Common Interview Surprise: Inappropriate Questions

by Tom Musbach, Yahoo! HotJobs

More than half of job seekers today have been asked an illegal question during a job interview.

That eye-opener comes from a Yahoo! HotJobs online poll, in which 62% of respondents reported being on the receiving end of a question about a verboten topic, such as one's religion or marital status. Almost a third (32%) had not been asked such a question, and 7% said they didn't know.

The poll results suggest it's worth reviewing what's appropriate and not. Interviewers are not supposed to ask about:

• Your age
• Your race or ethnic background
• Gender or sex
• Marital status
• Country of national origin or birthplace
• Whether you have children (or plan to)
• Your religion

Merely asking the questions isn't necessarily against the law, according to the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC). But the questions could become a matter for investigation if a candidate complains of unlawful discrimination during the hiring process.

Consider the Context

If you find yourself being asked a question that is inappropriate, assess the situation before reacting. Lynn Perry Parker, an employment attorney in Rockville, Maryland, suggests that you try to keep a sense of humor and not over-react, which could possibly jeopardize the employment relationship.

"Not all technically inappropriate questions are asked for improper purposes," Parker says. "For example, questions about marital status happen all the time. In many cases the interviewer is simply trying to put the job applicant at ease by getting to know the applicant as a person and to determine whether the applicant's personality is a good fit for the company.

"There is nothing illegal about that and, in fact, is an important objective of any interview," she adds.

How You Can Respond

Here are few options for handling inappropriate questions:

You can answer the question. This option may work if you're not bothered by the question and don't suspect it was asked with an improper motive.

You can tactfully point out that the question is illegal. Your interviewer may not even know that he or she has crossed a line. But if you feel uncomfortable with the question and the context in which it was asked, you can "politely but assertively state that you don't believe the question is relevant to your qualifications," says Parker.

You can alert another member of the hiring team. Parker says, "A single interviewer can spoil an applicant's chances, so it is imperative that others in the decision-making process know what may have motivated a negative report."

For more information, visit the EEOC's website.

Get real-time tips and job-market news by following Tom Musbach on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HotJobs_editor

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Skeletons in Your Closet: Coming Clean (or Not) in an Interview

by Caroline M.L. Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs

Whether you're a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, you may have something unsavory in your past -- at least insofar as a recruiter or human resources director is concerned. Honesty is a good policy, overall, but is it always in your interest to solicit certain unsavory information in the midst of an interview?

Sharon Jautz, an HR expert who has worked with Media Bistro, TheLadders.com, and WashingtonPost.com, weighs in on whether you should let your skeletons out of the closet during an interview -- or not.

1. If You Did the Crime...

If you've committed a crime, it could affect your future employment potential. However, says Jautz, "As I recall, you are asked only if you have ever been convicted of a felony -- not a misdemeanor. Additionally, just because you have a felony conviction, it does not necessarily mean you won't get the job." She advises, "If I were applying to be a chauffeur and had a DUI conviction, that would likely show up on a background check, so it's best to get out in front of it and assure the prospective employer that it happened long ago, it was only once, etc."

Jautz, who has worked at major media companies, including Conde Nast and Forbes, acknowledges that she once dealt with a temp-to-perm employee who, after four years on the job, came to her with tears in his eyes, saying, "I have to tell you something and you're going to have to fire me." Jautz asked him, "What did you do? Rob a bank?" The employee admitted, "Yes, I did." Despite concealing this (by then) long-ago transgression, Jautz, after consulting with her legal department and CEO, decided to keep on this now-valued employee.

2. Yes, Yes, Yes...

There are a lot of very good reasons to go to rehab. In fact, there probably aren't any bad ones. Whether it is for chemical or emotional reasons, nearly 743,000 persons become patients at rehabilitation facilities in last year, according to the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.. But if you're gone for several months or more, how might you explain this disappearing act on your resume? You may not have to, directly. There's nothing to be ashamed of, but if you want to keep your interview on point and professional, you may choose not to address your recovery at this time.

"So long as you were not released from your last job due to the addiction, and your past treatment won't affect the new, proposed job, I am not really certain this needs to be disclosed, personally." Further, she says, "Recovering addicts are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act."

3. The Dish on Digital Dirt...

Perez Hilton. Gawker. The Huffington Post. Twitter. Many of these sites have been the incubators for very public feuds involving, at times, not-so-public figures. Regardless of who fueled the fires of scandal, they burned ? and oftentimes a formerly private professional figure has been thrust into the spotlight. If this happened to you, should you address it?

Jautz says, "This actually happened to a friend of mine who got slammed on a blog and was told the author was protected by the first amendment. Unless this is really huge, I don't see it coming up in an interview. Keep in mind, though, that as you become more senior in an industry, it's probably a good practice to search for your name on search engines every now and again and see what's out there."

4. There's Smoke, and Then There's Fired...

An online feud or scandal may seem easier to put out than the fact that you've been terminated by an employer for poor performance. But, like the housing market, employers are softening their stance on this.

"This used to be a huge no-no. Now, it's seen as more of a non-meeting of the minds. As 'not a good fit.' Or, simply, a poor hiring decision. Depending on what the performance issue was, you can get out in front of it that way. A friend of mine was hired with years of experience, yet, was micromanaged out of the gate to the point of not being challenged at all. She and her employer mutually agreed that this was not the role for her."

5. Deep Background Doesn't Always Stay in the Background...

What will a background check reveal? What WON'T a background check reveal! According to Jautz, who often scans a resume in 15 seconds, "Everything is discoverable! If you have something serious in your background, don't let six interviews go by before it comes up. It looks -- and is -- concealing and disingenuous.

"Above all, never lie. I've passed on hiring a handful of people, who, not expecting a background check, indicated they'd had a college degree when none had."

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Rocker Puts Jobless People in Music Video

Song Motivates Job Seekers to Keep Trying

by Tom Musbach, Yahoo! HotJobs

An emerging rock artist has found a new way to call attention to the unemployment problem in the United States: putting jobless people in a music video.

The video, for Ryan Star's new single "Breathe," features 12 adults who are looking for work as they carry around signs in New York City with messages like: "Good at my job," "I can't afford health insurance," and "I'd rather be working." Their occupations range from balloon artist to software consultant.

Star, on tour this fall with "American Idol" winner David Cook, says he wanted the video to be relevant to the struggles of people looking for work.

"When I started thinking of how to represent 'Breathe,' this idea made sense because unemployment is the common thread that I have been seeing everywhere I have been touring," Star says. "It just feels to me that people everywhere need to hear a positive message, that things will all be OK and that we are here for one another."

Employed Workers Not Wanted

The participants in the video were selected during a unique casting call. They agreed to take part in a day of filming in New York, and to have their job hunts publicly advertised on the new site breathe4jobs.com.

Blake Carrington, an unemployed teacher's aide who appears in the video, says that he had never before worn a sign to advertise for a job. But he now recommends this "extreme" form of job-seeking. "It shows passion," he says.

Maria Schock, a participant in the video who teaches English, says, "I thought the video captured the true essence of today's current economic situation. These are tough times, and the job market is competitive. I don't know what will happen, but I hope for the best."

The nation's unemployment situation is the worst since 1983, with the jobless rate hitting 10.2% in October. The rate climbs higher -- 17.5% -- by adding in Americans who are involuntarily underemployed (working part-time) or who stopped looking for work because of discouragement, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Staying Positive in the Moment

"Breathe" is part of Star's debut album "11:59," due for release in early 2010.

"'Breathe' fit right into the idea behind '11:59.' It's about being in the moment," says Star. "I know we have all grown up hearing the romantic idea of seizing the day, but for the first time I feel like I truly started to understand it. I found myself trying to find purpose in the present."

Schock says of the song, "It sends the message to be patient, that better times are coming, and to just keep breathing."

Patience has become a common theme for all job seekers today, as more than a third of unemployed Americans have been out of work for more than six months.

"I'm staying positive every day by working out, meditation, and knowing that there is light at the end of the tunnel," says Carrington. "This song is all about that."

Watch the "Breathe" video on Yahoo! Music.

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Tips for Job-Hunting During the Holidays

by Susan Johnston, for Yahoo! HotJobs

While the holidays might seem like a slow period for hiring, career experts say the season also presents an opportunity for job applicants to make an impression.

"Around the holidays, many job seekers are preoccupied with family gatherings and other distractions that keep them away from their searches," says Shawn Graham, author of "Courting Your Career" and director of MBA career services at the University of Pittsburgh. "As a result, the volume of applications for non-seasonal work is often lighter -- and that gives you, as a candidate, a greater chance of being seen."

Adds Mary Rosenbaum, a career coach and personal branding strategist at Your Career by Design, "Most companies work on their strategic plans during the fourth quarter and tend to be more open to a variety of potential hires that might fit with their strategic goals for the coming year."

Industries that use a bonus structure, like legal or financial firms, also anticipate turnover during the first quarter, because some employees leave after collecting their annual bonus.

So, how can job seekers stand out during the holiday season? Here are four ways to start:

Call during off hours.

"As the holidays approach, people are in and out of the office, and those who are at work often use that time to play catch up," says Graham. "Recruiters could use that time to give applicants of interest a longer look."

Since support staff may be out of the office, job seekers have a better chance of reaching an actual hiring manager or recruiter. One of the ways Graham suggests reaching managers when they aren't running in and out of meetings is to call before the start of the business day or after 5 p.m.

Avoid holiday gimmicks.

Some job seekers use cutesy ideas like sending a plate of Christmas cookies along with a cover letter or printing their resumes on holiday paper in the hopes that they'll get noticed. But Graham and Rosenbaum warn that these gimmicks can backfire.

"I'm not a fan of the holiday-inspired gimmick ploys," says Graham. "It's better to be more conservative. Make sure the content of your email is written persuasively and impactfully." By focusing on your skills rather than gimmicks, you also won't have to worry about offending people who celebrate different holidays.

Use events to build relationships, not beg for a job.

Holiday parties, end-of-the-year conferences, and other events all afford opportunities for networking. But job seekers can also organize holiday drinks with people they want to connect or reconnect with, since people tend to be more open to socializing during this time of year.

"Get people together for holiday drinks at Joe's Pub or something," suggests Rosenbaum. "The idea right now is to have more face time and build a relationship. What you should be doing now during the holiday time is contacting them in a way that puts them on a more equal footing." She adds that if you're unsure about someone's holiday traditions, you can simply offer their family your best.

Don't lose focus.

Staying motivated during the holidays could give you can edge over those applicants who put their search on hold. According to Graham, "The biggest thing is to keep at it. Around the holidays, it's easy to get caught up in all the distractions. Set aside that time every day and continue to look for opportunities."

Says Rosenbaum, "The idea is for people not to assume that because it's the holiday season that they shouldn't redouble their efforts. This is a really good time of year. People are much more willing to go out for drinks and spend a little more time. Use this time to forge relationships, not just look for the job."

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Money in the Bank: 5 Careers for $60K+ Salaries

by Patricia Cecil-Reed, FindtheRightSchool.com


While it comes as no shock that everyone would like to make a little more money, it may be surprising to learn that 83 percent of working Americans are living paycheck to paycheck.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national mean salary was $42,270. Those surveyed in the study said that they would need to make $250 to $1,000 more per paycheck to live comfortably.

But what if you could increase your salary to $60,000 or more per year? If the mean national average just isn't cutting it anymore, consider investing in online education or further career training to shift into a job with a higher income. Below are five diverse career options for those who want more out of their paychecks.

Postsecondary Education Teacher

Shattering the notion that teachers make poor salaries, this career offers a nice salary and much faster than average job growth, with 23 percent growth expected between 2006 and 2016. Postsecondary education teachers instruct in areas related to education, such as counseling, curriculum, guidance, and English as a second language. Some teach exclusively while others do a combination of teaching and research.

Education requirements can vary widely based on specialty. A master's degree will likely be required for university teachers, while those teaching at career institutes will mostly need to demonstrate experience and expertise in their field. If you have an inquiring mind and enjoy instructing others in your favorite subject, this may be a fulfilling career path for you to consider.

Mean annual salary: $60,080.

Registered Nurse

This is the largest health care occupation in the U.S., and the one expected to see the most job growth in coming years. Registered nurses help the sick and assist doctors and other medical professionals, usually in a hospital setting. You may be familiar with the basic duties of a nurse, from treating patients to recording health information to educating and supporting patients and family members. RNs often specialize in a particular area, such as geriatric or pediatric care. This is a vital career within the health care system, and a promising path for those who enjoy helping others.

There are several paths to becoming a registered nurse, from earning an associate's degree in nursing (ADN) to a bachelor's of science in nursing (BSN).

Mean annual salary: $65,130.

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

Network and computer systems administrators can be found in offices, small businesses, and government organizations -- really, anywhere where a computer system is vital to business operations. In today's society, this is just about everywhere, perhaps explaining why this career is expected to see much faster than average growth over the next seven years. Network and computer systems administrators are responsible for designing, installing, and maintaining an organization's computer systems. They usually need a bachelor's degree in an area like computer science or information systems. Without a degree, prior experience in the field is considered essential.

Mean annual salary: $69,570

Occupational Health and Safety Specialist

These professionals enforce the rules for health, safety, and environmental regulations in the workplace. Their job description is primarily concerned with keeping workers and the general public safe, and may include designing work spaces, testing air quality, or inspecting machinery. Additionally, they aim to save the organization money by reducing absenteeism, keeping equipment running properly, and lowering insurance premiums.

Training for this career can vary from an associate's to a master's degree. Some employers prefer a bachelor's degree in occupational health and safety or a related field like engineering or biology.

Mean annual salary: $63,030.

Technical Writer

Putting technical or specialized information into understandable terms is the main duty of a technical writer. They make technical manuals, catalogs, and assembly instructions easily digestible for the general reader. Technical writers are mainly found in the information technology industry, planning and editing technical materials, and overseeing the layout of these publications.

A college degree is usually desired for writers, and for technical writers, a degree or certification in their technical area is becoming more of a standard in the field. It is common for scientists, technicians, and engineers with good writing skills to transition into technical writers.

Mean annual salary: $64,210.

Now that you have some ideas for exciting, high-paying jobs, consider how you can parlay your interests and talents into a $60,000 or higher paycheck. In addition to the financial cushion, you may find yourself more fulfilled in a career that reflects your true potential.

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Hiring Pros Share Insights About Social Networking Sites

by Yahoo! HotJobs

The Recruiter Roundtable is a recurring feature that collects career and job-seeking advice from a group of recruiting experts throughout the United States. The question we put before our panel this month is:

Are you using social networking sites as part of your recruiting -- either for finding and/or vetting candidates? What are your observations and tips about how candidates can use these sites effectively as part of a job search?

Leverage the Opportunity

Currently, we are using social networking sites -- mostly LinkedIn. Where we use Facebook is more in the groups section. I have joined a few alumni groups and have posted a position there.

More than 75% of companies in the U.S. were polled and agreed that utilizing social media was a necessary outlet for recruiting.

I would recommend that if you are actively interviewing, keep your profile clean. No profanity (this goes without saying), no inappropriate photos or negative comments. Be smart -- use it as a tool -- add your awards, accomplishments, professional goals. With more and more employers turning to this inexpensive tool, leverage this opportunity.
-- Carolyn Dougherty, owner of IntelliSource Inc.

Don't Ditch the Fundamentals

We have found that the most effective ways to vet applicants are meeting with them in person and speaking directly with their references, approaches that cannot be duplicated or replaced by social networking.

Job seekers should combine personal and social networking activities, while also focusing on tried-and-true techniques such as developing targeted resumes, preparing thoroughly for interviews, and working with specialized recruiters. When tapping social networks, candidates need to dedicate the same care to crafting their profiles as they do to the content in their resumes. These sites also can be great sources of recommendations and referrals, and professionals need to promptly thank those who help them in their search.
-- Andy Denka, executive director of Accountemps

Keep It Current

I've worked with companies who have used social networking sites as a means to post jobs and track candidates, and although the value of these sites remains to be seen, the immediate impact of people following the job was positive. If used correctly, these sites can be an easy, fast, innovative, and fun way to advertise current and potential opportunities.

My advice to candidates: Keep your profiles and activity current.
-- Bob Hancock, senior staffing consultant

It's Easy Public Research

We currently do not use social networking sites as part of our established sourcing or screening process. However, many hiring managers are becoming savvy with these online communities and may visit them on their own initiative, developing impressions about candidates from the results of their research.

I would advise all job seekers to maintain a professional public appearance online. Even if researching these sites is not part of a formal process, any information a hiring manager gains about a candidate can play a part in their hiring decision. It's wise to learn how to effectively use the privacy features of social networking sites to ensure that you can manage what information is available to the public.
-- Noah Apodaca, lead recruiter for staff at the University of California, Irvine

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5 Ways to Wow Your Boss

by Caroline M.L. Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs

It's more important than ever to make sure your boss is happy with your performance. In tenuous times, your supervisor is one of the few people who may be able to shield you from a layoff. She may also be able to help you pursue a promotion down the road.

However, like any relationship, the one between you and your boss can get stale. You may grow complacent over time or you may never start off on the right foot. The good news is that it's never too late to breathe new life into how you work with your supervisor, thanks to these expert tips from Alexandra Levit, author of "New Job, New You: A Guide to Reinventing Yourself in a Bright New Career."

If you heed these five hints, you'll not only contribute to your job security; you'll also win your boss's admiration and appreciation -- as well as a little loyalty.

1. Be humble. In other words, be mindful of the fact that it's not all about you. Says Levit, "Don't approach your boss with a sense of entitlement, as though he is personally responsible for furthering your career. Instead, focus on learning what you can do to make his life easier, contribute to your company's goals, and make him look good to his boss."

2. Be honest. Everyone makes mistakes -- and you're no exception. Be forthcoming about it from the start. "Admit if you do something wrong, and then ask your boss how you can rectify the situation. Don't allow yourself to get caught in a maze of lies or excuses that will result in a loss of credibility," she advises.

3. Be respectful of the boss's time. If you think your plate is full, consider that of your boss. Use your time together wisely and efficiently. Levit suggests, "Appear in her office with a checklist of things you need to cover, and don't dwell too long on any particular subject. Your boss will be more receptive to meeting with you if she knows you'll be in and out of his office quickly."

4. Be self-sufficient. Be mindful of the fact that your supervisor doesn't have the bandwidth to hold your hand through every crisis or help you make every difficult decision that lands on your desk.

"Only approach your boss with a problem or complaint if you've explored all options for resolving it yourself. When you do, be prepared to have a solution at hand that you could implement with her help," says Levit, who is also a contributor to The Wall Street Journal.

"Choose your battles wisely, and decide carefully if bringing an issue to your boss's attention is really necessary or if you would be better off letting it go," she adds.

5. Be a "can-do" employee. Redefine the concept of a "yes man" (or "yes woman") at the office. She advises, "When your boss asks you to do something, accommodate him, if possible. The words 'I don't have time' should never escape your lips. If you know something needs to be done, do it without being prodded, and if your boss asks for help in a group setting, be the first to volunteer."

If you're always amenable, Levit believes, "Your boss will quickly come to see you as a huge asset to the team and as someone he can count on."

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Companies Cautiously Prepare to Raise Salaries

4 Tips for Getting an Increase for 2010

by Margaret Steen, for Yahoo! HotJobs

As the economy begins to recover, salary increases should do the same.

In the past few years, employers have raised workers' salaries by about 4 percent per year -- except for 2009, when the figure dropped to a historically low 2.1 percent, according to a survey of employers by global human resources association WorldatWork. About one-third of companies froze raises altogether.

For 2010, WorldatWork's survey projects an average salary increase budget of 2.7 percent, a figure that shows how the situation has improved but also that the job market is still weak. Between 10 percent and 15 percent of companies said they would freeze raises -- far fewer than in 2009, but still more than in most years.

New Approach for Raises

"Jobs don't typically recover quite like the economy," said Alison Avalos, research manager for WorldatWork. "We still see a lot of conservative approaches for 2010."

Underlying these figures is a change in the way employers give raises. Employers have started "using increases as a tool to motivate and retain talent rather than something that everybody gets," Avalos said. "Employers have realized that they can get a lot more bang for their buck if they tailor their rewards based on performance."

This means that even with the low average increase, some employees are getting larger raises -- and some are getting none at all.

Position Yourself Well

How can you be one of the employees to get a raise? Avalos and others offer the following tips:

* Do your job well. This means producing high-quality work, of course, but also keeping the big picture in mind.

"It really comes down to positioning yourself as a high performer, somebody who is aware of business goals and helps the company meet their goals as an organization," Avalos said.

* Be visible. When times are tough, some workers think, "I'm going to hunker down and hope that nobody notices me, because I don't want to be on a layoff list," said Richard Phillips, owner of Advantage Career Solutions. This is a mistake, because you're unlikely to get a raise if no one knows what you have accomplished. "If anything, what you want to do is be more visible."

* Make your boss's life easier. This means everything from having a good attitude to taking on extra tasks. If you don't know how you can help your boss, ask.

* Ask for a raise. Talk to your boss and present your case: Here's what I've done, here's how it fits with the company's goals, here's why I think it's worth a salary increase. In some cases, even if your company has an official raise freeze, you can get a raise if you make a good case.

If the answer is no -- or if you're not ready to ask directly -- Phillips suggests asking, "What would you like to see from me that would put me in line for a raise?"

A question like this can improve your standing. "Just asking the question says to the boss, 'I'm thinking about where I fit in here, what I can do,'" Phillips said. "That in and of itself has value."

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Secrets to Enhancing Your Resume

Adding to Your Education Adds More to Your Salary

by Natalie Morris, FindtheRightSchool.com

A hiring manager or recruiter will spend maybe 30 seconds looking over your resume before adding it to the "maybe" stack or the "absolutely not" shredder. In the current economic reality, with unemployment high and competition for open jobs soaring, your resume needs to stand out for all the right reasons.

Outside of years of professional experience, what one factor can help to enhance your resume and get you noticed? Education.

Whether you pursue professional certification, the bachelor's degree you never went back for, or the master's you've always wanted, additional career training and education can open up more job opportunities in many different career areas and put you in the "yes" resume folder.

Marketing and Public Relations

Marketing and public relations professionals work to earn new customers and keep existing customers through any and all forms of communication. Whether you're overseeing a television interview, planning a new email marketing campaign, or putting together your communications strategy for the entire year, you need the right expertise and education to feel confident in your career.

Because jobs in marketing and PR tend to be well-paid and highly desirable, competition for open positions can be fierce even during the best economic times. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), public relations managers earn a mean salary of $101,220, and marketing managers earn $118,160. Increasingly, hiring managers look for candidates with a master's degree in business administration (MBA) with a marketing emphasis. Specific certification from an industry organization such as the Public Relations Society of America can also add to your credentials and help your resume to stand out from the crowd.

Education

If you've chosen to pursue a career as a teacher, you already place a high value on education. Hiring managers for schools and school districts share that value and they look for job candidates who not only love to teach, but love to learn. With many states slashing school budgets, competition for open teaching jobs is heating up, and your resume needs to show every possible advantage.

Earning a master's degree in education gives your resume an edge and can also add thousands of dollars each year to the BLS mean annual teaching salary of $54,390. You'll also need to look at master's degree programs if you're interested in pursuing a new education specialty such as reading, special education, or technology. Another career path for teachers focuses on education administration. Principals earn considerably more than teachers -- the BLS reports a salary of $86,060 -- but you need to have a master's degree in education administration in order for a district to even look at your resume.

Computer Science

As technology continues to progress with lightning speed, keeping your education up-to-date becomes more important than ever before, especially for those who develop the technologies. Although computer scientists learn a great deal on the job, a degree program can give you exposure to new theories, inspire progressive ideas, and introduce you to colleagues who will encourage and challenge you well after your class is over.

Traditional education requirements for computer specialists, who earn a mean salary of $76,000 as reported by the BLS, have ranged widely from an associate's degree in computer science all the way to a PhD. Increasing complexity in the field has pushed more computer specialists toward the higher end of the spectrum, with a bachelor's and even a master's degree in computer science becoming commonplace. In order for your resume to get noticed by hiring managers in this quickly growing field, you may also want to think about becoming certified in the software program most applicable to your area of focus.

Registered Nursing

According to the BLS, the average annual registered nurse's salary is $65,130, but you can make considerably more by moving into an administration position or focusing on a particular nursing specialty. Without additional education and certification, hiring managers will not even consider your resume for these more advanced and highly paid positions.

Most administrative roles require a bachelor's degree in nursing and many colleges have stepped up to the demand by offering RN to BSN programs. The master's in nursing and the master's of health care administration and public health can also be an advantage. In addition, each of the four advanced-practice nursing specialties requires a master's degree: nurse midwife, nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists.

Whatever your career focus, additional career training and degrees can help to catch the eye of hiring managers and recruiters in any job market. If your search hasn't progressed the way you'd hoped, consider adding to your educational credentials sooner rather than later.

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Tomorrow's New Hottest Jobs

by Carol Tice, PayScale.com


Wouldn't it be great to know which jobs will see growing demand in the future? It sure would help with planning a career change, or even with picking a college major.

Turns out, you don't need a crystal ball to find out. Every two years, researchers at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics create a new 10-year forecast detailing the specific occupations the government expects will grow and shrink over the coming decade. The 2008-2018 projections came out in December.

The new data is especially valuable because it includes the first year of the current economic downturn (2008). The new Occupational Outlook Handbook, which went up on the BLS Web site in mid-December, provides a first look at how specific jobs may recover -- or not -- over the next eight years.

Job-seekers may find the new report comforting, as BLS economists generally do expect us to pull out of our current job slump. Some broad job categories see big job growth over the next decade because they're projected from the recession-era low in 2008. An example is construction laborers, projected to add 256,000 new jobs by 2018 as the sector recovers from its current slowdown, says Dixie Sommers, assistant commissioner of occupational statistics and employment projections.

One particularly heartening piece of news involves wages: the previous fastest-growing jobs forecast showed just four of the 10 jobs had high wages. The 2018 forecast, by contrast, lists six jobs that pay more than $70,000 per year. If you're interested in health care, there's lots of opportunity for you ahead -- eight of the top 10 occupy some niche in the field.

Only three occupations appear on both the '06 and '08 top-10 fastest-growing lists -- networks systems and data communications analysts, home health aides, and personal-care aides. The other seven of the top 10 are new for '08. See these jobs listed below. Some are fairly small employment niches, but all are seeing exploding growth:

Biomedical engineer
This field's expected growth through '18 -- a whopping 72 percent -- far outstrips any other occupation. As health-care technology becomes ever more complex, demand will explode for more engineers who can combine medical knowledge with engineering principles to develop needed new medical devices and equipment. The BLS reports most have a background in another engineering specialty and additional medical training.

Financial examiner
Part of a broader trend of growth in supervisory positions, BLS foresees a 41 percent increase in demand for financial professionals who can analyze and enforce laws governing the financial and securities industries. The field is expected to add 38,000 jobs in the next decade. Most have a bachelor's degree.

Medical scientist (excluding epidemiologists)
As technology makes it possible to delve deeply into the causes of diseases, demand for medical scientists is expected to rise 40 percent. Most have a Ph.D. in a biological science.

Physician assistant
Physician assistants work under a doctor's supervision in big cities, or may be primary care providers in rural areas where doctors are in short supply. Apparently, more shortages are forecast as demand is set to increase 39 percent by 2018. Most physician assistants have a two-year degree on top of a bachelor's degree.

Biochemist/biophysicist
Biochemists study living things and their chemical composition, while biophysicists study how electrical and mechanical energy impact living things. Growth is expected to exceed 37 percent. Some in this field start with a bachelor's degree, while a Ph.D. may be needed for independent research work.

Skin-care specialist
Also known as aestheticians, skin-care specialists were No. 11 last year and made it to the top 10 at No. 8 in the 2018 projections. With expected 38 percent growth, this field is one of the quickest to get into in the top 10 -- a high-school diploma or G.E.D. and a cosmetology-school certificate are all that's required.

Athletic trainer
America's love affair with sports is forecast to grow in the future, spurring a projected 37 percent increase in the need for athletic trainers to keep our athletes fit and help them recover from injuries. Trainers usually work under a doctor's supervision or in cooperation with other healthcare providers. Most have a bachelor's degree, and more than half have an advanced degree, the National Athletic Trainers Association reports.

Business writer Carol Tice is a regular contributor to Entrepreneur, The Seattle Times and other major publications. She can be reached at caroltice.com.

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Move up by Focusing on Your Strengths

by Robert DiGiacomo, for Yahoo! HotJobs


The conventional wisdom on moving up the corporate ladder often stresses the importance of gaining new skills or improving weaknesses. But in many cases, a more effective career strategy might be to focus on developing your main talents.

According to research by Gallup on more than 2 million workers over a 30-year period, those who prioritized their core strengths enjoyed greater success than those who tried to bring up their faults.

Stand Out With Your Strengths

London-based economist and business strategist Vaughan Evans calls this best-foot forward approach the "Madonna method" because the pop diva has maintained her stardom by doing what she does best: constantly reinventing herself to keep up with the zeitgeist.

"The ideal situation is if your strengths are those strengths needed by your organization, and you invest further in them -- then you're in a terrific position, and you're immune from layoffs," says Evans, author of "Backing U! A Business-Oriented Guide to Backing Your Passion and Achieving Career Success."

But given today's far-from-ideal economic climate, Evans recommends having several fallback strategies to ride out the bad times and get ready for a recovery.

The Lower-Cost Approach

Under this scenario, you reduce your "cost" to your employer by agreeing to a salary cut, accepting an unpaid furlough, or switching to a four-day week.

"It's the Southwest Airlines strategy -- you make yourself indispensable based on price," Evans says. "It can be a strategy for success, but it also can be a strategy for survival in hard times like now."

How to 'Sharpen Your Act'

If you find your skills don't match well with your current position or your employer's core business, your long-term goal should be to determine your true passions and find a job that suits them.

But in the near term's difficult market, Evans suggests addressing any weaknesses simply to hold onto your job until conditions improve. This might entail taking classes or getting specialized training.

"In today's world with 10 percent unemployed, you're not going to take a risk of going on the open job market," Evans says. "This could be a valuable strategy for survival."

The Hybrid Approach

Sometimes a new set of circumstances can dictate a temporary change in career strategy.

For example, you may have been cruising along in a marketing position that tapped your abilities as a writer and strategist. Then you get a promotion that adds one of your major weaknesses -- a lack of good public speaking skills -- to your job description. What to do?

"The rules of the game have changed, and you would be well-advised to sharpen your act" by getting some speech training, Evans says.

Passion Rules

Whatever strategy you adopt, each points to the need for every worker to find his or her passion -- and build a career around it.

"It's generally accepted that people whose job is actually their passion perform incomparably better than those who just do a job because it's a job," Evans says.

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5 Reasons Why the Best Time for Your New Career Is Now

by Shannon Dauphin, FindtheRightSchool.com


Making a drastic career change can be daunting at any time in your life, but it is especially scary during times of economic downturn. Shouldn't you hold onto your current job with all your might? While that seems the most logical thing at first blush, making a career change now could actually be the better plan.

Here's why.

1. Better Chances of Advancement

Have you reached a point in your career where advancement will happen only if you further your education? That's the story for many who choose to go back to school. Further your career training and earn your associate's or bachelor's degree to kick open new doors!

Inspiration: Registered Nurse
Nursing aides offer hands-on help for patients, including the basics of bathing, dressing, and cleanliness. The pay rate for nursing aides is a median of $23,850 per year. However, career training of one year and good grades on qualifying exams can earn the title of licensed practical nurse, with a higher annual pay of $39,030.

Those who choose to advance to registered nurse can bring home a healthy $62,450 per year. An associate's degree in nursing, a bachelor's degree in nursing, or a nursing diploma are the three ways to advance to the higher pay and title of registered nurse.

2. Higher Education Equals Higher Pay

Maybe you're already in a job you love, but your paycheck doesn't reflect all those years of hard work you have put in. Earning your online degree can add quite a hefty weight to that paycheck.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, those who hold an associate's degree can make an average of $5,600 more per year than those with only a high school diploma. Those with a bachelor's degree, however, make an average of $15,400 more than those with an associate's degree.

Inspiration: Web Designer
Web designers create websites for everyone from individuals to large corporations. Their education can be just as varied, ranging from an associate's degree to a doctorate. Typically, the higher the degree, the better the position and the higher the pay. According to Robert Half International, Web designers earn a median annual wage ranging from $47,000 to $71,500.

3. Realize Your Dream

Is there something you have always wanted to do, but obtaining your ideal job never seemed to be in the cards? You're not alone, but other savvy folks just like you have managed to make it happen. Hold onto your current job while taking courses at night or online, and before you know it, you will have a degree in that field of your dreams.

Inspiration: Teacher
If you've always wanted to touch the lives of children and instill a love of learning, now is the time. Elementary school teachers will be in high demand in the coming years, and can earn a median annual salary of $49,330. A bachelor's degree is required, as well as a state license to teach.

4. Turn Lemons Into Lemonade

When that dreaded pink slip lands on your desk, what happens after you leave the building? Before you dust off that resume, take a good look at what you can do with this unexpected downtime. This is the golden opportunity to do something fresh and exciting.

Inspiration: Chef
What's cooking? Anything you want when you're in charge of the kitchen as a professional chef. Start out with career training on the job while you pursue an associate's or bachelor's degree in culinary arts. This sweet career change can lead to a median annual salary of $38,770 when you become the head chef.

5. Getting Education Is Easier Than Ever

You might think earning your degree will take too much time, or cost too much money. While some positions might require a four-year bachelor's degree or a level of education even higher than that, there are just as many options that require two years of career training or less.

Inspiration: Dental Hygienist
Helping patients learn good oral hygiene is the job of the dental hygienist. A dental hygiene program takes from one to two years to complete. Get the degree, pass the license exam, and you're on track to make a median wage of $66,570 per year in one of the fastest-growing occupations today.

Ready for a Career Change?

Now is the time to make that career leap. Earn your online degree, then use your career training to open the door to a new career adventure. You've got nothing to lose, and a whole new occupation to gain.

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Earn More Than a Full-Timer: 10 Hot Contract Jobs

by Siri Anderson, PayScale.com

Everyone wants a good salary. But today you might just need to think like a contractor to find it.

In an economic state like our current one, more employers offer contract jobs to save on benefits and other expenses involved in a full-time hire. But because they spend less in other areas, they're usually willing to pay better hourly rates to contractors.

The information technology industry is known for relying heavily on contractors and pays them particularly well. If that's not your field, there's still a wide variety of jobs where contractors are paid significantly better than a full-time employee (FTE). Online salary database PayScale.com ran the numbers on 10 common contracting jobs to find out just how much of a raise you could score by accepting one.

1. Registered Nurse
Median annual pay: $72,400
Increase in pay compared to FTE: +24%
Typical degree: Associate's Degree, Nursing

It's no secret that nursing services are in high demand. In fact, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) projects an added 587,000 new positions between 2006-2016, which is one of the highest increases of all occupations. That high demand puts potential employees in a strong position for salary bargaining. Put yourself in the driver's seat for salary negotiations, and you could earn a hefty raise over full-time positions -- a 24 percent increase on average.

2. Physical Therapist
Median annual pay: $78,400
Increase in pay compared to FTE: +15%
Typical degree: Master's Degree, Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is another health-care department that is expected to hire much faster than average over the next 10 years. Medical advances that help to save lives result in an increased demand for rehabilitative services. Though it takes an investment of time and money to complete the master's degree required for this field, the returns on that investment are great in terms of employment potential and the ability to dicker for more dollars in your contracting rate.

3. Project Manager, Construction
Median annual pay: $76,400
Increase in pay compared to FTE: +12%
Typical degree: Bachelor's Degree, Construction Management

The construction industry has taken a deep hit over the last year and a half, which has slowed and often halted building projects. However, management still pays in this industry, and as green works and recovery dollars continue to spur growth, more work opportunities should follow. Though a degree isn't always required to be a construction project manager, it is becoming more of the norm, especially as competition stiffens for these positions. Plus, the added education certainly helps when bargaining the terms of your contract.

4. Graphic Designer
Median annual pay: $42,300
Increase in pay compared to FTE: +10%
Typical degree: Bachelor's Degree, Graphic Design & Fine Arts

Tell mom and dad artists can make money. From package design to animation and computer graphics, designers create visual communications for our increasingly image- and video-hungry eyes. The BLS expects job growth to be average, with much of the increase coming from the video and Internet entertainment market. Keen competition is expected for these contracts, but if you land one, you can expect to get about 10 percent more pay than your full-time counterpart.

5. Business Analyst
Median annual pay: $75,300
Increase in pay compared to FTE: +7%
Typical degree: Bachelor's Degree, Computer Information Systems & Computer Science

Business analysts are very commonly contract positions -- 27 percent are self-employed, which is three times the average for most professions. Demand for analysts is expected to rise to help companies stay competitive as the business world continues to increase in complexity. Competition, however, is expected to be quite fierce since qualifications can vary widely, which increases the pool of potential applicants. Plus, the high earning potential is luring many into the fray for these lucrative contracts.

6. Software Developer
Median annual pay: $76,500
Increase in pay compared to FTE: +5%
Typical degree: Bachelor's Degree, Computer Science & Computer Engineering

Internet technologies and electronic data-processing systems in business, telecommunications and government are fueling an expected 38 percent increase in this field. That's an additional 324,000 new jobs available to developers, which is much faster than average growth. Employers look for candidates with strong practical experience usually in addition to a bachelor's degree in a related field. The BLS notes that if you can offer a good set of interpersonal and business skills, your chances for scoring the position will be greatest.

7. Programmer Analyst
Median annual pay: $69,500
Increase in pay compared to FTE: +5%
Typical degree: Bachelor's Degree, Computer Science

Computer analyst job prospects are expected to be very good due to positions opening up as workers move into managerial positions or other occupations. The best candidates demonstrate practical knowledge and hold a four-year degree in computer science or a related field. However, the BLS also notes that graduates in non-computer related fields who have taken courses in computer programming, systems analysis, and other information technology subjects should also be able to land a good contract.

8. Project Manager, IT
Median annual pay: $85,700
Increase in pay compared to FTE: +3%
Typical degree: Bachelor's Degree, Computer Information Systems & Computer Science

IT project managers are the go-to people for all phases of a firm's information technology projects. They create the requirements, budgets, and schedules to get the job done. Projects increasingly involve upgrades to the information security of an organization. Job growth is expected to be faster than the average, and workers with specialized technical knowledge and strong communications skills have the best chance of negotiating a healthy pay rate.

9. Administrative Assistant
Median annual pay: $31,900
Increase in pay compared to FTE: +2%
Typical degree: Bachelor's Degree, Business Management & Business Administration

Administrative assistants aren't the same paper pushers of times past -- they're increasingly taking on roles of information and communication managers. Job opportunities in this field are very good. Growth will be average, but positions tend to open up as many admins move into professional occupations. Applicants with bachelor's degrees will be in greater demand for managerial assistants and complex tasks, which can earn you a fair bit more in your next contract position.

10. Mechanical Engineer
Median annual pay: $70,400
Increase in pay compared to FTE: +2%
Typical degree: Bachelor's Degree, Mechanical Engineering

Out of all the engineering fields, mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines, taking on projects from agriculture production to robots used in manufacturing. Despite the wide range of employment possibilities, mechanical engineering is expected to have a slower than average growth, increasing only by 4 percent. Emerging technologies, such as biotechnology, materials science, and nanotechnology offer the best opportunities for steady work and solid contracts.

*All salary information is from PayScale.com. It shows the median annual pay for hourly workers with 5-8 years of experience. Job projections are from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics and the Occupational Outlook Handbook.

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Apologizing on the Job

When -- and How -- to Say You're Sorry at Work

by Margaret Steen, for Yahoo! HotJobs

Career success is all about relationships. And when something goes wrong, it's important to fix it. That may mean an apology is in order.

"Getting back on the right path as quickly as possible is what makes you a good employee," says Anna Post, an author and spokesperson for the Emily Post Institute.

Post and others offer advice on how to handle apologies in six common workplace situations:

1. You made a mistake that causes problems for your colleagues.

This is a clear-cut case where an apology is called for. You could simply say, "I'm sorry," followed by an offer to fix the problem.

If the situation is complex, use your apology to show you understand the effect of your actions. Meryl Runion, a speaker and author of six books on communication, suggests saying, "I regret that you have to do X, Y, and Z because of my mistake. I'm sorry. It won't happen again because in the future I will... ."

2. Someone in your company made a mistake, and you're dealing with an unhappy customer.

You don't want to pretend you did it, but you may want to issue a clear apology on behalf of the company. "There are times when you need to take one for the team," Post says. "Somebody needs to apologize." You'll look better making the apology than casting blame on your coworkers.

3. You're not sure whether you should apologize.

Perhaps you sensed during a meeting that your comment had upset a colleague. Before apologizing, try to find out what's going on. Post suggests saying, "'I felt some tension in that meeting. Is everything all right?' If they say they're fine, then you don't need to apologize."

Or maybe you want to express sympathy for a colleague's situation without appearing to accept responsibility for something you didn't do. "Say, 'I regret that it happened this way,'" Post suggests. "What you don't want to do is to apologize for mistakes that really aren't yours."

4. You contribute to your team missing a deadline.

This is tricky, since you want to accept the responsibility you deserve but no more than that.

"Definitely avoid sounding like you're pointing fingers," Runion said. "You might say, 'It wasn't one of our team's finer moments. I can see several things that I could do differently in the future to contribute to a more effective team effort.'"

5. You regret the words or tone you used, but you were expressing legitimate concerns.

In this case, Post suggests saying something like, "I apologize for my tone of voice. I do have some serious concerns. I would like to address those now."

6. You find yourself apologizing frequently.

Make sure you're not apologizing over and over for the same mistake. "Just because you're going to apologize later doesn't give you license to behave badly," Post says.

Nor should you apologize for non-mistakes -- this can be taken as a sign of insecurity. "People want to work with people who are confident," Post adds.

And when you do apologize, do it briefly for a small problem and save the long explanations for the big problems.

"If you over-apologize, that is a sign of deference and weakness rather than accountability and strength," Runion says.

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