The good news for those looking for a career in care is that there is a plethora of caregiver job opportunities. Learn how to find the right opportunity for you in our latest blog post. 

In today’s job market, people searching for new opportunities are at a distinct advantage, particularly those looking for a career in senior care. There is a veritable sea of opportunity when it comes to caregiver jobs. However, finding the right position for you can feel a lot like swimming upstream. Focusing on your needs and what the various care businesses in your area have to offer can help you weed out jobs that won’t work and hone in on the best opportunities for you. 

Start with what you need. It is a job seeker’s market currently, which means most people looking for a career change have the ability to focus on what they need and want from an employer. Consider your own needs and make a list of must-haves from a company. For example, if health insurance is a must for you, you’ll easily be able to cross off any companies that do not offer it. Alternatively, if you are covered by your spouse’s insurance, you could be more open with your search. Also determine things like: 

●       An acceptable wage range

●       The type of company culture that feels most comfortable to you

●       Certifications that you currently have or would like to work toward

●       Perks that are important to you (insurance, paid time off, flexibility, etc.)

●       How you would like to grow within your next position (Would you like to work toward management? Are you hoping to become an RN in the future?) 

All of these details will help you gain a better understanding of your goals and find the positions and employers that could best help you reach them. 

Next, find out what care companies in your area have to offer. As you search for caregiver jobs, pay attention to how each company words their job ads. Do they mention benefits? If so, do they align with your needs? If there is no mention of benefits, it could be an indication that none are available. What general vibe do you get from the way the ad is worded? Does it sound like the employer expects their caregivers to be work horses? Or do you get a sense that the agency is supportive? Is the job ad long-winded, with paragraph after paragraph of requirements listed? This could be an indication that the scope of the role is too broad and the employer may be setting new hires up for failure with an overwhelming workload. 

Make a short list. To keep your head above water during your job search, make a short list of the positions that check most, if not all, of your must-have boxes. Narrow it down to the top ten or top five if possible and start applying. 

Make the interviews work for you. Once the interviews start rolling in (and they will) make sure you have your own list of interview questions. Yes, care companies will be interviewing you to ensure you’re a good fit, but you should also interview them as well for the same reason. When it comes to senior care staffing, some questions to ask during your interview should include: 

●       What makes this a great company to work for?

●       What are the expectations for a person in this role?

●       What growth opportunities are there for someone in this position?

●       How would you describe your company’s culture?

●       What kind of training is provided for new caregivers?

●       What are the biggest challenges I might expect to encounter in this role?

●       Do you have any employee testimonials I could review? 

From the answers provided, you should be able to narrow your search down even further to the care company and position that best fits your needs and abilities. 

Finding the right career is a worthwhile challenge, and one that Caregiver Jobs San Diego can help you conquer! As the leading senior care staffing website in the San Diego area, we are dedicated to helping caregivers find careers that fit their lifestyles and needs. If you are ready to take the next step in finding your dream caregiver job, register today!