Many health plans available after COBRA benefits end

Q. I am on my prior employer's health plan via COBRA. When I go off, I will be self-employed and will need to find health coverage. What are my best options if I remain healthy, and what if I become sick and have one of those "pre-existing conditions?" And once I obtain coverage, can I get bounced by the insurance company?

A. Your question is timely, as Massachusetts recently passed legislation that goes into effect this year requiring each individual to have health insurance. State residents age 18 and over must obtain and maintain health insurance that meets minimum coverage requirements. As Zoe Damplo, human resource consultant in small business solutions at the Bostonian Group, a Boston-employee benefits firm, explained, "Employers and individuals are dealing with healthcare reform today, as the deadlines are imminent, and there is a great deal of information to understand."

A good general source of information can be found at www.mass.gov/. Individuals will lose their personal tax exemption for their 2007 state personal tax income if they do not have insurance by Dec. 31, 2007, and the penalties will increase in 2008. Therefore, it is important to choose a form of credible coverage.

COBRA, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, was passed to help assure that all individuals and their families have access to group medical insurance. After leaving an employer, employees have the option of continuing their benefits for a period of time through COBRA. Now that your COBRA benefit is exhausted, finding coverage is important because of the new requirements surrounding healthcare reform, and for your financial security.

You may want to consider contacting The Health Connector (www.mahealthconnector.org or 877-MA-ENROLL (877-623-6765). It is an organization that can help individuals and organizations understand their obligations under the new legislation and shop for the most appropriate coverage. The Health Connector lists plans available through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Fallon Community Health Plan, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Health New England, Neighborhood Health Plan, and Tufts Health Plan. Based on your income, you may qualify for the Commonwealth Care Health Insurance Program (Commonwealth Care). This program connects qualified Massachusetts residents with affordable health insurance if they do not have it. You should review the income guidelines available on the Connector website.

The best way to avoid issues with pre-existing conditions is to avoid having a break in coverage. With these many health plans available, you shouldn't have a problem having one in place when your COBRA benefits run out.

Factors beyond age help decide job candidacy
Q. My problem is my age. I am a young guy, 23 years old, with a bachelor's degree in business communications and I'll have a master's in public administration and economics come April. I'm getting the feeling that employers don't believe what I have on my resume. I've been fortunate enough to have great experiences throughout college in business development, media relations, and marina management. I think I would bring a lot to a company, but don't want to be in an entry-level position, because I feel like I've, 'been there done that.' How can I get employers to see that I'm a younger guy with solid experience and a lot of potential?

A. Age can work against you. But, it can also work for you, so the problem isn't your age. How you field questions, concerns, or comments relating to your age and experience makes the difference. Handling these questions incorrectly can mean you're dismissed as inexperienced. If you answer them with ease and intelligence, employers will accept your age as a number, but not the dominating fact about you as a job candidate.

You have accomplished quite a bit to have bachelor's and master's degrees, and significant work experience and yet be only 23. I think you will be able to get companies to see that you have lots of potential and ambition if you present yourself with some humility to balance out the "been there, done that" attitude.

I'd be interested to hear what gives you the feeling employers don't believe what appears on your resume. If you have been asked directly by a hiring manager, or if you've noticed skepticism in the interviewers' eyes, you need to ask more questions to get to the bottom of their concerns. But first, ask yourself these hard questions: Is your resume accurate? Does it represent what you did -- not the work of others, but only your accomplishments and responsibilities? Is the experience you are talking about paid work experience for companies or is this experience you had as a student in a work-study role or internship? School-related work experience is valuable, but most employers view internships as much about learning as working.

If you are comfortable that all is presented accurately on your resume, you will need to prepare to speak about how the experience you have in business development, media relations, and marina management helped you develop skills that will be put to great use in your targeted professional field. And remember that even with exceptional work experience, having these responsibilities for a reasonable period of time is still important for many hiring managers to see.

You've sent resumes; now it's time to network
Q. I have been trying to obtain a high school history/social studies position. I have mailed over 30 packages containing my cover letter, resume, licensure, transcripts, and letters of recommendation, etc., to school systems in southeastern Massachusetts advertising open positions since March. I have only had two interviews (both were filled by a "more qualified" candidate) and have been unable to obtain any feedback on why I am not being granted interviews for other positions. I have called several schools that are re-advertising positions that I have already sent my information for and no one returns any calls. I have a bachelor of arts degree with a major in criminal justice and a minor in psychology from a private college. I was in the honors program and was an A/B student. I attended a state college and received a postbaccalaureate (receiving A/B's) and successfully passed the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure and received my Massachusetts Educator's License to teach History (8--12) on my first attempt. I was told by the department head at the school where I did my student teaching that that particular school has never hired a history teacher without an undergraduate degree. I have been a teacher's aide in an elementary school for six years while pursuing my postbaccalaureate. At this point I am very frustrated and feel that if I cannot obtain a teaching position by September that I am going to have to pursue another career. Do you know if my undergraduate degree is really a problem in pursuing a history position and is there any advice you can provide?

A. Your department head tried to alert you to the challenges ahead by telling you that the school where you were getting your teaching experience had never hired a history teacher without an undergraduate degree in history. Yet, the state of Massachusetts says you are "qualified" to teach history.

The challenge you face is there are many people who are qualified. But who is best qualified? What do other candidates bring to the position that may trump your credentials?

Pursuing another career so early in a job search may be an overreaction. So, let's regroup. You have some great qualifications and experience. You have completed student teaching, and have passed the state tests necessary to be a teacher.

You have contacts in education at both the secondary and elementary school levels. And these people have information you need, and most likely valuable contacts, too. So rather than sending more resumes to "cold" contacts at this point, start networking. Your first step should be to set up a meeting with your department head and see what his recommendations are.

You may not have wanted to hear the advice before, but he or she has a lot of valuable information to share. Develop a list of questions you need answers to, which can help you achieve your goals. Ask questions like: With my undergraduate degrees, what subjects could I teach? Are your chances better in public or private school? Should you pursue positions in rural areas where teachers of all subjects are in much greater demand? Are there ways for you to take some advanced coursework in history to supplement your undergraduate coursework?

After you have gathered this important data, expand your network. Start with your department head. What contacts would be beneficial for you to meet? Try to meet people at all the school systems you are interested in (and where your department head thinks you may be successful) to discuss teaching, the school, what they would identify as the skills set needed for the ideal next hire. The more people who know you, your skills, and your commitment, the better your chances.

You may need to answer some questions for yourself as part of this process as well. Are you committed to teaching? Or are you just committed to teaching history? Most job searches have frustrations, and job seekers who can push through using their network, demonstrating their resourcefulness, and making trade offs that get them closer to their goals can claim success.

Elaine Varelas is managing partner at Keystone Partners, a career management firm in Boston. E-mail questions to jobdoc@globe.com or mail to Job Doc, Boston Globe, Box 55819, Boston, 02205-5819.