as "A woman who fulfills her family responsibilities doesn't have time for a job outside the home," "Working wives lead to more juvenile delinquency," and "A woman is happiest if she can stay at home with her children."
Researchers found that mothers who believed that work and home lives can be blended with relative ease demonstrated higher levels of depression than those who expected they would have to forego some aspects of their career or parenting to achieve a work-life balance.
"Employment is still ultimately good for women's health," the lead author stated. "But for better mental health, working moms should accept that they can't do it all."
Read the full article on ADVANCE for Speech-Language Pathologists & Audiologists.
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Thinking that all hiring comes to a grinding halt during the holidays, most people slack off on job search at the end of the year. This couldn't be further from the truth!
December is one of the best months to network and pursue job-hunting goals. Most of your competition is coasting over the holidays and waiting until after the New Year to resume their job-hunting efforts. This is an ideal time for you to shine.
Many human resources teams and hiring managers want to start the New Year with crucial job openings filled and with new talent on board for the start of the year. December is the only month when you will have less competition and there will be less chance of your resume getting lost on someone's desk. Requesting a transfer or consideration for an internal position or promotion may be seriously considered, as managers plan their staffing needs and budgets for the next year.
A recent article on ADVANCE for Health Information Professionals offers these tips for making the most of the holidays:
Holiday Parties. Use company holiday parties as an opportunity to introduce yourself and connect with the senior management team. In addition, if you are planning to attend holiday parties for various businesses and associations, be sure to find out in advance who the other guests will be. Choose three or four people on the list, and set a goal for yourself to meet and connect with those people during the evening.
Prepare a Two-Minute Pitch. During holiday gatherings and office events, avoid coming on too strong. After all, these events are supposed to be fun. If you're in a conversation with a decision-maker, focus the conversation on him or her rather than on yourself. The purpose at this point is just to create a bond. But you also don't want to get caught off guard if the person does inquire about your own job or career goals. Prepare a two-minute pitch just in case you are asked about your career goals. If the chance arises to discuss yourself or your career, you will be well prepared, well rehearsed and very comfortable speaking to any of the key executives.
Follow Up To Develop a Great Connection. This is the most important aspect of your networking efforts, following up and maintaining the new connection. Your goal now is to develop this new relationship! Don't waste time after a holiday event. Make notes when you have left the party to remember key conversations and key points made. If you have been handed any business cards, use the back of the cards to make your notes regarding that individual. Be sure to follow up within a few days of the event. Send a hand written note or an e-mail with an article attached that pertains to the conversation you had. Send a thank you note to senior management for hosting the event and use it as an opportunity to strengthen your new connection.
For even more holiday job search strategies, read the full article on ADVANCE for Health Information Professionals.
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The nation's unemployment rate fell last month to 8.6 percent from 9 percent, its lowest level since 2009 thanks in part to robust hiring in the healthcare industry. Healthcare remains the No. 1 source of job creation in the U.S. economy.
The healthcare sector created 17,200 jobs in November, an increase over the 11,600 jobs created in October, according to preliminary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Healthcare accounted for 14.3 percent of 120,000 new jobs created across all sectors last month. Overall, healthcare represented 24 percent of the 1.2 million non-farm jobs created this year.
Healthcare is expected to create 321,000 new jobs by year's end, representing a 22 percent increase over the number of healthcare jobs produced last year (263,400).
Where are the new healthcare jobs concentrated? Ambulatory services, which include physicians' offices, rehabilitation services, outpatient care, emergency care, dental practices and diagnostic services, accounted for 58 percent of new healthcare jobs so far this year. Hospitals created 83,200 new jobs this year.
Are you considering entering a healthcare field? Tell us how this trend is impacting your decision.
Click here to view healthcare jobs in your area!
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The number of new physicians being trained in the United States has remained flat for more than 20 years while the general population has become larger and older.
Competition for physicians is so fierce that young doctors report receiving upwards of 50 job solicitations before their training is complete. Half of 300 physicians surveyed by the physician search firm Merritt Hawkins say they've received more than 100 job solicitations.
"Even in a stagnant economy, new doctors are being recruited like blue chip athletes," notes James Merritt, founder of Merritt Hawkins, in a press release. "There are simply not enough physicians coming out of training to fill all the available openings."
The Association of American Colleges reported earlier this year that the physician shortage will quadruple in the next decade. Today, 709,700 physicians practice in all specialties, with an existing shortage of 13,700. By 2020, the number physicians is only expected to increase 7 percent; however, the physician shortage will mushroom fourfold to about 91,500, according to AAMC.
That's because over the next 10 years 68 million more Americans will have access to health insurance and Medicare. In addition, one-third of today's practicing physicians are expected to retire.
The AAMC predicts the U.S. will need roughly 45,000 more primary care physicians and 46,000 surgeons and medical specialists. Rural areas will remain most affected. Merrit Hawkins' survey uncovered that only four percent of medical residents would prefer to practice in communities of 25,000 people or less.
AAMC is advocating that Medicare increase funding for medical residency programs by 15 percent as well as more effective use of advance practice nurses and physician assistants.
How is the physician shortage shaping your career goals? Leave a comment below.
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Pregnancy is no walk in the park for working women. But healthcare professionals face unique challenges, thanks to long hours on their feet and irregular shift work. Moms to be in healthcare may find it difficult to take breaks to eat a healthy meal, go to the bathroom or get some much needed shut eye.
Here are some strategies for coping with the demands of pregnancy and work:
Communicate with your team. Depending on when you feel comfortable announcing your big news, your coworkers can be a huge help throughout your pregnancy. Ask for help when lifting heavy patients, and see if coworkers are willing to take on combative patients or those with health conditions such as MRSA and VRE, which could put your pregnancy at risk. The bottom line: Just because you're preparing to be a super mom doesn't mean you have to be a super hero during your pregnancy. Ask for help. Most likely, your team will gladly pitch in.
Ease pregnancy symptoms. It may be called morning sickness, but the nausea and vomiting can hit at any time. Keep crackers and bland foods on hand and drink plenty of fluids throughout your shift. In addition, carve out some time during your busy day to elevate your legs. This will prevent swelling and unnecessary pressure. Do some gentle stretches before or after your shift to prevent injuries. The pregnancy hormones will loosen your joints, so "gentle" is the key word when you stretch.
Fight fatigue. Resting during a busy shift may be tough. However, it's important listen to your body and know your limits. Many healthcare professionals work overnight shifts without problems. But if you're feeling stressed and exhausted, talk with your supervisor about switching to a daytime shift with more regular hours. In addition, bulk up on foods rich in protein and iron, such as leafy green vegetables, poultry and fortified cereals, especially if fatigue is results from iron deficiency anemia.
Moms in healthcare: What advice do you have for your pregnant coworkers? Share your tips for pregnancy and work by leaving a comment.
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By 2030, roughly 70 million Americans will be over age 65, according to the Administration on Aging. That's more than one-fifth of the U.S. population.
As the baby boomer generation ages, evidence suggests those born between 1946 and 1964 are entering their retirement years in worse health than their parents. Research indicates the post World War II generation suffers more chronic health problems, such as diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, than their parents.
They also are more likely to report difficulty doing routine activities such as climbing stairs and getting up from a chair. Not surprisingly, these problems mirror America's growing obesity epidemic and increasingly sedentary lifestyle.
All this translates to a greater need for geriatric healthcare jobs. Geriatric health workers coordinate care for elderly patients and help improve their quality of life, according to ExploreHealthCareers.org. Geriatric workers include physicians, nurses, allied health workers and mental health professionals.
Here are some geriatric healthcare jobs predicted to rise in the next two decades:
Physician assistant: PAs practice medicine under the supervision of physicians and surgeons. They take medical histories, examine and treat patients, order and interpret laboratory tests and x-rays and make diagnoses. They also treat minor injuries by suturing, splinting and casting and may prescribe certain medications.
Occupational therapist: OTs restore vocational, homemaking and daily living skills, as well as general independence, to people with disabilities or developmental delays.
Geriatric nurse: A specialty of registered nurses, geriatric nurses treat and educate elderly patients and their families about illnesses, home care needs, diet, nutrition and exercise. They also help perform diagnostic tests and analyze results and help with patient follow-up and rehabilitation.
Optometrist: Optometrists examine people's eyes to diagnose vision problems and prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses. They also test for glaucoma and other eye diseases caused by aging and chronic diseases. They may prescribe medication and provide some preoperative and postoperative care to patients.
Geriatrician: Physicians who diagnose illnesses and prescribe treatments for the elderly. They also order and interpret diagnostic tests and counsel elderly patients on diet, preventative care and coping with illness.
If you're interested in any of these geriatric healthcare jobs, browse our openings here.
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Figuring out which college major to pursue can be one of the most challenging decisions for high school students. After all, changing majors halfway through college can be expensive and require extra courses to fulfill graduation requirements.
Attending a college fair helps take the stress out of choosing a major. Admission representatives from a variety of colleges are on hand and can answer your questions about degree programs and courses of study.
To maximize your college fair experience, take some time to prepare. Start by asking yourself some questions:
1. What excites you? If calculus revs your engine, write that down. If a day without writing for your school newspaper feels empty, note this down in your self assessment. Does volunteering at the local children's hospital make you feel a sense of purpose? Jot that down.
2. What are you good (and not so good) at? Here's the time to be super honest with yourself. Maybe you've always wanted to be a doctor, but you struggle with biology. You don't have to let this get in the way of your dream; however, you may want to ask representatives at the college fair what kind of biology tutoring services and extracurricular learning opportunities they offer for aspiring doctors.
3. What skills do you need to achieve your dreams? If you love writing and want to be a journalist, research which computer skills you'll need to land a job. For instance, you'll likely need some basic html and content management skills to land your first job. Research skills by looking up job postings for careers that interest you.
4. What kind of lifestyle do you want after college? I know. Life after college seems a million years away. But now is the time to start thinking about what makes you happy. Do you want to travel the world? Do you dream of owning a big house and sports car? (If so, being a starving artist may not be for you, even if painting is your absolute favorite pastime.) Do you want a regular 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule, or are you willing to work nights and weekends if the job is fulfilling? What makes you happy in life will change over time, but a little self-assessment now can help you avoid difficult and expensive career changes later in life.
A few career ideas may pop in your mind as you're completing your self assessment. If not, don't worry. Armed with the knowledge from your self-assessment, you'll be able to talk with college recruiters about which college majors are right for you.
The next step is to write down a few questions you'd like to ask the college fair representatives. For instance, what are the two or three most popular majors at the university? This will give you an idea of what's "hot" as well as what the overall student population will be like. What are the new and upcoming majors that the school is offering? What services and support are available to help students explore various majors?
If you have a specific college major in mind, you may want to ask about the research faculty members are involved with as well as what opportunities there are for undergraduates to participate in research. Be sure to ask about the types of courses you would take your first year in a particular major as well as what academic support is available for courses that may be especially challenging for you.
If you're interested in talking with college representatives about degree programs, sign up for ADVANCE's virtual College Fair on Oct. 13. It's held completely online, so you can chat with representatives from the comfort of home. You also can enter prize drawings, attend educational sessions about college and careers, and download degree program information. Sign up here.
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Want a healthcare administrator job? Forget the MBA. Increasingly, nursing degrees are becoming the pathway to managerial positions with healthcare organizations.
Why? Many employers prefer administrators with on-the-floor experience over a formal business education. With healthcare reform under way, administrators and health services managers will be called on to improve the efficiency of healthcare facilities and ensure high-quality care.
Administrators will need to be equipped operate in an increasingly complex regulatory environment and implement technological advances. Nurses are uniquely positioned to meet the demands of the healthcare administrator job description.
The number of healthcare administrator jobs is expected to rise 16 percent between 2008 and 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook. The BLS predicts that job opportunities will remain strong in the coming years, especially for those with a combination of healthcare experience and business management skills. The annual median health care administrator salary was $90,970 in 2008, according to the most recent figure from the BLS.
Many administrators obtain master's degree in health services administration (MHA) to hone their business skills; however, many nurses can become department managers with a bachelor's of nursing degree. If you'd like to see what kinds of opportunities and skills are needed for your dream job, follow us on Twitter to get healthcare administrator jobs.
Nurses: Are you trying to pursue a career as a healthcare administrator? Tell us about your journey!
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In his State of the Union Address last January, President Barack Obama hit one one theme repeatedly: innovation.
"The first step to winning the future is encouraging American innovation," said the President in a speech that contained the words "innovation" and "innovate" 11 times.
Americans widely consider advances in healthcare, technology and science as the pathway to regaining our foothold in the global economy. But what if our future thought leaders have no interest in pursuing careers in these fields?
That's the troubling picture painted by researchers from the University of the Sciences. A survey of more than 500 high school students revealed that half of teens said they are definitely or probably not considering science or healthcare jobs. This number is nine percent higher than last year's study.
Lack of interest is even stronger among younger teens ages 13 to 15, according to the study. Sixty percent of students in this age bracket said they are not interested in pursuing healthcare and science careers.
The top reasons students cite for not wanting to enter health and science fields are lack of knowledge about careers in these fields and a general feeling they are not good at math and science.
Despite these concerning findings, the study pointed out that some populations are more likely to take an interest in pursuing future healthcare jobs. Females comprised the majority of students who are interested in healthcare and science careers. Sixty percent of females in grades 9 to 12 indicate they are "definitely" or "probably considering" careers in healthcare or the sciences, while only 39 percent of males the same age feel the same way.
In addition, African Americans (47 percent), Hispanics (37 percent), and other minorities (38 percent) are more likely than white students (24%) to say they are definitely considering these future careers.
Students cited "earning good money," interest in science and healthcare and a desire to help people as their top reasons for wanting to become physicians, nurses, scientists and allied healthcare professionals.
The study underscores America's need to better educate students about the opportunities that exist in healthcare. It's imperative for healthcare organizations and research institutions to work with high school guidance counselors to communicate that healthcare and science careers can fulfill what matters most to teens: positive quality of life and satisfying work.
How can we better educate students about future healthcare jobs? Share your thoughts on Facebook!
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The healthcare industry will generate 3.2 million new wage and salary jobs through 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That increase is more than any other industry.
Although most fields within healthcare will experience steady growth, here's a list of the top 5 fastest growing healthcare careers.
#5. Dental hygienists
What they do: Dental hygienists remove soft and hard deposits from teeth, teach patients how to practice good oral hygiene and examine patients' teeth and gums, recording the presence of diseases or abnormalities.
Number employed in 2008: 174,100
Projected employment in 2018: 237,000
Median salary: $66,570 (2008)
Education and training: A minimum of an associate degree or certificate in dental hygiene is generally required for practice in a private dental office.
Employment outlook: Employment of dental hygienists is expected to grow 36 percent through 2018, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This projected growth is in response to increasing demand for dental care and more use of hygienists.
#4. Physical therapist aides
What they do: Physical therapist aides help make therapy sessions productive. They work under the direct supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant. They usually are responsible for keeping the treatment area clean and organized and for preparing for each patient's therapy. Duties include clerical tasks, such as ordering depleted supplies, answering the phone and filling out insurance forms and other paperwork.
Employment in 2008: 46,100
Projected employment in 2018: 62,800
Median salary: $23,760 (2008)
Education and training: Employers typically require physical therapy aides to have a high school diploma. They are trained on the job, and most employers provide clinical on-the-job training.
Employment outlook: Jobs will increase by 36.3 percent through 2018. Job opportunities should be particularly good in acute hospital, skilled nursing and orthopedic settings, according to the BLS. Job prospects should be especially favorable in rural areas as many physical therapists tend to cluster in highly populated urban and suburban areas.
Search PT aide jobs here.
#3. Physician Assistants
What they do: PAs practice medicine under the supervision of physicians and surgeons. They take medical histories, examine and treat patients, order and interpret laboratory tests and x-rays and make diagnoses. They also treat minor injuries by suturing, splinting, and casting. PAs record progress notes, instruct and counsel patients, and order or carry out therapy. They also may prescribe certain medications and are sometimes responsible for managerial duties, including ordering medical supplies or equipment and supervising medical technicians and assistants.
Number employed in 2008: 74,800
Projected employment 2018: 103,900
Median salary: $81,230 (2008)
Education and training: Physician assistant educational programs usually take at least two years to complete for full-time students.
Employment outlook: Employment of PAs is expected to grow by 39 percent from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. This rapid job growth reflects the expansion of healthcare services as well as national efforts to reduce medical costs.
Search PA jobs here.
#2. Medical scientists (except epidemiologists)
What they do: Medical scientists conduct research to further our understanding of human diseases and human health. This field includes physicians, dentists, public health specialists, pharmacologists and medical pathologists who primarily conduct research. Note: The BLS classifies these workers differently from practitioners who primarily provide medical or dental care or dispense drugs.
Number employed in 2010: 93,560
Median salary: $86,710 (2010)
Education and Training: A doctoral degree is required.
Outlook: Jobs will increase by 40.4 by 2018, according to the BLS. This rapid growth reflects the biotechnology industry. Those with both a PhD and MD are likely to experience the best opportunities.
#1. Personal and home care aides
What they do: Home health aides help people who are elderly, disabled, chronically ill or cognitively impaired live in their own homes or in residential facilities instead of in health facilities or institutions. They work in hospices, day programs and in patients' homes. They help people with disabilities go to work and remain engaged in their communities.
Number employed in 2008: 1,738,800
Projected employment in 2018: 2,575,600
Median salary: Median hourly wages of wage-and-salary personal and home care aides were $9.22 in May 2008.
Education and training: Home health aides and personal and home care aides are generally not required to have a high school diploma. They usually are trained on the job by registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, experienced aides or their supervisor.
Outlook: Jobs will increase 48 percent by 2018. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts excellent job opportunities for this occupation due to rapid employment growth and high turnover in the field.
Source: Economic News Release: The 30 Fastest-Growing Occupations, 2008-2018
Get more healthcare career advice and insider tips on our Facebook community.
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Writing a cover letter is arguably the most difficult part of the job application process. We've all sat in front of the blank computer screen, thinking some version of this sentence: "What can I write about myself that will set me apart from the hoards of other applicants?"
The writer's block sets in, followed by anxiety and self doubt. And sometimes you decide applying for that job is not worth your time at all.
My answer to everyone currently sitting in a panicked state on their computer: Get over yourself.
A cover letter is not really about you. It's about the company - more specifically, what you can do for the hiring manager. That said, the hiring manager doesn't want to hear a long-winded tale about how caring for your sick gerbil as a five-year-old inspired your lifelong dream to become a nurse. Strike that paragraph...NOW!
Instead, focus on how you can make the company or department operate more efficiently, productively and with less waste than any of the other candidates. As an outsider, you obviously don't know the company's specific efficiency or operational challenges. So, read trade media regularly to stay up-to-date with common challenges in your field. If you know anyone from the company, ask them about any obstacles or inefficiencies that you may be able to help with if hired. Finally, reflect on challenges your previous hiring manager faced.
Once you decide on two or three challenges to focus on, be sure to include metrics on how you implemented solutions to similar problems at previous workplaces. Maybe you implemented a program that reduced hospital acquired infections by 30 percent. Or, patient surveys consistently ranked you as one of the friendliest staff members, which strengthened your facility's reputation as a leader in customer service.
One of my favorite strategies is to use quotes from past annual reviews. By quoting my managers' written statements, I can brag about myself through others. Plus, I have the documentation to prove these statements are accurate representations of my work performance.
That brings me to my next point: If you find it daunting to write a cover letter to a company you know little about, don't. Instead, visualize your current manager, and write it for him or her. Think about what you would say to him or her to get your current job. This technique works best if you're applying to a job that's similar to your current position. If you're transitioning to a new field, talk with someone in that field, and ask them about what they'd like to hear from a job candidate.
So, if you're still staring at the blank screen and wondering what to write, pull out some of your annual reviews for inspiration. When writing a cover letter, remember to put the company first. Show your new hiring manager what you can do.