CAREERS NOW 02-23-11

Top Picks For Health Care Jobs

DEAR JOYCE: I graduated from high school five years ago, married and now am mature enough to understand I need to develop job skills. I've been bombarded with lots of spam pitching this school and that one. It's confusing, but I trust your judgment - what are the best health care jobs I can learn in no more than four years at a public college? - R.H.

Demand is rising for health care personnel faster than any other industry. Reasons: aging population, increased numbers of people protected by health insurance and technology breakthroughs. Projections: more than 3.2 million new health care jobs before the end of the decade.

Terminology talk. Because your education cap is four years and you don't mention nursing, I assume your question refers to "allied health professions," which classically are distinct from medicine, dentistry and nursing.

The 80 or so most commonly identified allied health professions provide patient care and medical support services; collectively, they make up about 60 percent of the total health workforce. Here's a micro-catalog of resources to help you focus and inform your impending career decision.

Promising choices. A new book highlights a couple of dozen bullish occupations, such as health care manager, health information management technician, occupational therapist, physical therapist and surgical technologist. Read "Hot Health Care Careers: More than 25 Cutting-Edge Occupations with the Fastest Growth and Most New Jobs," in a $17.99 paperback or e-book, published by College & Career Press (collegeandcareerpress.com). The book serves as a good primer for people without experience in the allied health field.

Advanced studies. For my money, Margaret Riley Dikel, the publisher of The Riley Guide, is the best careers reference librarian ever. Study her extensively researched 25-page "Healthcare & Medical Fields" section at rileyguide.com/health.html. Tip: Cruise the entire Riley Guide website - it's free and updated regularly.

Three sources. Countless resources are out there that you can use. But here are several you may find actionable right now:

- Weigh a number of career possibilities. "Allied health professions" on Wikipedia.org identifies some 50 health care occupations and career fields; each is clickable for further information.

- Be 100 percent sure any educational program you choose is accredited. No exceptions. Check for yourself on the website of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (caahep.org).

- Be aware of career trends. Among your data options, here's a new one: "Allied Health Professional Network Facebook."

DEAR JOYCE: What is the answer to the job interview question: "What qualifies you, or what characteristics do you possess, that would make you more qualified than another applicant?" - C.A.

This question is a variation of "Why should we hire you?" You can't answer it effectively without pre-interview research and rehearsal. Basically, you summarize point-by-point the reasons your qualifications match the employer's needs to a tee, adding any competitive edge you can honestly claim. Include accomplishments and the skills that made those accomplishments possible, plus mention relevant experience and education.

Just saying, "I'm honest, hardworking and a fast learner," won't cut it in today's dramatically changed "careerscape."

Read books, like Tony Beshara's excellent "Acing the Interview" (AMACOM).

DEAR JOYCE: What is the best online resource for getting someone to review your resume and recommend changes to make it more appealing to employers? - T.H.

If you're asking about the flood of online marketing pitches offering to "review your resume for free," I can't answer which one (if any) you should choose. Almost invariably you'll be told your resume is deficient (and it probably is), but that it will cost $XYZ to fix it. I much prefer a professional resume writer's straightforward offer to write your resume for a stated fee, that includes samples of the writer's work.

If you're a DIY kind of person, after cleaning up typos, ask friends who recruit or hire people to look over your resume. And remember that, like so much in life, opinions vary.

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