Employment

Industries Begging for Applicants

November 15, 2019 by Tim McMahon

It often feels like the job market is stagnant. You can send out hundreds of applications and never hear anything back. If you’re looking for a job, though, you might do better by looking into these four fields that are begging for new applicants.

Education

There is a definite shortage of teachers in the United States, with some schools turning towards long-term subs just to fill gaps in their scheduling. Depending on the school district, there are even bonuses offered for teachers in hard-to-recruit subjects like Math. While teachers have significant workloads, the field is fairly stable and there are plenty of chances to move within districts and even to new locations. This is one career that’s sure to be around for many years to come, but applicants are still in high demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, the median salary for a high school teacher was $60,320 in 2018. Middle School teachers made $58,600/ yr. and Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers averaged $57,980 / yr.

https://youtu.be/wth4CiF9i9M

How to Become a Vet Tech: A Simple Career Guide

November 11, 2019 by Tim McMahon

Today, 84 million millennials house at least one pet. That makes it so almost 7 out of every 10 American homes own an animal.

In a lot of ways, a love for animals is what inspires people to pursue a career working with them. Do you know what one of the most emotionally rewarding animal-oriented careers is that you start pursuing today?

Becoming a veterinarian technician!

Thousands of people find themselves wondering how to become a vet tech annually. In this brief guide, we break down the steps that you’ll need to take to realize your dreams of working with animals in a medical setting and whether or not those dreams are a good fit for your sensibilities.

Step 1: Understand What a Vet Tech Does

You may have seen a vet tech at your local veterinary office and felt inspired to walk in their shoes. Before investing thousands of dollars in your education and hours of your time achieving that end, you must understand what a vet tech actually does.

Vet techs manage several important responsibilities in a veterinary setting. Core tasks that they handle include:

Taking X-rays
Giving vaccines and medications
Providing first-aid services
Restraining animals during treatment
Keeping records on animals
Educating pet owners on proper care
Preparing instruments for surgery
Administering anesthesia

There more tasks that a vet tech may be asked to tackle in the office. What’s important to note is that just about every task that a vet tech does could cost animals their lives if performed incorrectly.

Step 2: Weigh Responsibilities Against Compensation

Vet tech responsibilities carry a lot of pressure. Becoming a vet tech also requires a considerable amount of time and money since attaining a formalized education is a requirement.

Given those facts, before you figure out how to become a vet tech, you should decide if the job versus the compensation offered strikes you as acceptable.

A veterinary technician makes about

Are You Considering a Career as a Police Officer?

October 28, 2019 by Guest Contributor

What to Do Before Becoming a Police Officer

Working as a police officer can be a highly rewarding career that involves making a very hands-on contribution to the community. Yet, like any line of work, it carries its own set of unique challenges that need to be overcome, including confronting difficult characters, working long shifts, spending tedious hours filing paperwork, and facing plenty of competition from fellow colleagues.

With all that in mind, here are some steps that should be taken before embarking on a career in the police force to ensure that you are fully prepared for the challenges ahead.

Get the right training

It is essential that you are fully qualified, including understanding the law inside out, before becoming an officer with the police. When you are out on the field, you will need to be aware of your own rights, as well as those of the people you will be stopping, to avoid getting into difficulties further down the line.

Although there are [Read more…] about Are You Considering a Career as a Police Officer?

Benefits of Going Back to School Before Making a Big Career Change

October 21, 2019 by Tim McMahon

Making a big career change can be scary, but there are things you can do to become more successful. Going back to school is a common choice, especially among those who want to pursue a radically different line of work. We’ve looked at lots of ways to get into careers like IT without a college degree. But sometimes going back to college can help you to make your transition to a new career a little more successful.

Getting the Degree

While it’d be great to say that college is beneficial only for what you learn, the piece of paper that you get at the end of your studies can be quite valuable. Getting a degree can help to distinguish you from other job candidates and might even help you to qualify for more jobs. Having a degree can really change the way your job search works.

Building up New Skills

You can also spend time in college building up the new skills that are relevant for your new job. Learning the basic theories behind the tasks that you’ll do at work can help you learn how to make better decisions and improve your ability to accomplish your goals at your new job. Sometimes just getting a little more education can make the difference between success and failure.

Learning What’s out There

Going back to school doesn’t always mean [Read more…] about Benefits of Going Back to School Before Making a Big Career Change

Great Employment Benefits You Should Look For

October 1, 2019 by Tim McMahon

It isn’t uncommon for employers to offer health insurance, a 401(k) plan or other perks in addition to an annual salary. While benefit packages may be largely the same regardless of where you work, it is still a good idea to know what a prospective employer could provide.

A 401(k) Match Is Essentially Free Money

If your employer is willing to match your 401(k) contributions, you are getting the equivalent to a 100% return on your investment. The match usually isn’t unlimited i.e. you couldn’t double your entire salary by contributing all of it but whatever the maximum is you should definitely try to take advantage of all of it. Best of all, this money will grow exponentially and tax-free for many years or decades to come. As an employer match can make it easier to retire comfortably, it is important that you understand how it works and how to best take advantage of it.

Health Savings Accounts Can Accrue Interest

Money kept in a health savings account (HSA) could [Read more…] about Great Employment Benefits You Should Look For

Tips for Getting Started in the Dental Industry

September 19, 2019 by Guest Contributor

Finding the right job in the dental industry can often be a challenging process. This is a growing field and there are many qualified applicants to choose from. Including Dentists, Dental Hygienists, Dental Assistants, and Dental Lab Technicians.

Therefore, it is important that you find ways to set yourself apart and to make the best possible impression. The following information will provide a closer look at four helpful tips for finding a job in the dental industry, which you may want to consider if you are unsure where to start:

Obtain a Degree or Certificate

Many jobs within the dental field will require that you have some sort of continued education, such as a degree or certificate. For example, in order to become a dental assistant, you might want to look at local trade schools in your area. Dental assistants provide patient care, take x rays, recordkeeping and schedule appointments. The median annual wage for dental assistants was $38,660 in May 2018.

Dental hygienists clean teeth, examine patients for signs of oral diseases such as gingivitis and provide other preventive dental care. The median annual wage for dental hygienists was $74,820 in May 2018. If you are interested in becoming a dental hygienist, this will require at least an associate’s degree.

Lastly, becoming a dentist is a very long process, which typically takes eight years. However, this can be a very rewarding career path that allows you to reach a higher level of professional success. Some dentists have their own business and work alone or with a small staff. Other dentists have partners in their practice. Still others work as associate dentists for established dental practices. Dentists must be licensed in the state in which they work. Licensure requirements vary by state, although candidates usually must graduate from an accredited dental program and pass written and clinical exams. The median annual wage for dentists was $156,240 in May 2018.

Gain Relevant Experience

If you have just finished your schooling and don’t have any relevant experience in your field, it can be helpful to find an internship. You can typically find intern positions by searching online or local job boards. Your school should also be able to help you find appropriate internships. [Read more…] about Tips for Getting Started in the Dental Industry

Injury at Work? Know Your Rights to Compensation and FMLA

September 2, 2019 by Tim McMahon

Workers in the American workplace have certain protections under the law. Two of the most important are the right to a safe workplace and the right to leave for medical conditions. It’s your job as a worker, though, to know your rights to compensation and under the FMLA.

Know When an Injury Counts

One of the most important things you’ll need to know is if an injury counts as happening at work. Generally speaking, an injury that occurs during the regular commission of your job – whether on-site or off will count as a work-related injury. So long as you are on the clock or doing something as part of your duties, your injuries should be covered.

Who is Eligible for FMLA

Not every employee is eligible for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). You must be employed by a company that is not exempt (that is, has fifty or more employees) and you must have worked for the company for at least a year before you become eligible. There is also an hourly requirement – you must have worked for at least 1,250 hours during the course of those twelve months. If you meet all of these criteria, you are covered under the FMLA.

What to Do If You Don’t Get What You are Owed

How Those With Autism Can Strengthen Their Odds in Applying for Jobs

August 14, 2019 by Tim McMahon

Diagnoses of autism have become more prevalent over the last several years, as has the awareness of the condition. There are many adults on the autism spectrum who are more than capable of holding down jobs and participating in business activities, but many still have problems with the application process. Below are four of the ways that adults with autism can strengthen their chances when it comes to applying for a job.

Work Within Areas of Strength

The next logical step to take is to look at those areas that speak to an individual’s areas of strengths. If you have issues with significant social interactions, for example, it might make sense to look for positions that require less team-based work. If certain physical stimuli are an issue, on the other hand, you may want to seek out fields that don’t tend to regularly feature those problems. Finding a workplace that allows you to embrace your strengths is always a good idea, and it’s usually the best way to put your own unique skills to their best use. In the following video, we can see that some companies are actually looking for people with the special skills Autistic people have. The problem, of course, is the interview. But now companies are finding alternative ways to screen autistic candidates.

The Interview

The best solution would be to [Read more…] about How Those With Autism Can Strengthen Their Odds in Applying for Jobs

How to Handle Your Pay Being Withheld at Work

August 14, 2019 by Guest Contributor

It’s payday, but your check is missing. Instead of your hard-earned wages, you get a letter stating that your paycheck is being withheld. While there are many reasons that your company might withhold your pay, only a handful are fair and legal. Here are four strategies to deal with your pay being withheld at work.

Discuss the Issue With Your Supervisor

The first step to resolve your withheld wages and get the pay you’re owed is speaking with your supervisor. He or she can inform you of why your wages are being withheld, let you know when you can expect to be paid and address your grievances with the higher-ups. Your supervisor may have little or no control over the situation, so try to be polite and understanding in your conversation with him or her.

Keep Track of Everything

When you’re involved in any type of workplace dispute, it’s important to keep track of all the details and evidence. Make a log of all the money owed to you and the reasons your supervisor provided as to why it’s being withheld. Save or print any relevant emails in case they get deleted. Consider asking permission to record relevant conversations with your supervisor, human relations or the finance department.

Obtain Legal Counsel

If your efforts to get your withheld wages through company channels have been unsuccessful, you may need to seek legal counsel. Experts from local law firm services can help inform you of your rights, attempt to reach a settlement with your employer or take the company to court if necessary. Employers will often back down and agree to pay your withheld wages in a prompt manner once you have a lawyer on your side. [Read more…] about How to Handle Your Pay Being Withheld at Work