myCNAjobs Predicts College Students May Help Alleviate the Impeding Caregiver Shortage

Chicago, IL – September 25, 2012 — Caregiver turnover combined with the retirement of 8,000 Baby Boomers each day are ingredients for a major worker shortage over the next decade, according to a recent study by Service Employees International Healthcare.  One factor driving high turnover, especially in states like Washington, is the inability for caregivers to secure enough working hours due to budget cuts.  Another major factor is decreasing caregiver loyalty and employment satisfaction.

“Being a caregiver is a tough job and even tougher in today’s economy,” says Brandi Kurtyka, Chief Marketing Officer for myCNAjobs, a caregiving and CNA recruiting vehicle used by senior employers across the country.

By 2050, over 20 percent of the U.S. population will be age 65 or older. Although professional caregiving careers are growing at a tremendous rate, nursing school enrollment isn’t growing fast enough to meet projected demand, according to the American Association of College and Nursing. Continue Reading

96% of Employers Hiring; 81% Advertising on Sites Like CollegeRecruiter.com

As the national unemployment rate continues to teeter at just over eight percent, turnover rates are beginning to inch up. The average total turnover rate reported for employers from 2011 was 15.2 percent, according to Compdata Surveys BenchmarkPro 2012 survey results. That’s up slightly from 14.4 percent reported a year ago. Voluntary turnover rates were reported at 9.8 percent, up from 9.1 percent reported last year.

“Voluntary turnover rates were trending downward for several years, but the numbers are beginning to edge up again,” said Amy Kaminski, director of marketing for Compdata Surveys. “This is likely because employees are beginning to feel more comfortable about re-entering the job market as the economy shows small signs of improvement.” Continue Reading

Baby Boomers: Resumes and Cover Letters for Ages 50 and Older

If you are a Baby Boomer, you are a part of a generation that is headed toward retirement. However, due to our slumping economy, there is a chance that even if you are able to retire, you could be making a u-turn right back into the workforce to supplement your retirement savings.
With competition being so stiff, it may seem that the odds are against you for getting hired, especially having to compete with younger talent. In some cases this is true, but there are also employers out there looking for the skills and expertise mature workers can bring to the table. So if you’re a Baby Boomer looking for employment, it is not too late to secure a great job. You just need the right resume and cover letter to get you in the door.
Updating Your Resume
If you’ve been out of the job market for a decade or more, updating your resume may be more challenging than you remember, especially when you factor in the Internet and possibly having to apply online. But that’s not all you have to think about. As a mature worker, you also have the challenge of creating a resume that showcases your years of experience without shining a spotlight on your age.
So how can you get this done? One way is by using a functional resume format that highlights specific skills rather than chronological timelines. When writing your skills, try going into detail regarding projects you’ve completed that have benefited your previous companies. You can also create a section that focuses on the computer technologies you’ve mastered or any training you’ve completed. All of these things can help employers focus more on your skills and talents, and less on your age.
Using Your Cover Letter to Reveal Who You Really Are
Being a mature worker, you may have to contend with a few stereotypes during your job search. Some include you being less productive than your younger counterparts, more resistant to newer technologies, and set in your ways. Of course, none of those descriptions define who you really are. But it is up to you to help prospective employers understand this.
One way to do this is by explaining how important it is for you to expand the landscape of your career. You’re not in it for the money, you simply want to grow. If you’ve recently received any advanced degrees or additional education, don’t hesitate to mention it. And most importantly, let employers know you have no intentions of leaving the industry any time soon – you’re still getting your feet wet.
Confidence is Key
You may be feeling uncertain about your ability to compete in an already competitive job search. But don’t let that deter you. You have years of experience under your belt and the skill level to match. So make sure you maintain your confidence throughout your job search process. It will shine through in your resume, cover letter, and face-to-face interview.
Getting back into the workforce as a Baby Boomer isn’t an impossible task if you believe in your capabilities and make a strong effort to excel. The more proactive you are about putting yourself out there, the more success you will have in locating opportunities that can take your career to the next level.
Heather Eagar is a former professional resume writer and owner of http://www.ResumeLines.com who is now dedicated to providing job seekers with resources and products that promote job search success from beginning to end.

The Problem With Gen Y is Us

Mark Liston, the director of recruiting and new franchise development for Valpak, just posted a great blog entry to CollegeRecruiter.com.
Mark argues that the problems that Boomers like him and Gen X’ers like me (had to get that jab in — sorry Mark) have with recruiting and managing Gen Y are due to our behaviors, not theirs. Mark lives and breaths these issues day after day for our valued client. If you want to benefit from the insight of someone who is in the trenches, read his entry.