Career Guide

Where the Jobs Really Are

2011-07-18T05:19:00.000-07:00

With Friday's miserable jobs numbers came a flurry of commentary filled with phrases like "double dip recession," "expiration of unemployment benefits," and "the waning of American dominance."
David Gergen, adviser to four U.S. presidents and professor of leadership at Harvard's Kennedy School noted in a recent Tweet that employment numbers only reconfirm the need for a jobs plan. He went on to ask his Twitter followers, "Whose ideas will put Americans back to work? Clinton? GOP?"
Former President Clinton's plan, put forth in Newsweek magazine, proposes 14 steps to kick-start job growth. From speeding up start times on construction projects (by providing certain approval waivers) to a slew of energy and environment-related jobs and improvements, to states' rights to incentivize business growth, Clinton looks to government to clear the way for business opportunities to prosper and spur job creation.

The GOP's approach focuses on "America's Job Creators" that will reduce regulatory burdens on Small Business Owners, pass free trade agreements, fix the tax code to encourage investment and pay down the national debt.

Like Clinton's plan, the GOP looks to government policies and practices to create more favorable environments for business, so that these businesses will hire more people.
Here's the problem with a government-then-business approach.

First, in a society where success in business is measured by quarterly returns, it is incredibly difficult for businesses to grow at a pace that allows for long-term planning, investment in the future, and increased employee education, enrichment and retention, all of which lead to long-term sustained growth. In a shareholder-focused, short-term, buy/sell world, it's a challenge to have faith that tax incentives and reduced regulation will encourage businesses to do the "right thing" and create new jobs.

Consider Boston Scientific Corp., which in March 2011 announced that it would cut 5 percent of its staff. On a conference call with employees, Chief Medical Officer Keith Dawkins explained, "We have to be responsible to our shareholders," adding that management believes that they can increase shareholder value by 70 percent over the next three years. The implication here is that Boston Scientific can increase revenue with less people. So why, if they can do this, would they ever consider hiring more?

Second, in a government-then-business approach, American workers are ceding all responsibility for their job creation, and ultimately their livelihoods, to the companies, organizations and entities that can hire them. In this scenario, the prevailing attitude is that "the jobs are coming" and that workers should just be patient while government and business collude to create them. So why should workers even attempt to get a job when the reports are so bad and the big "plans" proposed by the vying parties never mention the duty of the worker to make things happen for him or herself? If I were the average American worker, I'd sit back on my couch, collect unemployment benefits and wait until things look rosier.
Clearly, this isn't going to work.

We are in a different world. We all know this. With ever-emerging technology replacing the need for certain job categories, many businesses have found that they can operate without those extra hands and still be productive. So what is the average American supposed to do?

Here's something that not enough people seem to know: The jobs are actually inside of each and every one of us. It is up to us to Claim Our Careers and no longer wait for others to tell us it is OK to get back to work.
Whether it is starting a home business, or identifying a company of interest and proving to management that we can help solve their problems and make them successful, the key to solving our job creation woes lies within each of us, the American worker. We can all work harder, reject laziness, and strive to be successful. We can all stop complaining about what government is or isn't doing to help us get ahead, and start doing the things we need to survive.

It is time for all of us, of every color, stripe, political orientation, education level and creed, to step up our game. Where the jobs really are ... are inside each and every one of us.
-------------------------
By Susanne Goldstein
-------------------------

Jobs That Pay $60,000 a Year

2011-02-13T21:27:00.001-08:00

By Rachel Zupek,

So, you want more money? Welcome to the club. We've been waiting for you.

These days, it seems no one is satisfied with the amount of zeros at the end of his or her paycheck. According to a new CareerBuilder.com survey, 83 percent of employees are living paycheck to paycheck to make ends meet. Twenty-three percent of respondents said they would need to earn an extra $251 to $500 more per paycheck to live comfortably, while 12 percent said they need to earn $501 to $750. Twenty percent of workers say they would need to earn more than an additional $1,000 more per check to live comfortably.

With the current national median salary at $40,690, these statistics are as surprising as they are expected. If you're looking to earn a few more dollars per paycheck, here are 15 jobs that earn between $60,000 and $69,999 annually, which are also expected to experience growth through 2016.

1. Appraiser

Annual mean income: $60,689*

Projected employment in 2016: 118,000**

Increase between 2006 and 2016: 17 percent

2. Architect

Annual mean income: $62,246

Projected employment in 2016: 155,000

Increase between 2006 and 2016: 18 percent

3. Communications editor

Annual mean income: $68,267

Projected employment in 2016: 124,000

Increase between 2006 and 2016: 9 percent

4. Computer Programmer Analyst

Annual mean income: $65,911

Projected employment in 2016: 650,000

Increase between 2006 and 2016: 29 percent

5. Counseling psychologist

Annual mean income: $64,851

Projected employment in 2016: 176,000

Increase between 2006 and 2016: 16 percent

6. Pediatric nurse

Annual mean income: $61,467

Projected employment in 2016: 3,092,000

Increase between 2006 and 2016: 23 percent

7. Physician assistant

Annual mean income: $63,655

Projected employment in 2016: 83,000

Increase between 2006 and 2016: 27 percent

8. Property leasing manager

Annual mean income: $65,320

Projected employment in 2016: 379,000

Increase between 2006 and 2016: 15 percent

9. Seismologist

Annual mean income: $66,749

Projected employment in 2016: 38,000

Increase between 2006 and 2016: 22 percent

Web developer

Annual mean income: $66,864

Projected employment in 2016: 157,000

Increase between 2006 and 2016: 15 percent

10. Media manager

Annual mean income: $66,931

Projected employment in 2016: 651,000

Increase between 2006 and 2016: 12 percent

11. Meteorologist

Annual mean income: $68,594

Projected employment in 2016: 9,700

Increase between 2006 and 2016: 11 percent

12. Purchasing manager

Annual mean income: $69,373

Projected employment in 2016: 72,000

Increase between 2006 and 2016: 3 percent

13. Vascular technologist

Annual mean income: $69,036

Projected employment in 2016: 57,000

Increase between 2006 and 2016: 27 percent

14. Video producer

Annual mean income: $62,476

Projected employment in 2016: 103,000

Increase between 2006 and 2016:11 percent

Jobs 2011 - Six Figure Jobs

2011-02-10T21:44:00.000-08:00

(No M.D., No J.D., No Problem!)

As we each search for our personal pot of gold, many of us wonder whether the rainbow leading us to a six-figure paycheck has to be so long. We want financially rewarding jobs, but not everyone is eager to commit the time and money necessary to complete a medical or law degree.

The good news is that, even though statistics have shown that more education translates to higher earnings, there are still plenty of six-figure salary jobs for those of us who have decided not to take the seven-years-and-a-stethoscope route. The following is a list of seven lucrative fields in which the top-earning 25 percent of workers take home more than $100,000 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That percentage proves there is real potential for sizeable salaries within these fields, even if your résumé doesn't boast a lengthy list of alma maters.

Though some of these positions are filled by people with graduate degrees, a bachelor's degree and a little initiative could get you well on your way to a six-figure salary.

Sales Managers

Salary of top 25 percent: $127,820*

Median salary: $87,580 What they do: Sales managers establish company or team sales goals and coordinate training programs for sales representatives. They monitor sales statistics and customer satisfaction, and make adjustments to sales strategies as needed.

How to get the job: The educational background of sales managers varies. Managers frequently work their way up the ranks of a company -- often starting as sales representatives -- and many companies have established management training programs.

Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents

Salary of top 25 percent: $123,910

Median salary: $67,130 What they do: Securities, commodities and financial services sales agents buy and sell stocks, bonds and other financial products. They may also inform clients about financial markets and counsel them regarding their financial portfolios.

How to get the job: The majority of financial sales agents have college educations, and have taken courses in business, economics and finance. Securities and commodities agents must pass state licensing examinations, and many firms require agents to complete in-house training programs.

Financial Managers

Salary of top 25 percent: $118,150

Median salary: $86,280

What they do: Financial managers' responsibilities vary, but they generally oversee the preparation of financial reports involved with accounting, investing, banking, insurance and securities. They can also develop financial strategies for their organizations.

How to get the job: Employers expect financial managers to have a bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics or business administration, and increasingly expect a master's degree in one of these fields as well. Depending on the company and the specific position, professional certifications such as the Chartered Financial Analyst designation may also be required.

Computer and Information Scientists, Research

Salary of top 25 percent: $113,830

Median salary: $91,230

What they do: Computer and information scientists act as theorists, designers or inventors while developing solutions to computer hardware and software problems and researching computer technology.

How to get the job: A bachelor's degree is usually a prerequisite for filling these positions, with most of the more technically complex jobs reserved for workers with graduate degrees.

Actuaries

Salary of top 25 percent: $112,360

Median salary: $81,640

What they do: Actuaries are often employed in the insurance industry. They assess the potential for various types of risks and design insurance policies and other financial strategies in order to reduce the potential cost of those risks.

How to get the job: In addition to a bachelor's degree, there are a series of examinations that actuaries must complete to gain full professional status.

Personal Financial Advisers

Salary of top 25 percent: $107,470

Median salary: $63,500

What they do: Personal financial advisers provide guidance to clients regarding financial decisions. Many financial advisers specialize in a particular field, such as retirement planning or risk management.

How to get the job: Most financial advisers hold a bachelor's degree in finance, economics or accounting. Certifications such as the Chartered Financial Analyst designation can strengthen an adviser's professional standing.

Public Relations Managers

Salary of top 25 percent: $106,440

Median salary: $76,450

How to Start a New Job on the Right Foot

2011-02-10T00:26:00.001-08:00

Whether you're a recent graduate who recently accepted your first "real" job or a seasoned professional, walking into a new workplace for the first time can be very stressful. Keeping track of new people, processes, policies, and priorities is taxing.

These tips can help you make a positive impression during your first weeks on the job:

Don't be a stranger. You could get off on the wrong foot with others if you sit back and wait for them to reach out to you. Shyness can come across as unfriendliness or even snobbery.

Be sure to make the rounds in your first week on the job and introduce yourself to new colleagues, even those you may be working with only in a limited capacity. The more affable and outgoing you are, the quicker you'll be able to build rapport and gain access to valuable information and resources.

Get a read on the company. Company handbooks aren't necessarily page-turners, but you can't afford to ignore the content within. Making incorrect assumptions about personal web usage, electronic security, the social media policy, or the dress code can cause problems.

While many of these issues will likely have been touched upon during your orientation, taking the time to read up on all protocols and procedures will keep you from accidentally running afoul of rules.

Pay attention to the unwritten rules, too. The nuances of the prevailing corporate culture aren't always spelled out in black and white. Does the boss like to receive updates via email or in-person chats? Are laptops typically brought to meetings? Do people actually observe "casual Friday"? Astutely observing people's behaviors, work styles, and communication preferences--and adjusting yours accordingly--will make your adjustment smoother.

Practice proper diplomacy. Your manager will expect you to offer fresh perspectives and solutions. But be cautious about how and when you present your ideas and feedback.

It's wise to give your thoughts when asked or to occasionally share some initial impressions, but do so in a tactful and respectful manner. There's no better way to alienate yourself than to come across as a brash know-it-all. In addition, avoid overt criticism and comparisons to your previous workplace.

Pace yourself. It's admirable to want to immediately establish yourself as a capable go-getter. But you won't impress anyone if you over-promise and under-deliver.

Give yourself some time to get a firm handle on your core duties and responsibilities before volunteering to tackle every side project you hear about. By biting off more than you can chew, you could burn out or set an unsustainable precedent when it comes to your workload.

Finally, cut yourself some slack. Don't beat yourself up if you make a mistake or have to ask lots of questions during your first weeks on the job. And when you encounter those inevitable moments of self-doubt, remember that your new manager and colleagues know it's difficult to be the new kid on the block. Chances are, they're granting you a grace period to get up to speed.

by Doug White,

Cover Letter Checklist: 7 Steps to Better Cover Letters

2011-01-22T10:19:00.000-08:00

The cover letter should be part of your presentation to a hiring manager whenever you apply for a job. Through cover letters you can "speak" directly to the hiring manager and create a more tailored presentation of your background to better prove why you are well-suited for their open position. Generally cover letters should be three or four paragraphs long and no more than one page.

Here are seven things you should do when you write a cover letter.

Create a professional business letter format. Include your name and contact information at the top of the letter and match the style and font used on your resume. Stick to traditional fonts such as Arial, Times New Roman, and Tahoma.
Address the letter to a specific person when possible. It is always better to address the letter to a specific person. If no name is listed on the posting, try calling the main number of the company to find out who the contact is or ask someone in the human resources department. You won't always be able to uncover a specific name; but when you do, some hiring authorities will be impressed by the extra effort you took to find out who the appropriate contact is.
State the reason why you are sending the letter. If you are applying to the job via a job board or company website, be sure to reference where you saw the job posted and include the job title and job number if there is one. If a friend or colleague referred you for the position be sure to mention that in the first paragraph of the letter. Referred candidates frequently stand a better chance of getting past the initial screening process.
Discuss a current important business condition that is relevant to your reader. Let the hiring manager know that you understand their industry, competitors, and business problems. Making this connection helps elevate your candidacy and builds trust with the reader.
Explain how your skills match the job requirements. Review the job posting closely and match as many of your job skills to the requirement as possible. You can even create a two-column format that lists the company's job requirements on one side and your skills on the other side to make the match more obvious.
Ask for the interview. Be proactive in your letter and let the hiring manager know you plan to follow up to discuss next steps in the interview process.
Proofread the letter. Typos on a cover letter are just as bad as typos on a resume. After you write the letter, proofread it a few times, put it down, and then proofread it again later. If possible ask someone else to proofread it as well.

By Barbara Safani

Younger Baby Boomers Hurt Most by Recession

2011-01-20T06:40:00.001-08:00

The economic climate of the past few years has been tough on everyone, but not everyone is coming out of the recent recession on equal footing. A study done by the market research firm Mintel shows that for those ages 45-54 (younger baby boomers and older Gen Xers) the recovery will definitely take longer.

A full 39 percent, the highest in any age group, say they worry more about retirement now than ever before. Also, 47 percent of that group (vs. 33 percent overall) say they "have only been spending money on necessities" for at least a year. And then there's the 51 percent of this age demographic (compared to 44 percent overall), who say they intend to permanently decrease the amount of unnecessary "stuff" they will buy in the future.

"This last recession has definitely not treated everyone equally," states Susan Menke, vice president and behavioral economist at Mintel. "One reason could be that the younger boomers are the age group that was just getting started when the severe double dip recessions of the 1980s hit, and they have never fully recovered. Another reason may be that this is the 'sandwich' generation, burdened with educational expenses for their kids and, for some, health care costs for aging parents."

People who fall into this age group are too young to take early retirement, and too old to be able to make up for their savings losses by the time they reach normal retirement age. It's a sad fact that some may not ever fully recover.

Menke adds, "We continue to see numbers indicating that the recession was a wake-up call across age groups, just in different ways. Everyone is more concerned about having adequate funds to retire after this recession. Unlike the baby boomers, however, younger age groups are able to do something about it."

------------------------

By Lisa Johnson Mandell,

Tips for Job Seekers

2011-01-18T10:55:00.000-08:00

Whether you are seeking a job with a staffing firm or a Fortune 500 company, the process is pretty much the same. Start by crafting a compelling résumé. This will help you identify your marketable skills. Then, before you apply for a job, make sure that your skills match what the company is looking for. If so, prepare an effective cover letter and send it to the prospective employer along with your résumé.

If you get an interview, get ready for it well before you go. There may be more than one. For example, your first interview may be with a staffing firm and your second one with its client.

Craft a Compelling Résumé

Unless you have more than 10 years of experience, your résumé should be no longer than one page. Use a simple layout.

Know what you want.

Compose a clearly stated job objective. State what you want to do, for whom, where, and at what level of responsibility.

Stand out from the crowd.

Instead of just listing your job skills, describe the benefits and results of your performance. For each permanent job or staffing assignment, develop a list of major accomplishments, placing the most emphasis on your recent achievements. What problems or challenges have you faced? What actions did you take to overcome them? How did your actions benefit the company? Keep in mind that most companies value workers who enhance profits and save time and money.

Sell yourself.

You only have one shot to make a great impression. Your résumé is a word picture of yourself. Showcase your strengths and one or two outstanding skills or abilities. List your education, training, and any relevant awards.

Never list the reasons for termination or leaving a job on the résumé.

The reader can find negative connotations for even the best reason. You're far better off explaining employment lapses in person.

Make sure the résumé and the cover letter are error-free.

Proofread, and have others proofread them, too. Make your résumé understandable by avoiding jargon and using plain English.

Prepare an Effective Cover Letter

A cover letter allows you to personalize your résumé. Its main purpose is to emphasize your strengths and assets in a way that will interest employers in interviewing you.

To attract the reader's attention, the cover letter must look good and be easy to read.

Pay particular attention to spelling, grammar, punctuation, spacing, paragraph length, and margins. Address it to a particular person by name, making sure that the spelling and title of the individual are correct. A good cover letter is not too long, so try to limit yours to a single page.

The first paragraph should arouse the reader's interest.

State some particular knowledge you have of the reader's business, or comment on a "timely" issue relating to the company's operation.

The body of the cover letter should explain what you can do for the company.

Put yourself in the employer's position as you write. Present facts that will be interesting and that accurately describe your assets and qualifications. Your prospective employer will be interested in your ability to make or save money, conserve time, and effectively assume and delegate responsibility. Do not stress weaknesses, such as lack of experience.

The last paragraph should request action.

Ask for an interview, and state specific times and dates when you will call to arrange an interview (allow at least three business days from the day you send the letter). In all circumstances be courteous, but be direct.

The letter should end with the formal salutation "Sincerely."

Below the salutation, type your name and then add your signature.

Sending Your Résumé and Cover Letter Via E-Mail

As a 21st-century jobseeker, it's important to have an electronic cover letter and résumé to send at the click of a mouse. Here are some steps for converting your cover letter and résumé from Word or WordPerfect documents into electronic ones.

Remove all formatting, including lines, boxes, bold, italics, and underlining.

Change the font to Courier, size 12. Convert your page margins to 1 inch on the left and 3 inches on the right. When you save the cover letter or résumé, choose "Save As" and change the type to "Text only with Line Breaks." A warning box may come up informing you that you might lose some formatting. Click "OK" or "Yes."

Launch Notepad (PC) or SimpleText (Mac) to reformat and clean up your résumé.

Move all centered items to the left margin, and make sure all text is flush left. As you scroll through your document, remove all Tabs, replace all bullets with asterisks (*), and change bolded words to all caps. Increase white space by hitting Return twice between sections.

Make sure your cover letter and résumé are e-friendly.

Do not send them as attachments, but, rather, pasted in the body of the e-mail. Practice sending them via e-mail to yourself as well as a friend who uses a different Internet service provider—to ensure the documents are clean and professional-looking. Once you've made any required adjustments, your cover letter and résumé are ready for a prospective employer's inspection.

Words matter.

Always include keywords in your résumé. Recruiters use keywords to search for résumés. So choose some of the basic, important keywords in your field and pepper them throughout your résumé. For example: Web designer, account manager, communications specialist, to name some.

Deliver a Knock-Out Interview

Your carefully prepared cover letter and résumé paid off. You've landed an interview. Get ready—in advance—to make a good impression.

Confirm the interview appointment.

Do this one day before your interview. Know the date, time, and location of the interview. Try to find out how long you'll be there. And make sure you have your contact's phone numbers in case you have to call.

Clear your calendar.

If possible, keep your schedule free of any other commitments. The interview might run over or you could be asked to stay longer. Explaining that you have to be somewhere else could create an awkward situation.

Say their names correctly.

If you know the names of interviewers in advance, confirm the pronunciation and spelling.

Be on time.

Don't arrive more than 10 minutes early and, most important, don't be late. Arriving late not only labels you as rude, it also makes you seem unreliable. If unforeseen circumstances arise and you must be late, do everything you can to call ahead of time.

Dress to impress.

How embarrassing to come to an interview and discover you're underdressed. If possible, find out in advance what attire works. If you're still not sure, wear a suit. There's no such thing as overkill when dressing for an interview.

Let them know you've arrived.

Walk up to the receptionist, smile, shake hands, introduce yourself, and state that you have an appointment. Offer your résumé or business card and wait.

Shut off the cell phone.

Unless there's a bona fide crisis, turn off your cell phone or pager.

Use your mouth for talking only.

Unless the interview is scheduled with a meal, nothing should be in your mouth but words. Drinking, eating, smoking, and chewing gum don't work during an interview.

Prepare a short information statement.

Be ready to answer the dreaded question, "Tell me about yourself and your background." Your statement should include some information on the types of companies and industries you have worked for, your strengths, your transferable skills, and some of your personal traits. Practice saying this statement until it feels natural.

Be prepared to talk about your successes and experiences.

The employer will want to find out about your past experience—successes and failures, your work ethic, and your track record. Be able to amplify every item on your résumé.

Be nice.

Everyone you meet during your interview—from the receptionist to the interviewer—should be treated with respect and courtesy. The receptionist might not be conducting the interview, but his or her opinion of you might be solicited.

Follow up.

Send a thank you letter within a day of the interview. Provide any documents that might have been requested, such as references, an employment application, or samples of your work. A few days later, call to express your continued interest and to see if you could offer more information.

By: American staffing

National Call Center Hiring Telecommute Workers

2011-01-09T02:13:00.001-08:00

lary: $12-$28/hour / Hourly

Location: Sparks, TX

Type: Part-Time

TeleReach Corporate is a business development, appointment setting, teleprospecting, lead generation, data acquisition, and information gathering company. Since 1996 TeleReach has helped clients in both technology related and traditional businesses with their marketing programs. We make cold calls (M-F, 8-5) from a list of qualified prospects to set sales appointments with high level decision makers associated with companies within our clients target market. This requires the ability to feel comfortable communicating in a professional and effective manner with C level executives, presidents, directors and midlevel management.

TeleReach is seeking long term part time and full time Marketing Representatives. We are not a match for individuals seeking summer work, evening work, temporary work or supplemental income for an applicant’s other business ventures. We promote from within whenever possible. Although all of our employees work from their home offices, we encourage team interaction and provide a variety of incentives, including bonuses and contests. We offer group medical insurance and vacation pay for full time employees. All callers work on more than one program to avoid burnout. TeleReach offers performance based (quota) hourly pay. Earnings range from $12 - $28/hr. and our top FT callers earn 60K+ a year. We are a member of the Better Business Bureau and endorsed by ABC News Good Morning America and Woman's Day magazine as a recommended legitimate work from home company.

Visit Telereachjobs.com for the links to these reports and to see our home office requirements.
All applicants must have a minimum of 1 year successful business to business (B2B) telephone cold calling experience, utilize professional verbal communication skills, have a sound understanding of general business, be self-motivated, have a dedicated follow-through attitude and demonstrate good computer skills.

Preferred but not required: full time, college degree in a business related field, 3 years or more full time experience with a successful track record as a teleprospector, appointment setter or lead generator cold calling from home, formal sales/gatekeeper skills training, and online CRM experience (Gold Mine, Act, etc).

We receive a large number of applications each week and unfortunately can not respond to every applicant.

We are not hiring in the following states: AK, CA, CT, FL, HI, IL, MA, MD, MI, MT, ND, NH, NV, PA, or WA.

To apply for a job, go to TeleReachjobs.com and select: Apply For A Job.
Under Referred By, please click on the web site where you found our ad.

You can also apply by calling 713-866-6226 and leaving a recorded verbal resume. Simply tell us about your education, experience, skills and other qualifications. The best candidates will be contacted for a telephone interview ASAP.

10 Cutting Edge Jobs

2011-01-08T10:40:00.000-08:00

As the world continues to go forward and change technologically, we are living longer, retiring later and get higher education at a higher rate than generations before us, and the employment market is changing right next to us.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, technology is just one of the few factors in determining what's going to be the next great gig out there. Demographic shifts, legislative changes, business trends and consumer behavior also factor into what's going to be the next big thing and what's going to be history.

Here are some of today's jobs that are on the cutting edge:

1. Radiation Therapist
What they do: Work with radiation oncologists to administer treatment as prescribed and supervised by the doctor. They also maintain records and check the operations of the radiology equipment.

What you need: An associate or bachelor's degree in radiology and certification under the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Licensing may also be required.

2. Nurse Paralegal
What they do: Similar to LNCs, they are hired to assist law firms, government agencies and insurance companies with expertise on medical-related cases. Unlike LNCs, nurse paralegals have a stronger focus on the legal relations to medicine.

What you need: A bachelor's or advanced degree in nursing or another health-related field and certification.

3. Genetic Counselor
What they do: Assist families who have members with birth defects and other genetic disorders, and also aid in educational and administrative roles related to genetic counseling and inherited health issues.

What you need: A bachelor's degree concentrating on biology/biosciences, psychology, genetics or nursing and a master's degree in genetic counseling. The American Board of Genetic Counseling and the American Board of Medical Genetics offer certification.

4. Legal Nurse Consultant
What they do: Perform an analysis of medical information as related to law. They conduct legal research, interview expert witnesses and assist with legal paperwork and processes.

What you need: An RN license. Formal training as a legal nurse consultant (LNC) is not required, but helpful.

5. Art Therapist
What they do: Treat physical, mental and emotional disabilities through art expression.

What you need: A master's degree in art therapy with completed curriculum under the American Art Therapy Association's educational standards. To be a registered art therapist, 1,000 hours of direct client contact must be reached after graduation.

6. Computer Forensic Expert
What they do: Use computer investigation and analysis to determine legal evidence. They uncover deleted information and can help the legal system track down people attempting to cover their illegal actions, such as hackers and inside traders.

What you need: A wide range of computer hardware and software experience, as well as an associate or bachelor's degree in computer forensics, computer science or another related field.

7. Medical Illustrator
What they do: Create images that visually communicate bioscientific and medical discoveries. They also act as consultants, advisers, administrators and educators in biological science communications.

What you need: A bachelor's degree with a major in art and a minor in biological sciences or vice versa; a portfolio of artwork demonstrating competence. A majority of medical illustrators have master's degrees in medical illustration.

8. Veterinary Physical Therapist
What they do: Focus on animal treatment and rehabilitation methods, including hydrotherapy, swimming, exercise and massage.

What you need: Certification training is offered to licensed veterinarians, veterinary technicians and physical therapists. Some certification programs require written exams, and follow-up case reports, independent studies and take-home exams are also available.

9. Animal Defense Lawyer
What they do: Handle cases dealing with animals in cases ranging from custody in divorce cases to veterinary malpractice. While laws suggest that animals are regarded as "property," owners who are battling for the custody often regard their pets at a higher standard.

What you need: The educational degrees and requirements for a major in law, a Juris Doctorate, and a concentration and clinical work in animal law.

10. Animal Assisted Therapist
What they do: Study and identify behavioral patterns in animals and apply techniques to improve mental, social and physical issues within humans through animal/human companionship.

What you need: A bachelor's of science degree in psychology, social work, physical therapy, nursing or education. Additional training and certification in Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) is a big plus. AAT program concentrations can include elderly care, social work, education and other specialties.

--------------------

By CareerBuilder

6 Career Shifts for Older Workers

2011-01-07T08:42:00.000-08:00

In today's e'er dynamical job industry, not exclusive bonk the types of jobs offered changed, but so change the individuals who make up the incumbent hands. More older workers are opting to preserve employed instead of retreating. If you're one of these experienced professionals, how do you rest your progress and continue invigorated and spirited in today's straightaway paced line ambiance?

1. Be fashionable

Imitate job mart trends. Sr. workers moldiness livelihood their digit on the pulsation of the have hostility by asking themselves, 'What jobs are in obligation today?' and by safekeeping up with today's bailiwick, peculiarly computer engineering says Deborah Vocalist, supervisor of the issues agendum for system section for AARP, a non-profit organization for fill age 50 and over.

2. Get wired
Cognise your computer. Filmmaker stresses that updating systemic role skills, especially computer skills, is determinant, "particularly since numerous employers feign that develop workers demand skills in this expanse. Having the elementary machine skills that portion you to suffice in the workplace is virtual." That effectuation existence homely with:

" Navigating the Net

" E-mail and its applications

" Statement processing

" PowerPoint

" Surpass spreadsheets

3. Go back to school
Stuff in the gaps with training. If you demand in any extent of claim, especially machine skills, recall it's never too posthumous for statesman activity. Numerous instructional courses are offered at your topical district college, depository or neighborhood connection. "Long acquisition is an serious panorama of professional growth. Assessing your skills and determining whether there are any gaps will provide distinguish voltage areas for further activity," Vocalizer says.

4. Opportunity knocks
Stand vantage of chances to see all around you. Also attending classes, a healthy way to get new skills is to be on the lookout for acquisition opportunities hand at process. Is someone accomplishment on vacation whose job is outdoors your average domain of responsibilities? Perhaps you can worker to raiment for them and instruct a immature roughly what they do. Or move for temporary assignments that you wouldn't usually interact.

5. Update your résumé
If you are hunting to kind a vary to a new view, you require to get flowing on the latest-résumé trends. Suchlike anything else, résumé styles move over second. The résumé is a alive means in helping any miss speaking the qualifications and experience they can modify to a possible state. Vocaliser says oftentimes "employers are writer fascinated in the skills you get to a job versus how more years you worked for a specific employer. It gives them a shot of your capabilities and if you in fact possess the skills they're hunt for." So play your résumé skill-driven and results-oriented, showcasing your direction skills and income accomplishments, instead of only providing a litany of dates, titles and responsibilities from preceding positions.

6. Bond
Speech to others in your corresponding state. Don't despair; there are organizations that offering keep groups for sr. workers to deal the challenges they've featured and study new strategies to surmount them. The Knowledge Competent Mesh-work is composed of agencies crosswise the Incorporate States that center on converging the needs of mid-career workers and job seekers. Insure your anesthetic sound play-script for the Procedure Healthy chapter in your expanse.

Tech industry searching for girls gone geek

2011-01-06T07:18:00.000-08:00

Societal values, not aptitude, may be turning them away from sciences

Mattel recently conducted an online poll asking girls everywhere to choose Barbie's next occupation from the following choices -- surgeon, architect, news anchor, environmentalist and computer engineer.

The overwhelming choice among the girls was news anchor. But adults in the blogosphere, on Twitter and Facebook launched their own campaign for computer engineer Barbie.

Mattel relented and decided to go with both, news anchor and computer engineer Barbie. "We couldn't ignore the outcry," said Michelle Chidoni, a spokeswoman for the company.

The Barbie brouhaha points to a key conundrum today when it comes to women and professions in science and technology. Many people see a need for more females in so-called STEM professions (science, technology, engineering and math). But fewer and fewer young women seem to be gravitating to such jobs, thanks in part to the geek factor.

Sandra Guo, 22, always loved video games when she was in high school, but she never thought of pursuing a career in computer science because she felt it wasn't for girls. Even her mother discouraged her. "When I first enrolled in college she was opposed for me taking computer science as a major," she recalled. "She said I'd never find a boyfriend."

This mentality is not unusual.

Scientists of all sorts get a bum rap in society, especially on TV, said Alicia Abella, executive director of the innovative services research department at AT&T Labs. She also heads the company's fellowship program, which provides mentoring and full tuition for women and underrepresented minorities who want to pursue a Ph.D. in STEM fields.

"It's either a man in a white lab coat with funky hair like Einstein or a cartoonish character," she noted. "What girl wants to look like that?"

Indeed, only about 17 percent of girls take advanced placement tests in computer science while in high school, the lowest level of females among all such exams, according to the National Center for Women & Information Technology. And in 2008, women earned only 18 percent of computer science degrees, compared to 37 percent in 1985.

To counter the dismal statistics, there's "a movement to reclaim the notion of 'geek,'" said Amanda Stent, a computational linguistics researcher at AT&T Labs and co author of "The Princess at the Keyboard: Why Girls Should Become Computer Scientists."

Both Abella and Stent are part of a group of women at AT&T Labs who have made it their mission to encourage more young women to fall in love with science and technology.

Stent, who was associate professor in the computer science department at Stony Brook University in New York, met Guo during her junior year at the school and convinced Guo to stick with computer science when she was considering switching her major to art.

"I didn't like the environment," Guo said about her computer classes. "Everybody was a boy and the people weren't very social. I was considering dropping computer science completely."

But Stent took Guo under her wing, introducing her to other faculty members and connecting her with events at the department where she could socialize. She also told her about all the interesting work that was being done in the field, including Stent's own work analyzing human dialogue with computers.

It worked. Guo is set to graduate with a computer science degree in May.

"Some young women may turn away from science and technology careers because of a perception that people in those careers spend long hours working alone on esoteric ideas in a laboratory or computer room and no, or not enough, time collaborating with others or making positive changes in the world," Stent maintained. "But in fact, engineers, scientists and technologists most frequently work in groups and often create products that benefit society and build community."

Last week, a host of companies across the country participated in "Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day."

Educators are also reaching out. Earlier this month, Steve Patchin, director of youth programs, outreach, and engagement at Michigan Technological University, hosted "Get WISE" (Women in Science and Engineering), which brings middle school girls to campus for a hands-on day of learning.

"The main goal of events like Get WISE is to show girls that a field like engineering can be whatever they make of it, and they have the talent needed to excel," he said. "They get to create and experiment for themselves and see that technology and engineering are great areas not just for those who want to build things, but for those who want to make a difference in the world."

It's about exposing girls to science and technology, mentoring them, and not allowing naysayers to derail their love of the sciences, said Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, and a strong advocate of girls in STEM professions.

Ride hosted a "Introduce a Girl to Engineering" day at ExxonMobil last week and has worked with the energy firm through her company Sally Ride Science, to introduce youth to the sciences and train teachers on the importance of countering stereotypes in the professions.

"What we know, is a lot of girls in third and fourth grade are interested in science, about the same number as boys at that age," she explained. "Then about fifth and sixth grade, those wonderful middle school years, we start to lose girls, but not for reasons of aptitude. The reasons are often more societal."

Fear of failure and the lack of role models could also be driving the disinterest among girls.

Kristen Lamoreaux, founder of SIM Women, part of the Society for Information Management, an association of nearly 4,000 CIOs, offered a personal anecdote: "According to my 13 year old niece, she is not going into a STEM focused role because, 'I don't like to be wrong and I want to stand out.' She said that when everyone in her Math class does the same problem, they all get the same answer. In Literature, everyone can write on the same topic, but variety is expected and it's possible to stand out based upon your talents."

While Lamoreaux's niece acknowledged the designers who did things like design apps for her iPhone were creative, she didn't see any female role models. Her niece was able to name five favorite female authors but couldn't name five female CIOs.

"I believe there is a lack of visible examples of successful women in technology," Lamoreaux continued, "and that it is imperative for every woman in IT to reach out to young women. Women of all ages benefit from mentorship, but even if there were simply a heroine that young girls could aspire to emulate, I think young women would better understand the options available to them and we'd see more of a change across the industry."

At a time when the economy is leaving many recent grads without jobs, opportunities are still plentiful in a host of STEM careers.

Guo already has a job, as a programmer for Google, and she hasn't even graduated.

As for her mom's perceptions of her career choice now: "My mother is very proud of me. A lot of her friend's children who graduated are still looking for jobs. She now says, 'my girl got an offer from Google. She's so smart.'"

-------------------

By Eve Tahmincioglu

Huge Incentives Offered to Women With Big Ideas -- Could You Be One of Them?

2011-01-05T08:12:00.000-08:00

Remember a time when geeks were the uncool minority? For women in science and engineering fields, they're still trying to be more Bill Gates and less Mary Katherine Gallegher (the nerdy Catholic school girl played by Molly Shannon on 'Saturday Night Live').

Many women in the sciences often remain underrepresented and unrecognized. Men graduated with 585 percent more engineering degrees than women in 2002 (according to Science and Engineering Indicators). Now theKauffman Labs for Enterprise Creation is offering a huge incentive for women to put on their thinking caps.

The organization launched its first Women in Science and Engineering Business Idea Competition. The grand prize may not be a patent certificate, but it just might get the winners a step closer to getting one. Those selected will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to TED 2011 in Long Beach, Calif.

TED, which stands for technology, entertainment, and design, is an annual conference where great thinkers get a chance to spread great ideas. It's the kind of place to rub elbows with people like Peter Gabriel, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jane Goodall, and Mae Jemison. (If those names are unfamiliar, you definitely know their work.)

The plan is to encourage women in science and engineering to think of themselves (and their fantastic ideas) as entrepreneurial. The idea is that as more women in these fields embrace entrepreneurship, they will grow more accustomed to selling their ideas, and that this evolution will allow even more women to continue to change the world.

"We know that more women than ever are leading U.S. businesses and hold a nearly three-to-one majority in undergraduate and graduate education, but too few pursue the path of huge-growth entrepreneurship," said Lesa Mitchell, vice president, Kauffman Foundation.

Entrants are invited to complete an application, which includes a video. But you better hurry: entries are due by Jan. 15, 2011.

By Carol Berman, Posted Jan 5th 2011

Want Prestigious Work?

2011-01-04T07:48:00.000-08:00

What to Seek and What to Avoid

Let's admit it: We all need to feel special sometimes. Well, if you're a firefighter, scientist or teacher, you should. After all, a new Harris poll indicates that plenty of Americans already think you are.

U.S. adults, according to a recent survey by Harris Interactive, see firefighters, scientists and teachers as the most prestigious occupations while bankers, actors and real estate agents are the least prestigious occupations. The 2007 "Most Prestigious Occupations" poll measured the public perceptions of 23 professions.

Participants were asked to rank these professions as having "very great prestige," "considerable prestige," "some prestige," or "hardly any prestige at all." They could also opt not to rank them or say they weren't sure.

Sixty-one percent of adults consider firefighters to have "very great prestige," making this occupation the most prestigious on the list. Five other occupations were ranked as having "very great prestige" by over 50 percent of the adults surveyed: Scientists and teachers are considered very prestigious by 54 percent of adults, followed by doctors and military officers, who earn the prestige of 52 percent of Americans, and nurses, whom half of all adults consider very prestigious.

Among the least prestigious occupations are real estate brokers, actors and bankers. Only 5 percent of survey participants ranked real estate brokers as very prestigious; 9 percent gave actors this label, followed by 10 percent for bankers. Accountants, entertainers, stockbrokers,union leaders, journalists, business executives and athletes all also ranked low on the list: Less than 20 percent of adults consider any of the aforementioned occupations to have "very great prestige."

Consequently, five occupations are perceived to have "hardly any prestige at all" by at least a quarter of adults: stockbrokers (25 percent), union leaders (30 percent), entertainers (31 percent), real estate brokers (34 percent) and actors (38 percent).

Harris Interactive started conducting its "Most Prestigious Careers" survey in 1977 and included only 11 professions. The most significant change since the survey's inception is that, with the exception of teachers and clergy, the perceived prestige of every one of the original 11 occupations has actually decreased over the years. The most drastic drop occurred among scientists, lawyers and athletes, whose prestige dropped by 12 points, 14 points and 10 points, respectively. Clergy members are considered prestigious by one percentage point more of the population than they were 30 years ago, while teachers' perceived prestige increased by 25 percent.

Understandably, the year-to-year changes are less drastic. Scientists' perceived prestige hasn't changed in the last year, and despite a significant jump from 1977, teachers' perceived prestige has increased by only two percentage points. Bankers and athletes showed the most drastic drop in prestige: Both are down seven points from last year. The profession that saw the biggest increase in prestige from 2006 was that of farmers, who rose five points.

While the survey measures the degree to which certain occupations are considered prestigious, it offers no indication as to why people consider certain occupations more prestigious than others. For more information and to see the complete results of the survey, visitwww.harrisinteractive.com.

----------------

By MaryLorenz,

Too Good to Be True? 6 Common Job Scams

2011-01-03T07:25:00.000-08:00

Lured by convenience and seemingly easy money, more and more people are falling prey to job scams. Particularly vulnerable are people who want or need to work from home and those who are looking supplement their income. Those who fall victim can suffer serious consequences including debt collection and criminal charges. Work-at-home scams are varied and can be more difficult to detect. They come in many different forms and change regularly. To protect yourself, it's important to be aware of the various scams lurking and what to do if you suspect you discover one.

Here are six of today's most common job scams:

1. Nigerian Check Cashing Scam
The Nigerian check cashing scam usually involves transferring funds internationally. The scam artist attempts to reassure the victim by offering apparently legal contracts, forged or false documents bearing company letterhead, false letters of credit, payment schedules and bank drafts. Once the scammer has obtained the victim's trust, checks, money orders or wire deposits are sent to the victim for "processing." The victim is asked to cash the check or money order (wire deposits will send the money directly to the victim's account) and send a percentage of the funds back to its origination. The need for the "middle man" is often explained as being a way around international fees or taxes. Once the funds are sent back to the scammers (usually the victim is told to keep a percentage for themselves, as payment for their services), the victim's bank or financial institution learns that the check/money order/wire transfer was fraudulent. The funds are then subtracted from the victim's account and he or she is made liable for the lost money.

2. Reshipping
Reshipping scams often begin with an employment offer, usually via e-mail. As with the Nigerian scam, these "employers" offer bogus contracts and other documentation to make them appear legitimate. Once the victim's trust has been obtained, packages are shipped to the victim's residence with instructions to reship the packages to another address. Once the package has been reshipped, the victim is "guilty" of receiving and shipping stolen property. This often leads to a visit from police, as the return address or shipping receipts lead back to the victim.

3. Envelope Stuffing Scams
These scams usually incorporate a "registration fee" which must be paid before work begins. Once this fee has been paid, the "employee" is asked to post an ad -- often the exact same ad that the "employee" responded to -- using his or her own contact info. Once the "employee" receives a response to their ad, he or she will stuff an envelope with information/instructions on how to get started and mail it to the new applicant. The victim is "paid" based on the number of responses received from the ad.

4. Medical Billing
Advertisements for these prepackaged businesses always contain an initial financial investment. The ad or solicitation explains that only a small percentage of medical claims are transmitted electronically and that the market for medical billing is wide open. In reality, the medical billing industry is fierce and revolves around several large and well-established firms. Because competition is so prevalent, few consumers who purchase medical billing business opportunities are able to locate clients to generate enough revenue to profit, and they usually can't even earn enough to recover their initial financial investment.

5. Work-at-Home Job Lists
These scams claim to sell lists of companies that are hiring for work-at-home positions. These lists are rarely updated and often yield a list of worthless leads.

6. Phishing
Phishing scams are cleverly hidden attempts to get your account information. These e-mails appear legitimate -- with professional-looking company logos and information -- and often claim that there is an urgent need for you to log into your account and verify personal information. If you receive one of these e-mails, check the destination URL on the provided link before attempting to login or submit any information; the links could actually lead the recipient to a false Web site. The victim may be asked to update their banking information or other sensitive information, which the site owner (aka scammer) will use for any number of illegal purposes.

Protect yourself
Before you send any money responding to job ads or completing job placement contracts, the Better Business Bureau offers the following tips to help job seekers avoid these types of scams:

· Avoid job listings that use these descriptions: "package forwarding," "reshipping," "money transfers," "wiring funds" and "foreign agent agreements." These and similar phrases should raise a red flag.

· Do not be fooled by official-sounding corporate names. Some scam artists operate under names that sound like those of long-standing, reputable firms.

· Never forward or transfer money from any of your personal accounts on behalf of your employer. Also, be suspicious if you are asked to "wire" money to an employer. If a legitimate job requires you to make money transfers, the money should be withdrawn from the employer's business account, not yours.

· Do not give out your personal financial information. A potential legitimate employer will not request your bank account, credit card or Paypal account number. Only provide your banking information if you are hired by a legitimate company and you choose to have your paycheck direct deposited.

· Do not fax copies of your ID or Social Security number to someone you have never met. Credit checks and fake IDs can be obtained with this information. Only give these documents to your employer when you are physically at the place of employment.

· If you have questions about the legitimacy of a job listing, contact your Better Business Bureau, your state or local consumer agency or the Federal Trade Commission.

By Michael Hargis

Tips for temp clerical workers

2011-01-02T08:34:00.000-08:00

As of this winter before 2011, the news that the recession is over is shakey. More companies are enjoying higher profits, but the news is still bleak on the street-level. Specifically, 80% of all new hires are temporaries. But being a Temp is not a bad way to break into a company.

Especially if you do a good job, and are asked to come back, or are offered a long upcoming Temp assignment. This gives you time to decide if you really want to work for that company in a possible Perm job, as well as give that company time to decide if you'd be an asset to their team.

Once companies feel more secure coming out of the recession, it's expected that they will start hiring more Perm workers, that can offer those companies more stability and depth of knowledge long-term. As a good Temp, you could be their first choice to fill a Perm position. This is a win-win situation, since you get to go Perm in a company you've already worked in, and the company doesn't have to waste time soliciting resumes and conducting interviews.

I worked numerous clerical Temp or Temp-to-Perm jobs in Los Angeles in the last century. And all of my best jobs I got went Perm after I was repeatedly asked back for various Temp positions in those companies. So let me offer you some Tips, of how to offer the best possible impression, and maximize your chances of being offered a Perm clerical position in a company you really like:

- First of all, sign up with as many Temp clerical agencies as you can. You will probably have to apply in person. Be upbeat and professional, and make a good impression. Be sure you leave with a few assignment-slips, and the name and phone number of the person who will be receiving and sending out the assignments.

- Sign up with a variety of clerical Temp agencies, from just-clerical to special agencies (like for Legal or Medical, if you qualify). And even mixed agencies, like Manpower, which offers clerical thru light industry jobs. Some agencies will be non-producers for you, and you can stop calling them if they never give you an assignment in six months. But doing a good job with other agencies' assignments, will boost both your reliability in the eyes of those agencies, and might get you slight but steady income raises.

- Don't just wait for an assignment! Get up early and call each Temp agency right when they open, and ask if they have an assignment you can fill. This persistance will pay off. And, if you don't have a job for the next day, be sure and call all the agencies a half hour before they close, to see if they have any assignments for the next day.

- Dress to fit the company. Even if the temp assignment says "Casual Dress", arriving in a nice dress or skirt outfit with suitable "day makeup" on the first day will make a nice impression. Just make sure you wear professional but comfortable (not new) shoes, and not so much jewelry, scarves or hair clips that you can't perform your job tasks. After that first day, and you've seen how others dress, you adjust your wardrobe accordingly.

- Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early to a new Temp assignment, since you'll probably have to wait in Reception for someone to take you back to your Temp desk and give you instructions. And be pleasant and positive with the Receptionist. Let her initiate any conversation after "Hello", and don't be negative. Some companies will ask that Receptionist how you behaved, since they aren't looking for unhappy, grumbly, gossipy, preoccupied with personal problems, stuck-up or know-it-all employees, even temporarily.

- Smile at everyone and be pleasant, but don't come on too strong or overly-friendly, with a forced toothy smile as you lunge at every new employee to shake their hand. Some employees may think that you are there only to try and steal their jobs, and others may get the impression that you might be a "run-everything" Control Freak type.

- Take a small briefcase or cloth bag to every temp job. In it, keep pens and pencils, Post It notes, a small notepad, and lunch or snacks. Noisily opening desk drawers, or bugging others for a pen or paper, makes you look unprepared and unprofessional. Sit down at your Temp desk and take out your own pen and notebook to write down your initial instructions, if there isn't an Instruction sheet left by the temporarily-gone employee, or handed to you by the person setting you up. You can go hunting for pen and paper and familiarize yourself with the desk, after you have received your instructions.

- If your Temp clerical position involves answering the phone, ask exactly how they want that phone answered. Then write that exact Greeting on a Post It Note and attach it to the phone. Your professionalism and polish by correctly answering that phone from the get-go will be noted.

- Attend to your tasks quickly and efficiently, but don't hesitate to ask for help if you get stuck. Sometimes the employee closest to you may be the best first resource for help. They may know the quirks of the machinery you are working on, or where the regular employee stores what in which computer or paper files.

- When you finish your tasks, ask your temporary supervisor what they have for you to do next. If they seemed stressed trying to think of something for you to do, assure them you would be happy to help someone else, and return to your area. If there are other clerical people nearby, casually ask if they have any tedious but simple tasks they've been putting off, that you could do. This will make a very good impression on the other employees, and it will get back to Personnel.

- If you are totally stumped for something else to do, do NOT read a book or magazine, unless you've been told that it is OK to do so. And don't gossip or be too nosey. Instead, explore the computer, but avoid playing video games or accessing sensitive files. Look around at any office equipment you are unfamiliar with, and ask someone who isn't busy to show you how to use it. This way, the more office equipment you know how to use, you can add to your Temp applications and your resume. As a last resort, when you have nothing to do, ask if you can take a Break or an early Lunch Period.

- Observe your surroundings. Are people happy and challenged? Or is everyone surly and unhappy? Do the supervisors and managers appear capable, positive and willing to work with new employees? Or are they just working their way up the corporate ladder, and are clearly careless or uninterested in their current job? These are all things you need to consider if you are asked to go Perm at that company.

- On a Break or during a slow period, take out your small notebook and make some notes. Put down the date, company, your temp "job", and the names of the supervisors/managers or other employees you interacted with. Write down primarily all verbal instructions that you don't want to forget, if you get asked back. "The CEO is Rick - never call him Richard." or "If the copier doesn't work, go find Joe Smith to fix it." These are not-so-insignificant things you can review in your notebook if you get called back to that company. And remembering these types of comments will make you look polished and professional, and truly interested in doing the best job you can.

- Do your best to stay out of office gossip. Especially since the gossipers' motivations may be murky. Plus, you may end up working for that "terrible" person, and end up liking him/her. If you have to work with a grumbly-gossiper, listen politely but say little, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, since you do NOT want it getting around "Even the Temp agreed with me!". Their rant about "the boss" may just mean they were bypassed for a promotion, got a smaller raise than they expected, or are having health or home problems that color their work environment too negatively. You can offer helpful suggestions, but don't buy into their negativity.

- Leave as you arrived, on-time and smiling. If you had a written Instruction sheet, ask the superviser/trainer if you can take it with you. This will be a great refreasher-course if you get asked back, but you don't want to just walk out with something that contains "sensitive information". (Make sure you fill out your temp slip, and get the correct person's signature.) Be sure to quickly thank the people who helped you, including the Receptionist, on the way out.

- If it is dark, and/or you parked in an isolated location, don't hesitate to ask for a guy to walk you to your car. Sometimes you can start asking around casually about 4PM, what males are also getting off at the same time as you, and if one of them is parked near your car. You can call or locate that man, and quietly ask him if he wouldn't mind walking you to your car. You don't want to come off "making demands" when you leave at 5-6PM, but your safety should be of concern to that company, as well as to you.

These Tips worked great for me, and I got some wonderful Perm jobs from companies that asked me back again and again as a Temp. I truly hope they work as well for you and other clerical Temp workers!

==================

by Marilyn Martin

Jobs Rated 2010: A Ranking of 200 Jobs From Best to Worst

2010-12-29T09:01:00.000-08:00

When launching their careers, many job seekers had a simple method of choosing the best job for them: They guessed. A job might "feel right" or "sound cool" or be considered successful according to the media, conventional wisdom or the advice of others. However, as many realtors and autoworkers will tell you, conventional wisdom can change. And with fierce competition for jobs making it tougher than ever to get a "do-over" if you make the wrong choice, guessing is not a smart approach to career management.

So if the lesson of the past year is that you need to determine the best career path for you the first time around, how exactly can you do that? For starters, having a few facts will help. CareerCast.com's 2010 Jobs Rated report offers a comprehensive analysis of 200 different jobs – from Accountant to Zoologist – giving each a unique ranking based on factual analysis and hard data, not guesswork. If you're entering (or re-entering) the job market and want to avoid selecting the wrong career, our rankings can help you make a stronger, more informed decision, both for today and the long-term.

How does Jobs Rated determine which professions rank better than others? Data on each job is broken down into five key categories: Physical Demands, Work Environment, Income, Stress and Hiring Outlook. Jobs receive a score in each individual category, and when these are added together, the career with the best overall score is ranked 1st, while the one with the worst overall score is ranked 200th.

Of course every employee is different, and what you consider a "dream job" might be someone else's idea of a career nightmare. Because of this, a simple ranking may not be enough – you need to know what a particular job is really like on a day-to-day basis. This is where the survey's individual scores and rankings can help. If you're the type who cares a lot about income but doesn't mind stress, for example, public relations executive might be a great career for you. While the job may seem less desirable with an overall ranking of 79, it ranks 19th for median income and 193rd for stress – perfect for the job seeker who wants good pay and can handle a high-stress environment.

1. Actuary

Interprets statistics to determine probabilities of accidents, sickness, and death, and loss of property from theft and natural disasters.

Overall Score: 46.00
Income: $85,229.00

Work Environment:

179.440
Stress:

20.187
Physical Demands:

3.97
Hiring Outlook:

24.79

2. Software Engineer

Researches, designs, develops and maintains software systems along with hardware development for medical, scientific, and industrial purposes.

Overall Score: 66.00
Income: $85,139.00

Work Environment:

150.000
Stress:

25.000
Physical Demands:

5.00
Hiring Outlook:

45.39

3. Computer Systems Analyst

Plans and develops computer systems for businesses and scientific institutions.

Overall Score: 77.00
Income: $76,162.00

Work Environment:

90.780
Stress:

24.965
Physical Demands:

5.08
Hiring Outlook:

29.62

4. Biologist

Studies the relationship of plants and animals to their environment.

Overall Score: 123.00
Income: $71,279.00

Work Environment:

314.370
Stress:

26.946
Physical Demands:

4.98
Hiring Outlook:

24.79

5. Historian

Analyzes and records historical information from a specific era or according to a particular area of expertise.

Overall Score: 132.00
Income: $62,226.00

Work Environment:

136.410
Stress:

28.419
Physical Demands:

5.09
Hiring Outlook:

24.26

6. Mathematician

Applies mathematical theories and formulas to teach or solve problems in a business, educational, or industrial climate.

Overall Score: 133.00
Income: $95,161.00

Work Environment:

89.720
Stress:

24.673
Physical Demands:

3.97
Hiring Outlook:

11.11

7. Paralegal Assistant

Assists attorneys in preparation of legal documents; collection of depositions and affidavits; and investigation, research and analysis of legal issues.

Overall Score: 179.00
Income: $46,152.00

Work Environment:

263.820
Stress:

23.084
Physical Demands:

5.79
Hiring Outlook:

22.52

8. Statistician

Tabulates, analyzes, and interprets the numeric results of experiments and surveys.

Overall Score: 187.00
Income: $73,193.00

Work Environment:

89.520
Stress:

27.975
Physical Demands:

3.95
Hiring Outlook:

9.93

9. Accountant

Prepares and analyzes financial reports to assist managers in business, industry and government.

Overall Score: 190.00
Income: $59,176.00

Work Environment:

276.780
Stress:

31.138
Physical Demands:

4.23
Hiring Outlook:

18.76

10. Dental Hygienist

Assists dentists in diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of a group or private dental practice.

Overall Score: 198.00
Income: $67,107.00

Work Environment:

593.250
Stress:

24.719
Physical Demands:

7.00
Hiring Outlook:

30.07

11. Philosopher

Studies questions concerning the nature of intellectual concepts, and attempts to construct rational theories concerning our understanding of the world around us.

Overall Score: 207.00
Income: $60,218.00

Work Environment:

361.440
Stress:

30.497
Physical Demands:

6.04
Hiring Outlook:

24.18

12. Meteorologist

Studies the physical characteristics, motions and processes of the earth's atmosphere.

Overall Score: 210.00
Income: $81,226.00

Work Environment:

179.640
Stress:

29.192
Physical Demands:

6.98
Hiring Outlook:

12.26

13. Technical Writer

Transforms scientific and technical information into readily understandable language.

Overall Score: 215.00
Income: $62,162.00

Work Environment:

221.250
Stress:

36.506
Physical Demands:

5.85
Hiring Outlook:

20.12

14. Bank Officer

Oversees the successful operations by assisting in the direction of policies and procedures for a financial institution.

Overall Score: 222.00
Income: $88,217.00

Work Environment:

390.560
Stress:

35.395
Physical Demands:

4.76
Hiring Outlook:

14.67

15. Web Developer

Creating and maintaining layout, navigation, and interactivity of intranet and internet websites.

Overall Score: 229.00
Income: $60,090.00

Work Environment:

275.000
Stress:

27.000
Physical Demands:

10.00
Hiring Outlook:

29.40

16. Industrial Engineer

Plans for optimum use of facilities and personnel to improve industrial efficiency.

Overall Score: 232.00
Income: $74,123.00

Work Environment:

230.300
Stress:

34.545
Physical Demands:

8.21
Hiring Outlook:

20.73

17. Financial Planner

Related to careers in portfolio management, the financial planner offers a broad range of services aimed at assisting individuals in managing and planning their financial future.

Overall Score: 233.00
Income: $59,353.00

Work Environment:

225.000
Stress:

38.350
Physical Demands:

4.00
Hiring Outlook:

16.03

18. Aerospace Engineer

Designs, develops, and tests new technologies concerned with the manufacture of commercial and military aircraft and spacecraft.

Overall Score: 254.00
Income: $93,133.00

Work Environment:

230.300
Stress:

34.545
Physical Demands:

6.21
Hiring Outlook:

10.33

19. Pharmacist

Advises physicians and patients on the affects of drugs and medications; prepares and dispenses prescriptions.

Overall Score: 260.00
Income: $106,070.00

Work Environment:

788.640
Stress:

25.877
Physical Demands:

8.86
Hiring Outlook:

22.20

20. Medical Records Technician

Maintains complete, accurate, and up-to-date medical records for use in treatment, billing, and statistical surveys.

Overall Score: 263.00
Income: $31,150.00

Work Environment:

165.200
Stress:

19.620
Physical Demands:

7.26
Hiring Outlook:

17.00

The 2010 Jobs Rated rankings serve as a guide for anyone trying to get a clearer picture of employment in an uncertain time. Whether you're graduating from college, have recently found yourself downsized or just can't stand the thought of going back to the grind for one more day, our rankings and individual category scores can help you take the guesswork out of your job search. And with facts on your side, you'll be starting out ahead of the game.

=======================

By Andrew Strieber

Seeking Employment Online - Is Fear a Factor?

2010-12-21T08:54:00.000-08:00

(6 Tips to Protect Your Privacy)

Does the thought of posting your resume online and exposing yourself to hundreds of thousands of Internet users give you white knuckles? If so, your fears are founded. According to the FBI, identity theft is the number one fraud perpetrated on the Internet. So how do job seekers protect themselves while continuing to circulate their resumes online? The key to a successful online job search is learning to manage the risks. Here are some tips for staying safe while conducting a job search on the Internet.

1. Check for a privacy policy.
If you are considering posting your resume online, make sure the job search site you are considering has a privacy policy, like CareerBuilder.com. The policy should spell out how your information will be used, stored and whether or not it will be shared. You may want to think twice about posting your resume on a site that automatically shares your information with others. You could be opening yourself up for unwanted calls from solicitors.

When reviewing the site's privacy policy, you'll be able to delete your resume just as easily as you posted it. You won't necessarily want your resume to remain out there on the Internet once you land a job. Remember, the longer your resume remains posted on a job board, the more exposure, both positive and not-so-positive, it will receive.

2. Take advantage of site features.
Legitimate job search sites offer levels of privacy protection. Before posting your resume, carefully consider your job search objectives and the level of risk you are willing to assume.

CareerBuilder.com, for example, offers three levels of privacy from which job seekers can choose. The first is standard posting. This option gives job seekers who post their resumes the most visibility to the broadest employer audience possible.

The second is anonymous posting. This allows job seekers the same visibility as those in the standard posting category without any of their contact information being displayed. Job seekers who wish to remain anonymous but want to share some other information may choose which pieces of contact information to display.

The third is private posting. This option allows job seekers to post their resumes without having it searched by employers. Private posting allows job seekers to quickly and easily apply for jobs that appear on CareerBuilder.com without retyping their information.

3. Safeguard your identity.
Career experts say that one of the ways job seekers can stay safe while using the Internet to search out jobs is to conceal their identities. Replace your name on your resume with a generic identifier such as:

Confidential Candidate
Intranet Developer Candidate
Confidential Resume: Experienced Marketing Representative

You should also consider eliminating the name and location of your current employer. Depending on your title, it may not be all that difficult to determine who you are once the name of your company is provided. Use a general description of the company such as:

Major auto manufacturer
International packaged goods supplier
Confidential employer

If your job title is unique, consider using the generic equivalent instead of the exact title assigned by your employer.

4. Establish an email address for your search.
Another way to protect your privacy while seeking employment online is to open up a mail account specifically for your online job search. This will safeguard your existing email box in the event someone you don't know gets a hold of your email address and shares it with others. Using a dedicated email address specifically for your job search also eliminates the possibility that you will receive unwelcome email solicitations in your primary mailbox. When naming your new email address, be sure it is nondescript and that it doesn't contain references to your name or other information that will give away your identity. The best solution is an email address that is relevant to the job you are seeking such as salesmgr2004@provider.com.

5. Protect your references.
If your resume contains a section with the names and contact information for your references, take it out. There's no sense in safeguarding your information while sharing private contact information for your references.

6. Keep confidential information confidential.
Do not, under any circumstances, share your social security, driver's license, and bank account numbers or other personal information, such as marital status or eye color. Credible employers do not need this information with an initial application. Don't provide this even if they say they need it in order to conduct a background check. This is one of the oldest tricks in the book - don't fall for it. Most legitimate employers don't do background checks until they have met with you, conducted an extensive interview process, and decided you're the ideal candidate. Even then, you need only provide limited information. Contact an attorney if you still have concerns.

-----------------

By Kate Lorenz

Success Without a College Degree?

2010-12-20T08:45:00.000-08:00

Six Hot Shots Who Made It

Many think the only way to succeed is through education. While piling on the degrees can earn you piles of dough -- and debt -- it's not the only option.

Some of today's most successful people don't have a college degree. But what they lack in academic credentials, they make up for in tenacity, brains, guts and strong business sense.

Richard Branson
In 1970, Richard Branson founded Virgin as a mail order record retailer, and not long afterward he opened a record shop in London. Two years later, the first Virgin artist, Mike Oldfield, recorded "Tubular Bells." Since then many household names, including Ben Harper, Fatboy Slim, Perry Farrell, Gorillaz, Lenny Kravitz, Janet Jackson and The Rolling Stones have helped to make Virgin Music one of the top record companies in the world.

Branson sold the equity of Virgin Music Group -- record labels, music publishing and recording studios -- in 1992 in a $1 billion deal, but he remains chairman of Virgin Group, which today includes Virgin Atlantic, Books, Games, LifeCare, Limousines, Megastores and Hotels.

Barry Diller
Barry Diller started his career in the mail room of the William Morris Agency after dropping out of UCLA after one semester. He was hired by ABC in 1966 where he created the ABC Movie of the Week, pioneering the concept of the made-for-television movie.

At age 32, he became president of Paramount Pictures, which produced a string of successful television shows (Laverne and Shirley, Taxi, Cheers) and feature films (Saturday Night Fever, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Beverly Hills Cop) under his helm. From 1984 to 1992, he was chairman and CEO of Fox Studios and was responsible for creating the Fox Broadcasting Company. Today, Diller is the chairman of Expedia and the chairman and CEO of IAC/InterActiveCorp, which includes Citysearch, Evite, Home Shopping Network, Lending Tree, Match.com and Ticketmaster .

Matt Drudge
Pundit, blogger and radio personality Matt Drudge is best known as the proprietor of the Drudge Report Web site. "The only good grades I got in school were for current events," he has said of his education. Drudge opted out of college and floated among a number of odd jobs including convenience store clerk, book salesman and grocery store sales assistant.

In 1989, he moved to Los Angeles and took a job in the gift shop of CBS studios, eventually working his way up to manager. The inside scoop he learned while in this position was allegedly part of the inspiration for founding his gossip rag The Drudge Report. The tabloid made gained notoriety when it was the first to break the news of a relationship between White House intern Monica Lewinsky and President Bill Clinton in 1998.

Janus Friis
Named to Time Magazine's 2006 list of 100 most influential people, Janus Friis holds no formal education. He worked at the help desk of CyberCity, one of Denmark's first ISPs and later worked at Tele2, the leading alternative consumer oriented pan-European telecom operator. It was at Tele2 where Friis met Niklas Zennström, with whom he co-founded the file-sharing application KaZaA and Skype, the peer-to-peer telephony application. In early 2006, Friis and Zennström sold Skype to eBay for $2.6 billion.

Rachael Ray
Rachael Ray's career started at Macy's department store, first at the candy counter and then as the manager of the fresh foods department. Ray quickly followed with stints in gourmet markets and restaurants in New York. At gourmet food market Cowan & Lobel, she began a series of cooking classes -- 30 Minute Meals. Those classes became so popular that she was soon doing weekly segments for the evening news.

Today, Ray is an Emmy-winning television personality who hosts a nationally syndicated talk show and four different programs the Food Network, publishes her own magazine, and has written multiple cookbooks.

Jeff Valdez
Named one of AdAge's Marketing 50 in 2005, Jeff Valdez grew up the youngest of nine children in a housing project in Pueblo, Colorado. As a young adult, he moved through several jobs and ended up as a drummer with a lounge band called Wildfire. Valdez later returned to Colorado after about 10 years of touring and opened a comedy club where he did stand-up. In 1990, he threw his hat into the political ring and made a failed bid for mayor of Colorado Springs. But in 2004, he launched Si TV, the first all-English language network targeting a Hispanic audience.

Anna Wintour
Best identified by her trademark sunglasses and pageboy hairstyle, Anna Wintour is an icon of the fashion world. She reportedly attended North London Collegiate School, but never graduated. She started in 1970 working in the fashion department of Harpers and Queen in London. In 1976, she was named fashion editor of Harper's Bazaar, followed by a brief stint at New York Magazine, three years as creative director of American Vogue, and finally named editor of British Vogue in 1986.

In 1998, she became editor-in-chief of American Vogue. Wintour's work style is so notorious, the novel "The Devil Wears Prada" and its subsequent motion picture are said to be based on her. In recent years, she's focused on many philanthropic endeavors including raising more than $10 million for AIDS, putting Vogue's support behind women-owned businesses in Kabul, Afganistan, and promoting various post-9/11 campaigns.

===========

By Kate Lorenz

Internet Tips and Tricks to Help You Land Your Next Job

2010-12-19T01:16:00.000-08:00

There's a wealth of career information on the Internet, and these resources are just a mouse-click away for any job seeker.

But as comprehensive as sites like CareerBuilder.com are, there are other resources on the Internet you can use to land a new job. Here are a few tips and tricks to help maximize your job search on the Web.

1. Career assessment tests

Career assessment tests can be engaging and fun, and the results can give you important insight into your working style to help you find the best fit.

For example, CareerPath.com has a number of helpful career tests, including a color test that gauges your reaction to colors and suggests potential career paths based on the result. Take note of any keywords that appear in your test results and use them as search terms.

2. Network, network, network

Most career experts encourage job seekers to expand their networks. You can connect with other professionals via Web sites like BrightFuse and LinkedIn, and even a personal contact on Facebook can provide an important connection to an opportunity.

Alumni groups with an online presence can also be a great place to network, since the focus of those groups is their eagerness to connect with fellow graduates.

If you're not sure where to start, sign on to a networking site. Search for current or former co-workers and managers and invite them to join your network. Engage your network by sending messages and giving other users recommendations or kudos for the positive experience you had with them.

3. Research your prospective employer

If you're competing against other candidates with equally impressive skills, education and experience, you really need to break ahead of the pack. One way to do that is to know your prospective employer.

Start with the company's Web site; look in the "About Us," "Media" or "Press Room" sections. To be fully informed, you'll want to check out other sites with detailed information.

"Use online news sites to understand which companies are doing well or expanding," suggests Patrick Madsen, the director of professional career services at The Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. "Reading through articles and generally knowing where the world is going can open potential new doors and windows."

Madsen also suggests that job seekers research information sites like Hoover's, Vault.com or Careerbeam to learn about companies.

4. Person to person

Do an Internet search on yourself. A recent CareerBuilder.com survey found that one in four hiring managers are researching candidates online. If there's any information out there that could hurt your chances of being hired, you need to be aware of it.

Once you've landed an interview, you can also research the person you'll be talking to. Madsen recommends doing a simple Google search on the interviewer's name, as well as checking Facebook or LinkedIn to see if he has a profile there. The interviewer may also be featured on the company's Web site.

Mark Moran, founder and CEO of Dulcinea Media in New York City, says this step is vitally important. "I've interviewed perhaps 500 people in the last five years, and I can tell you most of them failed to get the job because they did not use the Internet to research me, the company or our industry."

5. Brave the cold

It's ideal to use sites like CareerBuilder.com to reply to job postings from employers actively seeking candidates in your field. But you can also use the Internet to do a "cold" search on companies that are in your field.

Career expert Chris Russell, the founder of the Secrets of the Job Hunt blog, recalls his initial job search. He researched companies in his area (none of which were actively hiring) and compiled a list of 80. From there, he identified a contact at each company. Russell launched his own "direct mail" campaign and soon had seven interviews. One of those companies hired him.

The twist to the story? Russell's job search was in the pre-Internet days of 1993. "The Internet would have made my campaign a much easier one if I had access to it back then. Today, there is so much information on the World Wide Web it can be daunting," he admits. "But if you know where to search, you can end your job hunt that much faster."

6. Back to basics

Some important basic tips to remember when using the Internet to land your new job:

- Make sure your e-mail address is professional; a handle like "partyguy2002" will give employers a negative perception of you before you've even started.

- Don't rely on spell check alone to capture any errors in e-mails, cover letters and résumés. The difference between the word "shift" and a common curse word is only one letter.

- Be sure to have text-only versions of any documents, so they can be easily sent or submitted to employers.

------------------

By CareerBuilder

7 Signs of Poor Productivity

2010-12-18T07:51:00.000-08:00

If you're like most professionals, there never seems to be enough time in the day. A handful of e-mails may keep you in the office past the time you had planned to leave, or you might find yourself working on Saturday after barely touching a key project during the week. Short of adding an extra hour or two to the day, what can you do to complete everything on your plate?

One solution is to identify and eliminate productivity pitfalls from your workday. Consider the following signs of poor productivity and ways of improving your habits:

1. Not knowing what to tackle first.
If you have dozens of to-dos, it can be difficult to determine which to work on first; you may approach a low-priority project immediately only because it was top of mind. Spending just 10 to 15 minutes at the start of your day organizing your work is a simple and highly effective way to boost your productivity. You'll be able to prioritize and identify the most pressing projects.

2. Biting off more than you can chew.
When you're facing a complicated or tedious assignment, what's the first thing you usually do? Procrastinate, probably. The result is that you have to scramble to finish the assignment on time. A better approach is to break your work down into smaller, more manageable tasks. You'll feel a sense of accomplishment each time you reach a milestone and gradually work toward your goal.

3. Working at the wrong time.
In a recent survey by our company, 57 percent of executives said Tuesday is the most productive day of the week. Monday came in a distant second with just 12 percent of the response. The lesson: Schedule your most important projects for days and times when you are most productive. If you typically have meetings in the morning, for instance, you may save an assignment that requires a lot of concentration for the afternoon.

4. Having an unruly inbox.
Instead of boosting productivity, e-mail can quickly decrease your effectiveness. Over time, trying to keep up with an ever-expanding and unorganized inbox can steal hours from your day. To avoid this, clean your inbox weekly; delete unnecessary messages and file the important ones in an appropriate folder. In addition, remember that some discussions are easier and quicker to conduct in person or by phone. The less e-mail you send, the less you are apt to receive.

5. Keeping your door open.
It's important to be accessible to colleagues, but you occasionally need some time for yourself. When you're under a tight deadline or working on a crucial assignment, minimize distractions and curtail interruptions by closing your door or hanging a "Do Not Disturb" sign in your work area. But keep in mind your request will lose impact if your sign is posted at all times.

6. Staying put.
As most people know, sitting at your computer for hours on end can be draining and put you in a productivity rut. Recharge and clear your head by taking short breaks throughout the day. For instance, you may take a quick stroll around the building or sit at a picnic table outside. Getting some fresh air can be an invigorating break from your routine and give you the energy you need to tackle your next assignment.

7. Missing opportunities to save time.
Small "time cheats" that save you a few minutes here or there can significantly boost your productivity. For example, rather than responding to every e-mail as it comes in – and losing momentum – hit Reply, then save the message in your Drafts folder. You'll be able to respond to the message at a more convenient time – and won't forget to answer the person who wrote you.

Finally, be realistic. While you want to push yourself, if your productivity goals are impossible to achieve, you'll end up frustrated, not motivated. Start with small objectives, such as limiting your unanswered e-mail to a single screen before leaving the office each night. As you begin to hit your initial targets, you can gradually increase the challenge.

Robert HalfInternational

10 Industries to Watch

2010-12-17T07:13:00.000-08:00

Where are the jobs now and where will they be in five years?

The economy's current state might be better than it was in the tail end of 2008, but it definitely has room for improvement. The unemployment rate cracked 10 percent and companies continue to cut jobs. People want to find jobs now, and understandably so.

The march toward recovery is frustratingly slow, however, which means job seekers who are looking for work today also need to keep an eye on the future. Industries that aren't thriving today will bounce back and grow in the coming years. Therefore, you can job hunt now and still work toward your long-term career goals.

Where the jobs are now
In his new book, "Where the Jobs Are Now," Joe Watson looks at the industries that are hiring right now, despite the sluggish economy. Some sectors are booming because of increased demands -- some related to the economy. Watson identifies seven industries experiencing a boon right now: health care, biotechnology, education, green energy, government, security and information technology.

Why? Well, the answer is different for each industry. Right now, many professionals are returning to school to earn a degree, get a certification or brush up on the latest technology. Therefore an increase in education jobs, from the administrative level to teaching positions, makes sense. An aging population is putting more demands on health care workers and also emphasizing the importance of biotechnology. New technology and a cultural desire for sustainability are increasing the need for green technology. The reasons go on and on, but ultimately they all prove that certain needs don't disappear just because of a sour economy.

Which industries will grow
Meanwhile, for other industries, growth isn't happening just yet, but it will soon. The economy won't stay in its current state forever, and depending on the source, some people claim we're on an upswing right now.

Regardless, throughout the next five years some sectors will rise above others, says Toon van Beeck, senior analyst for industry research firm IBISWorld. "Some industries on the list have taken a major hit during the recessions," he explains. "But as economic conditions improve, resurgence in global demand and rising commodity prices will boost conditions in those sectors."

"Some industries on the list have taken a major hit during the recessions," he explains. "But as economic conditions improve, resurgence in global demand and rising commodity prices will boost conditions in those sectors."

Perhaps you can't predict the future, but IBISWorld analyzed more than 700 U.S. industries in order to understand where the jobs will be in the near future. Based on IBISWorld's number crunching, here are 10 industries that will have the fastest employment growth in the next five years:

1. Voice over Internet protocol providers (VoIP)
2009 employees: 17,110
Projected 2014 employees: 34,850
Annualized growth: 15.3 percent

2. Private equity, hedge funds and investment vehicles
2009 employees: 35,200
Projected 2014 employees: 58,700
Annualized growth: 10.8 percent

3. Single-family home building
2009 employees: 435,000
Projected 2014 employees: 655,000
Annualized growth: 8.5 percent

4. Car and automobile manufacturing
2009 employees: 50,756
Projected 2014 employees: 73,950
Annualized growth: 7.8 percent

5. Environmental consulting
2009 employees: 122,922
Projected 2014 employees: 176,519
Annualized growth: 7.5 percent

6. Multi-family housing construction
2009 employees: 60,000
Projected 2014 employees: 86,000
Annualized growth: 7.5 percent

7. Search engines
2009 employees: 29,530
Projected 2014 employees: 40,850
Annualized growth: 6.7 percent

8. New car dealers
2009 employees: 750,825
Projected 2014 employees: 1,033,679
Annualized growth: 6.6 percent

9. Court reporting services
2009 employees: 271,843
Projected 2014 employees: 370,993
Annualized growth: 6.4 percent

10. Mining, oil and gas machinery manufacturing
2009 employees: 45,169
Projected 2014 employees: 60,716
Annualized growth: 6.1 percent

---------------------

By Anthony Balderrama

Come to the Fair -- Prepared!

2010-12-16T05:37:00.000-08:00

Job fairs are a great way to shop for new job opportunities, network and make personal contacts with recruiters at various organizations.

Here are some techniques recommended by experts to ensure that your performance at the fair doesn't turn into a circus:

Do some scouting. If you've never been to a job fair, attend the next one that comes to your city for observational purposes. Pay attention to recruiters and fellow job seekers to pick up some pointers on how to dress, how to approach a company's booth appropriately and how to successfully work the room.

Do some research. Find out which companies will be represented and learn about them in advance through corporate Web sites or other tools. The more you know, the more you can converse with the company representative in the booth and the more memorable you will be. You will also appear much more professional than unprepared job seekers who make the mistake of starting off their conversations with company representatives by asking, "What does your company do?"

Deliver your key messages quickly. Interviewers are very busy, so don't waste their time. Work on a "sound bite" that says what your skills are, the type of work that interests you and the kind of company with which you want to associate.

Plan some questions. If you have additional time, be ready to ask intelligent questions. Ask how departments are organized and how your skills might be utilized within the framework of the company. Also show you know something about the company by asking questions about a recent product release, acquisition or other relevant news. And make sure to ask the interviewer what he or she likes best about the corporate culture to better assess if this company is right for you.

Get the interviewer's business card. If an interview goes well, you will want to follow up with a letter that reinforces the points you made and the facts you learned. If you made a good impression at the fair, the interviewer probably has made a note to that effect and will remember that you passed his or her on-site screen.

Take advantage of the obvious. Sometimes recruiters will post job openings at their booth and provide written information. Grab all of the information you can on site before you get in line for an interview so you won't waste precious time discussing the obvious.

Dress appropriately. You are going to a job interview, so dress the part. Break out the business attire and shine your shoes. It's better to error on the side of the conservative than to be too casual.

Show your pearly whites. Smile when you meet the interviewer. Give a firm handshake. (If you are prone to sweaty palms, bring a handkerchief to use as a towel.) Keep breath mints on hand and make eye contact.

Be organized. Bring plenty of resumes with you. Keep them in a nice folder so you don't get fingerprints all over them. Have a notebook for memos to yourself.

Avoid the shopping spree. Many companies give out freebies at their booths. It's OK to pick up an item or two, but don't leave the impression that you are shopping for your kids. The main impression you want to make is that you are very interested and very qualified for a job.

Keep lively. The lines may be daunting, but don't fail to maximize this opportunity. Talk to every company that fits your experience and ambitions. If you meet with 20 recruiters, at the end of the day you will know 20 people by name. That sure beats sending a blind resume to "Personnel Director."

-------------------------

By Kate Lorenz,

10 Booming Jobs in the Business Sector

2010-12-15T04:33:00.000-08:00

Many of today's fastest-growing and most lucrative job opportunities are in business. In fact, experts predict this sizzling field will offer 2.2 million new jobs and grow by 14 percent through 2014.

College students, in particular, are in hot pursuit of these growing opportunities. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, more than 300,000 students earn a business degree each year. That's double the number of students pursuing any other major, and the rate continues to skyrocket.

Even job seekers without degrees can take advantage of growing opportunities in this expanding field. "You don't need to have an MBA to get a good job in the business world. In fact, the business jobs with the most annual openings typically require only on-the-job training, such as customer service representatives and bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks," write the editors at Jist in its "Business CareerVision Book and DVD."

The "Business CareerVision Book and DVD" ranks the top jobs in the business field, according to a combined score of each job's annual earnings, percent growth and annual openings. According to the book, here are the 10 best business jobs overall:

Computer and information systems managers

Annual earnings: $96,520

Percent growth: 25.9 percent

Annual openings: 25,000

General and operations managers

Annual earnings: $81,480

Percent growth: 17.0 percent

Annual openings: 208,000

Accountants

Annual earnings: $52,210

Percent growth: 22.4 percent

Annual openings: 157,000

Auditors

Annual earnings: $52,210

Percent growth: 22.4 percent

Annual openings: 157,000

Medical and health services managers

Annual earnings: $69,700

Percent growth: 22.8 percent

Annual openings: 33,000

Sales managers

Annual earnings: $87,580

Percent growth: 19.7 percent

Annual openings: 40,000

Management analysts

Annual earnings: $66,380

Percent growth: 20.1 percent

Annual openings: 82,000

Financial managers

Annual earnings: $86,280

Percent growth: 14.8 percent

Annual openings: 63,000

Marketing managers

Annual earnings: $92,680

Percent growth: 20.8 percent

Annual openings: 23,000

Personal financial advisers

Annual earnings: $63,500

Percent growth: 25.9 percent

Annual openings: 17,000

*Jobs 3 and 4 share 157,000 annual openings

---------------

By Selena Dehne,

Companies hiring this month

2010-12-14T04:54:00.000-08:00

Who's hiring in December

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' most recent figures, 29 states and Washington, D.C., have lower unemployment rates than they did in 2010. And in the most recently released month-over-month figures, 41 states saw an increase in nonfarm employment.

The year's winding down and even if the economy isn't as robust as it was a decade ago, it is certainly healthier than it was a year ago judging by these statistics. This progress, albeit slow, is welcomed by job seekers who remember how bleak the hiring outlook felt a couple of years ago.

And the companies that are hiring aren't necessarily putting their recruitment on hold in December just because it's a busy time of year. In fact, the end of the year presents several opportunities for job seekers. Some companies are preparing to spend their 2011 budgets and want to interview and extend offers to employees now so that they can begin in the new year. Other companies can't wait until next year and need to fill their vacancies now.

They need employees right now and you might never have a better opportunity to stand out than right now. While everyone else is pausing their job searches, you can stand out in a less crowded pool of applicants.

Therefore, here are companies hiring in December:

Addus Healthcare, Inc.
Industry: In-home health care
Sample job titles: Nurses, therapists, regional managers, account executives, home care aides
Location: Nationwide

AkzoNobel
Industry: Manufacturing, specialty chemicals, performance coatings, paints, sales and retail operations
Sample job titles: Store associate, store manager, account manager, process engineer, chemist, field service representative
Location: Nationwide

Altec
Industry: Manufacturing
Sample job titles: Quality manager, field service technician, hydraulic field technicians, outside sales, trainer
Location: Nationwide

BBVA Compass
Industry: Banking / finance
Sample job titles: Bank teller, financial sales associate
Location: Texas, Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Colorado, New Mexico

Boehringer Ingelheim
Industry: Pharmaceutical
Sample job titles: Primary care sales representatives, R&D scientists, project managers, financial analysts, quality and validations
Location: Nationwide

CarMax
Industry: Automotive / retail
Sample job titles: Automotive technicians, detailers, sales consultants, management trainees
Location: Nationwide

Citi Trends
Industry: Retail
Sample job titles: Store manager, store associate, merchandiser, operations manager, manager in training
Location: Nationwide

Country Financial
Industry: Insurance and financial services
Sample job titles: Financial representative
Location: Chicago, Minneapolis, Iowa City, St. Louis, Atlanta, Nashville, Fort Collins, Tulsa, Kansas City, Phoenix, Portland, Bellevue, Wash., Brookfield, Wis.

DirecTV
Industry: Video technology
Sample job titles: Customer service representative
Location: Nationwide

General Dynamics Information Technology
Industry: Defense contractor
Sample job titles: Network engineers, IT security specialists, network administrators, IT specialists, intelligence analysts
Location: Washington, D.C., Virginia, Maryland, Arizona, Florida, Massachusetts, Texas

Global Experience Specialist (GES)
Industry: Professional services - convention and trade shows
Sample job titles: Sale coordinator, account managers, exhibit services coordinator
Location: Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York, Chicago, Dallas

Harbor Freight Tools
Industry: Transportation
Sample job titles: District manager, store sales associates, inventory, purchasing, supply chain
Location: Nationwide

Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG)
Industry: Hotel / hospitality
Sample job titles: Hotel sales manager, general manager, hospitality
Location: Worldwide

Millennium Pharmacy Systems, Inc
Industry: Health care
Sample job titles: Pharmacy technician, pharmacist, billing specialist, pharmacy manager, project manager, consultant pharmacist, customer service representatives
Location: Cranberry, Penn., Orlando, Gaithersburg, Md., Philadelphia

MV Transportation
Industry: Transit
Sample job titles: General managers, fleet maintenance managers, fleet technicians, CDL drivers, safety managers, operations managers, director of accounting, proposal writer
Location: Nationwide

Northern Virginia Community College
Industry: Education
Sample job titles: Computer graphics and Web design teacher, political science teacher, development writing teacher, early childhood development teacher
Location: Annandale, Va.

Plymouth Auctioneering
Industry: Fine art sales / travel / entertainment
Sample job titles: International fine art sales and marketing
Location: Nationwide

REI Systems, Inc.
Industry: Software development and design
Sample job titles: Applications mockup developers, business analysts, database engineers, enterprise report writers, Java developers, Linux system administrators, .Net software engineers
Locations: Virginia, Washington D.C.

Saber Healthcare
Industry: Health care
Sample job titles: Director of nursing, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech language pathologist
Location: Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Carrabelle, Fla.

ServiceMaster
Industry: Home and commercial maintenance, repair and care
Sample job titles: Sales agent, collection agent, lawncare specialist, outbound sales supervisor
Location: Nationwide

Target
Industry: Retail
Sample job titles: Cashier, sales-floor team members, logistics team members, food team members
Location: Nationwide

University of Utah Health Care
Industry: Health care
Sample job titles: Electrophysiology lab manager, health information coder, outpatient coding manager, inpatient coding educator, inpatient and acute care pharmacists, medical unit and oncology unit
Location: Salt Lake City

Volkswagen Group of America
Industry: Automotive
Sample job titles: Quality engineering specialist, area after sales manager, industrial engineer, assistant manager (assembly, production control specialist), manager (sales and distribution)
Location: Nationwide

Wireless Advocates
Industry: Wireless technology / retail
Sample job titles: Sales manager, retail sales associate
Location: Nationwide

Anthony Balderrama,

22 Commonly confused job titles: What do these workers actually do?

2010-12-12T11:26:00.000-08:00

Many jobs have similar-sounding names, which can lead to confusion. Type in "ornithologist" when you meant to search the Web for an orthodontist and you'll find someone who can identify the bird in your yard, but not help with an overbite. Here are some other occupational mix-ups:

1. Aesthetician vs. anesthetist
Aesthetician (also spelled esthetician) Laurie Neronha of Rhode Island is used to people asking what hospital she works at -- even though she is not in the health-care industry. "I do not put people out, unless they get really relaxed!" Neronha jokes. As a licensed skin-care professional, she gives facials, peels and other treatments. Anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists, on the other hand, are medical professionals trained to administer anesthesia.

2. Optometrist vs. ophthalmologist vs. optician
Speaking of people in the health-care industry, who do you go to when you need new glasses? Most of the time that would be an optometrist -- a person with a doctor of optometry degree who examines people's eyes to diagnose vision problems and prescribe corrective treatment. An ophthalmologist can do these things too, but these licensed physicians are better known for treating eye diseases and injuries and performing surgery. An optician is the person who fits and adjusts eyeglasses.

3. Psychiatrist vs. psychologist
Like the difference between an ophthalmologist and an optometrist, a medical degree is one of the primary things distinguishing a psychiatrist from a psychologist. Both professionals are concerned with mental health and can have an individual practice or be employed by an organization. Depending on their focus, both may do research, conduct psychological testing or see patients for therapy sessions. In all but a few states, however, only psychiatrists can prescribe drugs.

4. Athletic trainer vs. personal trainer
Myke Triebold of Niceville, Fla., wishes that people would have a better understanding of what it takes to be an athletic trainer. "I graduated from Penn State with a bachelor's degree in health and physical education. I then returned as a graduate student to complete my training as a certified athletic trainer." While her duties include "complete oversight of the medical needs of athletic teams, including being the first on the scene for injuries, injury evaluation and physical rehabilitation," people often assume she does the same thing as a personal trainer -- someone who works with individuals or small groups to help them reach fitness goals.

5. Sociologist vs. social worker
"Social workers often work with individuals to help them overcome problems in their lives. In contrast, sociologists often study the social forces that give rise to so many people in society having all kinds of social problems," says Tim Madigan, associate professor of sociology at Mansfield University in Mansfield, Penn. Because they work with the public in such an intimate way -- doing everything from advocacy to interventions -- states have various licensing requirements for social workers. Sociologists traditionally hold academic degrees and often use their keen observation and interpretation skills in fields such as research, marketing, public policy and education.

6. Information architect vs. architect
Both jobs have concerns about order and structure, but unlike architects, you won't find an information architect designing any houses or buildings. Instead, information architects specialize in the design and construction of shared information environments. They make digital content (such as software and websites) easier and better to use.

7. Genealogist vs. geologist vs. gynecologist
Poor Janice Sellers. This professional genealogist from Oakland, Calif., says she has been mistaken for a geologist (someone who studies Earth's materials) as well as for a gynecologist (a physician specializing in the female reproductive system). She is actually someone who researches family history.

8. Copywriter vs. copyright lawyer
Nichole Bazemore of Atlanta, Ga., also has had her share of title confusion. "I'm a copywriter -- a person who writes sales and marketing copy. You can't imagine how many people say, upon hearing that, 'Oh, I plan to publish a book next year and I'll need a good copyright lawyer.'" (They may indeed need a copyright lawyer, as that is a person who can help with establishing ownership of creative works -- just don't call Bazemore.)

9. Publisher vs. publicist
Aspiring writers also may want to be sure to know the difference between a publisher (a person in the business of publishing books or other material) and a publicist (a person hired to help a client get media attention).

10. Ghostwriter vs. writer of ghost stories
One last mistake from the editorial world: When freelance writer Cynthia MacGregor of Palm Springs, Fla., advertises her services as a ghostwriter some people take the "ghost" part the wrong way. "I've been approached by people who think I am looking for stories to write about haunted houses and the like," MacGregor states. A ghostwriter is actually someone paid to write for someone else under that person's name.

================

By Beth BraccioHering