Sex and Your Job Search 2013: A Guide to Scoring Your Dream Job (34 page)

At nearly all healthcare facilities there is a need for maintenance workers, HVAC employees, engineers, housekeepers (cleanliness is critical for accreditation and keeping costs low), and landscapers.

Healthcare also needs scientists, researchers, public health and policy administrators, and home health employees to follow up with patients.

Most of the above-mentioned positions receive an incredible benefits package.

I recommend talking to people you may know in healthcare. Tell them what your dream job is. Ask them if they know of anyone you can talk to about this position. Follow the steps outlined in earlier chapters and you may get an email address at the least, and a lifelong mentor in your dream career at best.

Here are some statistics to finish this section. My hospital has anywhere from 300–700 job openings at any time. With 14,000 employees at an annual turnover rate of around 5–10%, that’s about right. People leave, move, retire, etc.

We receive anywhere from 80,000 to 110,000 applications a year. I personally review about 6,000 to 12,000 applications a year. I would safely estimate that less than fifty people stop by to see me each year. And of those fifty, a good percentage were hired. My facility is just one of thousands of healthcare organizations in this country.

One of the coolest guys I’ve ever known in my career, let’s call him Jeff, lived in a not so safe part of the area. When I began working at my employer, he was a PR assistant in the public relations department making around $11 an hour ($22,000 a year). I met him when he was delivering some supplies to my department. Jeff had a smile on his face and did his job precisely and professionally.

A friend that worked with him told me that one day Jeff’s car broke down, and he decided to walk six miles to work, which took him over two hours. She and other co-workers demanded that he call them next time, to which he responded, “Thank you, but I just wanted to show my dedication to my job (Integrity).”

His office introduced him to the job of X-ray tech and explained that he could go to the school on our campus for two years and upon completion of the program, double or triple his salary. Jeff did his prerequisite classes while working full time and then resigned to begin the two-year program (Excellence).

When he was done with school, he started making $28 an hour (about $56,000 a year) and quickly moved up to $35 an hour ($70,000 a year) within five years. This doesn’t include night shift and extra shift overtime and bonuses, which can add $10,000 to $20,000 a year, depending on how much someone works.

Seven years almost to the day of making $11 an hour, he was offered a full-time professor position at the school, making over $80,000 a year. He also kept his job as an X-ray tech on a per-diem basis, meaning he could make some extra cash when he wanted to during the summer months. Oh, and he gets all of the holidays off that the students get.

We talked when he came in to do his paperwork during his transition to the professor position. Jeff had the same smile and positive attitude. He was grateful and thrilled to have been provided the opportunity. And he sent me a thank you email for making the transition to his new position so smooth (Teamwork).

Jeff is as close to a model employee as you can get. He exemplifies the Values of Teamwork, Integrity, and Excellence. And he made the most of what life presented to him.

PS: This just happened in this economy and job market. I’m telling you, check out healthcare for medical, business, science, creative, professional, and entry-level positions!

2. BUSINESS

During the next decade, the Department of Labor predicts that anywhere between four million and ten million new jobs will be generated in business. The focus will be more on the service sector, rather than the goods-producing industries. Affecting the total number of jobs created will be the changing economy, technology, and ultimately consumer demand.

Let’s take a look at the hottest business jobs of the future starting with a career that is in high demand in the entertainment industry all the way to healthcare: accounting.

Accountant

Job Description:
Three things make a successful accountant: A love of numbers, logic, and attention to detail. There is a big demand for public accountants, as well as those working in the top industries, government, and consulting organizations. The daily duties include accounting functions, auditing, taxes, investigating white-collar crime, and management positions.

Basically, you could be a CPA in a small town in Iowa or do accounting for Tom’s Shoes or work for the IRS. If you love numbers and are good at accounting, the possibilities are endless.

Demand:
The BLS predicts that there will be a nearly 16% growth in the demand for accountants and auditors between 2010 and 2020, with close to 200,000 new positions open during that time.

Pay:
The median pay for an accountant is approximately $62,000. The highest paid gross over $105,000, while the lowest paid earn around $40,000. The bigger earners tend to work for the government or in the financial industry. Some positions in those arenas make over $125,000 annually, as does an acquaintance of mine who works in the entertainment industry.

Training:
At a bare minimum, accountants need a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field for entry-level positions. To advance, obtaining a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation is usually necessary and may involve a minimum amount of coursework and work experience hours. This involves taking an exam from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants as well as state-specific requirements.

For More Info: 
American Institute of CPAs: www.aicpa.org

Human Resources Specialist

Job Description:
HR specialists manage an organization’s workforce and are partners with top management in promoting the interests of the business. They are responsible for recruiting and hiring the best workers, paying them fairly, and evaluating them correctly and consistently. In many cases, HR staff also trains, rewards, disciplines, and fires employees. At big companies, the HR specialist may specialize in one or two areas of the field, and good career advancement is possible. Many HR specialists move to consulting firms after several years of work experience.

Demand:
HR specialist positions are expected to increase by about 30% between now and 2020. This amounts to around 60,000 new jobs over that time.

Pay:
Average pay is around $55,000 per year. The best-paid employees earn around $90,000 and the lowest just over $30,000. If you are a HR rock star you can easily clear six-figures on either coast or in big cities. This is applicable to the recruiting and management areas, some of which include bonuses. Expert consultants easily earn over $100,000 and senior HR VPs at large organizations can make $175,000 to over $400,000. They do in healthcare, which is generally more conservatively paid.

Training:
You’ll need a bachelor’s degree in Business with an emphasis or major in Human Resources. Also acceptable are degrees in Organizational Development. An internship while in school is increasingly necessary to find an entry-level position. There are a number of professional associations that are valuable for networking and certifications that are helpful in performing HR job functions.

Since I’ve worked in HR for over eleven years, I will say this. It is a great field for “people persons” and for individuals who like rules. If you’ve considered becoming a lawyer or a police officer, but really like business and are not thrilled about being in a courtroom or packing heat, HR may be for you. I really like assessing people and finding good chemistry between a hiring manager and an applicant, even though I tend to be more on the creative side.

For More Info: 
Society for Human Resource Management: www.shrm.org

OTHER BUSINESS CAREERS

There are other growing business careers that could include your dream job. Listed below are a few more fast-growth fields.

Financial Advisor and Financial Analyst

Job Description:
If you like researching and recommending financial plans for clients or companies, this is the career for you. This job requires a love for numbers and analysis, coupled with an incredible work ethic and tenacity.

Demand:
The prediction is that this field will grow close to 25–30% over the next few years. But that is largely dependent on how the economy recovers and how much money the millions of baby boomers have and/or want to invest.

Pay:
Salaries range from $35,000 to over $150,000. If you are considering this profession, please do a lot of research before making a commitment.

Training:
A bachelor’s degree is required and a masters degree adds credibility. State licenses and certifications may be required as well.

Marketing Specialist and Social Media Manager

Job Description:
Influencing and connecting with customers are the primary job duties. Being creative, having an ability to assess human behavior, and an ability to utilize modern marketing tools such as Facebook and Twitter are keys to success.

Demand:
Growth is expected to be over 10% over the next few years.

Pay:
The money begins around $50,000 while management positions tend to pay over $100,000.

Training:
A bachelor’s or masters degree in business administration with an emphasis in marketing, public relations, or communications.

Actuary

Job Description:
This is someone who assesses risk for the insurance industry. Being good at math, statistics, and forecasting is important for success in this occupation.

Demand:
Assessing risk due to the economy and changes in healthcare is increasing demand for this profession. This profession is expected to grow more than 20% over the next few years.

Pay:
An actuary can make big-time money, from $45,000 to $145,000.

Training:
A bachelor’s degree is required with strong skills in statistics and math. A series of tests are required to become certified.

For More Info: 
Society of Actuaries: www.soa.org

In Chapter 4, I told you about the guy I know who went from small-town CPA to “accountant to the stars” in Beverly Hills. The part I left out was his internship and job after college.

You see, Henry was always a numbers guy, and during college he applied to two internships. One was a summer accounting internship at a hospital and the other involved a year working at a bank in Germany. He was almost bilingual already and capitalized on his strengths.

His first job out of college was an auditor for a global consulting company. Obviously, his internships in college helped him attain this position. After a few years of working diligently, he heard of an opportunity in Switzerland auditing World War II financial accounts at several Swiss banks.

Back in the 1990s, it was news that there were billions of dollars sitting in undisclosed accounts. Henry applied and was accepted into this position. He spent nine months pouring over financial records and making restitution to families affected by the war. He and his supervisors worked closely with governmental agencies and he was able to travel all over Europe on the weekends, including numerous trips to ski resorts.

Accounting can be as glamorous as any other profession. And the possibilities in business are endless, so long as you adapt and constantly improve your skills and abilities.