Career Blog

Top 25 Careers to Pursue in a Recession

2009-07-01T00:00:00-05:00

If you want to recession-proof your career, the key is to focus on work that continues even when most people don't have disposable income to spend. So while consumers may not hit the mall as often, you can guarantee that people will continue to get sick, pay taxes and use energy. These are just a few of the careers and industries that can be expected to thrive in a down economy.

Health Care: People will always get sick - sometimes even more so when they don't have the insurance or money to take preventative measures or eat healthy food.
Energy: Although consumers are likely to cut back, they're not going to stop using energy. In fact, this industry may grow, as companies look for more efficient ways to deliver using less energy.
Education: No matter how dire the economy is, there are always jobs for teachers. Kids will still go to school, and many out-of-work adults may decide to continue their education.
Utilities: Just like the energy sector, it's safe to assume that people are not going to stop lighting their homes. So utility administration, maintenance and other related jobs should remain intact.
International Business: Even when the economy is doing poorly in the U.S., other countries may be doing well. So if you are involved in international business, you can expect your career to stay safe.
Public Safety: Police layoffs are very rare, especially at a time where public safety is threatened by desperate criminals. A career in public safety is almost guaranteed to be secure.
Funerals: Just like people won't stop getting sick, they'll continue to die as well, so as morbid as it is, morticians will always have customers.
Accounting: Death and taxes are a sure thing. In a recession, people and companies are likely to get desperate for more deductions and a hard look at their books.
Federal Government: Most federal-government jobs end only when workers retire. Additionally, government services tend to step up in times of recession, so your chances of getting and keeping a government job are good.
Pharmaceuticals: As long as doctors prescribe them, people are still going to take drugs. So whether you're behind the pharmacy counter or in the lab, you can rest easy.
Sales: As a general rule, anyone who is a source of income for a company will be safe, so salespeople - especially in recession-proof industries - have little to worry about.
Military: The military is always hiring, especially during wartime. Also, consider that most of your living expenses are covered, so cost-of-living expenses are not really a concern.
Gambling: When times get tough, people seek an outlet. One of those outlets is gambling, especially because it offers a chance to turn financial troubles around.
Alcohol: Alcohol is another outlet for troubled times, so distributors and manufacturers in this industry will continue to thrive.
Politics: Even in a recession, public officials are still around earning tidy sums, which are often tied to the cost of living.
Skilled Services: Hair will always grow, and drains will always clog, so you can expect steady work in skilled services like plumbing and hairstyling.
Debt Management: Recessions mean crunch time for debtors, and they're sure to need some guidance.
Consulting: Recessions are crunch times for companies as well, and they're likely to bring in consultants for advice on efficiency and squeezing the most out of their resources.
Bankruptcy Law: It's sad, but true: As companies and individuals go bankrupt, they'll need a lawyer to help them work through it all.
Government Contracting: Despite money troubles, roads must be maintained and schools must be built. Contract your work out for government functions for job security.
Food: People need food to survive, and it's not likely that anyone is going to just stop eating - no matter how bad the economy gets.
Beauty, Health and Erotic Services: Regardless of a recession, people who enjoy being pampered will seldom give up the simple pleasures in life.
Debt Collection: As budgets get squeezed, people will fall behind on payments, and companies will look to debt collectors to recoup their costs.
Ultraluxury Items: If you're in a business that caters to the ultrarich, you can expect to be safe, as this type of consumer is likely to have measures in place to weather the recession.
Multifaceted Careers: If you don't put all of your eggs in one basket, you should be able to ride out a recession by relying on secondary income. So if you juggle a career that involves a regular job, plus other sources like online income, freelancing and investing, numerous failures have to happen before you're really in trouble.

Although today's job market may be bleak, there are some bright spots if you know where to look. While recessions hit some sectors hard, others go on like clockwork - or even experience growth. So whether you're hunting for a job or still feeling ostensibly secure, now is a good time to evaluate your options and consider one of the aforementioned recession-proof careers.

Source: HR World

Cell planner, internet, e-mail, instant message, musicâ¦ phone

2009-06-26T10:29:09-05:00

Call me old fashioned, but I remember the day when a cell phone was just a phone.Â I recall when the cellular phone was only good for making calls and playing an occasional game of snake or falling numbers on the lil' old black and white screen but of course things evolve with time.Â Â Â Â Â Â

Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Fast forward about 10 years and now the mobile phone does anything that you can imagine.Â In fact, the title of "cell phone" should be officially changed to "cell personal computer" in my eyes.Â I mean, these things can be used as a digital planner/scheduler, can surf the internet at high speeds, send e-mails to people, instant message folks, download music and applications, andÂ update statuses on twitter and Facebook (just to name a few features).Â Oh, I forgot, they can still do the old text messages and actually place a call when you need to as well.Â

Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The cell phone industry has definitely paid more attention to the business-savvy customer with these incredible devices.Â Even when a professional is away from the office, they can still stay in tuned with their work life by having one of these things.Â It always surprises me when I see someone of the older generations using the new technology as seamlessly as the people do who are my age.Â It amazed me to see my father, who is 50 years old, using a Blackberry phone to send e-mails and regulate business while we we're on vacation in California.Â I am used to using a simple sliding cell phone with only basic features so for my father to be more technologically advanced than I in any area was hilarious to me.Â But, now I have a T-mobile Sidekick that can do all of the fancy stuff, so watch out Dad I'm on to you, lol.

Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â All-in-all the new cell phone technology is great as it can keep you well organized and in touch with work and your career.Â However it can completely blur the line between work and personal life as business schedules and e-mails can be synced right to your phone and eventually cause you to eat, sleep, and breathe your work.Â Of course, this can be a good or bad thing depending on where you are in your career and how much time and energy you are willing to invest into it.Â This is just another way that the business-world technology and personal technology continues to evolve and get intertwined to bring about convenience and innovation.Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â

How to Handle Frustration in Your Work

2009-06-24T00:00:00-05:00

We All Need Help in Our Jobs Once in Awhile

Source: AssociatedContent.com

In this article there are tips to handle difficulty with your job. These tips can help you.

Take a day off
If you get frustrated take a day off. Its okay to take a day off from your job. Everyone needs a break now and than. If you don't feel like explaining why you want to take a day off call in sick. Do things you want to do that day.

Leave early
Tell your boss your leaving early. If he asks why just tell him you need to leave early. Leaving an hour to a few hours early never hurt anyone. You could also take the afternoon off. If they press you just say you don't feel good and need to go home.

Take a break
When you get really disgusted or frustrated take time out. Go get some coffee. Just a few minutes to cool off can get you back into the game. We are not made to constantly be cheerful and never get frustrated. No matter if you like your job or not everyone gets frustrated now an than. You could walk outside and get some air. Anything that helps you get over your frustration is something you want to take advantage of.

Talk to your superiors
Tell your boss that your frustrated and need a break or something. He might even suggest something or even help to calm you. If he is a good boss he should be able to make you feel better. Not all bosses are able to handle situations well. Those who can you really love to work for and make work pleasant.

Talk to a co-worker
You may have a co-worker you can talk to and someone you really trust. A good friend at work should have your best interests at heart. They should be able to tell you when your wrong or right but most of all be able to listen. Co-workers like that you to hang around when at work. You never know when you will be able to help them out someday.

Ask your boss to lighten your load
If your feeling overwhelmed and frustrated ask your boss to have someone help you out with the work load. Sometimes we all need a little help to get the job done. Asking for help is not weak in fact your boss would think better of you because of it.

Source: AssociatedContent.com

Genuine Work

2009-06-23T00:00:00-05:00

Finding work that reflects a person's values is essential for job satisfaction. New research on values and the workplace has teased out what makes us love, or hate, what we do. The study reported a "small but significant" connection between how workers feel about the level and quality of communication, predictability, interpersonal attraction, and trust a person feels towards their job and how it greatly effects work/job satisfaction, organizational identification, and an intent to stay in an organization.
The more of ourselves we put into something, the more we get out of it or, the more we are our genuine selves while working, the more satisfaction we get out of what we do. I would like to have seen more in the study about what people could do to positively impact their own work happiness, but a study too broad misses the minutia. This study is just that: an attempt to break large ideas or feelings into manageable plug and play chucks we can use.
In an intense economy, more and more people find themselves staying at jobs not because of job satisfaction, but for stability. Hopefully, recognizing what we can change, such as our level of communication with coworkers, can influence the enjoyment we can get from our jobs.

Work Gaps on Your Resume?

2009-06-17T00:00:00-05:00

Are your prospects dimming because you've been out of work for three months, six months, even longer?

I talk with job seekers every day about their resumes and job-hunting strategies. Many are in this same boat and rightly concerned. As the economy continues to tank, I predict that the out-of-work gap period will only grow longer for many job hunters, making the search even harder for them.

In the past, when a job hunter was out of work for longer than a couple of months, they were viewed as "damaged goods" by many prospective employers. In light of the sheer numbers of people devastated by this economy, it appears that hiring managers will be less inclined to automatically trash the resumes of otherwise stellar performers solely because they've been unemployed for several months.

A recent survey from Robert Half Management Resources seems to back this up. In the survey, 150 senior executives from the nation's largest 1,000 companies were asked, "How long, in months, can a top manager remain unemployed before it hurts his or her career?"

The mean response was "nine months." Though the survey focused on top managers, it seems that this attitude will be reflected in the lower job titles as well.

Use This Time Wisely

While you may have a widening gap in your current work history, you'll want to make best use of this time and explain it on your resume.

Paul McDonald, executive director of Robert Half Management Resources, stated, "Most hiring managers recognize the economy has sidelined many outstanding people." He added that employers are now capitalizing on the economic downturn to add experienced players who would have been unavailable a year ago.

If you're currently unemployed, you must stay relevant and marketable. This means undertaking such activities as volunteer work, project work, taking classes, or certification training. While job search can seem like a full-time job, you aren't on the phone or networking every waking hour of your day. Assign some of this time to activities that will allow you to stay current. You may be unemployed, but don't give the impression that you've withered away during this period.

Explain Your Gap Status

While it may be more the "norm" to see longer work gaps these days, don't leave this period unexplained. Remember, your resume should always be selling you, and this includes your current unemployment. Use your time between jobs as an opportunity to spin your story in your favor. It's unfortunate that you were caught in a major layoff not of your making. But don't leave this situation to chance because employers will be more apt to select candidates who appear more "up to date."

If your unemployment gap extends for more than a few months, use your resume to best advantage and briefly document some activity during this period. No more than a brief sentence or so, include some action that a prospective employer might view as making you a better candidate for employment. Taking classes is certainly one example. Other life situations include taking care of an ill relative or spouse, overcoming a life crisis or taking a leadership role to achieve a positive outcome in your community. Whatever you decide to include, it should answer the question: "How has this action made me more marketable, stronger or otherwise a better person?"

Once you select an explanation, boil it down to a brief sentence. Even though it's most likely not part of your Professional History, I would include it here because most hiring managers will quickly scan your work history chronology. They want to know what you're doing now. Answer this potential objection right now. Don't bury your crucial explanation at the bottom of your resume. They won't bother reading that far because they're likely already reaching for that next resume.

Source: Joe Turner, for Yahoo! HotJobs

8 Bad Work Habits (And How to Break Them)

2009-06-10T00:00:00-05:00

When you're considering goals for yourself, don't forget to examine your work life. What changes could you make to become a more productive and pleasant colleague?

Experts offer this list of common bad habits at work -- and how to break them:

* Planning poorly. Do you spend your first hour at work wondering what you should work on today? "So many people, when they leave their office at 4 to 6 p.m., really have no clue what they're going to do first thing the following morning," said Glenn Davis, president of the Next Step Group, which recruits sales and sales management professionals for software and other companies. It's more efficient to plan your next day before you leave work.

* Spending the day in "email reaction mode." Answering every email message as it comes in may make you seem responsive, but it's not productive. "You feel like you're being a hero because you're dealing with all your email," said Valerie Frederickson, CEO & founder of Valerie Frederickson & Co., an HR executive search and consulting firm. "But it has nothing to do with achieving your goals."

* Abusing work-from-home privileges. Yes, you save time when you work from home by not commuting. But too many people are easily sidetracked by the laundry, their kids, a quick errand. "People like to say, 'I get so much more done'" working from home, Davis said. And some do -- but not everyone. If you work from home, make sure you're putting in a full day's work -- and that you're accessible to your colleagues during the workday.

* Putting personal life before work. Everyone has emergencies from time to time. But it's annoying to have to repeatedly fill in for the colleague who is late every morning because he's checking on his home remodeling project, or who misses an entire afternoon because she scheduled a routine dentist appointment for 1:30 p.m.

* Being late for meetings. People who show up 5 or 10 minutes late for a meeting cause a "domino effect," Davis said. Meetings later that day may be thrown off schedule because the earlier ones ran late. And people who show up on time feel their time is being wasted.

* Not taking care of health and hygiene. Leslie G. Griffen, an HR consultant and career coach, is sometimes hired by companies to approach an employee who doesn't bathe and ask them to improve their hygiene. The problem is twofold, said Griffen, principal of The Griffen Group. A sloppy appearance will cause a poor first impression. Also, "if your hygiene is bad, your health is probably bad," Griffen said. An added benefit of eating well and exercising: You'll have more energy.

* Using inappropriate humor. Your coworkers may not appreciate your sense of humor. Skip the off-color or "racially targeted" jokes, Griffen said. And be careful about sensitive subjects such as politics and religion.

* Not caring about your work. People like coworkers who are enthusiastic about what they do. Show that you take pride in your job by presenting yourself well, communicating clearly and doing your best work.

Source: Margaret Steen, for Yahoo! HotJobs

Becoming a Pediatrician

2009-06-08T00:00:00-05:00

Getting Feedback

2009-06-08T00:00:00-05:00

Ask for it: If we don't ask for feedback we can often end up getting it when people are angry and angry people don't give feedback very well. Which, interestingly enough, often confirms our not wanting to get feedback. The more you ask the less likely, hopefully, feedback given to you will be delivered in anger.
Avoid being defensive: Let the other person finish. Look the other person directly in the eye in a nonconfrontational manner without interrupting and don't rationalize or deny. Don't interrupt or push for the other person to defend their position.
Think about it before responding: Feedback can be an emotional process so be aware of whether you are responding from an emotional or logical place within yourself. Paraphrase what the other person was saying to you before responding, just to make sure you are on the same page. Take time after the feedback session to think about what was said and come up with specific actions
Don't sulk: If needed, take a little time and cool off. But if you mope around or throw a temper tantrum the only thing accomplished is looking childish.
Say thank you: As simple as it is, and as hard as it is to do sometimes, these simple words convey the idea that no feelings were hurt in the process and it was a helpful. Saying thank you also has a way of facilitating repeated feedback sessions.

How to Lose a Job in 10 Days

2009-05-27T00:00:00-05:00

I'm sure we've all heard of the movie "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days", and I suppose to many women getting rid of an annoying fellow can be quite difficult sometimes;Â I guess sometimes us guys just may not know when to stop.Â But on another note, losing a job in the same amount of time can be rather easy; it literally takes no effort as a matter of fact, not that I would know.Â However, I have seen coworkers hired and fired in the same week before, so if you're interested in losing a job quicker than you can finish filling out the paperwork then here's how it's done:

Show up late everyday, especially on the first day on the job. A casual 5 minutes tardy happens to the best of us every now and then, but I mean show up at least 30 minutes after scheduled often and this is sure to do the trick.
Dress inappropriately. The dress code clearly states that employees are to wear business casual attire, but no who cares? Just show up in jean shorts and a t-shirt everyday and see how far that'll get ya.
Take delicate time on every assignment. Time is money, so why not waste it by taking precious time to do even the most simple of tasks. This will get you the pink slip before you know what happened.
Don't take heed to warnings. If they're nice then they will warn you about your lousy performance and give you a chance to change before getting rid of you, but don't listen to them. Just keep doing what you're doing and you'll be gone in no time.
Give your boss an attitude. They may ask you to do something that you are not wanting to do, so simply don't do it. Also let them know that you are displeased with them asking you in the first place.
Take a break whenever necessary. Hey, it takes work be really bad at a job so you'll need to rest often. Whether approved or unannounced, take 15 minutes off whenever you feel the need and you'll probably be able to have the rest of the year off from that job as well.

Follow these 6 easy steps and if you are still around by day 10 on the job then tell me where it is you are working and I'll come apply tomorrow :-)

Stalled Career

2009-05-25T00:00:00-05:00

Feeling stuck in a job is natural but what to do about it isn't always comfortable. It's an expected part of the working world to desire career growth, to stretch and grow within the confines of our jobs to reach our potential both fiscally and as people. Where wanting more from work turns into a problem is when we find ourselves unable to progress. When seemingly no matter how hard we work we only end up miring ourselves deeper into what we already do, and we watch green with envy as others before and around us achieve what we would like. Often, the worst feeling is when we feel powerless to impact our upward mobility.

I use the word "stall" to describe a workplace plateau due largely to my training as a pilot. In aviation, a stall is a sudden reduction in lift and much of a pilot's training consists of preparing for what happens when things go wrong, and losing lift means something has gone horribly wrong. A spin is one type of stall, here is what it looks like from the cockpit:

Career Stalls can be intentional. I have several friends who have been upfront with their managers about not wanting promotions because they are planning on going to school or starting a family, which is fine, if it's a choice made by us and not made for us. So how to know when your career is stalling? There are as many reasons why a worker has stalled as there are types of jobs. But first check out these reason a career can stall:

Coworkers aren't asking what you think: A boss or cubemate used to drop in to ask what you thought at one point, but now no one consults you on anything serious. You find yourself outside of the office loop.
You are on the wrong side of doors: Meetings where things are happening and decisions are being made without you. I'm not saying it's important to be in on everything, but when someone isn't in on anything, then something is clearly wrong.
Pay raises aren't happening like they used to: In today's economy this isn't as reliable an indicator as it once was, but don't discount it. Even though many companies are freezing raises or promotions, some aren't and being passed over repeatedly is a big red flag for stalls.
Entrenched image: I've come to grips with the fact that my mom will always mother me. It's been difficult modifying that mothering but on the plus side she no longer buys me underwear. On the other side, I let her explain the proper way to load a dishwasher, and by proper, I mean her way. She will never see me as anything other than her little boy, and if coworkers or bosses only see you as the plucky intern you once were, combating that mindset can be an epic struggle.
BURNOUT! Check out a past blog on burnout here. Burn out happens for a reasons and those reasons can be woven intricately into a career stall.
More sensitive to criticism: Hypercritical to what is perceived as criticism may be a better way to put it. Being devastated because a coworker offered a little constructive criticism or made a suggestion may mean you are worried about being in a stall. Or, it could just mean you are too sensitive.
Networking has gone the way of the Dodo: Extinct, in other words. Not connecting to people.

Once you find yourself in a stall, try these tips for getting out of it:

Take a long hard look at yourself: As painful as it is to confront, it's important to ask yourself how much of the career stall due to you? There are things we can and can't control, focus on what YOU can impact. Marinating on what is out of our control is a sure way towards madness.
Get a mentor: No one is too old to learn something, even if it's collaborative. A mentor can help point out trouble areas and offer suggestions we may not have contemplated.
Step it up: Start cranking out quality on whatever you do. Everything.
Reinvent yourself: Take on new tasks and challenges. Look, if possible, outside your immediate office towards other department or settings where you can shine.
Stop sucking: Start cranking out quality product. Giving 150% can combat having given 50% but it will take a long time of over performing for a job to forgive lackluster performance, and don't expect a job to forget. You will always have the shadow of poor work hanging over you.
Get out! Harsh, but true. Having to work harder to prove your worth while still fleeing the shadow of a stall is hard. More so because coworkers or managers rarely offer assistance. Rather than combat everything leading up to a stall and all the complications of being stalled, sometimes it's easier to wipe the slate clean and start fresh.

Once you recognize being in a stall, do something. Taking action is paramount to getting out of a stall, and what is right for you may not work for someone else. Failing to act and the best you can hope for is to keep a job. At worst, you end up auguring into the ground.