Broadening Your Job Search Horizons

As many people struggle with unemployment or underemployment, I wanted to focus on a trend I've noticed among job seekers. It seems that people looking for work - especially those with specialized medical training or certifications - tend to get hung up on a job title and miss other employment options. A Certified Nurse Assistant might only focus on CNA jobs and not even notice job openings for related positions. The thing to remember is that skills are transferable! Your knowledge and training can apply to many more fields than you think.

In my hometown (Arizona), call centers are big business. They are one of the major employers in the region and offer some of the highest paying jobs plus benefits. A couple of weeks ago, a call center hosted a job fair to fill 100 positions. That's a fairly common occurrence around here, but what was unique about this job fair was that the call center was looking for trained Pharmacy Technicians to join their staff. This is becoming more and more common. People want 24/7 access to medical professionals and call centers fill that need. So while your local assisted living facility or pharmacy might not be hiring, your call center might. If you have knowledge as a Pharmacy Assistant, the job possibilities open up. Similarly, if you've trained as a Health Unit Coordinator, you're qualified to work in many office settings - not just a hospital or elder care facility. Have you considered a doctor's private practice or a chiropractor's office? Focus on your skills and not the job title and the possibilities open up!

Make a list of the skills you have, not just the job titles you've held, and compare that against the local help wanted ads. Look for key words in the job postings that relate to your skills rather than just browsing by job title. Need to brush up or boost your skills? Spanish for Healthcare Providers and Medical Terminology are both fast and affordable, and since they're open enrollment, you can start immediately. The jobs are out there - put your best foot forward, emphasize your skills, and you'll be all set.


cc licensed ( BY ND ) flickr photo shared by alanclarkdesign