Are you looking forward to the day when you can rejoin the camaraderie of those who work in senior living? Perhaps you’ve taken a break or some time off to manage other responsibilities in your life.
It’s not uncommon to shift the focus – to raising young children, taking care of a parent or to go back to school to receive more education and training.
But if you’re ready to get back to your senior living job, we have a few tips you might want to consider before re-entering the workforce.
Senior living options when reentering the workforce
The first step is to be clear about which senior living job you’re interested in. There are quite a few choices and depending on your education, experience and preferences, take time to review the positions available that most closely match your interests.
If it’s been a while since you had a senior living job, take a moment to familiarize yourself with any industry changes. Research the different types of communities you might enjoy working in and the type of experience needed for each.
Carefully read job descriptions and skills required so you will know if you need to gain additional knowledge or training before you begin sending out resumes.
The following are a few opportunities to explore, either now as you reenter the workforce or as a future goal to work toward:
- Receptionist
- Hospitality director
- Registered nurse
- Licensed Practical nurse
- Certified nursing assistant
- Activities director
- Dining services
- Maintenance
- Housekeeping
- Human resources
- Social services
- Community director
- Sales and marketing associate
Tips for reentering the workforce
If you’re uncertain where to start – or how – review the following tips to help guide you on the right path:
1. Choose the right opportunity
As noted above, there are several career options in senior living. You may want to consider which positions are of most interest to you or would be the best fit. Some involve little previous experience and offer on-the-job training while others may require formal education and experience.
2. Decide on the community type
While all communities are in need of compassionate and trained staff, the different services offered will impact the type of employees needed. When reentering the workforce, consider which specialized senior care community you’re most interested in – independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing facilities or those who offer rehabilitation or respite care services.
3. Look for current positions available
Visit job boards, individual community websites and other employment sources to discover the latest senior living job openings available in your area. Don’t forget to put the word out. Tell everyone – family, friends and past colleagues that you are interested in reentering the workforce in senior living. They may know of open positions or someone who does.
4. Brush up on your skills
When reading job descriptions, make sure you’re qualified. If you feel that you’re a little short of the mark, take steps to get the extra education or training. Keep in mind that the community may also offer on-site training. Have short and long-term goals. You may reenter the workforce at an entry level but with plans to receive more education to excel.
5. Prepare your resume
Your resume is the key to landing the interview. It’s the first impression, so make it your best and tailor it to the specific job you’re applying for. Reviewers typically receive stacks of resumes and often only scan each one for a few seconds before they make the initial decision whether to consider further, schedule for an interview or to reject.
6. Practice your interview skills
If you have been chosen for an interview, take steps beforehand to prepare as much as possible. Practice confidently talking about your experience and how you’ll answer any challenging questions. Be ready to explain any employment gaps, why you left and why you are now reentering the workforce. Prepare to show them why you’re the right choice for the job.
7. Interviewing for your senior living job
There are also actions you can take to up your interview game. Arrive a little early so you’re not stressed about traffic or parking. Remember to take a deep breath and try to relax before the interview starts. Keep in mind that they already see you as a viable candidate for the job or you wouldn’t be there. Smile and let them get to know you and the difference you would make.
Joining the team at Sinceri Senior Living
Sinceri Senior Living specializes in independent living, assisted living and memory care, fostering deep bonds between those who live and work in our communities – just like families.
We extend our commitment in creating this welcoming environment to our employees who form strong relationships with the residents and their coworkers. In fact, many of our team members think of the community they work in as their second home because of such strong connections.
The caregiver’s role is to first make our residents feel safe and secure. We strive to ensure everyone we hire is generous, compassionate and as committed as we are to provide excellent service at every opportunity.
We understand the stress that caregivers can experience and the challenge in trying to stay one step ahead of what a resident or family member might need or desire. We fully support their efforts as it truly takes a team to provide quality senior care.
If you’re interested in becoming a care partner with Sinceri Senior Living as we strive together to exceed expectations, we hope you’ll be in touch.
We also invite you to download our complimentary guide, Simple Self-Care for Caregivers and CNAs: 6 Ways to Take Care of Yourself so You can Care for Others, which includes helpful tips and steps you might try.
