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Injured Workers Need Guidance to Return to Work

January, 2012  

By Mary Sherwood Sevinsky

Job seekers with a work injury need career guidance to address issues only they experience due to their unique situation.  I recently asked the injured workers I am currently assisting to complete a brief survey about their job search concerns.  They were asked to list three answers for each question.  

Of special note, one of my clients wrote, "I feel there should be a website for mature adults who have worked all their lives.  Give us a chance."  Very moving....There was no way I could turn my back on this request.

Here is what I asked my current clients:

        What do you miss about working?

        What are some of your biggest job search obstacles?

        What are your biggest job search fears?

Most of the answers were along the lines of what I expected to hear - I have been counseling injured workers for a long time...   I want to assure you that you are not alone and what you are feeling is entirely normal!

Here are some of the answers I got to my brief survey:

What do you miss about working?

• Being out in public and seeing people
• Filling up my day with different activities
• Earning money, having freedom and independence
• Having something to look forward to
• Doing something I'm good at

What are some of your biggest job search obstacles? 

• Use of my injured body part
• Memory and concentration
• Lack of skills
• Finding a job in a new field or industry
• Age

What are your biggest job search fears?

• Not being able to do the job
• Interviewing
• Not being able to make enough money
• Not being hired
• Learning new skills

It is hard enough to look for and find work, but to add another obstacle such as a work related injury just makes it that much more difficult. There are steps you can take to overcome your concerns, obstacles, and even your biggest job search fears.  

Members can find out how you can:

• Determine your current skills and abilities
• Plan a modified or new career path
• Identify and obtain the skills you need to get a job
• Learn how to look for work after an injury
• Resume a happy, healthy, rewarding lifestyle 

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Resume Tips for a Career Change

By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, Mary Sevinsky

Looking for work can be difficult in the best of times…these are not the best of times. Advice about résumé writing abounds and experts offer astoundingly different opinions. How is a job seeker to know which advice to follow? The bottom line: no one way is the right way for everyone.

For the job seeker, it is best to read as much as you can about how to write a résumé and how to job search. If you are looking for work you might want to check out my job search column. Sort through the information and think about it in terms of your particular situation. Some things to consider include your strengths and weaknesses as a job candidate. Think about your:

Work history
Skills
Education
Type of employment you are seeking
Competition
Age

Your résumé should emphasize your strengths and minimize your weaknesses. A job seeker should ALWAYS seek a second opinion (or a third or fourth). If possible, seek out the assistance of an expert – this is money well spent and a good résumé writer can be invaluable in helping you to stand out to employers who might not otherwise consider you.

Whether or not you seek the advice of a professional, some key areas to consider follow. It is important you give these résumé sections the deliberation they need to present your qualifications in the best possible light.

Objective vs. Profile

There is a lot of debate about which is the correct approach. Some experts tout the Objective as the way to go to be considered seriously by an employer as it commits you to a specific path that is [hopefully] in line with what they are looking for. Others recommend a strong Profile or Summary Statement outlining the best of what you have to offer and, essentially spoon-feeding the employer every good thing about you.

However, neither is going to be right or wrong in every case. The trick is to examine YOUR qualifications and how to present them to an employer in a way that will make you seem a good candidate for the opening the employer has. A job seeker may use an objective to apply for one job and a profile in another instance. There is no black and white in résumé writing.

Functional vs. Chronological

The chronological résumé is the traditional format that most are accustomed to: Work History is detailed in order of date, usually most recent first, with duties outlined either in bullet or paragraph format beneath.

A functional résumé is more modern in approach and emphasizes skills over work history. The Skills or Qualifications sections are often split into several subsections. This can make it easier for employers to scan your qualifications to quickly see if you might have the skills they are looking for.

Reported estimates are employers take 30 or even as little as 10 seconds to screen résumés. For this reason, a functional résumé is most often the format to use to apply online or secure the first interview. A more detailed, chronological résumé can be presented in a first or second interview if appropriate.

Want to read more articles like this?  

Injured Worker Help Desk: Monday Mission September 10, 2012

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If you have been injured at work you may find yourself feeling forced to make a career change. Typically this is not met with a positive attitude. You likely loved your job, did it well, and planned to continue performing as long as ...

http://www.injuredworkerhelpdesk.com/

Injured Worker Help Desk: Job Search Tip of the Day Stay Positive

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If you have gaps in your work history or are making a career change it is especially important that your answers are positive and convincing. With the competition in today's labor market, you cannot afford to leave a shadow of .

http://www.injuredworkerhelpdesk.com/

Injured Worker Help Desk: Resume Tips for a Career Change

Feb 01, 2012

Resume Tips for a Career Change. By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, Mary Sevinsky. Looking for work can be difficult in the best of times…these are not the best of times. Advice about résumé writing abounds and ...

http://www.injuredworkerhelpdesk.com/

Injured Worker Help Desk: Drastic Career Change at 50 Years Old

Jan 21, 2012

Resume Tips for a Career Change. By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert , Mary Sevinsky Looking for work can be difficult in the best of times…these are not the best of times... A new way to job search - click on the Job Search Portal Page for ...

http://www.injuredworkerhelpdesk.com/

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Job Search for the Injured

Mary is a Masters-prepared Career Counselor with over 18 years experience in resume writing, personal branding, career assessment and counseling. Specializing in non-traditional specialized careers and career-transitioning, she has the ability to synthesize and focus your unique skills and abilities to obtain interviews for the positions you want with the employers you want to notice you. Follow her on Twitter at @MarySevinsky.

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