Category: Your Compensation (Page 4 of 10)

Handling tough questions at a job interview

July 28, 2011 / Staff

If you’re preparing for a job interview, it’s impossible to anticipate all the questions, so on some level it’s more important to be relaxed and be comfortable about discussing your career goals, the potential job and your previous experience. That said, it’s important to prepare. Part of that involves doing research on the company and the prospective job, but you also need to be prepared for the tough interview questions that pop up often in interviews.

Forbes has an article about how to answer the 10 toughest interview questions. They don’t go very in-depth into the answers, but the advice is solid and it’s a good list.

Your Career, Your Compensation

Forbes interviews job interview advice job interview questions job interview strategies job interview tips job interviews preparing for job interview tough job interview questions

Top College Funding Programs for Military Personnel

July 28, 2011 / Michelle Burton

There are more than 1.1 million active military personnel in the U.S. today and more than 1 million reserve and National Guard members around the country. Civilian personnel also make up a sizable number of America’s military system with more than 634,185 active employees distributed throughout the four branches of military service—the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. Many members of the military will continue their careers within any of the four branches of service, while others will pursue interests outside of the military, such as obtaining a college degree.

One of the biggest benefits of serving in the U.S. military is the opportunity to have most if not all of your college tuition covered. For veterans and current members of the military, the U.S. government has set aside more than $4 billion in education benefits and more than $3 billion in grants. Veterans and current members of the military are almost guaranteed a substantial amount of “free” funding for college, regardless of income, in the form of benefits, grants, and scholarships.

Depending on the program, students may enjoy benefits that cover anywhere from 75 to 90 percent of undergraduate or graduate school expenses. In addition, low-cost student loans are also available to all members and former members of the military.

Programs for Veterans and Current Members of the Military

Because the U.S. military is made up of a diverse group of American citizens and the military is diverse and complex in itself, there are literally hundreds of college financial aid programs to consider. The following are the largest financial aid programs offered by the U.S. government/military. It is important to keep in mind that each of the four branches of military offers its own distinct financial aid programs.

The Montgomery GI Bill

The Montgomery GI Bill provides benefits to veterans, service members, and certain dependents of disabled or deceased veterans interested in pursuing a degree or vocational training. The GI Bill provides up to 36 months of education benefits to servicemembers. For post-9/11 veterans, the benefit will cover the full cost of tuition at any public school in the country and a sizable number of private schools. Tuition payments will be paid directly to the school and each student will receive a $1,000 book/supply stipend per year as well as a monthly living stipend. Tuition payments are capped at the cost of the most expensive public school in each state. Please click here for a state-by-state breakdown. To calculate your benefits, click here or visit the GI Bill 2008 website at: http://www.gibill2008.org/.

To apply for the Montgomery GI Bill visit the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to complete and submit your electronic application online or you may call 1-888-GI-BILL (1-888-442-4551) to have the application form mailed to you.

Army ROTC

For individuals interested in earning a college degree and serving as an officer in the Army, Army Reserve, or the Army National Guard, the Army ROTC program is for you. The program is offered at more that 600 colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and it is the largest single source of Army officers. Army ROTC scholarships pay up to $20,000 a year for college tuition and education fees or room and board. The student may choose what area he or she would like to use the scholarship award for.

In addition to a maximum $20,000 per year, ROTC students will also receive a tax-free subsistence allowance for up to 10 months each year the scholarship award is in effect. The amount of the subsistence allowance increases as student’s progress through the program. Army ROTC scholarships are based on merit and grades, not on need. So a student may fall into any income bracket and still qualify for a scholarship award. For more information about Army ROTC, visit the official Army ROTC website at: http://www.goarmy.com/rotc/.

Federal Pell Grants

Many forms of financial aid for veterans and military personnel may be combined with the Federal Pell Grant to help cover the costs of college. Administered by the U.S. Department of Education, the Federal Pell Grant Program is the largest grant program offered by the federal government.

U.S. Congress sets the maximum award amount based upon a student’s need analysis and status (full or part-time). For the 2009-2010 academic year, the maximum award is expected to fall somewhere between $4,241-$4,310.

To apply for a Federal Pell Grant, simply fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Veterans Education Assistance Program (VEAP)

The Veterans Education Assistance Program is a matching program designed to help cover the costs of college tuition and it may also cover the costs for refresher courses for individuals who have been out of school for a while. Enlisted individuals can contribute $25-$100 per month to an educational fund. The Federal government will match the contribution with $2 for every $1 contributed by the service member. The program pays the service member up to 75 percent for undergraduate courses and 90 percent for job-related courses.

Your Career, Your Compensation, Your Education, Your Network

Debt Management Options

July 21, 2011 / Michelle Burton

Debt settlement can be a useful option when a consumer has acquired too much debt that he or she cannot afford to pay in full. With debt settlement, the creditor agrees to settle with the debtor for an amount that’s less than the actual amount owed.

Much like most other debt management options, debt settlement has its advantages and disadvantages. Debt settlement can reduce the total amount that is owed to creditors and it can also reduce interest on your debt. Debt settlement can eliminate any future fees on your debt, it can consolidate all of your payments under one creditor, and it is possible to become debt-free in less than two years. And, unlike a debt consolidation loan, you are not creating new debt by borrowing to get out of debt.

One of the disadvantages of debt settlement is the negative effect it may have on your credit report. Because you won’t be paying your creditors the usual monthly payments, this will be noted on your credit report. However, to some creditors this notation can also mean that the debtor did take responsibility in paying as much as he or she possibly could, which may help to offset the negatives. In addition, because your credit report will show that the debt is “paid” or “settled” rather than “outstanding,” this may have a positive effect on your credit history.

Another disadvantage to debt settlement is that any cancelled amount exceeding $600 is considered taxable income. If the creditor reports the forgiven amount to the IRS, you will receive a 1099-C form. In some instances, however, the IRS will decide that the debtor is insolvent, meaning that the debtor will not owe any Federal taxes on the amount.

If you decide that debt settlement is the best option for you, there are several ways to accomplish it. You may negotiate your own debt settlement agreement or you can hire a consumer law attorney to assist you. It is highly recommend that you hire an attorney, especially if your debt is substantial. When negotiating a debt settlement agreement on your own it is important to get everything in writing. Debt collectors typically deal with hundreds of cases per day, so mistakes can happen. To protect yourself, make sure you have agreement in hand before making any kind of payment. The agreement should clearly state the following:

-Payment due date
-How much you have agreed to pay (total amount and each payment amount)
-Method of payment (i.e. cashier’s check, electronic bank transfer)
-The debt collector will report to the three major credit bureaus that the debt has been settled or (if applicable) “paid in full”
-Any/all conditions of the agreement (consequences of late payments, consequences of breach)
-Any concessions that the debt collector has made

It is recommended that you contact a consumer law attorney to review the agreement to ensure that your interests are well protected. You can search for consumer law attorneys in your local area through the American Bar Association (ABA) website. Access to the ABA lawyer locator is free.

If you cannot afford a lawyer, but instead, you are considering a debt settlement agency — beware. There are several things you can do to protect your personal information and to ensure a smooth and lawful process. Before you do business with a debt settlement agency check to make sure that the staff consists of IAPDA (International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators) certified debt arbitrators, that they belong to an accredited U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and that they are a member of the Better Business Bureau.

Uncategorized, Your Business, Your Compensation

Career Spotlight: Pediatric Travel Nurse

July 11, 2011 / Michelle Burton

There are more than 75.2 million children in the U.S. today and this figure is expected to increase to 81.7 million over the next decade. Unfortunately, there are a number of top health problems affecting children across the U.S. today that could have an impact on these figures. Childhood obesity, smoking, drugs, psychological stress, depression, eating disorders, suicide, autism, childhood cancer, and food contamination are just a few. Fortunately, because treatment options are quite different for children than they are for adults, there is an entire field devoted to caring for children’s health needs.

Pediatrics is the branch of medicine concerned with the care and development of children and with the prevention and treatment of children’s diseases. The doctors and nurses that work in this field are qualified to work with both adults and children, but they specialize in the prevention and treatment of children’s diseases. While all doctors and nurses are qualified to work with both children and adults, most facilities separate the two.

Working with sick or injured infants and children calls for a somewhat different set of personal attributes that are common among pediatricians and pediatric nurses. Pediatricians and pediatric nurses must be patient, they must be passionate about working with children, and they must have the ability to communicate with children at all age levels. Because pediatric nurses meet with or talk to dozens of parents on a daily basis, they must also be skilled at communicating with parents about their child’s condition, health, and treatment in a clam and effective manner.

In addition to special personal attributes, pediatric nurses must have a specific educational background and training. Most pediatric nurses complete a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) followed by a master of science in nursing (MSN) with a focus in pediatric care. This means, aspiring pediatric nurses must complete anywhere from 5-6 years of study, which includes supervised clinical experience in pediatrics. Pediatric travel nurses must also obtain the RN (registered nurse) or the LPN (licensed practical nurse) designation. Each state has its own licensing requirements, so you must contact your state nursing board for details. To locate your state nursing board click here for listings or visit the Nursing Center at www.nursingcenter.com.

The path from nursing student to pediatric nurse is a long and arduous one, so many nursing students never make it to graduation. Others may take several additional years to complete the program. As a result, nursing schools have a tough time keeping up with the demand for skilled pediatric nurses. To help with staffing needs, hospitals, clinics, private practices, and other health care facilities routinely call upon pediatric travel nurses to fill the void. So, if you are one of the lucky few that make it to graduation, you can look forward to an unlimited number of travel nurse opportunities.

Pediatric travel nurses must have the same qualifications and skills as home-based nurses, only pediatric travel nurses travel across the U.S. to fill in at facilities that are short staffed. Pediatric travel nurse assignments usually last a minimum of 13 weeks, but it is not uncommon for an assignment to last up to 26 weeks or more.

Pediatric travel nurses are in high demand all over the U.S., but the demand is highest in the nations 30 largest metropolitan areas. These include: Phoenix, AZ., Los Angeles, CA., Riverside, CA., Sacramento, CA., San Diego, CA., San Francisco, CA., Denver, CO., Washington, DC., Miami, FL., Orlando, FL., Tampa, FL., Atlanta, GA., Chicago, IL., Boston, MA., Detroit, MI., Minneapolis, MN., Kansas City, MO., St. Louis, MO., Las Vegas, NV., New York, NY., Cincinnati, OH., Cleveland, OH., Columbus, OH., Portland, OR., Philadelphia, PA., Pittsburgh, PA., Dallas, TX., Houston, TX., and Seattle, WA. Travel nurse agencies dispatch pediatric travel nurses to these large metropolitan areas and other areas by way of auto or plane, depending on where the travel nurse is located.

Once the pediatric travel nurse has been offered an assignment, the travel nurse agency pays for transportation to and from the assignment, housing, meals, health insurance, and savings. Pediatric travel nurses also receive a number of bonuses such as signing bonuses, completion bonuses, and referral bonuses. In addition, pediatric travel nurses can expect to earn around 15 percent more than home-based pediatric nurses depending on experience, facility, and agency. The average median salary for pediatric nurses is $59,571. It is important to note that pediatric nurses tend to learn less overall than most other nurses.

To become a pediatric travel nurse, you should begin by enrolling in an accredited nursing program. Nursing programs are readily available at 2-year and 4-year colleges, universities, technical schools, and career schools. Once you have located a program of interest, all you have to do is check to make sure the program is accredited by a recognized agency such as the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Check with the U.S. Department of Education for an official list of agencies at www.ed.gov.

Once you have completed your program(s) and supervised clinical experience, you may sign up with one of more than 300 travel nurse agencies across the U.S. A simple Google search will provide listings for travel nurse agencies in your area. In the meantime, just a few top travel nurse agencies include:

For more information about pediatric travel nursing, or to keep up with the latest news and trends in travel nursing visit Travelnursing.com.

Your Career, Your Compensation, Your Education, Your Workplace

Career Spotlight: Healthcare Practitioners

June 27, 2011 / Michelle Burton

Jobs in the healthcare industry are on the rise thanks to increased interest in preventative care, advances in medicine and technology, and the nation’s rapidly growing elderly population. Despite reports that hospitals and clinics have cut budgets, the healthcare industry is still expected to increase its workforce by 22 percent through 2018. This means, individuals searching for healthcare positions will find roughly 4,000-5,000 new job openings each year. Healthcare jobs are expected to be plentiful in the following industries:

-Utilities
-Federal, State, and Local Government (this includes hospitals)
-Management of Companies and Enterprises
-Chemical Manufacturing
-Insurance Carriers and Related Activities
-Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods
-Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
-Social Assistance
-Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers
-Miscellaneous Manufacturing

Healthcare practitioners have a wide range of specific titles. Each title requires special training and most require a college education. “Healthcare practitioners” is a major healthcare group consisting of more than 14 million professionals. These include chiropractors, dentists, physicians, emergency medical technicians, medical assistants, dental service providers, dietitian/nutritionist, nurses and advanced practice nurses, nurses aides and home health aides, podiatric service provider, psychologist (clinical), eye and vision service provider, pharmacy service provider, physician assistants, physical therapists, physical therapists assistants, social workers, speech, language, and hearing service provider, and technologist.

Depending on the job title, healthcare practitioners will have to enroll in a postsecondary vocational training program, associate degree program, bachelor’s degree, or advanced degree program. The educational attainment for professionals in this field is as follows:

-Master’s Degree: 23.8 percent
-Bachelor’s Degree: 33.8 percent
-Certificate: 15 percent

Although a certificate or a bachelor’s degree are acceptable for entry into many positions in this field, positions such as physician and psychologist require a doctoral or first professional degree. In addition to a variety of education levels, healthcare practitioners and technical workers will find themselves in a number of different salary ranges. Entry level workers with less than a bachelor’s degree will likely start at $21,720 annually, while 25^th percentile workers will average $27,040 annually. Median wages are $37,200 annually, and mean wages are $45,090. Positions that require a master’s degree or higher, experience, and/or more responsibility typically average $56,890-$81,910 per year. If a position as a healthcare practitioner sounds like it’s for you, training always begins with education.

When you’re ready to begin your search for a degree program in a health science or related area, visit the Princeton Review website. Here, you will find listings for the nation’s top schools, enrollment figures, tuition costs, and even reviews.

Tip: The alternative healthcare industry is growing fast. If you prefer to work with non-traditional prevention and treatment methods, there are several growing fields that may appeal to you such as acupuncture, athletic training, homeopathic, naturopath, orthotic/prosthetic fitting, perfusionist, and psychiatric technician. Once you have located a college that interests you, inquire within.