GET JOB

Get a DegreeHaving a degree pays off

ResumeHelpful Resume Tips

JobSearchVirtual Career Fairs

Employment Guide

© A GateHouse Media Publication

02 | GET THE JOB | GATEHOUSE MEDIA 2015

AANN EEDDIITTIIOONN OOFF TTHHEE::NEWTON KANSANMCPHERSON SENTINELDODGE CITY DAILY GLOBEPRATT TRIBUNEWELLINGTON DAILY NEWSBUTLER CO. TIMES GAZETTEKIOWA COUNTY SIGNALST. JOHN NEWS

Get the Job is created by GateHouse Media, Inc., parent company of theabove newspapers, and is distributed with various GateHouse papersacross the country. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior writtenpermission is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed in the publication arethose of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the manage-ment of the publication.

©2015 GATEHOUSE MEDIA ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Get the Job Contents03 GETTING A DEGREE PAYS OFF

05 PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

07 AREAS OF EXPERTISE

08 ADVICE ON RELOCATING

10 VIRTUAL CAREER FAIRS

13 YOUR SECOND CAREER

15 FIND A FEDERAL JOB

GATEHOUSE MEDIA 2015 | GET THE JOB | 03

GET THE JOB | EDUCATION

Getting a Degree Pays Off

Today’s population of 25-to 32-year-olds make up thebest-educated generation inhistory. Thirty-four percentof them have at least a bach-elor’s degree, according to arecent study by the PewResearch Center.

According to previous Pewresearch, only 13 percent ofthis same age group in 1965had a college degree, while24 percent of young babyboomers in the late 1970sand 1980s fit into this cate-gory.

THE VALUEOF A DEGREE

College graduates age 25 to32 who are working full-timeearn about $17,500 moreannually than employedyoung adults holding only ahigh school diploma, Pewanalysis has found. That paygap only figures to widen overthe next 10 to 20 years, con-veying the importance of pur-suing a college degree imme-diately out of high school.

Other numbers from therecent Pew study:

• College-educated youngadults are more likely to beemployed full-time than theirless-educated counterparts(89 percent vs. 82 percent)and significantly less likely tobe unemployed (3.8 percentvs. 12.2 percent).

• Young college graduatesare more likely than theirpeers with a high schooldiploma or less education tosay their job is a career or asteppingstone to a career (86percent vs. 57 percent)

• Millennials with a highschool diploma or less areabout three times as likely as

college graduates to say theirwork is “just a job to get themby.”

• College graduates are sig-nificantly more likely thanthose without any collegeexperience to say that theireducation has been “veryuseful” in preparing them forwork and a career.

• Better educated youngadults are more likely to saythey have the necessary edu-cation and training toadvance in their careers (63percent vs. 41 percent)

• About nine in 10 with atleast a bachelor’s degree saycollege has already paid off(72 percent) or will pay off in

the future (17 percent)• Even among the two-

thirds of college-educatedmillennials who borrowedmoney to pay for theirschooling, nearly nine in 10(86 percent) say theirdegrees have been worth itor expect that they will be inthe future.

You can never have too much education. Below are the statistics to prove it.

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04 | GET THE JOB | GATEHOUSE MEDIA 2015

GATEHOUSE MEDIA 2015 | GET THE JOB | 05

GET THE JOB | CAREER OUTLOOK

Physician Assistant

A physician assistant is anationally certified and state-li-censed medical professionalable to practice medicine in all50 states. The position is cru-cial within many medical cen-ters and hospitals, and requireshands-on patient care andphysician support. Here’s whata physician generally does on adaily basis, according to theAmerican Academy ofPhysician Assistants:

• Taking medical history• Conducting physical exams• Diagnosing and treating ill-

nesses• Ordering and interpreting

tests• Developing treatment

plans• Counseling on preventive

care• Assisting in surgery• Writing prescriptions• Making rounds in hospitals

and nursing homesThe United States

Department of Labor reportsthat the field is projected togrow 38 percent in the next 10years, which is much fasterthan expected compared toother professional fields. Themedian salary is about $90,000.

BECOME A PATo become a physician

assistant, get ready to workhard. The field is extremelycompetitive, and in mostcases, requires extensive col-

lege training and more than

2,000 hours of clinical rota-

tions, according to the

American Academy of

Physician Assistants.

Begin looking into physician

assistant programs as early as

your freshman year of college.

Speak with your advisor about

loading up your coursework

schedule with basic and

behavioral sciences, including

chemistry, physiology, anato-

my, microbiology and biology.

GETTINGHEALTHCAREEXPERIENCE

Many future physician

assistants have a bachelor’s

degree and three years of

healthcare experience before

entering a program.

The American Academy of

Physician Assistants urges

professionals to obtain this

experience by working in the

following areas:

• Medical assistant

• Emergency medical tech-

nician

• Paramedic

• Medic or medical corps-

man

• Peace Corps volunteer

• Lab assistant

• Phlebotomist

• Registered nurse

• Emergency room techni-

cian

• Surgical technician

• Certified nursing assistant

The healthcare field is budding with new talent and exciting opportunities for career growth. One of the fastest-growing sectors of employment is that of physician assistants.

© FOTOLIA

06 | GET THE JOB | GATEHOUSE MEDIA 2015

Are you looking for an exciting, rewarding and challenging career? Do you want to serve your community? Law enforcement experience is not a requirement for a new recruit! The Dodge City Police Department is looking for committed talent to join our team. Applications are currently being accepted for Police Officer with the City of Dodge City Police Department. A $1,000 hiring bonus will be paid to new recruits, with $500 of the bonus paid upon completion of hire, and the remaining $500 of the hiring bonus paid after successful completion of Police Academy and Field Training.

Under general supervision, police officers patrol an assigned beat and investigate incidents in the enforcement of law and order in the protection of life and property. Applications will be used to fill current vacancies and to form an eligibility list for future reference.

Recruit officer’s starting wage: $16.46 per hour and $17.12 after one year of employment. Yearly pay increases with 12 year step plan. Lateral entry available based on experience. No experience is necessary. We will train qualified recruits!

Qualifications and requirements: High School diploma or GED, U.S. Citizenship, 21 years of age, no felony convictions or domestic violence history or convictions, valid driver’s license and good driving record. (See Grounds for Disqualification and job description on the City web site HYPERLINK “http://www.dodgecity.org/jobs.asp” www.dodgecity.org/jobs.asp)

Benefits: Kansas Police & Fire Retirement System, Employer provided family/single medical and dental insurance, paid holidays, paid vacation, life insurance, pay incentive for bilingual skills following post-hire testing, education incentive pay, and an excellent training program.

Please apply online HYPERLINK “http://www.dodgecity.org/jobs.asp” at HYPERLINK “http://www.dodgecity.org/jobs.asp” www.dodgecity.org/jobs.asp using the link to HYPERLINK “http://www.hrepartners.com/” www.hrepartners.com. A resume may be inserted into this online application. Should accommodations be needed to receive or complete the online application, and for additional job information, please contact Human Resources, City of Dodge City, PO Box 880, Dodge City, Kansas 67801, or call (620) 225-8100 or email HYPERLINK “mailto:hr@dodgecity.org” hr@dodgecity.org. Substance abuse screening and post offer physicals required. Must confirm USCIS (I-9) employment eligibility upon hire. The City of Dodge City is a drug free work place. EOE.

POLICE OFFICER

GATEHOUSE MEDIA 2015 | GATEHOUSE MEDIA | 07

GET THE JOB | RESUME TIPS

Areas of ExpertiseOne of the most important sections on your

resume is the Areas of Expertise. It is a space dedi-cated to highlighting the skills that set you apart from the competition, while also conveying your acumen for your particular industry.

LOCATIONYour resume should begin with an opening sum-

mary section of three to four sentences that tell a hiring manager what you bring to the table. This summary has gradually replaced the generic objec-tive statement that sheds no light onto your person-al and professional strengths.

Below this summary is the perfect location for the Areas of Expertise. This paragraph serves as a per-fect complement to the summary and helps give the top half of your document a nice balance of narra-tive and bullet points.

THE RIGHT KEYWORDSA section outlining your key skills should do just

that – as succinctly as possible. Loading it with indus-try-specific keywords that will pay off two-fold:

Human Review: If you are targeting a smaller com-pany, odds are that a good-old-fashioned humanreview is in the cards for your document. This meansthat you will want to impress your reviewer by high-lighting specific keywords.

You can analyze the job description you are target-ing for what seem like the most important words, andthen incorporate them into your Areas of Expertise.

Computer Review: Larger companies use applicanttracking systems to screen incoming documents forrelevance to the open position. Hiring managers loadtheir ATS software with keywords specific to thevacancy.

For example, an accounting position would requireknowledge in accounts payable, accounts receivable,quality assurance and audits. The Areas of Expertisesection is the perfect place to list those critical terms,helping your resume pass through ATS filters.

Your resume is a like a complex jigsaw puzzle. If any pieces are missing, you will sell yourself short on showcasing the complete picture of you.

© FOTOLIA

08 | GATEHOUSE MEDIA | GATEHOUSE MEDIA 2015

GET THE JOB | LIFE CHANGES

Advice on Relocating

Many people relocate forwork due to corporaterestructuring or new internalopportunities for promotion.But what about movingbefore you find work?

Many life changes cannecessitate a physical relo-cation, and it’s important tomake sure you are financial-ly able to sustain beingunemployed for a fewmonths.

FINDING WORKIf you plan on relocating

soon and don’t have a joblined up, it’s time to updatesome of the information onyour resume and cover let-ter.

Contact information:Sometimes a spouse maymove to a family’s new loca-tion ahead of the other. Ifthis is the case, you can listyour new address on yourresume with a brief notesuch as, “In process of mov-ing from California to Texas.”Remember that most com-panies will initially reach outvia phone or email, so thephysical address has less-ened in importance over theyears.

Cover letter blurb: Youshould apprise your review-ers of why you are relocat-ing, without giving too muchdetail. Some common rea-sons for relocation include:

• Spouse takes a new posi-tion in a new geographiclocation

• Changes in familydynamic that require amove, such as a divorce or

caring for older parents; and• A desire to experience

life in a different part of thecountry.

Expenses: Also in yourcover letter, inform your

prospective employer thatyou are willing to cover relo-cation costs. Consider yourtarget company, though.This can definitely make youmore attractive as an

employee to anup-and-coming firm, butmany larger companiesalready include relocationfees in their compensationpackages.

Sometimes a change of scenery is nice. While the act of moving your familyacross the country definitely comes with challenges, it also can offerexcitement for what lies ahead. That includes your career.

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GATEHOUSE MEDIA 2015 | GATEHOUSE MEDIA | 09

Apply online at www.jm.com/careers

You could be the one who devises the next insulation solution, comes up with a cutting-edge marketing idea, or discov-ers how to make fiber glass wall covering more resilient. Are you looking for challenging, rewarding work that will keepyou learning and growing throughout your career? There is no better place than Johns Manville.

Johns Manville's leading edge building products shelter millions around the world, while saving energy every day. Foundedin 1858, Johns Manville has 7,000 employees in 45 manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe and Asia. Today,we're a Berkshire Hathaway company, financially stable and with abundant growth opportunities.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment sub-stance abuse testing.

JM has a long history of sustainable efforts and strives to continually improve our sustainability practices through a focuson innovation, productivity and leadership that ensures we meet the needs of current stakeholders without sacrificing theneeds of future generations. For additional information please read our Sustainability Report.

Our full time positions offer a competitive, compensation package with progressive increases. A full benefit package in-

cludes health insurance, dental insurance, a generous 401(k) program with employer match as well as paid holidays and

vacations.

PLEASE NOTE: The McPherson plant requires that you obtain a Kansas WorkReady Certificate (Level Silver or Gold) be-

fore you will be granted an interview. Call 620-694-2444 to find out where to set up an account (or Kansasworks.com) and

to schedule an assessment test. There are testing sites in McPherson, Salina and Hutchinson.

10| GATEHOUSE MEDIA| GATEHOUSE MEDIA 2015

GET THE JOB | THE NEW JOB SEARCH

Virtual Career Fairs

The traditional face-to-face careerfairs may soon be a thing of the past. Itcan now take the form of a digital col-laboration meant to streamline theinterview process to save the employerboth time and money.

FIND A FAIRAn online search for a virtual career

fair in your area is likely to reveal mul-tiple events scheduled through your local community college or university. These fairs take place completely online, allowing job-seekers to handle all aspects of their job search from the comfort of their own computer.

When you find a virtual job fair,you can search through the list ofemployers that will be represented.This will give you get a sense of whattypes of opportunities will be avail-able, which also will help you in cus-tomizing your resume and cover let-ter for the positions that interest youthe most.

RECRUITERINTERACTION

Traditionalists may be slow toembrace virtual job fairs because oftheir lack of human interaction. Butmany of these events are set up withlive chat capabilities.

Candidates can chat with recruit-ers from various companies to askquestions about their open posi-tions. They also can answer anyimmediate inquiries a hiring manag-er may have about professionalachievements, educational back-grounds and key strengths.

DIVERSIFY YOURSTRATEGY

There are many reasons to jump

on board the virtual train when it

comes to job-seeking. The act of

reaching recruiters through digital

means is convenient, simple and

proving to be effective for all involved

parties.

But just like your investment strat-

egy, it is important to diversify.

Depending solely on one avenue for

potential job opportunities can dam-

age your chances of landing your

next gig. For every digital career fair

you “attend,” you should make plans

to visit a traditional fair at your local

college or trade organization.

Doing so will help get you face to

face with hiring managers, who in

many cases still prefer this type of

interaction to get a feel for your per-

sonality. Other career-seeking strate-

gies to employ include uploading

your resume to job boards, searching

for specific job openings on social

media, cold-calling potential employ-

ers and using a headhunter to find

tailored openings.

Goodbye suit and tie. Hello click and send. The career fair is undergoing a rapid transformation.

© FOTOLIA

GATEHOUSE MEDIA 2015 | GET THE JOB | 11

Dodge CityPublic SchoolsUNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 443

2015-2016 Job Openings

Certified Positions:Business Teacher (9-12)

English Language Arts Teacher (9-12)ESOL Teacher (6-8)

Elementary Classrooms (K-5)

Anticipated Openings:English Language Arts Teacher (6-8)

Math Teacher (6-8) & (9-12)Science Teacher (6-8) & (9-12)

Coaching Opportunity:Assistant Coach - Boys Soccer (9-12)

Classified Positions:Bus Drivers

Instructional ParaprofessionalsSubstitute Custodians

Substitute Teachers

To apply go to www.usd443.org >Employment tab > How to Apply > 2015-16 openings

AtWestern Plains Medical Complex, our goal is to deliver the best healthcare available in the greater Southwest Kansas area.

Leslie Presley, Registered Respiratory

Therapist, did!

The place where physicians want to practice. The place where employees want to work. Employees like Leslie Presley, Registered Respiratory Therapist, and a graduate of Seward County Community College Respiratory

Providing unmatched community value • Supporting physicians to achieve clinical excellenceCreating an outstanding environment for our employees

If you are interested in becoming a part of our team, please check out our current openings at www.westernplainsmc.com and contact us today!

620-225-8484

12 | GET THE JOB | GATEHOUSE MEDIA 2015

2601 N. Central Ave, Village Square Mall (Lower Level ) Dodge City, KS 67801 • Mon-Fri 8am to 5pm

620.227.5007

- Guaranteed Work Weeks

- Paid Vacation, Holidays, and 2 Personal Holidays- Discounted Beef Meat Sales- On-Site physician to visit with employees including an onsite personal health clinic once a week- Outstanding family Medical, Dental, and Vision - Insurance and prescription drug program- Disability and Life Insurance Plan- 401K Plan - Hourly Supervisor Program to advance employees into management

A few of our current

Chuck Boner - $17.50/hrRib Boner - $17.50/hrSplit Saw - $17.35/hr

Gutter - $17.35/hrRefrigeration Maintenance

ElectricianElectronic Techs

Maintenance

All management and clerical positions available at our

location can be viewed at . You

Cargill locations around the world!

When we look for people to , we look for

who want to

GATEHOUSE MEDIA 2015 | GET THE JOB | 13

GET THE JOB | AGING

Your Second Career

For some baby boomers andolder workers, it can encom-pass paid, part-time work thathelps support retirementincome or Medicare. Otherpeople are exploring full-timejobs, starting a new business orworking with a non-profit orga-nization.

No matter how it is classi-fied, finding satisfaction in a career later in life is becoming the new standard for retire-ment.

THE RETIREMENTDREAM

You see the commercials depicting older Americans riding into the sunset — long days filled with golf and per-fect nights begun by beautiful sunsets. For many Americans, this just isn’t a reality.

Many older adults simply can’t afford to fully retire today. They may not have tra-ditional pensions, or their investments may have been negatively impacted by the Great Recession.

In other cases, older Americans don’t want to stop working. They still find per-sonal fulfillment in earning a paycheck or in helping chari-table organizations. The aforementioned MetLife Foundation study shows that within the next 10 years, 25 percent of boomers hope to

start a business or non-profit.

The vision of retirement has

certainly changed.

LANDING A JOBSecure, long-term employ-

ment is definitely an achiev-

able objective later in life.

Businesses across various

industries are looking for

quality, knowledgeable work-

ers. The key is selling your

value to them against younger

– and sometimes more afford-

able – workforce talent.

Consider your areas of

expertise. Do you have a

background in finance or

business development? Many

startup companies are look-

ing for off-site consultants to

work them through building

strategy for their operations.

If community work is

more in line with your inter-

ests, there are many univer-

sity and community collegeprograms designed to trainand re-train workers. Goingthrough such a program willprepare you for your nextopportunity while also help-ing you make importantconnections that could leadto employment.

An estimated 9 million Americans ages 44 to 70 are engaged in what is labeled a “second career,” according to a survey from the MetLife Foundation. So what exactly is a “second career?”

© FOTOLIA

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GET THE JOB | GOVERNMENT EMPLOYMENT

Find a Federal Job

There are hundreds ofagencies and departmentswithin the federal govern-ment, all looking for qualityemployees to achieve theirmissions.

And while transferringfrom the public work spaceinto the government can bea difficult task, it is anattainable goal. Having amilitary background willhelp you, as will havinghigh-level work experiencesimilar to that required byyour target position.

FINDING A JOBThere are many online job

portals that list availablefederal openings, includingwww.usajobs.gov and www.makingthedifference.org.These sites announce allgovernment and public ser-vice jobs, along with detailedinstructions on how to apply.

Be prepared to devotemore time to pursuing theseopportunities than yourstandard job application.Many federal positionsrequire a version of yourresume that aligns with theirvarious needs. And insteadof a basic cover letter, youmay have to fill out a KSA – acomprehensive collection ofessay questions measuringyour knowledge, skills andabilities.

Networking with friends

and family members also is

an effective way of uncover-

ing federal work opportuni-

ties. Tools such as LinkedIn

can help you collaborate

with people and groups who

work in or with the federal

government, as well.

Speak with any friends

who have federal jobs to

gain insights into the appli-

cation and interview pro-

cesses. If you’re a college

student attempting to land a

federal internship, check in

with your university’s career

services department to see if

there are any openings or an

established relationship with

any government agencies or

recruiters.

THE PERKSPutting in more effort on the

front end can definitely be a

great investment if you have

the time. That is because feder-

al jobs are very competitive

with their pay and benefits

packages in comparison with

those of public and private job

markets.

Federal jobs can sometimes

pay more than $100,000 for a

management position, which

also will be compensated with

top-tier health insurance and

retirement benefits. Your level

of responsibility in working

toward making the nation a

stronger, safer place to live is

another reason to pursue a fed-

eral position.

© FOTOLIA

Does working for the National Parks Service or a globaldefense agency sound exciting to you? Then a federalemployment position may be right up your alley.

16| GET THE JOB | GATEHOUSE MEDIA 2015