If you are ready to begin your career in senior care or are a veteran in the field looking to switch up your role with residents, it’s wise to investigate your dream job before you begin brushing up your resume. Senior living communities are interesting places to work because the industry’s workforce is a combination of healthcare and hospitality roles. If you aren’t quite sure what qualifications are required to work in senior care, here is a quick rundown of common roles and their expected qualifications.

The senior living industry continues to grow, which means job seekers with a heart for serving older adults can explore new positions within new communities until they find their ideal fit. However, though there are multiple senior living communities in nearly every American town, job seekers can sometimes struggle to find jobs in the market. We’ve compiled a few resources for you to tap into and use as you begin your search for your next big career move.

When you are searching for a new job, it’s important to do all you can to make the process run as smoothly as possible. Beyond updating your resume and putting the word out that you are searching among your local connections, you should also freshen up your LinkedIn profile and begin exploring new online job search sites. As you begin to send out resumes and fill out applications, you should also get your reference list ready long before you are asked for it.

When you are searching for a new job, it’s important to do all you can to make the process run as smoothly as possible. Beyond updating your resume and putting the word out that you are searching among your local connections, you should also freshen up your LinkedIn profile and begin exploring new online job search sites. As you begin to send out resumes and fill out applications, you should also get your reference list ready long before you are asked for it.

You’ve been working your way up through the senior care industry, increasing your responsibilities and learning much along the way. Now, you’re ready to step into a more formal senior care leadership role. This is an exciting time! You can use the knowledge you gained working directly with residents and supervising a small team to guide you through the bigger decisions you will make in your new position.

When you work at a great senior living community, it just feels good. Your interdisciplinary team meetings seem to run more smoothly because everyone has their eyes on similar goals. It’s easier to make decisions because you know your team and administrator are just as devoted to resident rights as you are. You can hire your own team more confidently based on candidates that share a similar vision of care.

You’re ready to make the move to a new senior living community that provides a shorter commute, better hours, or your dream job. No matter why you’re choosing to explore other senior care positions, it can be tricky to search for new opportunities while still working at your current community. After all, the senior living industry is quite small; news that you are searching for a new job can get around quickly, which can be a positive for your job search but a negative for your current role.

The team members at every Arbor Company community have their own unique stories, talents, and personalities. Some come to senior living having always known in their hearts that senior care would be their career path, and others, like Regional Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Alyssa Lopez, grow to realize that senior care is their destiny.

The senior care industry is full of more exciting opportunities than ever as the field continues to reinvent itself to meet the needs of older adults. This is excellent news for individuals who are looking to start a career in or move up the career ladder of senior living communities. 

When applying for a senior living position, it is important to have a strong cover letter that accompanies your resume. Whether you’re applying via email, LinkedIn or an online search engine, a cover letter goes a long way toward introducing your skills and showcasing your personality. Unfortunately, many senior care professionals don’t put the necessary amount of time into their cover letter, which can result in fewer interviews in the long run.