May 2010 Alta Vista Benefits Newsletter

Issue #20


The monthly Alta Vista Benefits newsletter is provided as a service to help with issues in your every day life. Your suggestions and feedback can be e-mailed to lucy@altavistaben.com.

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COBRA Subsidy Extended

Does this affect you?



The COBRA subsidies have been extended again through May 31, 2010. Under ARRA, the Federal government or the insurance carrier pays 65% of COBRA premiums for a period of fifteen (15) months for individuals who were involuntarily terminated. In addition to some income limitations, eligibility is for individuals terminated between September 1, 2008 and May 31, 2010.


If you have questions regarding how this legislation affects you, please contact us today. We will work with you to help you make your COBRA decision.


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Did You Know?
Ten Savvy Job Search Tips
Many of our clients are in a job search and we try to help them network to their next position. We have savvy tips for your job search, courtesy of Change it Forward, a Human Resource and Career Coaching firm.

Here are their job search tips:
1) Consider your job search your new full time position, and plan your day accordingly.

2) Get up and begin your day as if you were going to your office.

3) Designate a space in your home as your "work space" and set it aside for your job search tools.

4) Develop a "job search plan", set up a daily calendar and track your progress against your plan.

5) Create a powerful "master resume" with the idea that you will have to change it with job specific details when you apply for each position.

6) Track every resume that you send out, including company and position. When you are contacted for an interview, you will already have the job details to help with your job search plan.

7) Use online web sites to post for positions, but do not assume that the company only has posted positions.

8) Make a dream list of the 10 companies you are interested in most and network to find internal contacts in each company.


9) Review the web sites of your dream list companies for what postings best fit your background and expertise. Visit the sites weekly to look for changes and new postings.

10) Control your stress by adding daily walking to your schedule. Even a few minutes a day will help you.

If you would like to discuss additional job search tips, contact Deb Crall at 614-296-7424.




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Lucy Grosz is the CEO of Alta Vista Benefits and can be reached at lucy@altavistaben.com or by phone at 614-889-0934.