Going Where There’s A Need

Rohan Mathew

Updated on:

Going Where There’s A Need

The last 2 years have seen a titanic shift in how we work and what jobs are on offer.  The sudden shock to the world brought about by the pandemic has seen companies shed jobs.  Some of those jobs lost have been short-term, but others do not appear to be returning any time soon.  

What Do We Want To Be Doing?

For many, having free time has been a bonanza.  Many now find time to take care of all those errands, chores, postponed challenges that before the pandemic, went unattended.  But as time has passed, many of us have both reached a point where we can no longer wait any longer or are finding that money is running out.

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But having had time to think and been freed of our old responsibilities and pressures of our former jobs, we have begun to question: what is it we really want to be doing?

For many, we have discovered that it is not just a paycheck but that a job should also deliver real satisfaction.  Working nine to five in an office, making appointments, and fetching the coffee might keep the lights and heat on, but such does not deliver the personal reward.  

In casting around, one quickly realizes that, if one is willing to take a cut in salary one can:

  • Engage in work that is mentally challenging, such as solving puzzle-like problems
  • Turn a hobby into something that earns cash
  • Help others by working in a caregiving role

For those considering the 3rd option, so many questions arise:

  • Am I qualified
  • What sort of caregiving is right for me
  • What do I have to offer

The truth is, most of us are qualified.  If not specifically trained to nurse or trained as, say a teacher, the fact is, there are plenty of roles that do not require specialized training.  What they require is motivation and attitude.

The question then is, what should I consider.  Given the current market demand, that’s easy: healthcare.  It is one of the fastest-growing sectors that is classically undermanned.

Can I Work In Healthcare

This is a large field.  There are so many different areas where demand is screaming for workers:

  • Nursing homes
  • Hospital admissions
  • Home help
  • Records management
  • Technicians.

One might not yet immediately feel that one has the skills, but that is not necessarily the case.

Given the increased demand, the very first requirement is attitude.  The earnest desire to help others is key.  And it is something that employers are desperately looking for as staffing numbers are down.  

Depending upon your existing skill, you could find for example that if you have basic IT search skills, you could be useful in data processing, or testing.  

You might wonder if there are opportunities in your area.  Again, there are plenty of parts of the country where healthcare workers are in demand.  Consider, in an article Crossover from Tech to Healthcare identifies the top markets where opportunities, for people with data entry skill can find employment.

But, even if you do not have the skills, the demand for people remains.  Many companies are looking for people they can train up.  

Applying For A Position

Searching for opportunities is easy.  The next key element is to get across your motivation.  Selling your attitude is critical; so too is showing that you have general presentation skills.  This comes through from the way that you contact a future employer and the information you put into both your Resumé and that all-important, Cover Letter.  In fact, it is also the Cover Letter that lets you bridge the gap for the cross-over from whatever it was you did before, to that new job that will deliver the satisfaction of helping others.

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The cover letter lets you shine a spotlight on how you:

  • Pay attention to detail
  • Connect with the needs described in the job advert
  • Will deliver to the potential employer

There are perhaps 10 key elements or data that should be entered into that cover letter.  These are:

  1. The layout of the letter – showing how you organize yourself, but more so, how you pay attention to what would satisfy your intended audience
  2. The way you open the letter – effectively your greeting, this sets up the way that you then continue through the letter by establishing who you think you are talking to
  3. How you came upon the job opening – this establishes some legitimacy that you know something about the company, have done research and helps the reader orient on what position is being discussed
  4. What you understand about the role – here you set out what you believe the role to be and then, this can be used to, in the next step, establish why you would be a good fit
  5. What it is about you that would meet the needs of the job for which you are applying
  6. What makes you interesting, why people would find it engaging to, well, engage you!
  7. How to be reached – your contact info
  8. Your availability – when you could start working
  9. References – somebody that would give an honest opinion about you and vouch that you would be good for the job
  10. How you plan to follow up – this shows a can-do attitude and a willingness to start immediately

Helping is its own reward.  But going where society has a desperate need is a way that you can be part of the solution.