50 Jobs That Are Adding Workers
Filed under: Job Listings Print Article
Posted Aug 20th 2009 2:34PM
Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer
Unless you’re a celebrity, a CEO or a lottery winner, you probably wouldn’t mind finding a job that pays more money. To help you wait for your big Hollywood break, we’ve put together 50 of the top jobs in America based on job growth projections and salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2008-2009 Occupational Outlook Handbook.
These jobs are growing as fast or faster than the national average for total employment and will offer many opportunities in the coming years.
Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer
Unless you’re a celebrity, a CEO or a lottery winner, you probably wouldn’t mind finding a job that pays more money. To help you wait for your big Hollywood break, we’ve put together 50 of the top jobs in America based on job growth projections and salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2008-2009 Occupational Outlook Handbook.
These jobs are growing as fast or faster than the national average for total employment and will offer many opportunities in the coming years.

1. Network systems and data communications analysts
Job Description: Ensure the quality of network systems at various stages, from their creation through their maintenance.
Average Salary:$64,600

2. Computer software engineers, applications
Job Description: Maintain and develop computer programs and software applications based on customer needs for businesses.
Average Salary: $79,780<

3. Personal financial advisers
Job Description: Work with clients to help them understand the state of their finances and the best course of action for them to take through investments and budgets.
Average Salary: $66,120

4. Makeup artists, theatrical and performance
Job Description: Help performers look the part of their roles with the right application of makeup.
Average Salary:$31,820

5. Veterinarians
Job Description: Provide health care for animals in all settings, whether they are a family pet or belong to the zoo.
Average Salary: $71,990

6. Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors
Job Description: Work with individuals to examine their history of abuse or addiction and educations them in preventative practices.
Average Salary: $34,040

7. Financial analysts
Job Description: Help their clients, both business and individuals, decide which investment opportunities are more appropriate for their needs.
Average Salary: $66,590

8. Child, family, and school social workers
Job Description: Ensure the health and well-being of children in home and school life by checking on the quality of life their families provide.
Average Salary: $37,480

9. Gaming surveillance officers and gaming investigators
Job Description: Serve as security to prevent cheating in casinos and to maintain the safety of both the patrons and the employees.
Average Salary: $27,130

10. Physical therapist assistants
Job Description: Help physical therapists administer various therapeutic exercises and activities and document the results.
Average Salary: $41,360

11. Forensic science technicians
Job Description: Use evidence they've collected from crime scenes and other locales in order to solve investigations.
Average Salary: $45,330

12. Dental hygienists
Perform some minor procedures and prepare patients for their consultation with a dentist.
Average Salary: $62,800

13. Mental health counselors
Job Description: Work with patients both one on one and in groups to help manage addiction, mood disorders and a variety of other health issues.
Average Salary: $34,380

14. Mental health and substance abuse social workers
Job Description: Help people with a history of substance abuse overcome and handle their addictions through various means, including therapy.
Average Salary: $35,410

15. Marriage and family therapists
Job Description: Help couples and families identify and overcome mental and emotional conflicts.
Average Salary: $43,210

16. Dental assistants
Job Description: Under the supervision of a dentist, carry out some clerical, lab and patient tasks.
Average Salary: $30,220

17. Computer systems analysts
Job Description: Learn about new technologies and decide which ones best suit an organization and how to integrate them.
Average Salary:$69,760

18. Database administrators
Job Description: Maintain computer databases with the use of software and also update databases as needed.
Average Salary: $64,670

19. Computer software engineers, systems software
Job Description: Manage a company's computer systems and can be involved from the planning stage through its daily maintenance.
Average Salary: $85,370

20. Gaming managers
Job Description: Oversee the daily activities of a casino.
Average Salary: $62,820

21. Environmental science and protection technicians, including health
Job Description: Work on site and in labs to analyze the causes, effects and preventative measures of air pollution.
Average Salary: $38,090

22. Physical therapists
Job Description: Help rehabilitate patients who have undergone medical procedures, suffered injuries or suffer from diseases.
Average Salary: $66,200

23. Physician assistants
Job Description: Report to physicians and surgeons. Perform some health-care duties and oversee technicians and other assistants.
Average Salary: $74,980

24. Registered nurses
Job Description: Assist patients at all stages of their medical visits, from gathering their medical histories to running tests and assisting with their rehabilitation.
Average Salary: $57,280

25. Customer service representatives
Job Description: Interact with customers, answering their questions and directing them to the right departments either in person, from a call center or even online.
Average Salary: $28,330

26. Police and sheriff's patrol officers
Job Description: Have general law enforcement duties, including maintaining regular patrols, responding to calls for service, directing traffic at accident scenes, investigating a burglary or giving first aid.
Average Salary: $47,460

27. Postsecondary teachers
Job Description: Include college and university faculty, postsecondary career and technical education teachers, and graduate teaching assistants, instruct students in a wide variety of academic and vocational subjects beyond the high school level.
Average Salary: $56,120

28. First-line supervisors and managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers
Job Description: Coordinate, schedule and supervise the activities of janitors and cleaners including assigning tasks, inspecting work, maintaining inventory, screening and hiring job applicants and training employees.
Average Salary: $31,290

29. Bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks
Job Description: Handle financial recordkeeping for a department or entire company. Duties can include posting debits and credits, producing financial statements, preparing bank deposits, handling payroll, preparing invoices and keeping track of overdue accounts.
Average Salary: $30,560

30. Executive secretaries and administrative assistants
Job Description: Provide high-level support for an office and C-level executives, generally performing fewer clerical tasks and more information management such as arranging conference calls and meetings, preparing agendas and supervising other clerical staff.
Average Salary: $37,240

31. Accountants and auditors
Job Description: Prepare, analyze and verify financial documents, as well as offer budget analysis, financial and investment planning, typically in four major fields: public, management, government accounting and internal auditing.
Average Salary: $54,630

32. Elementary school teachers, except special education
Job Description: (Except special education) using classroom presentations or individual instruction to help students learn. They plan, evaluate, and assign lessons; prepare, administer, grade tests and report cards; and maintain classroom discipline.
Average Salary: $45,570

33. Paralegals and legal assistants
Job Description: Assist lawyers by preparing for closings, hearings, trials, and corporate meetings, conducting case research, identifying appropriate laws, judicial decisions, legal articles and other materials that are relevant to assigned cases.
Average Salary: $43,040

34. Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer
Job Description: Deliver everything from automobiles to canned food. They are responsible for inspecting the vehicle before leaving the warehouse to make sure equipment is in working order, and must keep a log of their activities, as required by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Average Salary: $35,040

35. Carpenters
Job Description: Need between three and four years of both on-the-job training and classroom instruction and are involved in many different kinds of construction, from the building of highways and bridges to the installation of kitchen cabinets.
Average Salary: $36,550

36. Management analysts
Job Description: Also known as management consultants, analyze and propose ways to improve an organization's structure, efficiency or profits. Almost one-third of this occupation is self-employed.
Average Salary: $68,050

37. Maintenance and repair workers, general
Job Description: Work in almost every industry and have skills in many different crafts including: appliance repair, plumbing, electrical and heating and air-conditioning systems, make plaster or drywall repairs, and fix or paint parts of building structures.
Average Salary: $31,910

38. Public relations specialist
Job Description: Work in media, community, consumer, industry and governmental relations; political campaigns; interest-group representation; conflict mediation; and employee and investor relations.
Average Salary: $47,350

39. First-line supervisors/managers of landscaping, lawn service and groundskeeping workers
Job Description: Oversee grounds maintenance work, prepare cost estimates, schedule work for crews, carry out quality spot checks and train workers in their tasks and monitor performance.
Average Salary: $37,294

40. Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education
Job Description: Help students delve more deeply into specialized subjects introduced in elementary school and expose them to more information about the world.
Average Salary: $46,300

41. Pharmacists
Job Description: Must graduate from an accredited college of pharmacy and be licensed, distribute prescription drugs and counsel patients on selection, dosages, interactions and side effects of medications.
Average Salary: $94,520

42. Employment, recruitment and placement specialists
Job Description: Work with organization management to attract the most qualified employees and match them to jobs for which they are best suited.
Average Salary: $42,420

43. Radiologic technologists and technicians
Job Description: Also referred to as radiographers, take x rays for use in diagnosing medical problems and administer nonradioactive materials into patients' bloodstreams for diagnostic purposes. They work in hospitals, physicians' offices and diagnostic imaging centers.
Average Salary: $48,170

44. Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten and elementary school
Job Description: Work with children and youths who have a variety of special learning needs, from mental retardation or autism to mild to moderate disabilities.
Average Salary: $46,360

45. Training and development specialists
Job Description: Conduct and supervise training and development programs for employees as a way of developing skills, enhancing productivity and quality of work, building worker and increasing individual and organizational performance to achieve business results.
Average Salary: $47,830

46. Computer support specialists
Job Description: Includes technical support specialists and help-desk technicians, interpret problems, give advice and provide technical support for hardware, software and systems to customers and other users.
Average Salary: $41,470

47. Self-enrichment education teachers
Job Description: Are often self-employed or work part time and provide instruction in a wide variety of subjects that students take for fun or self-improvement in classroom, group and one-on-one instruction.
Average Salary: $33,440

48. Property, real estate and community association managers
Job Description: Oversee the performance of income-producing commercial or residential properties and opportunities are expected to be especially good for those with experience managing housing for older people or running a health unit.
Average Salary: $43,070

49. Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters
Job Description: Among the largest and highest paid construction occupations, maintain and repair many different types of pipe systems.
Average Salary: $42,770
50. Computer and information systems managers
Job Description: Plan, coordinate, and direct research and facilitate the computer-related activities of firms and may do everything from helping construct a business plan to overseeing network security to directing Internet operations.
Average Salary: $101,580

10 jobs that let you get outdoors
CNN.com has a business partnership with CareerBuilder.com, which serves as the exclusive provider of job listings and services to CNN.com.
(CareerBuilder.com) — If the mere sight of a cubicle makes your eyes itch, you hit the “snooze” button more out of apathy than exhaustion, or feel a slight twinge of regret for every moment you don’t spend outside on a nice day, consider your work options. There’s more to life than the daily grind and outdoor jobs offer more than just fresh air and exercise — they also mean freedom. Liberate yourself from desk duties, say goodbye to lunch break lines, and contemplate what a work life without walls could be like.
Of course, if you’re already locked into a decent salary, nixing the nine-to-five paycheck may not be negotiable, even if it would make you happier right now. That doesn’t mean you’re out of luck; an outdoor job may work as a second income or seasonal employment.
Whether you’re ready to start over and looking for a new challenge or just interested in a part-time gig to bulk up your bank account, an outdoor job could be just the change you need.
Here are some jobs that will give you a whole new environment:
Real Estate Agent
What they do: Negotiate the purchase and sales of property between buyers and the sellers.
How they work outdoors: Real estate agents show potential buyers around the properties, which include large estates, lots, etc. They have to put a picture to the sale and let their clients see what’s out there.
Landscape Architect
What they do: Design parks and gardens artistically.
How they work outdoors: A landscape architect’s job includes training in horticulture, landscape design and planning. To create or improve the space they’re designing, they need to be around it.
Construction Worker
What they do: Build, assemble and maintain buildings, roads and other infrastructures.
How they work outdoors: Construction workers carry out the plans of the engineers, architects and project managers. The only time workers aren’t outdoors is when they are improving things inside on a site, or during harsh weather conditions.
Organic Farmer
What they do: Operate and maintain organic farms without the use of synthetic materials such as pesticides.
How they work outdoors: Organic farmers are constantly working outside to produce fresh products. Whether they are fertilizing the land with raw product or harvesting goods, most time is spent outdoors to make sure everything runs smoothly.
Sports Referee
What they do: Call the plays during sports events to determine what happens next in the game.
How they work outdoors: With a majority of sports played outside, referees are needed to make the call for sports such as tennis, baseball and soccer. They may get the brunt of hostility on their decisions from opposing sides, but they also get a lot of sun.
Tour Guide
What they do: Show tourists sites of interest about the place they are visiting and sometimes instruct them on how to do things associated with the tour.
How they work outdoors: It’s a tour guide’s responsibility to show guests everything there is to see about a place. Whether it’s showing the grounds of a dead celebrity’s estate or leading a group to a city’s landmarks, they keep it interesting.
Camp Counselor
What they do: Oversee and instruct visiting campers on the rules, regulations and points of interest at campsites.
How they work outdoors: Campsites generally include lakes, hills and fields. A camp counselor may be hiking one day and swimming the next. Even sleeping can be a part of their fresh-air duties.
Tennis Instructor
What they do: Train and assist players on ways to play and improve their tennis skills.
How they work outdoors: Unless it’s an indoor court, tennis is played outdoors. The bulk of training for hand-eye coordination with the ball and racket practice includes a lot of time on the court and outside.
Botanist
What they do: Study the growth, structure and identification of plant life.
How they work outdoors: Aside from indoor lab work, botanists spend a lot of time studying plants in greenhouses or in their natural habitats. To get a better understanding of how the elements and environment affect vegetation, they need to see it in nature.
Skydiving Instructor
What they do: Instruct students on the proper techniques of skydiving.
How they work outdoors: Their goal is to train someone to successfully drop out of a plane and plummet through the air at high speeds, so they get all the fresh air they can handle.

Quintessential Careers:
Building Your Personal Brand: Tactics for Successful Career Branding
by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.
What is it that all successful companies have mastered — and what job-seekers looking to advance in their careers need to master? What is it about Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Starbucks, Disney, and McDonald’s? What makes a consumer buy one product over another — and makes one job-seeker much more sought after than others? The answer is marketing, but more specifically it is the power of branding. And branding isn’t just for products anymore.
Branding can be described as many things, but it’s best defined as a promise… a promise of the value of the product… a promise that the product is better than all the competing products… a promise that must be delivered to be successful. Branding is the combination of tangible and intangible characteristics that make a brand unique. Branding is developing an image — with results to match.
Branding (some call it self-branding when talking about individuals) is essential to career advancement because branding helps define who you are, how you are great, and why you should be sought out. Branding is your reputation. Branding is about building a name for yourself, showcasing what sets you apart from others, and describing the added value you bring to a situation.
Most job-seekers are not proactive in establishing and building their career brand, letting their actions speak for them when seeking promotions or new jobs. But why not take the time to master some very basic tactics that can help build your career brand and make you a much more attractive employee or job-seeker? Remember, if you don’t brand yourself, others will for you. And while you may be happy and secure in your job now, you really never know when that will change.
Management guru Tom Peters, writing in his book The Brand You50 (Reinventing Work): Fifty Ways to Transform Yourself from an “Employee” into a Brand That Shouts Distinction, Commitment, and Passion! states: “Regardless of age, regardless of position, regardless of the business we happen to be in, all of us need to understand the importance of branding. We are the CEOs of our own companies: Me, Inc.” He adds, “You’re not defined by your job title and you’re not confined by your job description.”
This article takes you through five easy tactics for building and strengthening your career brand.
Gain Experience/Track Accomplishments
Building your brand begins with tracking your past accomplishments and gaining strategically important new experiences. Your accomplishments are the foundation of your career brand.
But before you seek out new work, take the time to plan and focus on what you want your brand to stand for — and develop a strategy for gaining experience in areas of your brand in which you are weak.
So, besides doing your job, ask for new and challenging assignments that will build your brand. Consider freelancing or consulting. Use volunteering to gain experience. If you’re a student, seek out multiple internships.
Complete Education/Training
For many careers, a minimum amount of education is necessary, but to excel in your career you may need to complete additional education, training, or certifications. Getting additional education can greatly enhance your career brand.
It may be hard in terms of time and finances, but find a way to do it. Some employers even offer an educational reimbursement benefit.
If you are unsure if you need more education — and you probably do — seek out a mentor, someone highly respected in your field (who has branded himself or herself well), and ask for advice.
Promote Yourself
You can have an amazing brand, but if no one knows about it, you are not going to have much success with your career development. And no one more than you has more reasons to promote your brand.
Throw modesty out the window? There is a fine line between bragging and promoting — and you need to learn it — but it’s always better to err on the side of promoting your brand than not.
One of the oldest tools of promotion for job-seekers is the resume, and you certainly need to start there by listing all your key accomplishments, skills, and education on your resume. You may even have your positioning statement (qualifications summary) on your resume… but don’t stop there.
Begin developing two career portfolios — a print one and an online one. If you don’t have a personal Website, now is the time to buy a domain (such as myname.com) and let the world read all about the benefits of your brand. Your portfolio should include all important brand artifacts: resume(s), mission statement, detailed accomplishments list, samples of work, articles and working papers, speech transcripts, awards and honors, testimonials, and more.
One interesting trend we’ve seen is of employers “Googling” the names of prospective job-seekers — typing each name into one or more Internet search engines — and basing initial candidate screening decisions partly on the number (and quality) of hits for each job-seeker. The lesson? Your brand needs to have a strong online presence.
And finally, don’t forget to promote your brand on the job. Workers often assume the boss knows your accomplishments, but often times s/he does not. Certainly at review time, have a list of all you have achieved since your last review, but also consider finding ways to let the boss know your successes throughout the year.
Become an Expert
Nothing builds credibility in a career brand more than establishing yourself as an expert in your field.
Start by writing articles that showcase your knowledge — and getting them published (ideally) in noteworthy media outlets. Consider self-publishing.
Seek out conferences and meetings where you can give speeches and presentations.
Play up awards and other recognition that can help label you an expert.
Get quoted by offering your thoughts, ideas, and opinions to journalists and reporters.
Consider constructing a professional Website where you can publish all your articles and speeches.
Build Relationships
Nothing in marketing is more powerful than a promotion tool called word-of-mouth, which can be defined as what people say about you.
Thus, nothing is more powerful in building your career brand than what your network of contacts — your friends, colleagues, customers, clients, and former bosses — say about you and your set of skills, education, and accomplishments.
And keeping your network strong involves nothing more than relationship building. Keep in good contact with your network and be sure they know of your most recent successes.
But the best brand-builders don’t stop with their current network; these folks are in constant network-building mode. Search out new professional associations as well as the growing number of online networking communities.
Final Thoughts
Once you identify and build your brand, remember to continue strengthening and protecting it. There will always be competing brands (job-seekers) ready to fill any gap you leave behind. You are indeed founder and CEO of Me, Inc., and the more you do to cultivate your career brand, the more successful you’ll be with your current employer and in the job-search.

5 Tips for Executive-Level Job Seekers
Selena Dehne, JIST Publishing

Recent economic woes have struck a severe blow to the nation’s work force — penetrating as high as the top tiers of corporate America. As the economy becomes increasingly shaky and companies are forced to trim budgets, executive-level and management positions have become more vulnerable than ever.
Considered by many to be “untouchable,” thousands of upper-level professionals have been thrust into unemployment and have discovered that today’s job market is much harder to navigate than in previous years. Now, the market is flooded with candidates just as highly skilled and experienced as the next. In addition, finding a job that can match — if not improve upon — a prior position can seem incredibly daunting due to many companies’ growing financial limitations.
To stand out from their competition and prove that they offer a high return on investment, executive-level job seekers need certain tools, including the essential job-search documents needed to market oneself in the job hunt, plus a few others to achieve an advantage over competitors.
“There’s no question that the executive résumé and cover letter are the foundations of your career-search plan. However, you’ll want to give careful consideration to some additional tools that are capable of providing significant leverage in your search,” say Louise Kursmark and Jan Melnik, co-authors of “Executive’s Pocket Guide to ROI Résumés and Job Search.”
In their book, Kursmark and Melnik encourage job seekers pursuing leadership positions to create and implement the following tools in their job search:
Elevator speech
An “elevator speech” is a 30-second summary (the time you have if you run into a potential employer on an elevator) that briefly introduces individuals to those who can help them in the job search. Many managers and executives have probably already developed and delivered this type of speech to people several times throughout their careers, but may need to adjust it to reflect their new goals.
According to Kursmark and Melnik, job seekers must convey four key elements throughout their introduction, including who they are, what they do, what they’re seeking and any other key information relevant to their experience or job search goals.
In addition to knowing how to develop this tool, it’s essential for job seekers to know when to use it. A good rule of thumb is to always be prepared with an elevator speech. They can be useful at networking events, clubs and associations; during “cold” phone calls; as well as at personal events such as weddings, dinners and any type of impromptu opportunity.
Networking script
Networking is the key to finding good jobs quickly, which is why having a plan for networking situations is critical. While these conversations will all be unique and should feel genuine, it helps for job seekers to outline a few key points they’d like to address during the conversation. For example, job seekers will want to ask questions such as, “What ideas or referrals might you have for me?” “What related industries can you think of, and contacts do you know, where these skills might prove valuable?” or “Who in your network might be interested in someone with my leadership experience and background?”
Leadership initiative document
This one- to two-page document is a relatively new tool job seekers are using to further market their achievements and leadership experience. Typically, this document lists three to five career-defining stories that describe a specific situation or challenge, tactics and actions implemented to address the problem and results achieved. Ideally, these stories should reflect what the job seeker would hope to accomplish in the new position.
After crafting this document, job seekers can use it several ways. It can become a leave-behind document following interviews or meetings, a follow-up piece to a résumé and an additional component to the traditional résumé/cover letter package.
Professional biography
This tool provides more extensive information about the job seeker; it is ideal for portfolios or personal Web sites and used as a tool for recruiters to use when introducing or advancing the candidate to a company or organization. After the job search, this document is still useful and often used for company news releases, marketing materials and Web sites, as well as for public-speaking engagements.
Targeted search summary
This document identifies employers and industries in which the job seeker is interested. This tool comes in extremely handy at networking meetings where others may appreciate a visual reminder of where the job seeker’s interests and opportunities are.
While each of these components of the job search can be extremely beneficial to job seekers, Kursmark and Melnik warn not to overload hiring managers and recruiters with too much information. “Instead, carefully select and present only the documents that will stimulate their interest in you and your professional capabilities.”

When Job Search Desperation Kicks In
Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer

Desperation isn’t an attractive trait in most people — maybe anyone. If you’ve ever witnessed desperation in a relationship, you know how unappealing it can be to see someone willing to settle for something. Anything. It makes you wonder just how much that person values himself or herself.
A job search isn’t the same as a quest for true love, but it can often result in desperation. Think about it: If you don’t have a job, you don’t have money to pay the bills. For many people, a job search is linked to survival. Who wouldn’t get desperate after awhile?
Just like in a romance, however, being too eager and needy can backfire. Even if you’re feeling as though you’ll take any job that comes your way, don’t let employers know that. You might be desperate for a job, but you don’t have to act like you are.
Why desperation doesn’t help you
You might think, “Won’t I impress my future boss if I prove I’m willing to do anything to get the job?” You would be wrong. To help you understand what hiring managers think when they come across desperate interviewees, we went straight to the source.
Tony Deblauwe is the founder of HR4 Change and has 15 years of human resources experience. In his career, he has seen more desperate job seekers than most people. Sometimes things go so wrong they’re almost criminal.
“I had a case once where after not hearing from the recruiter (from just a résumé submission), the candidate came to the office and waited in the parking lot for the CEO,” Deblauwe remembers. “It was easy, since the CEO’s picture was online. [The candidate] felt that HR and staffing were a roadblock and the best way to prove his ‘inventiveness’ was to approach the CEO directly. It turned out badly, as you might imagine — we had to get security involved.”
Not all candidates are as extreme. In fact, desperation is so common that Deblauwe sees certain traits appear time after time.
• “I’m willing to take any job.”
“People who have been searching a long time or who have limited leads respond to job posts that they will take any job even if it’s clearly a step down,” he says. “Sometimes this is due to the economy; sometimes they want to get into a company at whatever the cost. I have personally known of candidates doing this to get into Apple or Google.”
• “I’m willing to temp first.”
“Sometimes [starting as a temp] works, but when a candidate offers it first against a full-time posted job, it’s a turnoff,” Deblauwe cautions. “Rather than show confidence that you can do the job as presented, you offset the discussion by saying you will be a temp. Not a good move and very desperate.”
• “Money doesn’t matter.”
“It’s one thing to say your salary is negotiable, but making a point in the phone screen or first-round interview about not caring about the pay not only reflects bad judgment but low self-esteem,” Deblauwe warns. “I ask myself, ‘What else will you cave on if you had this job?’”
• “Why haven’t you called me back?”
According to Deblauwe, being pushy is one of the most classic signs of a desperate job seeker.
“After sending in a résumé or getting an initial call back, a candidate loses all sense of how staffing process timing works,” he says. “They will e-mail [or call] after one or two days. Candidates forget that many back-end processes slow job updates — not because people forgot about you or don’t care. This behavior doesn’t show you are determined and eager; rather it makes you appear annoying and distracting. Almost always, people who do this, even if they appeared to be a great fit in the beginning, get eliminated.”
What you can do
First off, don’t say any of the above phrases. More importantly, prove that the company would be lucky to have you, and not vice versa. Don’t be cocky, but act like you’re ready for the job because it’s the right fit, not because it’s available now. Even if you are desperate for a job, remember these tips because they’re important to every job search.
• Have proof of your accomplishments so you can show the hiring manager that you deliver results.
• Show interest in the company. Employers like to know that you care about more than dollar signs, so do a little research on the company and even the interviewers if possible.
• Practice your interview answers so you don’t blurt out a bad answer. For example, your answer to “Why do you want this job?” shouldn’t include the low balance of your checking account.
• Make a list of the reasons you are the best candidate for the job. You can’t convince a hiring manager that you’re the best choice for the position if you don’t believe it yourself. The best way to convince yourself is to look at all your best qualities.

6 Ways to Get the Job When You’re Not the ‘Ideal’ Candidate
Robert Half International

It may seem like a waste of time to apply for a position that, at least on paper, doesn’t exactly match your skills and experience. After all, many job seekers can’t even get a hiring manager’s attention when they do appear to be a perfect fit.
But if you believe you’re capable of performing a job well despite the fact that your background doesn’t completely align with the requirements of the position, there might still be hope. You need to consider yourself from a hiring manager’s perspective and build a case that shows why you’re the best person for the position. Following are some tips:
1. Don’t waste their time
First, make sure your background meets at least the most basic criteria for the position. If the job requires expertise in three specific software programs, for instance, and you are familiar with only one, don’t apply. But if candidates should possess seven years of experience, and you have five, an employer might consider your application. Keep in mind, however, that some firms simply will not interview you if you don’t meet every requirement, no matter how close your qualifications are. After all, companies still can afford to be picky.
2. Find an inside connection
One of the best ways to get your foot in the door when you’re a near fit for a job is by leveraging a referral from someone who can speak to the hiring manager on your behalf. Ask those in your network if they — or someone they know — can provide an entrée into the firm. Social networking Web sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook can be especially helpful in uncovering individuals who may have an “in” at your target firm, but be judicious when requesting assistance. You should have established trust and credibility with anyone you ask to go to bat for you.
If you can, try to leverage your contacts to arrange a meeting with the hiring manager. Sometimes, all it takes to get a chance at the job is a face-to-face meeting where you can make your case directly. This allows you to establish a rapport with the employer and demonstrates your enthusiasm for the position.
3. Address concerns upfront
Instead of hiding any shortcomings you possess, acknowledge them. For example, if you’re overqualified for a position, use your cover letter or the interview to explain why the job nonetheless appeals to you. Perhaps after managing a large team of employees for years, you’ve decided you’d prefer to do more hands-on work as an individual contributor and not oversee others. Or if you’re a bit underqualified, you might note how strength in one area (such as a well-regarded certification you recently earned) could make up for weaknesses in another (your lack of necessary experience, for instance).
4. Highlight ROI
Hiring managers seek employees who have a proven track record of saving previous employers time or money. Promote the bottom-line benefits you can offer by highlighting past accomplishments in your résumé or cover letter. You could note, for example, how you spearheaded the implementation of a new billing system that saved people time when uploading data, freeing up staff to focus on other critical tasks.
5. Offer a trial run
With some companies only beginning to cautiously add new staff, hiring managers are less likely to take a risk on someone who doesn’t exactly match the job criteria. As a result, you might have to sweeten the deal to convince an employer to take a chance on you. You might offer to start the job on a project or temporary basis, for instance, with the agreement that you will be brought on full time if certain performance objectives are met.
6. Be truthful
Above all, keep in mind that you should never stretch the truth in an attempt to improve the odds of getting a job. Your lie could easily be uncovered during the hiring process, and you could damage your professional reputation, seriously harming your prospects of finding a job not only with your target firm but also other companies.
Many organizations are willing to take smart risks on seemingly promising employees, but it’s up to you to show them why taking a small leap of faith would be a wise move. By addressing any potential concerns upfront and building a compelling case for yourself, you’ll improve your chances of convincing them that an “imperfect” candidate like you is the right choice.

6 Job Search Mistakes You Can’t Afford to Make
Dr. Paul Powers, psychologist, author of “Winning Job Interviews” and “Love Your Job!”

n any economic climate job hunting is nobody’s idea of fun. And with the growing number of folks hitting the bricks these days it seems the task is getting even harder. But that’s not precisely true because the actual job-hunting strategies and techniques required of the professional job changer remain the same in any climate. What is bothersome, however, is that the process is quite likely to take longer. This leads to increased stress: financial stress, physical stress, emotional stress and family stress.
Most people do not perform at their best in stressful situations. They get tired more quickly, they get frustrated, and run out of patience, and they make mistakes. Here are six of job-hunting mistakes frequently made during a recession.
Mistake No. 1: Feeling entitled
In the new economy your stellar background, great track record, prestigious degree and glowing references guarantee you nothing. The new employment paradigm is, “What have you done for me lately?” You must be constantly developing your skills, your talents, broadening your interests and driving your career development. If you don’t you may well be left behind.
Mistake No. 2: Focusing on yourself, not the employer
Spend your time finding out which of potential employer’s needs are unmet instead of touting your brilliance. Saying, “I need a job” is irrelevant and depressing; that’s your problem and has nothing to do with why this organization is hiring. Uncovering an employer’s problem areas demonstrates your bona-fide interest and offering your solutions demonstrates your critical thinking, creativity and approach to problem solving. This is how to get hired.
Mistake No. 3: Taking rejection personally
Face it; there are a lot of jobs you are not going to land. Use rejection as an opportunity to assess and build your job-hunting skills. Evaluate what you could have done better in your research or interview or with your follow-up. If you aren’t getting rejected regularly then you either aren’t working hard enough to get your foot in the door or you’re applying for jobs beneath your capabilities. No employer makes a decision not to hire you; they make a decision to hire someone else who did a better job of selling him or herself into the position. Suck it up and move on.
Mistake No. 4: Focusing on your age
It is human nature to focus more on one’s perceived weaknesses as opposed to one’s strengths. This is especially true for people in the job hunt. Younger folks worry about not having enough experience; older folks worry about looking over-qualified. If you don’t want a potential employer to focus on your age make sure you focus on what strengths you bring to the party: energy, track record, endurance, patience, technology skills, people skills, creativity and work ethic. Sell yourself based on what you have.
Mistake No. 5: Looking for a silver bullet
Some job hunters swear by recruiters; others by on-line job postings. The latest buzz is that social networking sites are making all other job-hunting techniques obsolete. There is no one best way to job hunt. If you want to increase the effectiveness of your job search you must spend more time on it and use every technique in the book. This means answering print ads, responding to on-line job postings, contacting appropriate recruiters, cold contacting potential employers, networking your brains out and using social networking sites to pursue all of these strategies. Sorry, there are no silver bullets or genies in a bottle.
Mistake No. 6: Absorbing too much news media
Yes, there’s a recession. Yes, a lot of folks are out of work. And, yes, finding a job is a hard job in and of itself. But, no, the sky is not falling. And yes, if you work hard and long enough at it you will land a good job. The media’s motto is “If it bleeds, it leads.” Bad news is their stock in trade. You will never see a story about company hiring back 10 workers or a person who landed a great job after a rigorous job hunt. A regular diet of bad news will convince you that no one is hiring (untrue), to avoid employers who have had a reduction or layoff (bad strategy) or maybe you should just move to China (bad idea unless you speak Mandarin). Get out, have some fun, work at keeping your energy and spirits up, and network with optimistic people.
Eventually this recession — like all recessions — will really be over and you’ll be better prepared for (gulp) the next one.

E-mail Etiquette and Other Corporate Communication
How to send a proper e-mail and voice mail.
College students might get intimidated when first entering the corporate world. The formal atmosphere is a far cry from the relaxed world of the university. One question entry-level workers might be asking themselves: how do I send a formal e-mail? Don’t worry here’s a quick run down.
E-mail
Formal e-mail should be just that – formal. This means no more smiley faces and sign offs with a little joke. Keep your message to the point, concise and clean. And what about emails you fear will be misunderstood? According to career advice firm Vault.com, about 51 percent of polled professionals believe their messages are often misinterpreted as mean or angry. Adding little smiles to the text does not change how words come across. Instead, focus on keeping your messages short and focused.
Some other e-mail tips:
• Avoid little abbreviations
• Break your message up into easy-to-read paragraphs
• Write in lower case, upper case should be used sparingly
Also, always reread your e-mail before sending. Once you click ‘Send’, there’s no turning back. Spelling errors and grammar problems say you don’t have the time to care about what you write to somebody.
Voice Mail
When leaving a voice mail, keep it nice and slow. Many company speaker systems aren’t exactly of the best quality. Keep your speech clear so the message gets across.
Your message should be nice and short. Not saying you don’t have a beautiful voice, but most people don’t enjoy listening to the machine. According to business life publication Fast Company (fastcompany.com), most people decide to delete or save the message in the first 5-15 seconds. Always keep your messages under 30 seconds. (Most of the time aim for 10 seconds.)
Make sure you repeat both your name and your phone number. Say your phone number twice so the listener has time to write it down without replaying the message.

10 Reasons Your Job Search is Failing
By CareerBuilder.com writer

The frustrating reality isn’t nearly as simple. Getting an interview alone is an exercise in persistence and patience.

Here are 10 reasons for why you’re not landing that interview and what you can do to reverse the trend.

Your résumé and cover letter are as articulate as Courtney Love’s Web blog. If your application materials contain typos, grammatical errors and irrelevant or inconsistent information, employers will take notice — in a bad way. Once you’ve looked over your résumé and cover letter to the point of dementia, take this advice from Joyce Gioia of the Herman Group: have three people, for whom English is a first language, review your résumé and cover letter before you send it.

Your cover letter is generic. Make it personal by tailoring it to the particular job and addressing it to a person, not “To Whom It May Concern.” And include a sentence or two about how you are the right fit for that particular job. If no contact is listed, take the initiative to find out who the hiring manager is by searching the company’s Web site or calling the reference desk.

Your letter is a CliffsNotes version of your résumé. Instead of simply restating what’s on your résumé, include new information like how you found out about the job, why you want to work there and what you can do for them. Finally, close with something that will encourage a response, such as a request for an interview.

Your letter exudes self-consciousness, not self-confidence. If you don’t feel qualified for a job, why are you applying for it? Don’t call attention to your shortcomings in a letter; emphasize your strengths by focusing on your skills, experience and ability.

You cross the line from sounding confident to sounding cocky. Don’t mistake selling yourself with bragging. Putting “I would be an asset to your company” in your cover letter catches the eye; writing “You would be crazy not to hire me” turns the stomach.

Your MySpace page lists “binge-drinking” as a favorite pastime. Don’t post anything on a publicly accessible Web site that you wouldn’t want a potential employer to see. Not all hiring managers run searches on job candidates, but some do, and it’s better to err on the side of caution. Google yourself to see what comes up, because recruiters will see the same results.

You assume e-mail is enough. Hitting the send button on an online application is only the first step in landing an interview. For one thing, not every e-mail is received or read. Try following up your application by sending a paper résumé and cover letter via snail mail (indicating you’ve already applied online). After that, call the hiring manager to see that they’ve received your application and check on the status of the job in question.

You assume the Internet is enough. The majority of all employment opportunities aren’t advertised, so be proactive: Contact human resources managers at companies you want to work for inquiring about positions available; register with a job recruitment agency; attend industry events to stay on top of news; and devote energy to meeting like-minded professionals who will be the keys to discovering more opportunities.

You misrepresent yourself. It may sound like a no-brainer, but misrepresenting yourself on a résumé is bound to catch up with you. Upon performing a reference check, Denise Moorehead, communications director of a non-profit service agency in Boston, once discovered a job candidate had left her previous job a year earlier than she’d admitted. It turned out that the candidate had gotten burned out and decided to take a year to temp and regroup, but thought the obvious employment gap would be held against her, so she simply lied about it. “I figured if she’d lie about something this easy to explain, she might lie about the deadline-driven work she would have to do with me,” Moorehead says.

You give up. Remember that looking for a job is a full-time job. If you’re not hearing back from employers, considering changing your strategy. Experiment with different cover letters, revise your résumé on a regular basis and look for opportunities to add to your experience even when you’re not working (i.e. taking classes, participating in workshops, volunteering).
Copyright 2009 CareerBuilder.com. All rights reserved. The information contained in this article may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without prior written authority.
Story Filed Tuesday, January 12, 2010 – 10:30 AM

5 Ways to Shake Up Your Job Search
By Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer

With 2010 in full swing, it’s hopeful that things are starting to look up for those who had a tough time in 2009, professionally or otherwise. While the hope is that those who have been unemployed in recent months have found a job, recent numbers show many people are still looking for work.
Out of the 15.3 million people reported to be unemployed in December 2009, 6.1 million had been unemployed for more than 27 weeks, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In December, 4 in 10 unemployed workers were jobless for 27 weeks or longer. That’s a long time for anything, especially to be out of work.
This year, try doing things totally different than you’ve been doing in the past. Write a new résumé, revitalize your cover letters and kick up your job search a notch.
Here are five ways to shake up your job search in 2010:
1. Instead of job searching where you live … try relocating
We know it’s not easy to just pack up and move somewhere for a new job — we’re only suggesting that you think about it. Assess where you are, personally and professionally. If there’s nothing keeping you in your current city, expand your job search to other areas and see what you get. It’s no secret that some cities have been hit harder than others, so try looking in thriving areas. It definitely won’t hurt.
2. Instead of networking with only friends and family … try broadening your network
Everyone knows that one of the best ways to find a job is through friends and family. Hiring managers are more likely to pay attention to a résumé from someone they trust than by searching through hundreds of applications. If you’ve been doing this, but your job search is still coming up short, it’s time to cast a wider net. Reach out to former co-workers and managers, old college professors or members of clubs or associations you belong to. Take your job search to Twitter or other social networking sites, so everyone knows you are on the hunt. Become a fan of your desired employer’s Facebook page and engage with it.
3. Instead of applying only to “new” companies … try revisiting old possibilities
You might hesitate to reach out to companies you have already applied to for fear of seeming impatient or nagging, but we beg to differ. It never hurts to get back in touch with people you’ve already contacted. You can let them know you are still looking for work to see if they know of anything that might be up your alley, or you can specify the type of position you were hoping to find in their company. Even if you interviewed with an employer, reach out to them and get feedback on why they didn’t hire you. If they chose a more experienced candidate, for example, maybe they have an open position that is a better fit with your qualifications.
4. Instead of focusing on your strengths … try strengthening your weaknesses
While you should focus on what things you do well, consider that those aren’t the things that need work. After all, it’s not like you aren’t getting a job because you are so good at something, right? Say, for example, that you know you look good on paper and you get a lot of interviews — but nothing pans out after that. One might guess that your interview skills aren’t up to speed. Instead of trying to “fix” something that works (your résumé and cover letter), try spending more time perfecting your interview skills. Review questions you’ve been asked in interviews before and had a hard time answering, and work through answers to questions you’ll be asked all the time, like, “Tell me about yourself,” or “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
5. Instead of waiting for a full-time job … try looking for something in the interim
While most people might prefer to lock down a full-time job, these types of jobs are not abundant right now. Try expanding your search to something temporary or part time. Any kind of work, no matter how many hours you put in, will help you build up your skill set, which can only benefit you in your search for a full-time job. Not to mention, any new supervisors or co-workers that you meet will likely serve as a reference or at least part of your network in the future. Lastly, if you’re able to land a part-time gig in an area that interests you and in which you excel, it could lead to a full-time job.
Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.
Copyright 2010 CareerBuilder.com. All rights reserved. The information contained in this article may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without prior written authority.
Story Filed Monday, February 01, 2010 – 3:41 PM