Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
Jobs With 30%+ Growth
Monday, September 17th, 2012
Though it seems like we’re always hearing negative news about the economy – jobs are becoming obsolete, getting outsourced, or just not considered vital to organizations with a tight budget – CareerBuilder.com recently shared some encouraging news. Their article, 10 jobs that have grown more than 30% over the past year, lists some of the hottest careers out there.
Even more good news? The job at the bottom of the list (chef/cook) still had 34% growth. The top position (software engineer) experienced an astounding 74% increase in jobs over the last year! Though the industries vary, I did notice a couple trends unlikely to go away anytime soon:
Technology: No surprise here. In fact, STEM jobs (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) are known for having a lack of qualified candidates. While you may not start out as a hot commodity, taking steps to transition into one of these fields (through classes, volunteering, interning, entry-level jobs) could help you get on a career path projected to be on the upswing for years to come.
Sales & Service: Without customers, companies don’t exist. That’s why strong salespeople are, and will always be, in demand. True, this might mean a commission-based job, but the potential for rewards is high. On the flip side, customer satisfaction is important, because it helps retain business. Though pay and opportunities vary within service jobs (from representative to director-level), companies will always need employees who can keep their clients happy.
Of course, don’t immediately change careers because an industry is growing. While it’s certainly important to consider, don’t forget to think about your skills, salary needs, and also – your interests!
Photo Credit: Up! by rore_d
Tags: career trends, careers in sales, careers in technology, hot careers, job growth, STEM jobs
Posted in Inspiration, Uncategorized |
The Future’s Top Employer – Healthcare, Healthcare, Healthcare
Wednesday, July 18th, 2012
You’ve likely heard that healthcare opportunities will increase to meet the needs of the aging baby-boomer population. Still, it’s astounding just how many jobs this translates into.
According to a study by the Georgetown University Center on Education and Workforce, 5.6 million new healthcare jobs will be created – in just the next EIGHT years! Of course, this is great news for doctors and nurses, but what about other job seekers?
If you’re not a trained medical professional, there are still plenty of opportunities. Hospitals still need marketers to design their brochures, accountants to manage payroll, and information technology professionals to keep the computer systems up and running. This is in addition to non-clinical yet healthcare specific professions – which include Healthcare IT, CPT Coding, and Pharmaceutical Sales
Hospital not for you? There are plenty of other types of places to work. Nursing homes, private practice, and urgent aid clinics are just a few. You may even be able to work in academia, as an employee within a university’s medical school.
If you’d still prefer an office environment, consider associations. There are organizations for just about every trade, and in the medical industry, that’s a lot! For example, there’s the American College of Chest Physicians and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. As medical professions expand, so will the need for their trade associations.
One of the best things about working in healthcare is you’re not limited to a geographic area. People all over the world need access to medical care, so you can work wherever you want – in a rural area, major urban center, suburb, or abroad. For additional information, check out the resources below:
O*Net: Dig deeper and learn more about the different types of healthcare jobs.
I Want to Work in an Association – Now What???: Learn more about working in an association and get tips on how to find a job within the industry.
100 Great Places to Work in Healthcare: Use this list to brainstorm which organizatoins to add to your target list.
Tags: association jobs, career exploration, future job opportunities, healthcare careers, Healthcare jobs, new career option
Posted in Uncategorized |
Career Research – A Must Before Making a Move!
Monday, July 2nd, 2012
For anyone considering a new career, researching the industry’s outlook is vital. While nothing is a guarantee, it’s important to get a sense of if you’re targeting a stable industry – before you’re deep into a new career.
What are the best ways to conduct this research? The old standby is a Google search. Try out different terms using “growth” or “decline” in the search (for example, “pharmaceutical industry” + “growth”). You probably won’t find a definitive answer, and you may even find contradictory information. Either way, it’s a good place to start, and you’ll gain valuable insight you can use to conduct additional research.
Another great online research tool is O*Net online. Created by the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration, there’s actually a section where you can find out which job functions have the brightest outlook. The other three selections – “new and emerging,” “rapid growth,” and “numerous job openings” are just as helpful.
Last but not least, nothing beats informational interviews! Tap your network to find people already working in your target job/industry. Getting their “insider” opinion on the future of the industry – along with other valuable information on qualifications, opportunities, etc. – is often more helpful than anything you can find online.
When you need a job fast, you may wonder if this research is worth your time – it is! A little extra time now could keep you from getting stuck in a dead-end job or facing a layoff later.
Picture: Designing on a Tablet by admeijer
Tags: Career Research, Industry Outlook, informational interviewing, Job Outlook, Online Career Research
Posted in Uncategorized |
Business + Creativity = Career Success
Thursday, May 24th, 2012
FastCompany just came out with their 2012 list of the 100 Most Creative People In Business. On the surface, it doesn’t seem like these two concepts have much to do with each other. Isn’t creativity limited to things like art and music? Sure, it’s easy to see how an entertainer like Ceelo Green (#5) could blend the two – his creative output IS his business. But, people like him and comedian/actor Aziz Ansari (#87) probably aren’t looking to advance their careers through the traditional routes of submitting resumes and conducting interviews.
Still, there are lessons here for the non-famous professionals. Creativity can be about problem-solving and innovating. Constantly asking yourself, “What can I do better? What can I do differently?” Not only will this turn into accomplishment-based success stories for your resume and interview responses, it’ll help you keep your job fresh and exciting.
This business creativity can usually be seen in two ways – problem-solving and innovation. If there’s a long-standing concern in your division, see if you can look at it from a new angle. Or, if you observe trends that your company can capitalize on, propose the opportunity to someone within your company. Even if these ideas don’t come to fruition, you’ll be seen as a creative thinker, leader, and go-getter. Plus, eventually, you’ll hit on something that WILL be implemented.
For example: An office manager knows his job like the back of his hand after five years. He decides to take another look at the budget, even though he comes out ahead each quarter. After analyzing how much supplies are purchased versus how many are used, he realizes they don’t need to have much inventory on site. He then develops a notification system so he can order products as needed – cutting annual supply costs 10%.
Challenge: Pick one area of focus (either at work or as part of your job search efforts) and brainstorm ideas for improvement. If on the job, keep track of anything that comes as a result, and add it to your resume!
To read the FastCompany list of 100 Most Creative People in Business 2012, visit: http://tinyurl.com/cro8hew
Tags: business creativity, career advancement, career management, job promotions
Posted in Uncategorized |
28 Ways To Beat The Job Board Blues
Monday, May 21st, 2012
Job boards got you down? You see the same old postings, week after week. You’re perfectly qualified, you’ve submitted your resume numerous times, and yet you can’t seem get anyone to even acknowledge you exist! Frustrating doesn’t begin to describe it. Trust me, I know, I’ve been there! That’s why I teamed up with Charlotte, a dual-certified resume writer and career coach, to create the 28 Stealth Job Search Strategies teleseminar. In just one hour we’ll show you how to:
- Accomplish 20% of your job search in UNDER an hour
- Create an online presence that screams SUCCESS
- Get MORE job leads from your personal network
- Land a phone screen with cover letters that WORK
- Uncover jobs BEFORE they’re advertised
- INCREASE your visibility in the job market
What’s more, many of these very same stealth strategies can also help get you promoted! The teleseminar is just $47. That’s less than most networking events around town. Plus you get three free bonus gifts. Don’t waste another day using the same tired job search strategies that are getting you down – buy 28 Stealth Job Search Strategies and start changing your future today!
Posted in Uncategorized |
Making a Living or Making a Career?
Saturday, February 11th, 2012
In an ideal world, these two would be one and the same. Unfortunately, that’s not always the reality. There are people who know exactly which job they want, but they need to start making an income NOW. It’s a quandary many job seekers face – should they take a position that could derail them from their career goals or risk not being able to pay the mortgage?
Ultimately, the basic needs of yourself and your family will come first. This sometimes entails performing work that may not contribute directly to your career. However, it’s often not as much of a problem as many people think. The tips below will help you make the most of a job that’s not a part of your career plan.
1) Think about the positives: Every job has some redeeming quality. Do you have friendly co-workers? A short commute? A daily task that you enjoy more than you would have expected?
2) Look at it as a training opportunity: If there’s even one new skill or insight you can take away from the job, it’ll be worth it.
3) Consider how to position it as an asset: It’s not always easy to see, but think about some ways your new experience can add value to your target job. For example, let’s say you’ve always been in an IT position where you rarely worked with people. If your “bridge job” was in retail, you may now qualify for a more client-focused role because of your new customer service skills.
Tags: career path, need job, paycheck
Posted in Uncategorized |
Investing In Your Future Without Spending (Much) Money
Monday, November 14th, 2011
Us
ually, people think of IRA’s and 401(k)’s when “investing” is mentioned. Or, they think of saving 4-8 months of liquid reserves in case of a layoff.
These are both important, but there’s another type of deposit you can make for your future – additional knowledge. We all know that a college education is a valuable career investment, but many don’t think much beyond that. Everything else they need to know, they learn on the job.
This may not be enough to stay competitive. To advance, reduce the risk of a layoff, or get hired at a new company, it helps to stay up on trends and learn the latest industry tools.
Most people think any kind of continuing education has to mean college – that’s not the only option. Many times, employers want to know that you know something, and they don’t care HOW you know it. One of the simplest things you can do is regularly Google your job function/industry for news. You can also follow industry leaders on Twitter, to get a good idea of the latest trends. These options, of course, are available at no cost.
If you only do one thing to invest in your career future, join an industry association. Not only will you have access to the latest information (for example, through a newsletter, teleseminars, and/or conference), you’ll be networking at the same time! Whether by e-list, private LinkedIn Group, or in-person event, you’ll continue to grow your knowledge base while simultaneously building relationships (BOTH of which are investments in your future). Though you’ll have to pay a membership fee, it’s usually nominal compared to all you’ll receive. Plus, you may have the option of getting a free or discounted membership by volunteering – yet another way to network!
It helps to invest your finances, but it’s almost as important as investing your time in continuing education. Being up-to-date is too important to your career to neglect!
Picture: Studying for a Test 2, by hvaldez1
Tags: continuing education, Networking, promotions
Posted in Uncategorized |
