U.S. News & World Report Archives - Keppie Careers https://www.keppiecareers.com/tag/u-s-news-world-report/ 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 5 things you haven’t tried to help you land a job https://www.keppiecareers.com/5-things-you-havent-tried-to-help-you-land-a-job/ https://www.keppiecareers.com/5-things-you-havent-tried-to-help-you-land-a-job/#comments Tue, 08 Feb 2011 03:03:25 +0000 http://www.keppiecareers.com/?p=5268 You think you've done everything to find a job? Maybe not! Here are five suggestions to help breathe new life into your job search.

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]]> I know how frustrating it is for job seekers who think they are  “doing everything they can,” but still can’t land a job. It’s empowering to realize there are probably strategies you have not tried and new, assertive approaches to expanding your network and landing a job.

Here are five things you may not have tried that can make a difference:

1.     Seek speaking opportunities. Even if you are not employed, if you are an expert in a subject matter, you should be able to identify organizations interested in hearing you speak. Start locally by finding the Kiwanis and Chamber of  Commerce in your area. Identify local chapters of your profession’s organizations. Join, attend regular meetings, and volunteer to share what you know about topics that interest the membership.

Toastmasters groups are terrific places to practice your presentation skills if you are not a natural public speaker. In addition to improving your communication skills, participating in Toastmasters will naturally expand your professional reach and potentially result in some great contacts.

Benefit: Speaking in front of a group automatically provides you credibility. When you deliver useful information or new ideas, you solidify your position as an expert in the topic. The combination of these could help you literally find the perfect audience for your job search.

Read the rest on my weekly U.S. News & World Report column

photo by owaief89

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]]> https://www.keppiecareers.com/5-things-you-havent-tried-to-help-you-land-a-job/feed/ 1 2 Reasons you should not be looking for a job https://www.keppiecareers.com/2-reasons-you-should-not-be-looking-for-a-job/ https://www.keppiecareers.com/2-reasons-you-should-not-be-looking-for-a-job/#comments Wed, 12 Jan 2011 14:50:00 +0000 http://www.keppiecareers.com/?p=5202 It may be unexpected advice from a job search coach, but ideally you should not be looking for a job. Here’s why you need to get off those job boards and readjust your approach.

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]]> It may be unexpected advice from a job search coach, but ideally you should not be looking for a job. Here’s why you need to get off those job boards and readjust your approach:

1. Instead of searching for a job, find a problem you can solve.

This is a proactive approach, and forces you to network and interact with a variety of people and to research problems facing organizations requiring your expertise. Identify thought leaders in your field and begin to insert yourself in their conversations. (One good tip is to discover and read blogs targeting your industry. Check Alltop.com for a great list or use Google’s blog search.)

Trying to find a problem to solve instead of a job requires you to consciously identify skills you plan to use in your next opportunity and to outline your accomplishments. If you stop searching for a job and start paying attention to what you have to offer, you will recognize you control more than you may have realized when it comes to your search.

Read the rest on my NEW, weekly blog on U.S. News & World Report’s Careers site…

Don’t Look for a Job – Make the Job Come to You


Photo by Jeffrey Beall

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]]> https://www.keppiecareers.com/2-reasons-you-should-not-be-looking-for-a-job/feed/ 1 Best Careers for 2011 https://www.keppiecareers.com/best-careers-for-2011/ https://www.keppiecareers.com/best-careers-for-2011/#comments Sun, 26 Dec 2010 19:36:35 +0000 http://www.keppiecareers.com/?p=5095 Do you need a crystal ball to decide on your next career move? Maybe not, if you have U.S. News & World Report's "Best Careers" article every year! This year's findings and my thoughts about how to start moving down your path to a new career.

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]]> Following job trends has some advantages. I report on U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Careers” article every year. (This year, I am excited to announce that I’ve been invited to join U.S. News’ team of career bloggers — starting in mid-January!) In my many years following this report, categories often do not change very much from year to year. That is a good thing for anyone using the list to make a career choice!

For example, the article notes that “All of the healthcare jobs on last year’s list have made the cut again this year, plus two new positions: massage therapist and athletic trainer. While the field of athletic training doesn’t offer the sheer number of positions as nursing or dental hygiene, it outranks nearly all other healthcare occupations for expected job growth.”

It’s important to remember that jobs on this list are not necessarily easy to land! Although jobs are cut from the list if they have a higher-than average unemployment rate, the article notes that, with 9.6% unemployment, there are still (statistically) five unemployed people for every job, compared to an average of 1.7 people for every job in the three years before the recession.

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 Jibe) and Quora 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 2011, broken down by categories considered promising growth fields:

Science and Technology

– Biomedical engineer

– Civil engineer

– Computer software engineer

– Computer support specialist

– Computer systems analyst

– Environmental engineering technician

– Environmental science technician

– Hydrologist

– Meteorologist

– Network architect

Health care

 

– Athletic trainer

– Dental hygienist

– Lab technician

– Massage therapist

– Occupational therapist

– Optometrist

– Physician assistant

– Physical therapist

– Physical therapist assistant

– Radiologic technologist

– Registered nurse

– School psychologist

– Veterinarian

Social Service

– Clergy

– Court reporter

– Education administrator

– Emergency management specialist

– Firefighter

– Marriage and family therapist

– Mediator

– Medical and public health social worker

– Special-education teacher

– Urban planner

Business and Finance

– Accountant

– Actuary

– Financial adviser

– Financial analyst

– Logistician

– Meeting planner

– Public relations specialist

– Sales manager

– Training specialist

Creative and Service

– Commercial pilot

– Curator

– Film and video editor

– Gaming manager

– Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration technician

– Interpreter/Translator

– Multimedia artist

– Technical writer

Be sure to review U.S. News’ entire, informative article outlining the various opportunities and their methodology.

Please comment if you know anything about these professions! Would you recommend them? What are your experiences? Share in the comments!

Don’t forget that clear, concise, optimized job search materials AND a strong, well executed plan are key for job search success! I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.

photo by Court reporter

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