The meaning and importance of employment

OBJECTIVE:

•       Given the high rates of unemployment and underemployment among individuals with psychiatric disabilities, only a small number of studies have investigated the role work has in the lives of people who have been successful vocationally during their recovery from serious mental illness. This study sought to add to existing literature by determining how individuals perceive work and its effect on their recovery.

METHODS:

•       We purposefully recruited self-referred participants at moderate to advanced levels of recovery and qualitatively analyzed semi-structured interviews conducted with 23 individuals to identify themes related to work in the context of recovery from serious mental illness.

RESULTS:

•       Participants described myriad positive benefits associated with paid employment, which conceptually fell across two main domains: work has personal meaning and work promotes recovery. Participants discussed the ways in which work fostered pride and self-esteem, offered financial benefits, provided coping strategies for psychiatric symptoms, and ultimately facilitated the process of recovery. Participants also discussed the importance and benefits associated with working in a helper-role and as consumer providers.

CONCLUSIONS:

•       Overall, individuals reported that employment conferred significant benefits in their process of recovery from mental illness and that work played a central role in their lives and identities. The themes from this study should be considered when developing employment or other recovery-oriented programs for people with serious mental illness.

  

10 Best Job Search Websites

•       One of the most common ways today's job seekers uncover employment opportunities is by using online sources. There are hundreds of job boards, both generic and niche, as well as aggregators, social media channels, networking groups and staffing company websites to choose from.

1. Robert Half

•       On our website, you can search thousands of job listings from the companies we work with around the world. Many of the opportunities we offer are exclusive to Robert Half and can't be found elsewhere, online or off. We also offer job search and career advice, a robust library of workplace research and information about what it's like to work for Robert Half. 

2. CareerBuilder              

•       No list of best job search websites would be complete without this entry. CareerBuilder is one of the biggest job boards, and its robust search function allows you to filter by several criteria, including location, degree required and pay range. CareerBuilder partners with news media around the country and collects job listings from them. It also provides career advice and resources for candidates.

3. Indeed

•       A huge aggregator of postings from across the Web, this site consolidates listings from many job boards in one place. It also compiles information from various company career pages and allows you to search locally or globally.

4. Job.com

•       This large site offers weekly job alerts, job search advice, a resume builder and, of course, job postings. This job search website also allows you to upload your resume for hiring managers and recruiters to search.

5. TheLadders

•       This site focuses on job openings for upper-level executives and professionals who are aiming for the management suite.

6. LinkedIn

•       This top networking site enables you to find jobs through your extended network. Additionally, you can join groups, participate in conversations and follow companies you find interesting and relevant to your job search.

 7. Glassdoor

•       Job search website ​Glassdoor boasts a large database of company reviews — submitted by employees. Glassdoor promotes itself as giving job seekers insights into a company's work conditions, interview processes, salaries and benefits. In addition to providing job listings, Glassdoor allows employers to identify job candidates and market their companies to job seekers.

8. Monster

•       This massive job site is aptly named because it includes one of the largest number of job listings of any website. It also allows you to upload your resume and offers networking boards, as well as a search alert service so you can get targeted posts delivered via email.

9. SimplyHired

•       This search engine offers an email alerts service and lets you save your job searches. Candidates can sort their searches to focus on companies that hire veterans, have a high rate of diversity and abide by eco-friendly practices, among other criteria.

10. Us.jobs

•       This search site is particularly useful for those looking for state government jobs. It collects postings from state work agencies, as well as other company websites.