If you have turned on the news lately, you know that the economy seems unclear, and more recently there has been a lot of uncertainty in the job market. Some organizations around the country are making difficult decisions to lay off staff or implement hiring freezes. This can cause unwanted anxiety about what the future holds.

One organization still providing a variety of career opportunities is CoreCivic. We are often seen as a safety company, which is true. But what you may not realize is that we offer a variety of positions that are not in the security space, including education, health care, technology, and more. Better yet, we are hiring.

We sat down with a few of CoreCivic's talent acquisition team members and asked what they look for in a candidate and what tips they would give potential applicants.

Patty Cooper is CoreCivic's senior director of Talent Acquisition. She manages the recruiting team responsible for filling open positions across the country. To make an impression, Patty says it is best to get back to the basics.

"I look for a complete resume with work history and education clearly noted. I also look for responsiveness to outreach when screening the candidate and setting up an interview," said Cooper. "The best impressions off the bat are the most important. Review the job postings, tailor your resume to the position's requirements, and be on time for an interview!"

Health Care

While CoreCivic is known as a safety company, we also have many positions in a variety of fields including health care. Valerie Moreland manages medical talent acquisition and says that a nursing role at CoreCivic is a perfect fit for someone who really wants to make a difference.

"Our employees have a unique opportunity to help change the lives of those in their care," said Moreland. "Our candidates need to be able to jump in and treat a variety of cases and emergencies, so someone with a background in varying clinical settings works great for what we do. In addition, new nursing graduates can be great for this. They are eager to grow their clinical skills and build a career of growth and learning. CoreCivic will give them that opportunity. Lastly, a candidate with a positive attitude is critical. Each day is different, and someone who can stay positive and is adaptable to change will be a valued addition to our medical teams."

Moreland points to communication and empathy as two of the most important attributes of a successful nurse at CoreCivic. This is due to the special needs of the patients they serve. She also says it pays to do your homework, literally. Nurses at CoreCivic often see pay that is higher than other employers in the market.

"Review the job description and qualifications and ensure that your resume encompasses your nursing experience. This will help you be sure to get the best possible pay rate. Do your homework and ask questions. Talk about your accomplishments, struggles and ideas. As a recruiter, I love to hear each candidate's 'story.' It helps me build a relationship with that candidate, which builds trust and makes the hiring process easier."

Corporate Opportunities

In addition to safety and health care, CoreCivic can offer roles in technology, human resources, finance, public relations and more at its Facility Support Center (headquarters). It is not uncommon for a team member to start on the front line at a facility and find their way to the corporate office. Recruiter Bob Shealy oversees recruiting at the FSC. He believes there is a lot of opportunity for candidates from a variety of backgrounds at CoreCivic.

"We are known as a safety and security company, so most people are surprised to see the variety of roles we fill across the organization," said Shealy. "We work hard to identify candidates in specialty fields like technology, human resources, finance, law and public relations. We are an employer of choice in the Nashville area with many opportunities to grow a career."

About CoreCivic

CoreCivic has about 10,000 employees nationwide, with a footprint in 21 states. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes competitive wages, paid time off, paid holidays, medical/dental/life, 401k retirement plan with a generous company match, CoreCivic scholarship program, instant pay, and career growth. Want to be CEO one day? It's possible, just ask our CEO Damon Hininger who started as a correctional officer at a CoreCivic facility in Kansas in 1992.

"The one tip I would give anyone considering a career in corrections is to be flexible and open to new experiences," said Hininger. "I was given that advice early in my career and it has taken me from Kansas to Arizona to Tennessee, with stops in between. Focus on walking in integrity and be open to new opportunities, and you'll go far."

While there are a lot of benefits of working at CoreCivic, employees will tell you that one of the biggest is the feeling of making a difference.

"We want to meet people who want to work in a field that makes a difference," said Rawnak Amedi, recruiter. "At CoreCivic, you have the opportunity to put your skills and experience to good use and work in a challenging, rewarding environment where no two days are ever the same."

You can learn more about all of our current openings, our company, our benefits and much more at Jobs.CoreCivic.com or by following us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

CoreCivic is a Drug-Free Workplace and EOE - Disability/Veteran.