best careers Archives - Keppie Careers https://www.keppiecareers.com/tag/best-careers/ Social media speaker, social media consultant, job search coach Wed, 29 Feb 2012 02:05:07 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Best careers for 2012 https://www.keppiecareers.com/best-careers-for-2012/ https://www.keppiecareers.com/best-careers-for-2012/#comments Wed, 29 Feb 2012 06:30:37 +0000 http://www.keppiecareers.com/?p=7740 Every year, I report on U.S. News & World Report’s “best careers” article. What are the “hot” jobs for this year? Are they different from last year’s “hot” jobs? (For the past year+, I’ve also contributed to their On Careers page.) U.S. News selects its jobs based on several factors. One is the growth potential […]

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]]> Every year, I report on U.S. News & World Report’s “best careers” article. What are the “hot” jobs for this year? Are they different from last year’s “hot” jobs? (For the past year+, I’ve also contributed to their On Careers page.) U.S. News selects its jobs based on several factors. One is the growth potential in the various positions. However, the article explains, “…our rankings give you some context as to why you’d want to stick around. We use a formula that compares projected growth for the future to employment rates of the present. We then weigh in average salaries from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and job satisfaction, as determined by the job review website Glassdoor.”

How can you take advantage of this information?

Do Your Research

Every job seeker should keep an eye on his or her industry and make plans for the future with an informed outlook. I like to remind readers that it’s a good idea to set a Google alert for organizations and fields of interest to you so you’ll be aware when there are newsworthy ups and downs in your market. Clearly, there are trends in industries. While there are no guarantees, keeping an eye on these surveys and data should help direct those seeking career change make their plans.

Learn what you can about the number of job opportunities, salary expectations, educational requirements, job satisfaction — make a list of what is important to you and conduct a personal analysis to determine a good direction for your career.

Luckily, there are more and more resources every day to help you with your research.

You can go “old school” and talk to people you know or people they know via informational interviews. Or, expand your networking circle by using Twitter to research your job, LinkedIn to connect with new colleagues, Facebook (via BranchOut or BeKnown) to meet new people who may have advice, information or recommendations for you.

Learn what blogs are popular and respected in your niche (I like to use Alltop.com as a great resource) and find out what your mentors are saying. Find them on Twitter (WeFollow.com is my favorite list for Twitter) and learn who they talk to, what conferences they attend (and what they think of the speakers).

Hop on a Twitter chat to connect with people in your targeted industry. Before you know it — with skill and persistence — you can become one of them! (Read this story of someone who has decided to lead the way in his industry, even if his colleagues are not already joining him on social media.)

Clearly, there are many, many ways to learn what everyone is saying and — most importantly — to insert yourself into the conversations (via participating in social media, meeting local colleagues, attending professional conferences, etc.) to really get to know about a field.

Here is U.S. News & World Report’s list of top jobs for 2012.

I invite you to share your thoughts on the lists in the comments below…Are you working in these fields? Do you think they are “hot?” Would you recommend them to your friends?

#1 Registered Nurse

Salary:$44,190-$95,130

Also ranked in: Best Healthcare Jobs

 

#2 Software Developer

Salary: $87,790-$54,360

Also ranked in: Best Technology Jobs

 

#3 Pharmacist

Salary: $82,090-$138,620

Also ranked in: Best Healthcare Jobs

 

#4 Medical Assistant

Salary: $20,810-$40,190

Also ranked in: Best Healthcare Jobs

 

#5 Database Administrator

Salary: $115,660-$41,570

Also ranked in: Best Technology Jobs

 

#6 Web Developer

Salary: $43,190-$119,940

Also ranked in: Best Technology Jobs

 

#7 Computer Systems Analyst

Salary: $48,360-$119,070

Also ranked in: Best Technology Jobs

 

#8 Physical Therapist

Salary: $53,620-$107,920

Also ranked in: Best Healthcare Jobs

 

#9 Computer Programmer

Salary: $40,820-$114,180

Also ranked in: Best Technology Jobs

 

#10 Occupational Therapist

Salary: $48,920-$102,520

Also ranked in: Best Healthcare Jobs

 

#11 Maintenance and Repair Worker

Salary: $20,800-$56,090

Also ranked in: Best Social Services Jobs

 

#12 Elementary School Teacher

Salary: $34,390-$80,140

Also ranked in: Best Social Services Jobs

 

#13 Clinical Laboratory Technician

Salary: $24,210-$56,040

Also ranked in: Best Healthcare Jobs

 

#14 Speech-Language Pathologist

Salary: $42,970-$103,630

Also ranked in: Best Social Services Jobs

 

#15 Paramedic

Salary: $19,710-$51,370

Also ranked in: Best Healthcare Jobs

 

#16 Meeting, Convention & Event Planner

Salary: $27,090-$76,840

Also ranked in: Best Business Jobs

 

#17 School Counselor

Salary: $31,630-$86,250

Also ranked in: Best Social Services Jobs

 

#18 Social Worker

Salary: $26,170-$68,030

Also ranked in: Best Social Services Jobs

 

#19 Sports Coach

Salary: $16,380-$63,720

Also ranked in: Best Social Services Jobs

 

#20 Sales Representative

Salary: $26,970-$108,750

Also ranked in: Best Business Jobs

 

#21 Accountant

Salary: $38,940-$106,880

Also ranked in: Best Business Jobs

 

#22 Receptionist

Salary: $17,560-$36,910

Also ranked in: Best Business Jobs

 

#23 Financial Adviser

Salary: $32,660-$166,400

Also ranked in: Best Business Jobs

 

#24 Customer Service Representative

Salary: $19,550-$49,320

Also ranked in: Best Business Jobs

 

#25 HR Specialist

Salary: $31,110-$89,490

Also ranked in: Best Business Jobs

See what jobs from quick-to-hire industries made their list in these categories: business, creative services, healthcare, science & technology, and social services.

(Compare to the Best Careers for 2011)

photo by circulating

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]]> https://www.keppiecareers.com/best-careers-for-2012/feed/ 3 Lost Your Job? What to Do Next https://www.keppiecareers.com/lost-your-job-what-to-do-next/ https://www.keppiecareers.com/lost-your-job-what-to-do-next/#respond Wed, 30 Jan 2008 01:42:34 +0000 http://keppiecareers.wordpress.com/?p=40 I’ve written about jobs predicted to have a rosy future in 2008 and offered suggestions of what to do if you think that your job is in jeopardy.  But, what approach should you take if you have lost your job and you (and many, many others) are now seeking work in a flat economy? The first […]

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]]> I’ve written about jobs predicted to have a rosy future in 2008 and offered suggestions of what to do if you think that your job is in jeopardy.  But, what approach should you take if you have lost your job and you (and many, many others) are now seeking work in a flat economy?

The first thing to do is stop and get a handle on your job search materials.  Do you have a resume that represents you and all you have to offer?  Have you brushed up your job seeking skills (networking, cover letter writing, interviewing)? It’s not like riding a bike – you CAN forget how to look for a job.  Worse, you may never have really known how to job search in the first place.  Keppie Careers offers an array of services to help get you prepared.

Sarah Needleman addresses the topic of job searching in a recession in the Wall Street Journal Online.   Gary Rich, president of Rich Leadership, an executive advisory firm in Pound Ridge, NY, believes that selling and servicing jobs are more resilient, as they impact the bottom line.  He says:

Less durable jobs are those in human resources, public relations, finance, strategic planning and other non-vital business functions.

Needleman’s article also suggests that if you don’t work in a promising sector, focus on your transferable skills  and consider switching industries.  Plan your transition.  Network and research organizations and industries and learn how you can best use your skills to benefit them.  Consider volunteering with organizations on special projects to demonstrate your added value.

Keppie Careers can help tailor a transition resume to highlight what you have to offer.  We recommend focusing on your skills and accomplishments rather than “what” you have done in your jobs to help potential employers envision you working for them.

Don’t forget that, even in a recessionary economy, some jobs and skills are still invaluable and sought out.  So, just because you may work in an industry that is experiencing a lull, if you have prepared and positioned yourself to have the skills and training needed to fill management gaps, you’re in good shape!
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]]> https://www.keppiecareers.com/lost-your-job-what-to-do-next/feed/ 0 Best Careers and Unemployment https://www.keppiecareers.com/best-careers-and-unemployment/ https://www.keppiecareers.com/best-careers-and-unemployment/#respond Fri, 04 Jan 2008 17:02:34 +0000 http://keppiecareers.wordpress.com/2008/01/04/best-careers-and-unemployment/ It’s not great news for the US economy…Numbers show that unemployment is at a 2-year high.  In December, the economy only added 18,000 jobs instead of the 70,000 predicted.  These are the worst numbers reported since August 2003. If you are in the construction, manufacturing and retail sectors, these are not good times for your […]

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]]> It’s not great news for the US economy…Numbers show that unemployment is at a 2-year high.  In December, the economy only added 18,000 jobs instead of the 70,000 predicted.  These are the worst numbers reported since August 2003.

If you are in the construction, manufacturing and retail sectors, these are not good times for your industry.   Health care and professional services did much better, gaining jobs.

As you think about “A New Career for a New Year,” consider reviewing US News & World Report’s “Best Careers for 2008.”  Some of their selections may surprise you.  Consider if angling toward a career predicted to have a rosier future might be right for you.   (Keeping in mind that not all predictions actually come true!)   What are your transferable skills?  Could you use them to market yourself into a whole new career? 

This is a great time for some self-searching and research.  Maybe it is time for a whole new direction!

keppiecareers.com…We advise, encourage, enlighten!

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