Those in the family planning and reproductive health field who survived staffing cuts were able to garner slight increases in pay, according to results of the 2015 Contraceptive Technology Update annual salary survey.
Those in public health, who represent a large percentage of Contraceptive Technology Update survey respondents, have seen decreases in staffing since the beginning of the recession of 2008.
That trend has continued: One-third of local health departments reported losing at least one position due to layoffs/attrition in 2014, according to a recent report from the National Association of City and County Health Officials.1
Large health departments, which are those serving populations of 500,000 or more, continue to feel the blow. More than half (61%) reported job losses in 2014, while 26% of small departments, which are those serving populations of less than 50,000 people, reported decreases that were similar.
While budget cuts have tapered since 2008, declines in funding continue to affect almost one in four local health departments, according to the National Association report. Almost one-quarter of departments reported budget cuts in 2014, and more expected budget cuts in their next fiscal year.1
WHERE ARE YOU GOING?
If you are considering a job change due to impending cuts, don’t forget the power of networking, says Renee Dahring, MSN, NP, nurse practitioner and career coach. Dahring operates a career coaching website, www.nursepractitionerjobsearch.com, and pens a Career Coach blog at http://bit.ly/1H11rap.
Despite all of the new technology, networking is still the number one way to land a new position, says Dahring. Employers who call for a reference might think that they aren't obtaining a full picture of a prospective employee; however, a referral from an employee will signal that the applicant might be a good fit for the position at hand, she notes.
Don’t overlook the importance of working within contacts in your professional organizations as well, says Dahring. Be active in such groups. Participate in professional organizations’ online forums, and take part in their social media efforts.
Many employers are looking at applicants’ Facebook interactions, notes Dahring. Participating in meaningful ways on organization sites will show your interest in your chosen profession, she states.
PART-TIME JOBS DROP
If you are looking to decrease your hours to part-time work due to family demands, or you’re looking for a less-hectic work schedule, chances are that you will find fewer opportunities for work, says Dahring.
New regulations that require employers to offer a full complement of benefits to part-time employees are causing many employers to think twice about picking up new part-time positions, she notes.
“Demand for nurse practitioners is strong, but you won’t see many two- to three-days-a-week positions among the job listings, especially with the larger healthcare entities,” Dahring observes.
What if you have been applying for full-time work but haven’t received responses to your queries? Dahring says it’s time to look at your job-searching tactics if it seems your qualifications are solid, but your inbox is empty. Consider her suggestions:
Be sure that your resume is tailored specifically for the job at hand.
Be sure that you emphasize the skills that are required for the potential position, and eliminate skills that are not relevant. By taking the time to create a customized resume, you are demonstrating that you are a serious job contender, she notes.
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Ask yourself: Are you applying for every opening at one organization?
If you are, you are committing what Dahring calls “death by mass application.” Choose the job opening that is best suited to your skills, and stick to one application within that organization, she states.
No one can be a good fit for every job, observes Dahring. When applying for every open position within an organization, particularly through its digital portal, know that such applications often stay in the system for a very long time, which is a mistake, Dahring comments.
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Ask yourself: Are you applying for specialty jobs unrelated to your current specialty?
If working with a recruiter, prepare a cover letter that succinctly explains your motivation. While there is nothing wrong with wanting to make a practice change, if you don’t provide some context for that change, the assumption might be that you are motivated by other reasons, such as salary or hours, rather than the position, says Dahring. (Check the snapshot in this supplement for an overview of 2015 respondents.)
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National Association of City and County Health Officials. The Changing Public Health Landscape: Findings from the 2015 Forces of Change Survey. Accessed at http://bit.ly/1OIJdgm.
