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February 25, 2009

Learning How to Bounce Back

Last week, Vickie in Ohio asked for advice about how she might transfer her skills into a new work situation which can be more manageable for her.

She received some interesting ideas from eSight members about how to bounce back into the job market.

James J. Elekes, M.Ed, MPA, CPM, for instance, suggests:

"Many hospitals are engaged in Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) efforts because of increasing mandates of insurance providers. Many of these positions require computer literacy, familiarity with medical records software and attention to detail to insure patient charts are complete and accurate. Often, QA/QC personnel work off-schedule, reviewing materials after the patient departments have concluded their primary functions for the day.
"Using this skill set, insurance providers may be in need of case managers to insure patient services are being provided efficiently and in a cost-effective fashion. This often requires review of physician recommendations, the individual's insurance coverage then, coordinating the patient service plan.
"Similar positions are routinely available as well in local/county/state government entities which are Medicare/Medicaid providers and need case management to schedule, assign allied staff and follow-up on client services."

Karla Golding writes, "I work in the business office of a Home Health Care provider in NW Ohio. Even in the current economy, this business is definitely growing. Vicki's nursing credentials would be a valued asset."

Barney Mayse offers Vickie this advice:

"She might try teaching online with Phoenix University. Many of the colleges now have online learning classes, and, in this case, her skills and knowledge would be readily transferable. By teaching online, she overcomes the issue of hearing and can use her knowledge and skills to teach students the skills they need to become better nurses."

More colleges are offering courses online. So Vicki may want to check both local junior colleges or universities to see if they could utilize her skills and experience teaching online.

Sometimes online teaching, helping with homework or working one-on-one to tutor also prepares you for a new career as a curriculum designer or an author of textbooks in a particular field of study.

For the past month in eNN, we've been looking at various ways to position ourselves as job seekers during very tough economic times.

Vicki’s situation, although not related to the current recession, reminds us that people can be remarkably resilient in adapting to changing conditions both on a personal level and as members of a larger society.

After a lay off or never getting that first job, we naturally fear for our future. And it always easy to blame ourselves for our predicament.

But, we have to bounce back.

This may be your first recession. However, your parents or grandparents and family members may have experienced something similar 20, 30 or 35 years ago. Talk to them about the commonality of your experiences then and now and find out how they weathered the storm in those times.

Somehow, they bounced back – most likely because they took positive, small steps to prepare themselves for better times.

So, now is the time to update your skills by taking one of the many courses available online or getting your GED or other certificates or degrees at a college or junior college or university near you.

It may be a good time to find out what your aptitudes are through the Myers Briggs personality assessment or other aptitude test at your school or online. You might just be surprised what you learn about yourself.

Now may be just the right time for you to seek out people who are doing work that interests you or those who work in companies you are targeting.

Why? The U.S. Department of Labor says that more than 70 percent of jobs filled last year were filled through networking.

Be sure everyone you know is aware that you are looking for a new job and understands the position you're seeking so they are better able to help you.

Here are a few other resources that may open up new opportunities for you at this particular stage in your life:

So, there are small steps you can do now that will help you be better prepared for a more favorable job market.

But, maybe one of the most important steps you can take right now is to think about what living with disability has taught you about your personal resiliency, a soft skill that will be valuable in any employment situation during this fast- moving 21st Century.

Think about it. Use the eSight Networking Forum to initially put it into words. Continue to hone it into a short but powerful narrative that you can use in job interviews, where most employers are seeking an answer to this unasked question: “What makes you the best candidate for this job, even though you have a disability?"

So, please start your journey in developing your personal narrative. Go to the eSight Networking Forum and reply to this question:

What incident involving your disability shows you have learned to bounce back in life?


Add your comments to this posting

Posted by Liz Seger at February 25, 2009 06:02 PM

Comments

thanks for all the encouragement and support. some times when i get home after working i am so tired cannot do much. It is hard to look for a job the way my crazy schedule is

Posted by: Vicki at February 25, 2009 08:26 PM

I have secondary progressive MS which started out affecting my left leg and has progressed to affecting both legs to that I cannot walk without assistance. As the MS has progressed I have continued to work and develop my skills. I have become involved with starting my own business and Toastmasters. My goal with Toastmasters is to become a motivational speaker. Like others with disabilities I confront problems and challenges posed by my disability on a regular basis and find ways to adapt, overcome or eliminate them as issues to my ability to work. I am not superman but I refuse to allow my disability to define my capability. My ability to contribute is far greater than my disability. I look for ways to contribute and build. One moment at a time I work to make my world the best that it can be. It is something that each of us can do.

Posted by: barney mayse at February 26, 2009 10:01 AM

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