My husband (fondly known as Lurch) is retiring and I will need to secure a full time job by next summer. I’ve been lucky enough to work part-time during the years after our daughters were born until they finished high school – a decision mostly due to Lurch’s 24/7/365 schedule. Because of his crazy shift-work, I made it my mission to ensure all things regarding our home and the girls' school life stayed on an even keel. Unfortunately, this decision put my work progression, promotions, any continuing education in my field, or a college career, on the back burner during these years. Once the girls entered middle school and they didn't require as much hands-on supervision, I was able to use my free time to finally invest in myself by finishing my AA (which took many more years than I anticipated – one or two classes per semester as I could afford the tuition and associated costs). I also continued to work 25-30 hours per week as an administrative and paralegal assistant, and acted as the primary caregiver during my father’s Alzheimer’s and my mother's and mother-in-law’s stage 4 cancer treatments, hospice care, etc. Ultimately, once I completed my degree in December of 2018, I had to decide in which field I wanted to spend the rest of my work years. After 30+ years in the legal field, I decided that I wanted to move in to more of an executive/administrative assistant role - in any other field. There's some pressure on me, particularly since Lurch’s retirement is looming, for me to choose the right job with the best people, environment and benefits. I have researched jobs (via LinkedIn, GlassDoor, Indeed.com and ZipRecruiter) in the general geographic area to which we are moving (did I mention we’re moving out of our home state?), and I'd say about 95% of the positions for which I'm qualified don’t address a CAP designation requirement. Does this mean employers in that area aren’t looking for the designation, or they don’t know what they’re getting with and without it? I have been working a long time. My hope is that my extensive work experience, and the addition of the CAP designation, will be a bargaining chip against other job seekers in the marketplace.

Hi Valerie, you did not specify to which state you are moving. Your IAAP network can help by making you aware of jobs in the area where you are moving, if you are comfortable sharing that information with us. SocialLink works much like Facebook in that you will only see posts from members to whom you are connected, so I encourage you to reach out and begin to connect with as many members as you can. especially members who reside in the state where you are moving. Regarding your question about employers not including the CAP on job postings, IAAP and the CAP have been a best-kept secret for too long! We need to constantly work to educate employers about IAAP and the CAP so they begin to add the CAP to job postings. I work for UMR, a division of UnitedHealthcare, which is #5 on the Fortune 500 list. I am working with our Human Capital department to add the CAP as a preferred asset on all administrative job openings. Best wishes with your job search!

As Ann mentioned, your IAAP network is here to help. I worked for a global organization, Fresenius Medical Care. Where do you plan to move to?

Valerie, do you have a LinkedIn account.  I suggest reaching out there too.

Valerie, it sounds like you have a great plan-best of luck to you and your family during this transition time! Your IAAP network is here for you to support you along the way!

That has been a whole lot of highly significant changes to go through. How nice that now you can sit and take some time to figure out the right path forward for you.

In my personal opinion, the CAP elevates our profession and it definitely helps us stand out in a crowded field. However, that requires education on our part during job interviews. We need to get the word out with companies about the certification and its value. I have found that employers may not know about it initially, but they respect it highly when they learn what it is. I definitely believe it gives you an edge in the job searching process.

Marie

Ladies, thank you so much for your encouragement.  It will definitely help!

If a potential employer is not familiar with the designation, have your brief "elevator speech" ready to provide education. Basically, cover the areas of the exam and, if possible, how earning your certification has helped you in the past. You might even mention having to keep your credential current through recertification. You will be fine.

Great advise Joyce!

Valerie, I have found the CAP to be a gold mine on my resume to the point that one employer insisted I retake the test after I let it lapse while I was out of the admin field. On your resume, show CAP after your name and give a brief description under "Continuing Education." It will likely come up. Here's your "elevator speech" as mentioned above by Joyce -- taken from the CAP page: "The CAP exam requires a minimum combination of education and professional experience. This exam assesses a common body of knowledge and proficiency on skills, concepts, and theories administrative assistants use in their work. The CAP exam is accredited by The National Commission for Certifying Agencies, an independent body that requires high standards and independence in assessing applicants."