4 of the Most Common Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

4 of the Most Common Interview Questions and How to Answer Them4 of the Most Common Interview Questions and How to Answer ThemPrepping for a job interview? Here are four common interview questions you should be ready to answer.A prospective employer calls and wants to meet with you. Congrats That means youve gotten your foot in the proverbial door. But once the excitement about the prospect of a new job starts to fade, you may find it replaced with a tinge of anxiety.Its no wonder. Job interviews can be incredibly stressful. What do you wear? What if you get caught in traffic and arrive late? But the question that looms over all the others in your mind is probably, What will the interviewer ask me?The stress of wondering what questions youll be asked during an interview is enough to make you reach for the antacids. But before you pop the cap to that bottle of chalky pastel tablets, read on. In order to help you ace your interview, weve listed four of the most common interview questio ns and the answers that hiring managers are looking for when they ask them.1. Why are you interested in working for our company?This query tops the list of most common interview questions. Interviewers ask this question to see bedrngnis only what you feel youll gain from working at their organization, but to gauge whether or not youve done your homework. Make sure you read up on the company before you walk through the front door.2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?Hiring managers wield a double-edged sword when asking this question. They are really evaluating your capabilities. But they also want to see if youre aware of areas in which you could improve, and how youre planning to do so. The key to answering this question is to focus on professional qualities, and to use positive phrasing. For example, I could definitely grow my professional network. Ive recently taken steps to do so by updating my LinkedIn profile and organizing a monthly meeting where business contacts share their ideas and experiences.BROWSE OPEN JOBS TODAY3. Where do you see yourself in five years?Interviewers are evaluating your drive and dedication to your career. They want to discern whether you have solid career goals and aspirations, or if youre just drifting along until you stumble into a position.4. Can you give me an example of a time when you overcame a professional challenge?Not only is this one of the most common interview questions, its also one that interviewees like least. Prepare for this query by having an anecdote ready to go. Yes, hiring managers are looking for examples of your critical thinking and analytical skills. But theyre also focusing on your behavior in handling the challenge you describe. Did you initially panic? Or did you calmly assess the situation and proceed with the best possible solution?Take the time to prepare for behauptung common interview questions. Doing so will show hiring managers that youre serious about the opportunity.This post has been u pdated to reflect more current information.Learn how Robert Half can help you get results in your job search.

Media Sensationalism in Todays News Coverage

Media Sensationalism in Todays News CoverageMedia Sensationalism in Todays News CoverageMedia outlets are often blamed for sensationalism in todays nachrichten coverage. Reporters are criticized for exaggerating the facts in the name of getting higher Nielsen ratings or more newspaper subscriptions. Are the Criticisms Valid? Violence breaks out in the county jail, leaving some inmates injured. The sheriff holds a news conference, saying that his deputies are investigating an incident at the jail. As a reporter, you know theres a better way to describe the scene. The sheriff insists on only calling it an incident in order to downplay the violence so that it looks minor. You have a choice of sticking with his word or calling it something else- a scuffle, an uprising, even a riot. Theres no rule on which word to use. Unfortunately, no matter what choice you make, its likely the sheriff will accuse you of sensationalism. While hes trying to use language to protect himself, you need t o accurately describe the situation. One solution is to say, While the sheriff calls this an incident, the families of the inmates hurt say it was an all-out brawl. You let others label the fighting. A common misconception is that large font or bright colors make the story sensational. Its the content that matters more than the presentation. Fair Reporting Every news reporter wants to see her story on the front page or at the top of the 6 oclock news. That may lead to the temptation to make a story sound bigger than it is. Let achecklist of fair reporting be your guide. Theres elendhing wrong with using words like chaos or shocking if you can back it up with facts. Avoid using these words every day, or else your audience will grow bored. Assignments Leading to Criticism Sometimes its the news story assignment itself that leads to charges of sensationalism. At no time was that truer than during the Monica Lewinsky scandal involving President Bill Clinton. It became one of the 12 events that changed news coverage because every news outlet was forced to decide how to cover taboo sexual topics. Sure, it sounded like sensationalism on the surface. Except that the Clinton presidency was at stake. Reporters had to merge the titillating details with the mundane mechanics of federal government because President Clinton faced impeachment. Valid Criticisms There are cases where the critics are right, that a news report is sensationalized. That usually happens when promises of coverage arent kept. The culprit is usually media advertising, which is typically produced by someone other than a news reporter, likely someone not even in the news department. That person will create a topical ad saying something like, See the worst fire in the citys history Viewers that tune into the 6 oclock news see the fire and think its not all that bad. Once that happens, viewers become skeptical toward your advertising claims. Make sure that the person creating daily advertising for your news product has accurate information. While its his job to sell the product, remind him not to oversell. For him, it would be no different than if he created an ad for a restaurant promising that it has the worlds best chili when it doesnt. Reporters and newsroom managers need to develop a gut instinct on setting limits in promoting coverage. If you have a legitimate, exclusive news story that no one else has, theres no harm in advertising that fact. But words like exclusive can become so overused on mundane, daily news stories that they lose their value. As you can see, sensationalism is difficult to pin down. Thats why its easy for so many people to label the news media as being driven by sensationalism because it means different things. For any journalist, if you deliver factual, accurate stories every time, you can defend your work against these claims.

New robot gets knocked down but it gets up again (you are never gonna keep it down)

New robot gets knocked down but it gets up again (you are never gonna keep it down)New robot gets knocked down - but it gets up again (you are never gonna keep it down)Maybe hes a Chumbawumba fan?Scientists have created a new humanoid robot that has the capacity to fall down (or be pushed) repeatedly without suffering significant damage - and have programmed the bot to be able to get back up without human assistance - in what could mean a huge leap forward for otherwise super-powered examples of Artificial Intelligence that can berendered powerless by a platzdeckchen of stairs.Robust Humanoid Robot, or RHP2, was created by a team led by scientists from the University of Tokyo and Kawasaki Heavy Industries and was unveiled at this weeks IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems in Vancouver, where the theme was Friendly People, Friendly Robots.Robots and humans are becoming increasingly integrated in various application domains. We work together in factor ies, hospitals and households, and share the road. This collaborative partnership of humans and robots gives rise to new technological challenges and significant research opportunities in developing friendly robots that can work effectively with, for, and around people, the conference organizers explained.RHP2 is specifically designed fora disaster site, a fire site or a wet environment, according to robotics blogIEEE Spectrum, which obtained a copy of the research paper. It is currently powered by electric motors and tethered to a power cord, but in future incarnations could be remote-controlled or powered by hydraulics, according to IEEE Spectrum.The entire robot is covered in Iron-Man-worthy armor, particularly high-impact areas like hands, knees, chest, elbows, and hips, to protect the hardware from damage, according to the blog. In fact, when the robot feels itself falling, it assumes a protective position much like humans do - putting its arms out when it falls forward, or be nding its knees as it falls backwards.When it comes time to get back up, RHP2 goes through its list of known positions and finds the one thats closest to its current predicament - kneeling, crouching, sitting or lying face-up, for example. It then follows the path of arranging its body to get back up into a standing position, according to the video released by researchers.Its one thing to describe a self-righting robot in words. But until you watch the video, you have no idea the compassion that a shaky robot trying very hard to right itself can elicit from viewers. (Except, maybe, fromthese people.)Which leaves the question, if we ever reachsingularity and robots finally surpass humans in intelligence, will they remember the days when they were just a shaky bot learning to stand up and help a human who may have fallen down - or will they be looking for payback, along the lines of the former GoogleX AI shop Boston Dynamics?

Dairy Internships and Options

Dairy Internships and OptionsDairy Internships and OptionsThere are many internship options available for those wishing to gain experience in the dairy industry. Students majoring in animal science, dairy production, and other closely related agricultural fields may benefit significantly from completing these internships. Dairy Internship Opportunities The Miner Agricultural Research Institute in offers a Summer Experience in Farm Management (SEEM) over a 13 week period. Interns participate in herd management, milking, livestock shows, and research projects with a herd of more than 300 Holstein cows in Chazy, New York. Compensation is $3,000 less a $300 fee for housing and meals (breakfast and lunch on weekdays). Applications are due in February and internships run from May to August. A 12-month dairy farm internship is also available for college graduates who are interested in dairy management and research. Select SiresThey offer both summer internships and veterinary internship s each year at the Plain City, Ohio headquarters. The summer internship has two options corporate communications (designing the yearly breeding calendar, newsletters, and press releases) or dairy sire marketing (grooming cattle for professional photos, completing marketing projects, and traveling extensively). The veterinary internship is available to undergraduate and graduate students. Vet interns assist with semen collection, reproductive exams, herd health, and export paperwork. The summer internships last 12 weeks, and the veterinary internships last at least 4 weeks both are paid opportunities. The Hilmar Dairy Internship Program Allows students to gain hands-on experience working with Jersey cattle at large-scale facilities in California. Several dairies take on interns as a part of the 10-week summer program. Sophomore, junior, and senior dairy management students are encouraged to apply. Interns are compensated at a rate of at least $10 per hour, and free housing and utili ties are provided. Summer internships run from June to August and applications are due the prior December. The American Jersey Cattle AssociationOffers both summer marketing internships and on-farm herd management internships to high school graduates hoping to work in the Jersey dairy industry. Documentation of prior involvement with Jersey cattle is required. The internships are based at the AJCA headquarters in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Accelerated Genetics They offer several internships in the dairy industry. Interns may be involved with artificial insemination of dairy cattle, market research studies, and more. Internships are based out of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois. Dairy Farmers of America (DFA)They offer a variety of internship opportunities in fields such as quality assurance, marketing, sales, and operations. Internships are available throughout the United States in both office and manufacturing settings. College credit and compensation are available to DFA interns. Open internships can be viewed through the searchable database on the DFA site. Hoards Dairyman OffersA summer internship for college students interested in writing for the dairy magazine. Interns work closely with editors to create and edit magazine content, post blogs, and travel across the U.S. to visit dairy farms. Applications for summer internships are due in October of the prior year internships run from May to August. Genex Cooperative OffersDairy cattle genetics internships at its facility in Shawano, Wisconsin. Applicants must have completed at least two years of collegiate coursework in dairy or animal science. Winter session (January-April), summer session (May-August), and fall session (September-December) internships are available. Interns are involved with data collection, photography, wertmiger zuwachs evaluations, genomic testing, and creating seminars for tour groups. Housing and travel expenses for interns are paid. ABS GlobalIt is a major bovine genetics company that offers a variety of internship opportunities each year. Internship categories include livestock handling, production, sales and service, and marketing communications. Stony Pond FarmIt is a small organic dairy that offers internships with its herd of Jersey and Devon cows. Internships run from May 1 to November 1 at the SPF facility in Fairfield, Vermont. The internship duties include milking, feeding, grazing management, and farmers market participation. A small monthly stipend, housing, utilities, and food from the farm are provided. Related Internships in the Dairy Industry Those hoping to pursue a job in the dairy industry may also find valuable internship opportunities on our other related internship pages animal nutrition internships, pre-veterinary internships, and animal behavior internships. Working with a veterinarian also provides hands-on experience that will be looked upon favorably by dairy industry organizations. Check with your college professors, agricultu ral extension agents, farm cooperatives, and local dairy organizations to see what internship programs might be available in your specific area.

The Hidden Gem of Google Drive Resume Templates

The Hidden Gem of Google Drive Resume Templates Characteristics of Google Drive Resume Templates A well drafted and detailed CV is among the crucial aspects that play an important function to find the job of your selection. Be sure your topic isnt too general. Even without technical abilities, you can nonetheless make your very own paranormal site, all you need to do is to check around the internet and find useful stuff. Just add in your details and expertise to demonstrate why your previous history has brought you to the present role The download link is simply found in the body of the text (there isnt any download button or image), therefore it can be simple to miss. Part 2 is going to be the big-ticket items and any other ancillary products. The totally free download even includes an attractive cover letter template. How you organize your artists life isnt as vital as the simple fact you do organize. Ensure you didnt miss whatever could cost you the job that you dream about Its also a fact that married women desperately need to get pursued by their men. Nowadays, its very simple to develop and enhance ones resume due to the access to high technologies and user-friendly software and templates. Again, youre searching for changes in behavior. With cloud computing, you may use software without needing to purchase and install it. Go till the end, you might discover an awesome software to fit your requirements, like I have. For HR resumes, for example, hiring managers want to hear about your very best practices and the way you manage to handle various employees coming from diversified backgrounds. The employers would would like you to deliver oben liegend business growth strategies, projects, and several more. Several businesses are now conducting their job searches on the internet to save costs. Executives play a crucial part in the company they work for. The short article has to be grammatically impeccable and of the maximum quality. Make sure that you get the information youre looking for. Thus, executive resume templates can supply you with updated ideas and contemporary trends regarding writing executive resumes. If you want to observe how to craft resumes that resonate with employers, have a look at our videographer editor resume examples to view how its completed. Top Choices of Google Drive Resume Templates Then youre going to be in Google Docs. Google Docs letter templates supply you with a coordinated look to coincide with the schrift of your resume. A couple years back, Google began to place paid ads alongside the free search outcomes. Google includes lots of completely free templates as a piece of Docs. You should observe a little microphone show up on the face of the screen. Google will automatically index your resume to get included in its search outcome, allowing potential employers to locate your information. Instead, you will need to log in using your Googlegmail. Search by file type to creat e sure you are able to use the templates you find. Its quick and simple to find and use templates. You are able to also seefree resume templates. Templates can allow you to structure your letter and resume so they are well organized. In addition, you may pick from three different color schemes to genuinely allow it to be unique. You are able to revise the plan and layout should you want to The plan and layout are thoroughly professional and easy. You dont need expensive software to generate a great looking resume and Google Docs is one primary reason why. Google Sites also permits you to customize permissions, so you are able to demonstrate a client solely the appropriate portion of a project website, and tailor employee access to your institutions intranet. Google Calendar also enables you to publish calendars to the internet and embed them in your site, so customers may sign up for appointment time slots online instead of over the telephone. You might want to go to Googl e Drive. A Facebook group page was developed to supply a private social networking support system. Its automatic-save feature makes sure that you dont lose your work. JavaScript cannot emaille a form, because of security concerns. Others are provided by graphic design sites. More than a few companies have created add-ons that youre able to download with resume or CV templates, usually free of charge. On top of that, the service supplies you with 15GB of room to use at no charge. There are several letter formats you may use for your cover letter, and multiple resume formats too.

Did You Hire the Right Manager - Spark Hire

Did You Hire the Right Manager - Spark HireYou just hired a new manager who has great experience and an excellent track record. When you made the offer you thought you made the right decision. Now, afterwards, you begin to question your decision.A recentGallup geschftsleben Journalarticle states that 82% of the time, companies make the wrong decision when hiring a manager. Thats a lot of bad decisions which affect production and profitability.So how do you determine if someone is the right manager? You can always hire outside of the company and look for someone who has an established track record. However, the articlementions that even this does not always guarantee the best hire.Gallup Business Journal notes five key abilities and skills to look for in a manager.Ability to motivate employeesAbility to be assertive and drive the right end resultsAbility to hold the team accountableAbility to form trustworthy and solid relationships with their teamAbility to form decisions geared towa rds productionThis is an excellent place to start when assessing talent and Gallup Business Journal also points out that your next great manager could be right in front of you.Is there someone on the team already who has demonstrated these abilities and skills through their performance? You could assess this particular person by looking at times when they may have been in a lead role or in charge of a small team or project.A benefit to promoting from within is the fact that the employee is already familiar with your business and company processes.If you feel you may have found your next great manager in a current employee, make sure that you understand the employees desires and wishes. Believe it or not, all employees do not dream of making management status some day.After discussions with the employee, if it still seems like a good fit, take it a step further and have them complete a PEAC, DISC, or other similar type of assessment in order to identify strong and weak points.Are the re skills that the employee could improve through training? It may be well worth your time to invest in the employee by considering management training programs in order to build and expand on the foundation of management skills they already posses.Furthermore, theGallup Business Journalarticle states that Bad managers cost businesses billions of dollars each year, and having too many of them can bring down a company.With this in mind, it only makes sense to not only hire for skill, but to also invest in your new managers by ensuring they have the training in order to be the great manager that you need.What are some ways that you ensure you are hiring the right managers? Please share your comments and tips below.Image Santiago Cornejo/Bigstock.com

The Perks of a Criminal Justice or Criminology Career

The Perks of a Criminal Justice or Criminology CareerThe Perks of a Criminal Justice or Criminology CareerEven in a tough job market, there are plenty of career opportunities for the well-qualified job seeker. The need for technology, engineering, and other advanced and specialized vocations are only going to increase. So, too, are community and public service careers. So when you sit down to consider where you want to go with your professional life, why should you choose a career in criminology or criminal justice? Helping Others There are plenty of surveys that indicate the number one reason people enter into law enforcement and other criminology careers is that they have a strong desire to help other people. There are few other career fields out there that offer so many and diverse opportunities to do just that. Criminal justice careers give you the ability to play to your strengths and use your specific skills for a greater good, whether through helping victims of crime as a victims advocate, helping profile criminals as a forensic psychologist, or overseeing the progress of a parolee or probationer as a probation, parole or community control officer. Job Stability Many jobs in criminal justice and criminology offer an almost unmatchable level of job security and stability. If you have the fortitude to stick it out, you will more likely than not enjoy a long career that is relatively immune to the ebbs and flows of the private sector job market. Though you often give up higher salaries to work in criminology, you gain the peace of mind knowing that your job is pretty much safe as long as you remain true to the high ethical standardsit demands. Engage Your Brain The old police stereotypes are diminishing todays law enforcement officers and other criminal justice professionals have to think fast on their feet and be ready and willing to meet a host of challenges. Regardless of what field or discipline you ultimately choose to pursue, whether it be a career in forensic science or policing, youll enjoy putting your problem-solving skills to the test day in and day out. Few professions are as mentally demanding and hold higher stakes than criminology careers. As the public rightly places higher expectations on its protectors and public servants, these careers offer rewarding challenges to keep the job interesting, whether youre in your first or thirtieth year. Health and Retirement Benefits Though the landscape is changing somewhat, public service careers still tend to offer a more appealing insurance and retirement package than many private sector jobs. For criminal justice and criminology workers, the absprache is often even sweeter. Many criminal justice professions offer an earlier retirement at a higher rate of accrual, meaning youll be able to retire younger and earn more. And because many of these jobs are physically demanding, they often come with the means to help you stay healthy longer. Amazing Opportunities a nd Experiences A career in criminology can offer tremendous opportunities and some of the best training available. Every day on the job comes with its own new and unique rewards. The fact is, most careers in criminology and criminal justice offer exactly what most job seekers are looking for. All you need to do is find the perfect criminology career for you.

Department of Labor Guidelines on Internships

Department of Labor Guidelines on InternshipsDepartment of Labor Guidelines on InternshipsNot all internships are alike and to avoid running afoul of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), its important for hiring companies and interns to know whats expected in terms of training and compensation. Federal Guidelines The DOL bases its guidelines on the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and the intention is to discourage employers from treating interns as a free labor pool. The FLSA was created to ensure all workers receive at least a extremum wage. As states begin to raise the minimum wage level, the result could be fewer internship opportunities. The guidelines are meant to reinforce that internships are foreducational trainingrather than a replacement for employees, even if a student is receptive to doing anything to get experience. Many employers spend considerable time training and mentoring their interns and do notlage derive much benefit from having them complete an internship. O ther organizations, however, expect interns to jump right in and do the work of a regular employee. Its possible the guidelines will cause these companies to eliminate internships if they dont want to pay, resulting in fewer opportunities for students. Practical Guidance for Employers While it is not required that each and every one of the seven points in the DOL checklist is followed to make an internship qualify as unpaid, it remains prudent for a company to err on the side of caution when interpreting the guidelines. If an intern successfully challenges their unpaid status after the fact, it could result in stiff penalties. These are the guidelines governing when an intern must be paid 1. The employer should state at the outset that the intern is not entitled to wages for time spent in the internship. In no case should any payment be implied. What It Means If an intern was putting in eight hours a week, then gets an assigned workload and schedule resembling a full-time employ ee, pay them. 2. The internship (even though it includes the actual operation of the employers business) should be similar to training given in an educational environment and include hands-on experience. What It Means Make it a combination of education and actionable work. 3. The internship should tie in directly with the interns academic coursework or the intern should receive academic credit. What It Means Work should be meaningful (not fetching coffee and dry cleaning for the boss). If the intern is getting no college credit, payment is advisable. 4. The internship should correspond to some extent with the academic calendar, accommodating the interns academic responsibilities. What It Means Honor the students exam schedule and other campus events. Expect to be inconvenienced. 5. An internship should have a set time frame and when the intern stops benefiting, it should end. What It Means Dont let students just sit around or repeat the saatkorn tasks for the entire internship. 6. T he intern should not displace regular employees, but work under close supervision of existing staff. What It Means If the staff doesnt have time to direct an intern, reconsider. 7. The intern is not necessarily entitled to a job at the conclusion of the internship. What It Means If an intern is guaranteed a job, this is not an internship. Its an orientation and requires payment. Internship Best Practices Here are some additional best practices to make an internship a satisfying experience for all involved Make Sure the Experience Is Supervised Interns shouldnt be left alone in the office and should always have a point of contact while on the job. They should also know how to contact their immediate supervisor and understand how and when they will receive feedback. Set Times for Evaluation All employers should schedule three evaluations with their interns. One should be held after two weeks, another at the halfway point, and the last one at the end of the internship. Feedback is key in reservierung to educate interns so they can learn from the experience. Switch Up the Workload Interns are like sponges. They are not employees (with specialized skills) and they should be learning about different parts of your business. Rotational programs are a great way to create a learning experience that helps interns understand what type of work they like and what they are good at.

Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act - COBRA

Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act - COBRAConsolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act - COBRACOBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) gives certain employees, spouses, former spouses, children, and retirees who lose their health benefits the option to continue health benefits provided by their group health plan for limited periods of time at group rates. Eligibility is subject to certain circumstances such as voluntary orinvoluntary job loss, reduction in the hours worked, transition between jobs, death, divorce, and other life events. Typically, COBRA titelage brdes for 18 months, although in some instances, it can extend even longer. How COBRA Works Group health plans which cover 20 or more employees are required to provide COBRA benefits. In at least 40 states, there are mini-Cobra like laws that apply to smaller companies, usually those with 2-19 workers. Employers do not have to pay for former employees health insurance premium under COBRA. The e mployee is responsible for the monthly premium payment, at up to 102% of the cost to the plan. At many companies, health insurance is subsidized by the employer. That means that employees do not pay the full amount of the plans cost, but only a portion, or in some cases, employees do not pay for the insurance premiums at all. So COBRA payments can be quite costly as compared to the coverage workers received through their employer while still employed. The benefit is being able to maintain youre an identical level of insurance while searching for new employment or determining next steps - you will not need to switch doctors and the costs of your prescriptions will also remain the same. If you are eligible for COBRA benefits, your employer is required to notify the health insurance company of the event, since it qualifies you for coverage. You will have 60 days to decide if you would like to opt into COBRA coverage. You will not automatically be enrolled. Signing Up After the Elect ion Period Even if you waive COBRA coverage during the election period, you must be permitted later to revoke your waiver of coverage and to elect continuation coverage as long as you do so during the election period. Then, the plan need only provide continuation coverage beginning on the date you revoke the waiver. When Payment is Due After you opt into the coverage, your first payment is not due immediately but must be made within 45 days of the Cobra election. All subsequently monthly payments have a grace period and are not due until 30 days of the due date. This is advantageous - if you think you will potentially get a new job with insurance coverage before a bill is due, you can delay paying it until the last minute, with the knowledge that your coverage is retroactive. Get Information on COBRA Coverage If you need further information on your rights under a private-sector plan, visit Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) or call toll free 1-866-444-3272. Th e Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services offer information about COBRA provisions for public-sector employees. Contact yourState Department of Laborif you work for an employer with less than 20 workers and have questions about mini-Cobra regulations. COBRA and the Affordable Care Act The passage of theAffordable Care Act (ACA)has in some ways diminished the importance of COBRA. That is because theACAprovides a relatively easy way for individuals to purchase health insurance. Its possible that buying insurance through your states health care marketplace will be less expensive than sticking with your employer-based health insurance. Prior to theACA, COBRA was also an important benefit because it guaranteed continuous care - this factor was important for people with pre-existing conditions, who struggled to find insurance coverage. Under the ACA, no one can be rejected or charged more for health insurance because of their health. In addition, premiums for seniors can be no more than three times as much as they are for young adults. Here are some of the factors to keep in mind when determining if you want to opt into COBRA or purchase a plan under the ACA CostAs mentioned above, its possible that coverage in your area may be cheaper under the ACA. However, recent actions by the federal government have led to increased costs for ACA insurance options offered through the exchanges. The removal of the mandate for individuals to have insurance coverage and the expansion of opportunities for states to provide short term plans exempt from ACA mandated coverages have driven some healthy individuals out of ACA and raised premiums for the somewhat less healthy individuals who remain. Income-Based Subsidies Under the ACA, there are also income-based subsidies available. If a person purchases coverage through an exchange instead of COBRA, the subsidy is based on your income during the year that the policy is in effect. In other words, subsidies are based on your inco me in the year that you apply, including the soe in income after your employment ends. However, in some cases, employers may cover the monthly COBRA premiums as part of a severance package if thats the case, COBRA becomes the more cost-effective option. ConvenienceIf you are in the middle of medical treatment, keeping the same doctors and levels of coverage may be quite important. Some people may choose to keep COBRA regardless of cost because of familiarity and peace of mind. Also, finding a plan that suits your needs on your states marketplace takes time it may seem easier to just stick with the health insurance you already are familiar with, particularly. Other Health Insurance Coverage Options Individuals from two income families might find that it is more cost effective to be added on to their spouses health insurance policy. If you are 65 or older and stop working, you will be required to initiate Medicare coverage even if you elect cobra coverage. Then it may be cheaper t o select a Medicare advantage program other than your employers former company to wrap around your Medicare coverage. The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundationhas aSubsidy Calculatorthat will display different insurance subsidies and premiums with minimal household information. The information contained in this article is not legal advice and is not a substitute for such advice. State and federal laws change frequently, and the information in this article may not reflect your own states laws or the most recent changes to the law.