Employment Resources

When did you last update your resume? Now’s a great time to add new work experience, verify references and insert several resume
trends that are popular this year.

Add Breakaway Text

Magazines often use breakaway text to draw your eye to main themes. While your resume won’t include enlarged text or boxed quotes, you can figure out what points you really want a potential employer to remember about you. Place those in a short sentence or two on the top half of your resume as you highlight the key reason why you’re right for the job you really want.

Include Value Propositions

You could use your resume to rattle off facts, but show potential employers why they should interview you when you include value propositions. They showcase the skills and experience that sets you apart from other candidates, and they persuade hiring managers to contact you for an interview.

Utilize Charts or Graphs

Boring paragraphs won’t get your resume recognized, no matter how many achievements you have. However, a colorful chart or graph shows potential employers your skills, including revenue generation, client satisfaction or office savings.

Add a Video

Give potential employers a chance to get to know your personality and poise when you record a video resume. The 30-to-60-second video gives you a chance for you to verbalize your top skills and is easy to include on your paper resume or LinkedIn profile.

Write to the Audience

It’s time to toss your general resume. Instead, write to your audience, which means you have to know the job and the recruiter, HR director or decision maker who decides whether or not to interview you. Then you know the tone, vocabulary and other target keywords you need to use in your resume for each specific position.

While these 2015 resume trends and tips won’t guarantee you’ll land your dream job, they do help you stand out in the crowd. They also help you succeed in moving up the ladder at your current job. Ask your coworkers and human resources manager for additional tips as you maximize your resume today. 

One hundred thousand, one million or one billion – how much should you save for retirement? Instead of drawing a random number from a hat, use tips from financial planners to prepare for your future.

Write Down Retirement Goals

Do you want to travel the world or move closer to your children after you retire? Maybe you anticipate needing long-term medical care or providing for a disabled child. These goals determine how much retirement money you need to save.

Calculate Expenses

With your goals in mind, calculate your retirement expenses. Figure in cost of living differences if you plan to relocate, and remember that while you won’t have commuting costs, you may experience higher medical costs.

Calculate Income

Social Security, pension funds and IRA withdraws are three possible income sources you’ll receive during retirement. Use the annual letter you receive from Social Security and your pension and retirement fund reports to calculate your income from these sources.

Set a Target Amount to Save

Now that you’ve outlined expenses and income, you’re ready to decide how much money you need to invest. In general, you need to save $20 now for each dollar your retirement expenses exceed your income. So if your expected retirement expenses exceed your projected income by $20,000 a year, you need to save $400,000 in your nest egg.

Your financial planner, human resources manager this online calculator can assist you in tabulating how much money you’ll need to retire comfortably. Recalculate this figure annually to make sure you’re on track to save your target amount.

Instead of guessing at how much money you need for retirement, use these tips to create a realistic plan. You can also save 10 to 15 percent of each paycheck, or more if you’re older than 30, to give your money time to grow into a healthy nest egg. Consider adding any raises or bonuses to your employer sponsored retirement accounts, too, as you prepare for your future. 

How’s your relationship with your primary care physician or PCP? Because your doctor diagnoses illness, performs preventative checkups and looks out for your physical wellbeing, you want to build a better relationship as you take care of your health now and into the future.

1. Have an Agenda

What do you expect from a doctor visit? Clarify your agenda before you schedule an appointment, and use your list of talking points or questions to keep you on track and ensure your concerns are addressed.

2. Ask Questions

Maybe you were taught to follow doctor’s orders without question, but times have changed. Doctors are taught now to listen to patients, and you have Dr. Google at your disposal. So don’t be afraid to speak up and ask why tests are being prescribed or what information the doctor used to diagnose you.

3. Know Your Medical History

While your doctor has access to your chart, he or she may not know all the details of your medical history. Record those details in your medical journal, and bring it to each appointment. Use your family’s history of depression, diabetes or cancer to help your doctor treat you.

4. Be Honest

Sometimes, you’re embarrassed to tell your doctor about your lifestyle or symptoms. However, your doctor uses those details along with test results and a physical exam to determine the correct diagnosis. Honesty goes a long way toward building a trusting and helpful long-term relationship with your PCP.

5.Share Your Preferences

Are you committed to a vegan lifestyle, see depression as a weakness or prefer not to be placed on life support? Share these preferences with your PCP so that he or she can help you make health decisions that honor your wishes.

Regular doctor visits improve your overall health. Take advantage of your health insurance coverage to see your doctor regularly, and use this list to build a better relationship with your PCP. 

Worker’s comp insurance covers your medical treatment after you suffer an injury or are involved in an accident at work. However, you also need to know if workers comp can cover long-term illnesses or disabilities.

What Long-Term Illnesses and Disabilities are Covered?

Your employer’s worker’s comp insurance policy will include specific details about the exact illnesses and disabilities your policy covers. While you want to check it, consider this short list of possible health issues that worker’s comp can cover.
*Asthma

*Back pain

*Carpal tunnel

*Heart conditions

*Lung disease

*Stress-related digestive problems
Understand the Cause and Document the Symptoms

Repetitive actions, ongoing chemical exposure and even job-related stress could be the cause of your illness or disability. Since you can’t point to a specific accident that caused your long-term illness, be sure to document the symptoms thoroughly.

When documenting the symptoms, describe the pain, where it’s located and what actions you perform regularly. Include the dates and results of any medical treatment you receive, too, or ask your doctor for verification that your illness or disability could have been caused by your work duties or environment. These details build your case for worker’s comp when you file because of your long-term illness or disability.

Track Laws and Recalls

In the midst of your illness or disability, do your homework. Track changes in employee laws or safety guidelines, and look for chemical, equipment or safety gear recalls. All of these details could help to support your case that your work environment or duties created your illness or disability.

Ask Coworkers to Vouch for You

Chances are high that you’re not the only one at work who’s suffering. Ask your current and previous coworkers if they’re experiencing the same symptoms as you. If so, ask them to document the specific. Together, you stand a better chance of getting your worker’s comp claim approved.

When your work causes a long-term illness or disability, you could be eligible for worker’s comp. Check your policy, talk to your human resources manager and start assembling supportive paperwork as you prepare to state your case.

*Self-inflicted injuries – If you try to hurt yourself on purpose, don’t count on workers comp to cover your medical treatments.

*Injuries suffered while committing a crime – Don’t expect workers comp to cover medical treatment if you’re injured as you break into the cash drawer or commit another crime at work.

*Injuries suffered when violating company policy – If your company doesn’t allow employees to drink on the job, workers comp won’t cover injuries that occur because you’re drunk at work. Read your employee manual to understand all your company’s specific policies.

1. Home health aides earn an average wage of $10.12 an hour, and temp jobs for employees in this career field will increase by 15 percent by 2019.

2. Substitute teachers earn $13.00 an hour. This job ties with five other jobs that are expected to grow by 14 percent through 2019.

3. Demonstrators and product promoters earn $12.26.

4. Restaurant cooks receive an average of $10.73 per hour.

5. Retail salespersons bring home an average hourly pay of $10.13.

6. Childcare workers earn an average of $9.81 an hour.

7. Gaming dealers earn $9.22 for one hour of work.

8. Pharmacy technicians earn $14.47 an hour and are employed in one of four industries that are expected to grow by 13 percent by 2019.

9. Landscapers and groundskeepers earn $11.73.

10. Taxi drivers and chauffeurs make $11.28 on average per hour.

11. Maids and housekeepers receive an average hourly wage of $10.07.

One in 68 children is diagnosed with autism according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. April is Autism Awareness month, and it’s the perfect time to look around your workplace. How many parents have a child with a physical, mental or emotional disability? You can support these parents in five ways.

1. Provide Health Insurance

With therapy, medical treatments, specialist visits, specialized equipment and so much more, caring for a child with special needs is expensive. Both full-time and part-time employees need healthcare coverage to decrease the financial burden, give them peace of mind and allow them to meet their child’s needs. Encourage your employer to provide a health savings account option, too, that pays for medical expenses health insurance might not cover.

2. Offer Child Care

Finding reliable child care for special needs children challenges most parents. Offering child care during work hours, summers and school vacations ensures parents don’t miss work because their babysitter’s sick or school’s closed. Trained professionals can provide respite care one or two nights a month, too, and give employees a much-needed mental, emotional and physical break.

3. Give Financial Assistance

Even with adequate health insurance, most families who are affected by special needs have big financial burdens. Organize a fundraiser to cover expenses like gasoline, copays and dietary items or collect gift cards to grocery, convenience and department stores.

4. Host a Support Group

Everyone needs support, and talking to people who understand is a healthy way for parents to handle stress, problem solve and recharge. Schedule regular support meetings as you also raise awareness and offer support.

5. Share Referrals

From estate lawyers to assistive technology information, parents of a child with special needs require plenty of resources. Post and regularly update a list of general referrals in the break room. Customize it based on your coworkers’ needs to make an even bigger impact.

Being a parent to a child with special needs is tough. Advocate for five key supports at your workplace. The parents of a child with special needs will appreciate your efforts and help.