By Carla Perrotta
All too often, the pressures and frustrations of working in the healthcare industry can look insurmountable and lead many into an endless progression of jobs. The costs to the individual of constantly changing employers can be staggering when you factor in the lost income and savings over a career.
The first consideration is the immediate loss of cash from the time you leave your old job until the first paycheck you receive. That can easily add up to three or four weeks. Multiply that over the course of a career and youre talking tens of thousands of dollars.
In addition, your new employer will not give you any credit for all the years youve worked for other employers. Plus you lose insider intelligence of how to work the system, seniority, longevity pay, vacation time or other bonuses.
Benefits such as medical insurance and retirement programs will also be jeopardized. Most companies require you to be on the payroll for at least 30 days before offering medical coverage. Finding temporary insurance to cover you in the event of a catastrophe is a major drain on income. In addition, some pre-existing conditions that may have been covered previously, may not be covered. From a retirement perspective, vesting and contribution levels likely will be adversely affected.
While Im not a big advocate of changing jobs because of the financial strain it places on people and the fact that the grass is rarely greener on the other side, there nevertheless comes a time when change is whats needed to jumpstart a career. Youve exhausted your options internally as youve tried to resolve issues. Youre stuck in a job where you are overworked and underappreciated. Whatever the reason, the time has come to move on.
If and when that time comes, its time to put your best foot forward and make the best possible impression on a prospective employer. Following are some tips on how to make your next job search your last job search.
Conduct a realistic self-analysis about what drove you away from your last job. Begin by finding out everything there is to know about the healthcare environment in which you will be working by visiting the facility, talking to co-workers, employees and anyone else that might be able to offer some insight. Other good sources of information include annual reports, newspapers, and websites. Make sure you fully understand the compensation and benefits package.
Once you toss your hat into the ring, you must prepare to sell yourself in the interview. Following are rules to guide you:
Carla Perotta has 22 years in the healthcare staffing industry and is now responsible for all business operations related to Kelly Healthcare Resources, a business unit of staffing provider Kelly Services Inc., based in Troy, Mich. Kelly Healthcare Resources provides healthcare staffing solutions to hospitals, clinics, businesses, healthcare facilities, insurance companies, HMOs and clinical research organizations. For more information please visit www.kellyhealthcare.com.
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