How to Interview for a Job When Youre an Older Worker

How to Interview for a Job When Youre an Older WorkerHow to Interview for a Job When Youre an Older Worker10Over 40 and searching for a new career? Prepping to bewerbungsgesprch for a job? Some career experts suggest that older workers shouldnt be surprised if they encounter age discrimination. While the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) forbids discrimination against those 40+ during the hiring process, as well as once on the job, some hiring managers may hold unconscious biases against older applicants. Some may believe, for example, that veteran workers are behind the times when it comes to new technologies or less energetic than their younger counterparts.For this reason, its important to approach job interviews thoughtfully when youre a more seasoned professional.Here are some dos and donts for workers of a certain age who dont want age discrimination to be a factor when they interview for a job.How to Interview for a Job When Youre an Older WorkerUse your expe rience to your best advantage.Older workers bring many benefits to the table over younger candidates, including a longer work history. Use this experience to wow your interviewers by focusing on how your past positions have positioned you perfectly for the current job. Some advance planning by practicing potential interview questions can go a long way with this one.Keep your attitude in check.Older workers and younger workers alike may sometimes fall prey to revealing a problematic attitude during their interview. If you find yourself sitting across from a twenty-something interviewer, your ego may kick in, causing you to present yourself in an unfavorable light. Even if you feel like you have more experience than someone younger who may be part of the hiring committee or even your future boss, be sure to keep your attitude positive. Focus on the companys needs and what you can do to help the team achieve them.Give your resume an overhaul.If it has been a while since youve been on t he job market, you might need to start from scratch in the resume department. You want to be sure that your resume does notlage appear outdated or inappropriate when it comes to use of current formats and technologies. If youre uncertain about the best way to present information on your resume, consider consulting with a professional resume service to have it revised or rewritten. Having something updated and fresh for employers to peruse during your job interviews will go a long way to aid your job search.Be social-media savvy.In todays job search, having an up-to-date resume is no longer enough to land an interview, which is the first step to successfully interviewing. Research from Bullhorn has shown that almost all recruiters and staffing professionals now rely on social media sites- like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Google+- when seeking job candidates. As a starting point, if you havent already done so, create a LinkedIn profile to indicate your industry and job history. If you fee l uncomfortable navigating certain sites, social media experts can help you craft a professional page to attract the attention of potential employers.While job searching as an older candidate can present some unique challenges, you can overcome them by anticipating potential pitfalls, identifying your strengths, and taking the time you need to thoroughly prepare for your interview.Looking to change careers? Start your job search here

5 Social Media Photos to Avoid Using During a Job Search

5 Social Media Photos to Avoid Using During a Job Search5 Social Media Photos to Avoid Using During a Job SearchAs a job seeker, you know how important it is to put your best foot forward during your job search. One of the ways to do just that is by having a great profile photo on your social media channels that represents you in the best light. Problem is, many times, what one person might consider flattering, another could perceive as a huge faux pas. If you want to be successful during your job hunt (i.e., land a job), below are five social media photos to avoid using during a job search.Five social media posts to avoid during a job searchStart your search for a flexible job here1. The Party Girl (or Guy) PhotoSure, you looking slamming in that party pic, but posting a photo of yourself at a party is a definite job search no-no. While no potential boss expects you to never ever go to a party, you shouldnt advertise your busy social calendar online, either. And that especially goes for any photo in which youre holding a glass of anything that could be construed as beer, wine, liquor, etc., as these can get your job application pitched to the trash can ASAP.2. A SelfieWhether you love them or hate them, selfies (and their sticks) are here to stay. That doesnt mean that you have to use a selfie as your social media photo, though. After all, your boss-to-be doesnt need to see you taking a shot of yourself using your bathroom mirror (and spying all the clutter on your bathroom counter, to boot). Grab a friend or family member to take a nice photo of you with a clean, well-lit background- and save the selfies for your private Facebook page.3. Your Wedding PhotoWhile you might have made a beautiful bride (or groom), you dont want to use a wedding pic as your social media photo. For starters, depending on when you got married, the picture could date you (e.g., your poofy taffeta 80s wedding dress can give it away), and you dont want to give a potential boss a glimps e into your personal life before hes even had the chance to call you in for a job interview. That said, you should get dressed up for your social media job search photo, though. Men should wear a suit and women can wear either a dress, or a blouse and a skirt or pants, to make them look as professional as possible.4. A Family Photo You color-coordinated all of your outfits to match, and the photo of you with your family got a ton of likes on Facebook. Surely, its good enough for your job search social media profiles, right? Wrong. Employers arent really allowed to ask you if you have children or not, but posting a photo of your kids automatically answers that question for them. Unfortunately, some hiring managers have a bias against job seekers who have children, and might pass over your (very qualified) job application in favor of a childless candidate. Yes, its illegal, but it does happen. So let a potential boss judge you by your skills, qualifications, and prior work experiences - not the number of children he can count in your family photo- and opt for a pic of just you.5. A Quote-Filled PhotoYou live by the mantra Carpe diem. But that doesnt mean that it has to be the first thing a hiring manager sees when he searches up your social media profiles. Try to avoid using quotes as photos- and ditto for adding them at the end of your email signature, too. Keep it simple and straightforward by using an image of yourself in a well-lit environment with a clean background- and seize the day instead by focusing your efforts on having a great job search that puts you in the best light possible.During any job search, there are always a bunch of dos and donts. But make sure your search goes smoothly by posting the right pics of yourself- and avoiding the wrong social media photos.Readers, have you ever posted one of the dont social media photos above? Did you find that it affected your search? Let us know in the comments belowphoto credits istockphoto.com

Licensed Practical Nurse - LPN Job Description

Licensed Practical Nurse - LPN Job DescriptionLicensed Practical Nurse - LPN Job DescriptionA licensed practical nurse cares for sick, injured, convalescing, or disabled patients. He or she works under the direction of registered nurses. A licensed practical nurse is commonly called an LPN. An alternative job title for this occupation is licensed vocational nurse, often abbreviated as LVN. Quick Facts Licensed practical nurses earn amedian annual salaryof $45,030 (2017).724,500 people are employed in this occupation (2016).Most work in nursing and residential care facilities and hospitals.Jobs are usually full-time, butabout 20 percent of LPNs work part-time.The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an excellent job outlook for this occupation. The government agency gives it the Bright Outlook designation which it reserves for professions with the best prospects for the future. Employment is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations between 2016 and 2026. A D ay In a Licensed Practical Nurses Life Job announcements onIndeed.comrevealed that LPNs have the following job duties Performtechnical patient care and related clerical functions in the urgent care situation by coordinating all elements of the patient visit.Work collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team to ensure the needs of each resident are met.Obtainand documentpatient histories.Observethe resident for change in physical, social, or mental position and document signs and symptoms and status of residents and related matters through written/oral reports to RN/RN Manager/ Supervisor/ Designee/ Medical Staff and Family as indicated. Assure proper procedures are followed at all times.Assist and oversee distribution of food trays. Education and Licensing Requirements The first step toward fulfilling theeducational requirementsfor aspiring LPNs is the completion of a state-approved, year-long, training program in nursing. These programs are usually offered by technical and vo cational schools or community and junior colleges. Some high schools, four-year colleges and universities, and hospitals also provide training for aspiring LPNs. Formal training consists of a combination of classroom study and supervised clinical practice. After finishing school, you will have to pass the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX-PN. The NCLEX-PN is a computer-based exam that is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. What Soft Skills Do You Need? In addition to formal education andtechnical skills, specificsoft skills, abilities with which you were either born or developed through life experience, will allow you to succeed in this field. InterpersonalYou must be able to establish a rapport with your patients.CompassionIt is essential that you care about your patients well-being and can demonstrate this through your actions.CommunicationExcellent speaking and listening skills are imperative.Problem Solving You will need the abilit y to recognize problems and come up with solutions to rectify them.Attention to DetailSince small mistakes can have dire consequences, it is essential to pay careful attention to even the smallest details. The Difference Between an LPN and RN Both licensed practical nurses and registered nurses provide direct patient care for patients in healthcare facilities, butthey have different job duties and education, training, and licensing requirements. Their jobs include providing basic care and monitoring patients health. LPNs have restrictions regarding some specific duties, depending on the state in which they work. In some states,they are allowed to provide more advanced care like administering medication and setting up intravenous drips, while in others they are permitted to perform these tasks only under an RNs supervision. RNs and LPNs both need formal training but registered nurses must earn abachelors of science degree,associate degree, or a diploma in nursing. This usually m eans spending between two and four years in school. More rigorous training and greater responsibilities mean a higher salary for registered nurses than for LPNs. They earn a median annual salary of $70,000 (2017). How LPNs Can Advance Experienced licensed practical nurses sometimes supervise nursing assistantsand aides. Some LPNs become credentialed in specialty areas such as IV therapy, gerontology, long-term care, and pharmacology. Licensed practical nurses can also enroll in LPN-to-RN training programs to become registered nurses. What Employers Will ExpectFrom You Job announcements on Indeed.com listed the following requirements in addition to training and experience Maintaina professional attitude and dress at all timesFamiliarity with medical terminologyComputer literacy a mustCapacity to assist/lift individuals with physical disabilities and/or limited mobilityAbility to stand for extended periodsAbility to elicit and discuss personal information in a non-judgmental m anner Is This Career a Good Fit for You? For a career to be suitable, it should match yourinterests,personality type, andwork-related values. Do aself assessmentto find out if you have the following traits Interests(Holland Code) SRC(Social, Realistic, Conventional)Personality Type(MBTI PersonalityTypes) ESFP, ESFJ, ISFJ, orISFPWork-Related Values Relationships, Support, Achievement Take This Quiz Should You Become a Licensed Practical Nurse? Occupations With Related Activities and Tasks TitleDescriptionAnnual Salary (2017)Educational RequirementsVeterinary TechnicianAssists veterinarians in caring for animals$33,400Associate Degree in Veterinary TechnologySurgical TechnologistAssists the members of an operating room team$46,310Associate Degree, Diploma, or Certificate in Surgical TechnologyRespiratory TherapistTreats people who have cardiopulmonary disease$59,710Associate or Bachelors Degree in Respiratory Therapist Sources Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Lab or,Occupational Outlook Handbook Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor,O*NETOnline(visited August 10, 2018).