Employment

How to Improve Your Job Hunt

November 13, 2020 by Tim McMahon

Being out of work for an extended period can be difficult. Without a job to keep you occupied, your routine can start to come undone, leading to feelings of worthlessness. Added to that is the exhausting ordeal of job hunting, which for obvious reasons can take up the majority of your time.

Spending a long period of time searching for the right position can easily get the better of people as constant rejection may get you down and demotivate you. Despite that, a period of job hunting doesn’t have to be that bad, as there are steps and measures you can take to not only improve your chances of finding employment but also make the process a lot easier. Here are some things to help make job hunting that little bit easier.

Don’t Rush

Once they find themselves out of work, many people get panicked by the prospect of no income and end up rushing into applications and applying for as many different roles as they can. This scattergun approach isn’t the best way to go about things and can in fact contribute to a lack of success.

It’s vital to take your time when searching and applying for jobs and to really engage with the job description. You first want to evaluate if your experience and skills match the job, and then decide if the role is something you actually want to do. Being more measured and only applying to roles that suit you well will make you far more composed and will also give you more time to create a cracking application.

Denied Workers’ Comp: How to Get the Money You Deserve

November 13, 2020 by Tim McMahon

Being injured at your place of work can be a terrifying and painful experience. Even worse for many is that it could prevent your ability to continue working to support your family. It is widely understood that workers’ compensation exists to pay injured workers for lost wages and medical bills due to workplace injury. In many cases, it also prevents workers from suing their employers directly.

However, what happens when workers’ compensation fails to pay what you are owed? Here’s what you should do when you have been denied by workers’ comp.

Determine Why It Was Denied

In most cases, why you were denied workers’ compensation income should be explained in the denial letter. Finding out the reason why is important because the decision may have been made in error. In certain cases, your employer may have actually lied. For example, your employer may say your injury was the result of horseplay when that was not the case.

Collect and Retain Evidence

Disputing the claims made by a [Read more…] about Denied Workers’ Comp: How to Get the Money You Deserve

Healthcare Careers on the Rise

November 10, 2020 by Tim McMahon

Currently, careers in healthcare are arguably more in-demand than they have ever been. With a large sector of the population approaching retirement age and more and more people opting to have and use health insurance, there is a shortage of healthcare providers that is rather on the unprecedented side.

This shortage applies to most jobs in the field of healthcare. Physicians, nurses and technicians are all in short supply. This is particularly true for regions and states that are more rural in nature as it can be more difficult to provide good healthcare to parts of the population that are more set apart from bigger cities and more highly populated areas.

While a shortage in healthcare providers is naturally not a positive thing, it does mean, however, that job opportunities in a variety of specializations are plentiful. The level of job security within the healthcare community, as well as enticing salaries, are enough to encourage many people to pursue a career in healthcare.

Here are three such careers that are currently on the rise:

Radiologic Technologist

One career in healthcare that is in particular demand at the moment is that of radiologic technologist.

What is a Radiologic Technologist? If you have ever been to a hospital or private practice where you had to receive an MRI, a CT scan, or something of that nature, then you have encountered one of these skilled technicians.

Often referred to as rad techs, a radiologic technologist operates the machinery involved in the capturing of diagnostic images. The equipment that rad techs operate and the information that can be gained from such imaging procedures is crucial to a physician’s ability to provide an accurate and precise diagnosis to a patient.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, the median annual wage for magnetic resonance imaging technologists was $73,410 in May 2019. And the median annual wage for radiologic technologists and technicians was $60,510.

3 Top Tips for Climbing the HR Career Ladder

October 26, 2020 by Tim McMahon

When we think of HR or Human Resources we usually think of the gatekeepers to getting the job that we want. But… what if you want to get a job as a gatekeeper?

Pursuing a successful career in human resources is a challenging task, there’s no denying that. If you want to increase your chances of reaching the top of this particular career ladder, it’s essential that you put the advice laid out below into practice.

Here are three tips for climbing the HR career ladder:

Attain a Good Education

If you want to stand out from the crowd in your talent pool, you need to go above and beyond to showcase your industry expertise. The best way to do this is to attain a high level of education in your field. Most of your contemporaries will have been awarded bachelor’s degrees in either business management, economics, finance, or psychology. To showcase the fact that you are a more attractive job candidate than them, you could get yourself a B.S or better yet a Master of Science degree specifically in the HR field.

If you can’t afford to put your career on pause in order to go back to university you can enroll in an online course like Touro University MS in Human Resource Management, you will have the opportunity to study whenever, wherever, and however you like. This curriculum is taught 100% online, which means that you won’t have to worry about it disrupting your day-to-day working schedule. Once you graduate, you will be ready to take on a variety of leadership roles in the field of HR, including labor relations management.

Take Advantage of Social Media

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Need a New Job Fast? Positions You Can Get With Quick Training

October 9, 2020 by Tim McMahon

Whether you’re looking to switch careers or secure a better paying job, the careers out there are endless. According to the Bureau of labor and statistics, there is a big difference in salary compensation among skilled and unskilled workers. This means that you will be at an advantage if you have a marketable skill set. But you may wonder, which are the best jobs that I can get with quick training? Below are some of the positions you can look out for.

Web Developer

Web developers are in charge of creating and maintaining websites. Some of the best developers earn about $119,000 per year. To get such a job, one does not need to have a degree in programming or similar skills. On the other hand, an online course can equip you with the skills necessary skills required. There are several paid and free programming courses on the internet. YouTube tutorials can be a great place to start.

Chef / Cook

Cooks work everywhere that food is prepared including restaurants, schools, hospitals, private households, and other places. Restaurants are always looking for good efficient cooks. Most cooks learn their skills through on-the-job training and related work experience. Although no formal education is required, some restaurant cooks attend culinary school. Overall employment of cooks is projected to grow 10 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. Individual growth rates will vary by specialty.

Cooks usually work under the direction of chefs, head cooks, or food service managers. Large restaurants and foodservice establishments often have multiple menus and a large kitchen staff. Teams of restaurant cooks, sometimes called assistant cooks or line cooks, work at assigned stations equipped with the necessary types of stoves, grills, pans, and ingredients.

Railroad and Transit Police

Depending on [Read more…] about Need a New Job Fast? Positions You Can Get With Quick Training

How to Appear Highly Professional in an Interview

September 28, 2020 by Tim McMahon

There’s nothing more important in an interview than showing an employer that you are competent in a professional environment. According to economists that study employment issues, such as Warren Mosler, many employers are reluctant to take people who have been unemployed for a long time, which is partly due to the fact that there isn’t enough evidence that the prospective employee is fit for the professional working world. That’s why doing your best to demonstrate your professionalism can help your job interview efforts significantly. Here are some tips to help you achieve just that.

Practice Rigorously

Try to find some relevant frequently asked questions and practice your answers in the mirror. You should get to the stage where you appear calm, clear, and brief with your answers. It’s okay to stutter, but if you try to speak slowly you will find you come across as more confident and more professional.

Do a Lot of Research

Research everything you can — the [Read more…] about How to Appear Highly Professional in an Interview

Is Being a Call Center Agent Right For You?: The Pros and Cons to Consider

September 17, 2020 by Tim McMahon

Trying to look for a job after graduating? Or maybe you’re considering a different line of work after leaving the previous one. Either way, you might want to consider the idea of working as a call center agent.

If you have a mix of skills in both communication and problem solving, this is a job you might consider. You also learn new things, such as new skill sets in addition to a salary and benefits. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, customer service representative jobs are set to grow by about 36% up to the year 2026.

Call Centers: An Overview

Before we look at the pros and cons of being a call center agent, let’s talk about what call centers are. A call center is an office that receives customer phone calls. Here, agents receive these calls to assist customers with their inquiries and help resolve issues.

The duties of a call center agent vary depending on the company’s line of business. This ranges from technical support to customer support. Some also have options in order entry in case the line of business leans towards retail.

Call center jobs fall under two variants. The first is under a parent business which comes with brand familiarity and other features. While the second comes from a third-party provider, which has the edge of efficiency.

Before going out to apply as a call center agent, check your call center variant. Knowing what you’re getting into will help you prepare for your call center agent duties.

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The Pros of Being a Call Center Agent

Now that we know what call centers are, let’s take a look at the upsides and downsides in working one. These pieces of information can help you decide if this is the right line of work for your career. Being a call center agent has interesting perks that you can take advantage of.

Here are some of these advantages.

Schedule Flexibility

The good thing about working as a call center agent is the flexible scheduling they offer to agents. In this case, they can help you set your work schedule with your personal commitments in mind.

More Options for Workplace

With recent developments, call centers also offer work-from-home options. This gives you the option to choose whether you wish to work on the main production floor. Or you can choose to work remotely in your home office, in case the location is too far.

Matters about schedule flexibility and work-from-home vary from each call center. Inquire about them first.

Specialized Knowledge Base

Another advantage available is the learning opportunities you get during the training period. You learn more about the specific details of the company’s business and how you can use your problem-solving skills to help customers.

It becomes a time of discovery with amazing programs. You gain exposure to many different seminars and workshops such as BDC training.

Honing Communication Skills

You also sharpen your communication skills when working in a call center. You get to see how soft skills can do much in bringing customer satisfaction similar to hard skills. It also helps with bolstering your self-confidence.

Pay Grade and Benefits

Call center work becomes an attractive choice as your first job or your next because of this. It comes with a set salary and several benefits (such as health insurance). If you do well, you also get to enjoy several performance bonuses.

The Cons of Being a Call Center Agent

As much as you see the advantages, you also have downsides when you work in a call center. These may come as small hurdles that you may come across, or as deal-breakers. But if you have the grit and intent, this could help you prepare and plan ahead.

Let us now look at the disadvantages.

Unpredictable Stress and Work Hours

With being a call center agent, the task of taking calls can come as a two-edged sword. The customers that you encounter on the other line vary in disposition and stress level. In this case, you can get a mild-mannered customer on one call and an irate customer on the next.

Then you also have those times when calls can stretch longer when the issues happen to be far more challenging. When this happens, you may find yourself going beyond your work schedule while resolving that call. It becomes a source of stress and it can be as draining as it can get.

Sedentary Position

Imagine working long hours sitting down, taking calls, and working out customer concerns. This becomes a situation that you encounter for the rest of your stay in a call center. It can pose health concerns if you remain in that seated position for a good eight hours or more.

This can affect your body due to a lack of exercise and other factors. Keep this in mind and work around these health concerns. You may need to get up from your chair and walk a bit. You might also need water for hydration and your voice.

High Turnover

Call center work is a challenging one, especially when it comes to employee turnover rates. Call centers have high employee turnover rates. This comes from factors such as seasonal ramp-ups or other circumstances for the agents.

Because of this, you will also encounter unstable teams and their dynamics. Possible to address, but it can pose a challenge to you and your team leader.

Ready to Be A Call Center Agent?

Being a call center agent has its fair share of ups and downs. But like every other career and industry field, your direction and growth can start here. All you need is motivation and perseverance.

But why stop here? If you’re looking for more employment tips and guides, we invite you to keep reading our other posts today!

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4 Ways a Criminal Record Can Affect Your Employment

August 27, 2020 by Tim McMahon

A criminal record can severely impact a person’s employment prospects. In time, you can leave your past behind, but while job searching, a criminal record may have a detrimental effect on your ability to get the job you want. In the UK and Australia most convictions are considered ‘spent’ after 4 years, and you should not be required to divulge your criminal record to an employer. However, that is not the case in the U.S.

Restricted Job Pool

Having a criminal background may prevent you from being considered for certain types of employment. Depending on the nature of your criminal conviction and the work that you are applying for, you might not be able to obtain a job in a security position, in education, or in certain kinds of medical jobs. Many employers require a background check, and someone with a criminal record might not be interviewed for a job in these occupations. You might have to accept an entry-level position and work your way up the ladder to better jobs if employers are aware of your criminal past. [Read more…] about 4 Ways a Criminal Record Can Affect Your Employment

Medical Office Administration Career

August 10, 2020 by Guest Contributor

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to work in a medical facility? Even if you don’t have the desire to be a doctor or nurse, you can still make an impact in the healthcare field.

Medical office administrators are an important component of the medical industry, and they’re in demand. The job outlook for this profession is predicted to grow by 18% from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. That’s good news for you!

If you’re curious to learn more about the medical office administration job description, take a look at the info below.

What Is Medical Office Administration?

A medical office administrator plays a huge role in healthcare facilities. The doctors and nurses directly take care of patients, but they don’t have a hand in the administrative duties. That’s the medical admin’s job.

A medical office administrator’s role is to keep doctor’s offices and hospitals operating smoothly. However, they don’t have just one task, and their job description is broad.

Many times they do a variety of duties ranging from office work to patient admissions and coordinating. They also work directly and indirectly with patients.

To succeed in this role, you need good people skills, organization, and administrative talents. Here are some of the basic technical skills required:

Customer service
Medical terminology
Patient care
Data entry
Appointment setting
Scheduling
Electronic health records

Medical Office Administration Job Description

As a medical office administrator, your work will include “office work” as well as other tasks. Here are some of the primary duties required:

Checking patients in at the front desk
Processing insurance claims
Overseeing medical records and charts
Answering the phone
Scheduling appointments
Create work schedules
Recruit, train, and supervise staff members
Sending lab results
Gathering important patient information before their appointment
Ensure that the facility in which they work is up to date on and compliant with laws and regulations
Manage the finances of the facility, such as patient fees and billing
Keep and organize records of the facility’s services
Communicate with members of the medical staff and department heads

Medical Office Administration Environments

As a medical office administrator, you have the option to [Read more…] about Medical Office Administration Career

Wrongful Termination: Can You Get Fired for Being Disabled?

July 31, 2020 by Tim McMahon

Are you facing a possible wrongful termination? Are you worried that your disability has gotten in the way of your career? Is that even legal?

As a person with a disability, you have a lot of legal protections, and if you’re worried that you’ve been taken advantage of, you may have a wrongful termination case.

If you’re unsure, here are some tips to help you out including some wrongful termination examples in the area of disability law that can help you decide if your employer made a big mistake. Keep reading for more information.

Fired After Revealing Disability

This one probably seems obvious, but let’s talk about it.

You’re not required to reveal a disability to an employer. They may ask and you may fill out a voluntary disclosure form. They may even ask about specific aspects of the job and whether or not you’ll be able to complete them (with or without reasonable accommodations).

For example, if you have a disability that prevents you from lifting heavy objects, they may ask if this is something that you can do.

Some people discover (or experience) disabilities later in life. If you’re established in your career, and an employer fires you conveniently after your disability is revealed (even if they claim other reasoning), this is likely wrongful termination. [Read more…] about Wrongful Termination: Can You Get Fired for Being Disabled?