Employment

3 Options to Consider When You Can’t Go Back to Work

March 7, 2019 by Guest Contributor

Life can be a real struggle when you are suffering from chronic pain from an injury or other serious medical problems that won’t go away. If you have chronic conditions that prevent you from working your previous position, that doesn’t mean that you are out of options for you to regain the fullness of life that you once experienced. It may not be easy but with dedication and perseverance you can change your lifestyle and still have a productive and fulfilling career.

File for Disability or Unemployment

If you are disabled or injured and unable to earn money, now is the time to file initially for worker’s disability and later Social Security disability payments if your condition does not improve. Additionally, speaking with unemployment advisors in your area will help give you a better idea of what your plans can be realistically. Although it is probably not a permanent solution to your financial limitations, it can help while you work on figuring out how to start a new career or other long term plan.

Some careers can be started by simply investing the time and effort into certification or learning certain skills. Filing for disability or unemployment could help give you the time and money you need to invest in bigger and better plans for your future.

Consider a New Career or Industry

No matter what kind of injuries that you may have, it is [Read more…] about 3 Options to Consider When You Can’t Go Back to Work

Need Employment? 4 Jobs that are Always Hiring

February 18, 2019 by Guest Contributor

Being unemployed for any amount of time can be stressful. Whether you have a degree in your pocket or are just starting out, however, you’ll still be able to find employment if you know where to look. There are certain industries that are known to hire new employees regularly, and some that are currently suffering from a shortage of applicants. By searching any of these four industries for open positions, you may end up landing a stable job that will pay your living needs and beyond for as long as you need.

Medical

You don’t have to be a doctor to find a good job in the healthcare field. Nurses and medical assistants are always in high demand, but you may need additional education to be hired. Working as phlebotomist, which involves drawing patients’ blood, is another possible option that doesn’t require a lot of additional schooling. You can also become a medical office manager or an office administrator and play an important role in scheduling appointments, answering patient questions and keeping medical records in order. No matter what your education level, you’ll be able to find a hospital or clinic that is hiring and happy to have you on their team.

Technology

Skilled workers in technology are needed constantly to help companies keep up with modern demands. Information technology (IT) experts are often in high demand for their ability to solve basic computer problems. If you are interested in fixing the “guts” of a computer you should look into getting an A+ certification. On the other hand if the programming side is more your thing a Microsoft Certification will certainly help speed along your job search. You can also provide support through call centers in customer service, which is always hiring and rarely requires any prior experience. Even if you [Read more…] about Need Employment? 4 Jobs that are Always Hiring

Like to Be on the Move? 4 High-Paying Transportation Careers

February 5, 2019 by Tim McMahon

If sitting behind a desk all day isn’t your thing, a career in transportation may be the perfect fit. There are many transportation career options that allow the freedom to be on the move without having to be stuck in an office. Any of these four high-paying jobs in transportation could be your ideal career.

Pilot

As a pilot, you’ll be able to travel the open skies while earning a respectable living. You can choose to fly commercial, private, or cargo airplanes to national and/or international locations. In addition to undergoing training at an accredited school, you’ll need to obtain a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) license to start working. According to CareerBuilder, commercial pilots make $40.43 an hour on average, and yearly earnings can vary depending on the number of hours that are worked but median works out to about $78,000/yr. There are also Airline pilots who have the added responsibility of passenger safety so they earn significantly more. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers is $137,330.

Helmsman

If a career on the high seas sounds exciting, you’ll likely enjoy working as a helmsman. You’ll be the captain of a ship as you navigate a commercial vessel through seas or rivers. There is always the option of working aboard a cruise ship, or you can choose to navigate freight vessels. You’ll need to undergo extensive training to learn how to operate a boat safely and adhere to passenger safety standards to be successful in this career. Salary ranges in this field often vary, but many positions pay upwards of $50,000 a year.

Joining the Workforce: 9 Licenses and Certifications that Don’t Require a College Degree

January 24, 2019 by Tim McMahon

Do you need a college degree to get a good job?

It’s a question many of us have pondered at some point. Although there are many benefits of going to college, it isn’t your only option when it comes to finding a well-paying, rewarding career. Below we’ll count down nine positions that may require a license or certification but that don’t require a 4 year degree.

Number 9- Cosmetologist

If you have a passion for beauty, why not consider a career as a cosmetologist? To begin working, you’ll have to be a high school graduate and complete a state-licensed cosmetology program. You’ll have various professional personal care services experiences throughout the program, with opportunities to learn how to do things like cut hair, give manicures and apply makeup professionally. Once you graduate, you can apply to salons with your specific preferences and work in any area of cosmetology you wish to specialize in. Cosmetologists make an average of $24,900/yr.

Number 8- Warehouse Certifications

As companies continue to become more and more available and accessible to people worldwide, forklift and heavy machinery use is growing along with it. Getting a forklift license or heavy vehicle license could open doors to you and your job search. Generally, these courses are cost effective and can be earned in a short amount of time. Licenses like these can help you get jobs with higher pay and pave the way to further career development. The BLS does not list forklift operators separately but instead lumps them together as Material moving machine operators and says “Material moving machine operators use machinery to transport various objects. Some operators move construction materials around building sites or excavate earth from a mine. Others move goods around a warehouse or onto container ships.” They earn an average of $34,830 per year.
[Read more…] about Joining the Workforce: 9 Licenses and Certifications that Don’t Require a College Degree

College Not for You? 4 Promising Alternatives to Earning a Four-Year Degree

January 23, 2019 by Tim McMahon

For generations, parents have scrimped and sacrificed to provide a college education for their kids believing that it was the only way for them to get ahead. Yet the last few years have seen a much greater understanding that college isn’t for everybody, and that there are other options out there that will still produce the income and security that was once only considered possible with a college degree. There are plenty of alternatives to four years of college, and many of them are a proven better investment than a degree.

A Military Career

It seems that America is still adjusting to a post-draft military. [Read more…] about College Not for You? 4 Promising Alternatives to Earning a Four-Year Degree

Unique Position: 4 Career Options for Adventurous Individuals

January 16, 2019 by Tim McMahon

If you enjoy being adventurous and the idea of being stuck in an office day-in and day-out makes you cringe, you can turn your passion for adventure into a career. There are many jobs that are suited for adventure lovers, and certain positions are known to pay hefty salaries and make great long-term careers. Here are four career options that are ideal for adventurous individuals.

Photojournalist

Taking pictures is a hobby for most people, but you can make it a career if you have the right skills and equipment. Many newspapers, magazines and online publications rely on photojournalists to capture images of newsworthy events. You can also choose to specialize in fashion, sports or entertainment photojournalism. Some new organizations and media outlets hire photojournalists as permanent staff members, but there is also the option of working as a freelancer. If you work as a permanent staff member for someone else, your photography equipment may be provided, but you’ll need to purchase your own if you choose to freelance.

https://youtu.be/O-3HiLyjUy8?t=1

Tour Guide

You can teach others about the history, culture and other interesting aspects of certain places by becoming a tour guide. You can lead tours around your city or town or take tour groups to other destinations in the country or international locations. Being an adventure tour guide is another option and will allow you to take tourists through vast wilderness areas, on mountain hikes or to other regions that are off the beaten path. Tour guides usually don’t need to fulfill any formal education requirements but should be highly knowledgeable in their tour specialties. [Read more…] about Unique Position: 4 Career Options for Adventurous Individuals

Eat Your Way Into the Job: 5 Dining Tips for a Lunch Interview

January 9, 2019 by Guest Contributor

A lunch interview might be a bit out of the ordinary for you, but it’s the way many employers are choosing to conduct job interviews. If you have been invited to a lunch interview, you might have some concerns about how to present yourself. Some of these tips may sound exactly like what your mother told you growing up, But these are also great dining tips for a lunch interview.

Order an Appropriate Dish

You want to be mindful of what you order. If you order something that is too messy, such as a sloppy joe at a sandwich shop, spaghetti at Olive Garden, or ribs at a barbeque restaurant, you might end up with sauce on your shirt or worse in your lap. Also, should the interviewer be buying, you don’t want to order anything that’s too expensive, like a steak. A good strategy is to ask what the interviewer plans to get, and then make sure you order a dish of comparable value. And don’t order a humongous portion so you come across as greedy or gluttonous. Eat a light meal so you don’t feel weighted down or bloated. Remember this is an interview first and a meal second.

Use Your Napkin and Utensils Correctly

Doing things like putting your napkin in your lap and using forks, knives, and spoons when appropriate might be common sense. However, [Read more…] about Eat Your Way Into the Job: 5 Dining Tips for a Lunch Interview

Lost Wages? How to Get the Compensation You Deserve

December 9, 2018 by Tim McMahon

Missing time at work could put you at a serious disadvantage when it comes to being able to pay your bills. If you’re missing work due to an injury or an accident, you may be entitled to receive some compensation. Here are some of the ways that you can go about getting the compensation that you deserve.

There are a variety of different types of accident and unfortunately each one may require a different approach to getting compensation. For instance an injury sustained on the job will require that you proceed with a “worker’s compensation” claim. In this case it is important that you give both your employer and the Doctor that this is a work related injury.

If it is another type of injury such as an auto accident then you must take slightly different steps. Of course you still need to notify your employer that you are injured and can’t work but you must document different things. [Read more…] about Lost Wages? How to Get the Compensation You Deserve

Getting Your Dream Job: Nailing the Interview

November 17, 2018 by Tim McMahon

Acing your interview can help you land the job of your dreams. If you’re scheduled for an interview, you’ll want to make all the necessary preparations and gain the knowledge that will increase your chances of getting hired. These tips can help you nail your interview and secure your dream job.

Do Your Homework

In addition to knowing everything that’s involved in the position for which you’re applying, learning some other important details can help you establish a better rapport with the interviewer. You’ll likely impress the hiring manager if you know about the company’s history and vision. You can also talk about certain improvements the company has made that you’re aware of and how these improvements have helped with customer approval ratings. These speaking points let your potential employer know that you really are interested in joining the team.

Building Rapport with the Interviewer

Tony Robbins says “Rapport is that spark that happens between people” unfortunately most people have difficulty developing rapport with anyone who is different than themselves. The key to success is to be able to develop rapport with other people. Rapport is created by a feeling of “commonality” i.e. having something in common. And interestingly according to Robbins “Style is more important than substance initially” so in those first few seconds of an interview you need to really work on commonality in your actions. You can have lots of substance and no style and no one will ever get to “see your stuff” because you haven’t developed that rapport. Watch this video to see how to build rapport.

Stay Calm

Job interviews can be stressful situations, but it’s important to try to remain calm while being questioned. Doing some practice interviews beforehand with friends, family or mentors can help you prepare yourself for the big day. It might even be a good idea to do some yoga or meditation the day of your interview to put your body and mind into a more relaxed and focused state. The Balance Careers also notes the importance of body language and how you should sit with your back straight and your arms uncrossed to avoid looking nervous, defensive or disengaged during the interview itself.

Believe in Yourself

Nerves and a little anxiety about the interview is common and natural. Your interviewers have your future in their hands. One decision can mean a new start and many opportunities or disappointment and maybe even some discouragement when looking to the future. However, there are little things you can do to boost your confidence and lessen your nervousness. Shortly before your meeting, find a quiet corner and hold a power pose for a few minutes. Standing in a confident way can help you feel the confidence of the pose and believe in yourself a little more.

According to Dr. Cuddy in the video above two of the best predictors of success in an interview are genuine enthusiasm and lack of awkwardness.

Be Yourself

If you pretend to be someone you’re not during your interview or misrepresent yourself on your resume, the hiring manager may detect your insincerity and be less inclined to offer you the job. Obviously, you’ll want to remain professional, but you shouldn’t be afraid to show some of the best sides of your personality to make a great impression. Sharing some personal stories that relate to the job can definitely work to your advantage.

It’s also important to be honest throughout your interview and on your resume, especially when it comes to your work experience and certifications. Unlike Frank Abignale, Jr. who was portrayed in the movie “Catch Me If You Can” it is much more difficult to pretend to be a Doctor (or other Medical Professional) today. Many industries have access to nationwide databases, like medproid.com for the medical industry, to double check your qualifications. For example, if you apply for a job at a hospital as a nurse and lie about your certification and licensing, the hospital can access a real time HCP license validation service and discover that you’re not who you say you are. In this case, you won’t be given the job and may even face consequences because of it. 10 People Who Pretended To Be Doctors

The job interview is your gateway to the career of your dreams, so you’ll want to do everything possible to achieve success. By doing well on your interview, you’ll likely find yourself starting your first day of work in no time.

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October Employment Hits New Record High

November 3, 2018 by Tim McMahon

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released their monthly unemployment survey results for October on November 2^nd. Unadjusted U-3 and U-6 Unemployment is down again and “Seasonally Adjusted” Unemployment U-3 was 3.7% for the second month in a row. This is the lowest level since December 1969 when it was 3.5%. The lowest level reached in the 1968-1969 timeframe was 3.4% where it hovered from September 1968 through May 1969. The only other time that unemployment was this low since they began tracking unemployment in 1948 was briefly in 1948 and again in 1951-53.

Employment is at an all time record 150.753 million the previous high was set in June 2018. Last month employment was 149.738 million so the actual increase in jobs was over 1 million, although the “Seasonally Adjusted” jobs increase was “only” 250,000. Even that was significantly higher than the projected 208,000.

Previous Record Low Unemployment

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
1965	4.9%	5.1%	4.7%	4.8%	4.6%	4.6%	4.4%	4.4%	4.3%	4.2%	4.1%	4.0%
1966	4.0%	3.8%	3.8%	3.8%	3.9%	3.8%	3.8%	3.8%	3.7%	3.7%	3.6%	3.8%
1967	3.9%	3.8%	3.8%	3.8%	3.8%	3.9%	3.8%	3.8%	3.8%	4.0%	3.9%	3.8%
1968	3.7%	3.8%	3.7%	3.5%	3.5%	3.7%	3.7%	3.5%	3.4%	3.4%	3.4%	3.4%
1969	3.4%	3.4%	3.4%	3.4%	3.4%	3.5%	3.5%	3.5%	3.7%	3.7%	3.5%	3.5%
1970	3.9%	4.2%	4.4%	4.6%	4.8%	4.9%	5.0%	5.1%	5.4%	5.5%	5.9%	6.1%

Key October Employment and Unemployment Numbers

Adjusted U-3 Unemployment- 3.7% unchanged from September down from 3.9% in August.
Unadjusted U-3 Unemployment- 3.5% down from 3.6% in September and 3.9% in August and 4.1% in July and 4.2% in June.
Unadjusted U-6 Unemployment- 7.0% down from 7.1% in September and 7.4% in August and 7.9% in July, 8.1% in June.
Employment 150.753 million up from 149.741 million in September. (Yes over a Million more jobs!)
October Labor Force Participation Rate 62.9% up from 62.7% in September. (Higher is Better)

See Current Unemployment Chart for more info.

The Differential between U3 and U6 Remains Near September 2006 Lows

Last month the differential between the unadjusted U3 and U6 (reached by subtracting U3 from U6) was at 3.5% and remains there for the 3rd month in a row.

See Current U-6 Unemployment Rate for more info.

Employment by Sector

The employment “bubble chart” gives us a good representation of how each sector of the economy is doing (employment wise). As we can see from the chart below [Read more…] about October Employment Hits New Record High