Career Resources and Advice for Experienced Workers

Have you ever heard of “corporate social responsibility”? Many employers are applying it to their business operations and workers are looking for jobs that give them opportunities to practice it. So what is it?

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development defines corporate social responsibility as “the commitment of business to contribute to sustainable development, working with employees, their families, the local community and society at large to improve their quality of life.” And more and more Americans are seeking it.

The majority of U.S. workers believe their employers do have a responsibility to the community — both local and global. Nearly three quarters (seventy-two percent) of U.S. employees report that they believe their company should help people living in extreme poverty outside of the United States. This survey, conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Millennium Promise and CareerBuilder.com, placed Africa highest on the list of places most in need of assistance — in front of North America by a 30 percent margin

Organizations like Millennium Promise are creating avenues for U.S. companies to satisfy the global-minded interests of their employees through participation in the Millennium Villages project, a joint initiative with the Earth Institute at Columbia University and the U.N. Development Programme. Operating in 79 villages across 10 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Millennium Villages showcase community-led interventions and investments in health, food production, education, access to clean water, and essential infrastructure, that will enable impoverished villages to escape extreme poverty once and for all

“More than 1 billion people worldwide struggle to survive on less than $1 per day,” said Dr. Jeffrey D. Sachs, author of “The End of Poverty” and President and Co-Founder of Millennium Promise, a non profit combating extreme poverty in Africa. “The survey is indicative of a growing global awareness. While 87 percent of workers believe it’s important for companies to give back to their local communities, the vast majority also believe it is important to extend that sense of caring and generosity to the global community and help to better the lives of men, women and children around the world.”

Companies are finding creative and innovative ways for their employees to get involved with charitable efforts. Nearly half of workers (48 percent) report their companies contribute to charities or offer a corporate matching program. Other forms of participation can included, paid volunteer days, organized events and employer-matched contributions.

“We’ve found that being part of a global philanthropic effort really helps employees feel connected to the world and proud of where they work,” said Ronnen Harary, Chairman and CEO of Spin Master Ltd., an internationally recognized children’s entertainment company that develops and distributes innovative products around the world. “It’s not just about a donation. Our employees have had a lot of fun raising money for Millennium Promise and learning about international issues through an employee-focused education campaign.”

With seventy-two percent of workers saying they contribute to charities outside of their companies, and 35 percent saying they are more inclined to work for a company that makes philanthropic contributions, now more than ever it is important to find a employer that understands your interests. If you want to work for a company that will be good for not only your wallet, but also the world, do your homework. When you are researching potential employers, see if their “About us” section contains information on social responsibility or community involvement. We started for you. Here’s a list of 25 companies that are dedicated to the betterment of local and global communities and some of the many philanthropic programs and initiatives they support:

Allstate
Charitable works include: Allstate Foundation, Helping Hands Committees, support for safe and vital communities, tolerance and inclusion, financial and economic literacy, domestic violence and safe teen driving

Aramark
Charitable works include: Promoting health and nutrition, environmental stewardship, community involvement and employee advocacy

CH2M Hill
Charitable works include: Community Partners, Engineers Week, World Water Monitoring Day, Engineers Without Borders-USA and Water For People

Cintas Corporation
Charitable works include: Matthew 25: Ministries, which provides humanitarian aid to residents in the United States and in 25 developing countries around the world, and almost 400 organizations in North America

EDS
Charitable works include: EDS Foundation for philanthropic efforts, Global Volunteer Day, education initiatives, and employee support groups

Fifth Third Bank
Charitable works include: Fifth Third Foundation, community support projects, the Fifth Third Bank Community Development Corporation and grants of charitable trusts

General Electric Company
Charitable works include: GE Africa Project and GE Millennium District Hospitals

Hewlett-Packard
Charitable works include: Company-match employee giving programs, and advocates for education, e-inclusion and communities worldwide

J.C. Penney Corporation, Inc.
Charitable works include: JC Penney Afterschool Fund, National DECA and Junior Achievement, Initiatives for education and disaster relief efforts

JPMorgan Chase
Charitable works include: Promoting economic stability, improving access to quality education and inspiring communities through the celebration of arts and culture

Kraft
Charitable works include: Kraft Cares, fighting hunger, advancing healthy lifestyles and promoting sustainability, disaster relief and civic engagement

Liberty Mutual
Charitable works include: Liberty Mutual Foundation, Community Care Days, and sponsorships of The Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year award, Habitat for Humanity, and Liberty Mutual’s “Where’s the Fire?” Walt Disney World’s Epcot

Manpower Inc
Charitable works include: Employment aid for disadvantaged around the world; awareness of, and opposition to, labor practices that exploit individuals

McDonald’s Corporation
Charitable works include: Needs of children, Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), children’s health and education, youth sports and amateur athletics

Newell Rubbermaid
Charitable works include: Investing in Community, which provides financial and volunteer support focusing on the motto, “Growing Up, Getting Ahead, and Giving Back”

RadioShack
Charitable works include: An environmental sustainability partnership with Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation and support for National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

Robert Half International, Inc.
Charitable works include: Leading by Example, which focuses on education and workforce development, global nonprofits, employee programs and support of scholarships

Sears, Roebuck and Co.
Charitable works include: Employee volunteerism, merchandise donations and charitable partnerships

Sodexho
Charitable works include: Sodexho Foundation; scholarships and grants for organizations like the United Negro College Fund, Hispanic College Fund, and the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund

Sprint
Charitable works include: A robust employee-volunteer program including “Dollars for Doers” and matching gifts

UBS Financial Services Inc.
Charitable works include: Matched-giving schemes, direct cash donations to selected organizations, employee volunteering, in-kind donations, disaster relief efforts and/or partnerships with community groups

UnitedHealth Group

Charitable works include: The United Health Foundation, which provides funding for preventive, clinical and community-based care services within medically underserved communities

Verizon Wireless

Charitable works include: The HopeLine(r), a phone recycling program turns unused wireless phones into support for victims of domestic violence

Wyeth

Charitable works include: Support through financial contributions, product donations, patient assistance, volunteerism and partnerships to build a better, healthier way of life

Yum! Brands, Inc.

Charitable works include: Yum! Brands Foundation, YUMeals Program, Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Program, KFC Colonel’s Scholars and Taco Bell Teen Programs

If you want to learn more about these companies’ and others’ commitments to corporate social responsibility, you can search their Web sites or search the term “corporate social responsibility” on any search engine.

At a time when the majority of men and women expect to work beyond their retirement, many baby boomers will use this time to shift gears in their careers. In fact, 80 percent of today’s 76 million baby boomers plan to keep working in the future and more than half of them are interested in pursuing new careers, according to a Merrill Lynch survey.

When it comes to seeking a new career or continuing to work for the same employer, many boomers will opt for part-time employment. This option is particularly appealing for boomers who want flexibility in their schedules or cannot find full-time employment.

“A part-time job can keep you physically, mentally and socially active and perhaps allow you to experiment with a new work role without the commitment and energy drain of a 40-hour workweek,” says Laurence Shatkin, Ph.D., co-author of “225 Best Jobs for Baby Boomers” (JIST © 2007).

Working part-time is also a great solution for boomers who want to retire, but can’t because they’re financially unprepared to leave the work force.

“For the first time since you were a teenager, part-time work may be financially feasible even though you will be paid for fewer hours and probably at a lower hourly rate,” Shatkin says. “Social Security, a pension, a 401(k) or some combination of these may cover a major fraction of your income needs. Plus, Medicare or a retirement medical plan may provide health-care benefits that previously had been affordable only through a full-time job.”

The following are 20 of the best jobs for baby boomers working part-time, based on information from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Teachers, Post-secondary
Annual Earnings: $54,406
Annual Openings: 216,000

Registered Nurses
Annual Earnings: $53,640
Annual Openings: 215,000

Pharmacists
Annual Earnings: $87,160
Annual Openings: 23,000

Clinical Psychologists*
Annual Earnings: $56,360
Annual Openings: 17,000

Counseling Psychologists*
Annual Earnings: $56,360
Annual Openings: 17,000

School Psychologists*
Annual Earnings: $56,360
Annual Openings: 17,000

Instructional Coordinators
Annual Earnings: $50,060
Annual Openings: 18,000

Security Guards
Annual Earnings: $20,520
Annual Openings: 228,000

Self-Enrichment Education Teachers
Annual Earnings: $31,530
Annual Openings: 39,000

Speech Language Pathologists
Annual Earnings: $53,790
Annual Openings: 10,000

Truck Drivers, Light or Delivery Services
Annual Earnings: $24,420
Annual Openings: 219,000

Personal and Home Care Aides
Annual Earnings: $17,020
Annual Openings: 154,000

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Annual Earnings: $34,650
Annual Openings: 105,000

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
Annual Earnings: $46,710
Annual Openings: 21,000

Teacher Assistants
Annual Earnings: $19,760
Annual Openings: 259,000

Legal Secretaries
Annual Earnings: $37,390
Annual Openings: 39,000

Chiropractors
Annual Earnings: $67,940
Annual Openings: 3,000

Audiologists
Annual Earnings: $53,040
Annual Openings: 1,000

Janitors and Cleaners, Except for Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
Annual Earnings: $19,110
Annual Openings: 454,000

Caption Writers
Annual Earnings: $45,460
Annual Openings: 23,000

*Jobs 4, 5, and 6 share 17,000 openings.

When you meet someone new, what is the first thing you notice about them? Maybe you notice a nice smile, a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes, or beautiful brown eyes.

Now imagine someone has a piece of spinach between his teeth, toilet paper stuck to his shoe, or is avoiding eye contact.

While these may not be the kinds of things you’d hold against someone, an employer may not be as forgiving if her first impression is not a good one. Before an employer sees your résumé or meets you in person, they begin forming an impression about you from your cover letter.

Here’s a sample that includes mistakes we’ve seen in actual cover letters:

Dear Sirs:

I saw you’re ad. This is the kind of job I’ve been looking for. I’m pretty sure I would enjoy it and it would be good experience for me. I’ve already sent out a bunch of résumés without much luck so I hope you’ll hire me. As you can see I have everything your looking for. Its you’re loss if you don’t hire me. Call me at 555-1234.
Andy Applicant

As we each search for our personal pot of gold, many of us wonder whether the rainbow leading us to a six-figure paycheck has to be so long. We want financially rewarding jobs, but not everyone is eager to commit the time and money necessary to complete a medical or law degree.

The good news is that, even though statistics have shown that more education translates to higher earnings, there are still plenty of six-figure salary jobs for those of us who have decided not to take the seven-years-and-a-stethoscope route. The following is a list of seven lucrative fields in which the top-earning 25 percent of workers take home more than $100,000 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That percentage proves there is real potential for sizeable salaries within these fields, even if your résumé doesn’t boast a lengthy list of alma maters.

Though some of these positions are filled by people with graduate degrees, a bachelor’s degree and a little initiative could get you well on your way to a six-figure salary.

Sales Managers

Salary of top 25 percent: $127,820*

Median salary: $87,580 What they do: Sales managers establish company or team sales goals and coordinate training programs for sales representatives. They monitor sales statistics and customer satisfaction, and make adjustments to sales strategies as needed.

How to get the job: The educational background of sales managers varies. Managers frequently work their way up the ranks of a company — often starting as sales representatives — and many companies have established management training programs.

Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents

Salary of top 25 percent: $123,910

Median salary: $67,130 What they do: Securities, commodities and financial services sales agents buy and sell stocks, bonds and other financial products. They may also inform clients about financial markets and counsel them regarding their financial portfolios.

How to get the job: The majority of financial sales agents have college educations, and have taken courses in business, economics and finance. Securities and commodities agents must pass state licensing examinations, and many firms require agents to complete in-house training programs.

Financial Managers

Salary of top 25 percent: $118,150

Median salary: $86,280

What they do: Financial managers’ responsibilities vary, but they generally oversee the preparation of financial reports involved with accounting, investing, banking, insurance and securities. They can also develop financial strategies for their organizations.

How to get the job: Employers expect financial managers to have a bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics or business administration, and increasingly expect a master’s degree in one of these fields as well. Depending on the company and the specific position, professional certifications such as the Chartered Financial Analyst designation may also be required.

Computer and Information Scientists, Research

Salary of top 25 percent: $113,830

Median salary: $91,230

What they do: Computer and information scientists act as theorists, designers or inventors while developing solutions to computer hardware and software problems and researching computer technology.

How to get the job: A bachelor’s degree is usually a prerequisite for filling these positions, with most of the more technically complex jobs reserved for workers with graduate degrees.

Actuaries

Salary of top 25 percent: $112,360

Median salary: $81,640

What they do: Actuaries are often employed in the insurance industry. They assess the potential for various types of risks and design insurance policies and other financial strategies in order to reduce the potential cost of those risks.

How to get the job: In addition to a bachelor’s degree, there are a series of examinations that actuaries must complete to gain full professional status.

Personal Financial Advisers

Salary of top 25 percent: $107,470

Median salary: $63,500

What they do: Personal financial advisers provide guidance to clients regarding financial decisions. Many financial advisers specialize in a particular field, such as retirement planning or risk management.

How to get the job: Most financial advisers hold a bachelor’s degree in finance, economics or accounting. Certifications such as the Chartered Financial Analyst designation can strengthen an adviser’s professional standing.

Public Relations Managers

Salary of top 25 percent: $106,440

Median salary: $76,450

What they do: Public relations managers supervise public relations specialists and act as a liaison between their clients — usually individuals or companies — and the public. How to get the job: In addition to experience as a public relations specialist, most employers expect a public relations manager to have a bachelor’s degree in public relations or journalism.

* All salaries reported by the BLS.

If you’ve ever looked at a job listing and thought, “I’d be perfect for this job, if only…,” you understand the discouragement a lot of job seekers feel.

When it comes to meeting the qualifications for a job, is there any flexibility? That depends on the employer, but in most cases, the answer is yes. Certainly, it helps to understand how your own experience and needs match up to what the employer wants and is willing to offer, which isn’t always an easy task, thanks to the obscure language typical of many job listings.

Here are some common job listing terms and what they really mean for job candidates.

“Preferred skills” and “Required skills”

“When a job listing says ‘required,’ it’s a lot firmer. Employers are trying to narrow the field,” says Tom Allen, director of career services at DeVry University in Decatur, Ga. A skill that’s listed as “preferred” is not necessarily essential for a candidate to have. In today’s competitive world, however, it’s unrealistic for employers to expect to get a candidate who meets all of their requirements, and employers may relax some of those requirements for a candidate who meets at least most of the requirements. “If you meet 50 to 60 percent of the qualifications, that’s probably not enough,” Allen says. “But if you’re pushing past 80 percent, you’ve got a good shot.”

“Command of” and “Working knowledge of”

If you have “working knowledge of” a certain program, you know the basics of how to operate that program; if you have “command of” a program, you have enough experience with it to be able to explain how it works and use it for more complex projects or a higher level of work.

“Entry-level” and “Experienced”

If a job posting indicates it’s an entry-level position, employers are typically looking for someone who has been out of college up to two years, Allen says. “Experienced” candidates usually have been working for three or more years in the industry or have graduate degrees, which can account for some work experience.

And then there’s the little matter of payment…

Confused by the terms like “competitive” or “scale”? When it comes to salary, research is essential. Online search sites like CBsalary.com provide the average salary for one’s profession, city and level of experience. By figuring out what the “competitive” salary for that job is, candidates can figure out their worth and put up an asking price that’s fair to both themselves and employers.

If an employer asks for salary requirements, Allen says it’s preferable to avoid it altogether, because if you name a salary that’s too low, you are selling yourself short; but if you give too high a number, you can automatically take yourself out of the running. The best way to avoid providing a requirement is to give a range – one that you can live with. Again, do your research beforehand.

There’s less wiggle room, however, when employers ask job seekers to provide salary histories. Because employers can easily verify a candidate’s history, it’s best to be up front about that, says Allen, who’s known some employers ask to see copies of W-2’s.

If you’re still unsure as to whether your skills match a certain job or whether you’d fit in with a company, Allen advises getting an inside opinion. Try to network within the company or the industry in order to meet people who can answer your questions or advise you.

Learning all you can about a company’s culture and the job itself is critical to any job search. Do your research and you’ll have an edge over others who are competing for the same position, because you’ll be prepared and confident come time for the interview, Allen says. “If you play sports, you practice and train to have as sharp an edge as the other athletes,” he says. “Competing for a job is no different.”

The best…

Florida isn’t just for vacationers and retirees anymore. It seems the Sunshine State is also a hub for employers and businesses eager to expand and hire more workers.

Forbes.com recently released its annual list of the 200 Best Places for Businesses and Careers, and, among those places, five Florida cities ranked in the top 10 for U.S. cities with the highest job growth. Cape Coral, Fla. held the top spot for cities with the highest job growth. Las Vegas, Nev. ranked second, followed by Naples, Fla. and Sarasota, Fla. McAllen, Tex. rounded out the top five.

If you need a change of scenery and are thinking about relocating in the next few years, consider one of the following 10 cities, which are projected to have the highest job growth this year, as reported by Forbes.com and based on five-year projections from Economy.com.

Cape Coral, Fla.
Population: 562,000
Most popular jobs and average local salary*:
Registered nurses — $44,561
Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives — $48,772
Accountants and auditors — $41,609
Jobs more common to Cape Coral than other U.S. cities and average local salary:
Helpers/roofers — $19,634
Athletes and sports competitors — $15,496
Construction managers — $55,752

Las Vegas, Nev.
Population: 1,777,000
Most popular jobs and average local salary:
Elementary school teachers — $29,318
Registered nurses — $51,869
Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives — $49,474
Jobs more common to Las Vegas than other U.S. cities and average local salary:
Gaming supervisors — $22,624
Gaming change persons and booth cashiers — $23,016
Gaming service workers — $12,879

Naples, Fla.
Population: 317,000
Most popular jobs and average local salary:
Registered nurses — $47,015
Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives — $52,641
Accountants and auditors — $41,363
Jobs more common to Naples than other U.S. cities and average local salary:
Construction managers — $67,005
Helpers — painters, plasterers, paperhangers and stucco masons — $19,753
Tile and marble setters — $30,447

Sarasota, Fla.
Population: 689,000
Most popular jobs and average local salary:
Registered nurses — $43,211
Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives — $48,643
Accountants and auditors — $39,408
Jobs more common to Sarasota than other U.S. cities and average local salary:
Fence erectors — $24,917
Financial managers — $75,189
Motorboat mechanics — $27,961

McAllen, Tex.
Population: 697,000
Most popular jobs and average local salary:
Elementary school teachers — $36,246
Registered nurses — $47,115
Secondary school teachers — $39,915
Jobs more common to McAllen than other U.S. cities and average local salary:
Personal and home care aids — $16,142
Oil, gas and mining service unit operators — $29,877
Agricultural products graders and sorters — $12,472

Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Population: 391,000
Most popular jobs and average local salary:
Registered nurses — $46,074
Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives — $39,025
Accountants and auditors — $43,736
Jobs more common to Port St. Lucie than other U.S. cities and average local salary:
Helpers — painters, paperhangers, plasterers and stucco masons — $25,097
Helpers — roofers — $18,240
Roofers — $24,463

Riverside, Calif.
Population: 4,017,000
Most popular jobs and average local salary:
Elementary school teachers — $48,696
Registered nurses — $58,573
Secondary school teachers — $50,286
Jobs more common to Riverside than other U.S. cities and average local salary:
Terazzo workers and finishers — $32,930
Slot key persons — $13,343
Automotive glass installers and repairers — $42,514

Fayetteville, Ark.
Population: 417,000
Most popular jobs and average local salary:
Registered nurses — $41,669
Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives — $43,358
Elementary school teachers — $36,306
Jobs more common to Fayetteville than other U.S. cities and average local salary:
Meat, poultry and fish cutters and trimmers — $17,975
Agricultural inspectors — $27,180
Purchasing managers — $54,734

Ocala, Fla.
Population: 311,000
Most popular jobs and average local salary:
Registered nurses — $44,557
Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives — $43,782
Loan officers — $36,586
Jobs more common to Ocala than other U.S. cities and average local salary:
Recreational vehicle service technicians — $28,633
Farmworkers, farm and ranch hands — $17,963
Nonfarm animal caretakers — $17,209

Phoenix, Ariz.
Population: 3,976,000
Most popular jobs and average local salary:
Elementary school teachers — $29,399
Registered nurses — $50,755
Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives — $43,028
Jobs more common to Phoenix than other U.S. cities and average local salary:
Aircraft structure surfaces, rigging and systems assemblers — $35,324
Gaming and surveillance officers and gaming investigators — $22,074
Umpires, referees and other sports officials — $50,326

The worst…

Your heart may be in San Francisco, but your best chances of finding a new job in the coming years are probably elsewhere.
For its annual “Best Places for Businesses and Careers” list, Forbes.com ranked 200 United States metropolitan cities based on the accumulated factors of job growth, cost of doing business, educational attainment, living costs and crime rates. Although San Francisco ranked high among cities with the number of adult inhabitants with a college degree, it came in at a dismal No. 175 overall and an even more dismal No. 197 for places with high job growth.

Still, in terms of job growth, the home to Rice-A-Roni performed better than Hickory, N.C., San Jose, Calif. and New Orleans, La., the city with the smallest job growth on Forbes.com’s list.

According to Forbes, the following metro areas are top 10 places where U.S. job growth is smallest. If you are looking for and are having trouble finding work in one of these places, it may be that the supply of job candidates outnumbers the demand for workers.

New Orleans, La.
Population**: 913,000
Most popular jobs and average local salary*:
Registered nurses — $50,496
Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives — $37,236
Elementary school teachers — $34,374
Jobs more common near New Orleans than other U.S. cities and average local salary:
Pump operators — $38,149
Sailors and marine oilers — $27,807
Bridge and lock tenders — $25,469

San Jose, Calif.
Population: 1,774,000
Most popular jobs and average local salary:
Computer applications software engineers — $78,822
Computer systems software engineers — $88,659
Registered nurses — $79,649
Jobs more common near San Jose than other U.S. cities and average local salary:
Semiconductor processors — $34,169
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons — $186,196
Computer hardware engineers — $88,163

Hickory, N.C.
Population: 358,000
Most popular jobs and average local salary:
Registered nurses — $45,244
Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives — $43,338
Elementary school teachers — $32,390
Jobs more common near Hickory than other U.S. cities and average local salary:
Wood model makers — $24,799
Wood patternmakers — $25,750
Upholsterers — $34,240

San Francisco, Calif.
Population: 1,692,000
Most popular jobs and average local salary:
Registered nurses — $71,408
Accountants and auditors — $51,435
Computer applications software engineers –$70,426
Jobs more common near San Francisco than other U.S. cities and average local salary:
Mathematical scientists — $69,664
Graduate teaching assistants — $26,324
Biochemists and biophysicists — $76,807

Detroit, Mich.
Population: 1,977,000
Most popular jobs and average local salary:
Registered nurses — $53,194
Elementary school teachers — $50,238
Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives — $54,024
Jobs more common near Detroit than other U.S. cities and average local salary:
Septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners –$24,689
Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators and tenders — $45,476
Power plant operators — $55,733

Cambridge, Mass.
Population: 1,471,000
Most popular jobs and average local salary:
Registered nurses — $65,598
Accountants and auditor — $47,239
Computer applications software engineers — $69,912
Jobs more common near the Cambridge area than other U.S. cities and average local salary:
Nuclear technicians — $55,952
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons — $193,462
Atmospheric and space scientists — $62,651

Flint, Mich.
Population: 444,000
Most popular jobs and average local salary:
Registered nurses — $48,594
Elementary school teachers — $50,475
Secondary school teachers — $48,177
Jobs more common near Flint than other U.S. cities and average local salary:
Postsecondary teachers — $60,113
Education, training and library workers — $51,530
Elementary and secondary education administrators — $71,703

Binghamton, N.Y.
Population: 248,000
Most popular jobs and average local salary:
Registered nurses — $41,437
Secondary school teachers — $40,957
Elementary school teachers — $36,611
Jobs more common near Binghamton than other U.S. cities and average local salary:
Coil winders, tapers and finishers — $16,525
Judges and magistrates — $70,856
Legislators — $102,050

Canton, Ohio
Population: 411,000
Most popular jobs and average local salary:
Registered nurses — $47,910
Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives — $41,607
Secondary school teachers — $45,051
Jobs more common near Canton than other U.S. cities and average local salary:
Metal and plastic forging machine operators — $45,255
Welding operators — $27,655
Heat treating equipment operators — $23,888

Dayton, Ohio
Population: 846,000
Most popular jobs and average local salary:
Registered nurses — $45,867
Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives — $48,827
Secondary school teachers — $44,184
Jobs more common near Dayton than other U.S. cities and average local salary:
Metal and plastic workers — $32,182
Materials engineers — $76,952
Postsecondary engineering teachers — $50,824

*Salary information provided by CBsalary.com. All other data from Forbes.com and CityTownInfo.com.
**Population numbers based on metro area.

You might think you have it pretty rough as a job seeker, but hiring managers, who are charged with the job of sorting through anywhere from dozens to hundreds of prospective applicants, don’t have it so easy, either. In fact, they might even argue that they have it worse.

Not buying it? We don’t blame you, especially since hiring managers have made the job even easier for themselves in recent years. Eager to minimize the task of manually sorting through application after application, employers are increasingly relying on keyword-searchable databases to find prospective employees.

The practice is already common among Fortune 1000 companies, and many smaller companies now use these technologies as well. Additionally, many employers also search the databases of job- and résumé-posting boards on the Internet for keyword-laden résumés.

What does this information mean for the job seeker? The bad news is that a perfectly qualified applicant may never make it as far as an interview merely because his or her résumé lacks certain keywords. The good news is that by simply finding ways to include these keywords into your résumé, you can gain a strategic advantage over other applicants.

So what are these keywords? Keywords are typically nouns that reflect the skills a particular employer is looking for and may include technical and industry-related jargon. In order to understand which keywords and phrases will be most effective for a successful job search, use the following resources:

Job ads: Search the job listing of the particular job to which you’re applying, which will be the best source for keywords that an employer will use to search the résumé database. (Don’t copy the job ad word-for-word, but do borrow some of the language and implement it throughout your résumé.) If you’re posting a résumé on a job board or industry Web site, search multiple listings and look for the most common buzzwords. Those words have the best chance of being successfully sought out by the employer’s search software.

Professional associations: Attend professional association meetings and visit their Web sites, paying attention to industry jargon. Not only will you pick up industry-related terminology that you can use in your résumé, cover letter and during interviews, you will also have a chance to network with other professionals in your field.

Headhunters: If you’re working with a recruiter or headhunter, ask for his or her input. Headhunters, whose job it is to know what companies are looking for in a candidate, can tell you which keywords are most relevant to the type of work you’re seeking.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics: The BLS’s Occupational Outlook Handbook provides information on thousands of jobs and is a great source for job-related keywords.

The more keywords you use, the more likely your chances of getting past a résumé-screening database; however, don’t randomly implement keywords just for the sake of having keywords. Your résumé should both make sense to the human who reviews it and be relevant to your own skills and experience.

Finally, don’t stop at your résumé. Utilize keywords in your cover letter, interview and follow-up letter or e-mail, which will indicate that you are knowledgeable about the company and the demands of the job.

What’s the worst part of your workday? Is it your job or all the work you do just getting to and from the office? Consider how much time you spend on packing your lunch, sitting in rush hour twice a day, deciding which grocery store is easiest to get to on the way home—not to mention the money you spend on dry cleaning your clothes.

Thanks to e-mail, remote desktops, PDAs and other technology, you can bypass these inconveniences and just work from home.

Many employers now include optional work-from-home days as an employee perk, and others are even making certain positions permanently home-based. In the last few years, the job market has seen an influx of companies that only hire at-home workers.

Plenty of people who are choosing to work for these companies. A recent CareerBuilder.com survey finds that over 27 percent of employees telecommute at some point during the year. The chance to put in a full day’s work while wearing pajamas is too appealing to pass up.

Who’s hiring?
A variety of companies hire home-based workers, and many entrepreneurs are starting their own businesses based out of their homes. The following companies offer work-from-home opportunities to job seekers:

• Alpine Access: A call center company that uses home-based customer service representatives to handle calls for a variety of companies, including J. Crew and 1-800-Flowers.

• Arise: Matches work-from-home agents with open positions in sales, technical support and customer service.

• Convergys: Hires home-based agents to serve as customer service, technical assistance or sales agents for clients.

• Liveops: Customer service calls for a variety of major corporations are routed through this center and answered by people who work from home.

• Staffcentrix: Finds virtual assistants who perform a variety of administrative and other business tasks from their home for CEOs and other clients.

• VirtuServe: A call center that hires home agents for various services, such as telemarketing, help desk support and survey research.

• VIPdesk: Home-based concierge and customer service agents are hired to work with various companies.

• West Corporation: Finds customer service agents based out of their homes for a variety of industries, including pharmaceutical, retail and hospitality.

Tips for your search
When looking for companies that hire work-from-home employees, here are some things to consider:

• Beware of work-from-home job postings that sound ideal but require you to pay a fee, transfer money, set up a bank account or give too much personal information up front. Research the company before you apply for a position to ensure it’s legitimate. A little homework can help you avoid the many scams out there.

• Make sure you understand the expenses involved with working from home. A high-speed Internet connection, mobile phone, printer and other items might be necessary to perform your job, so know what you’ll need and what you can afford. Check with a financial adviser to see if you can write off any of this equipment when you file your taxes.

• If you want to work at home so you can spend more time with your children or aren’t looking for a full-time job, don’t apply for positions that will be high-stress and have long hours. Working from home can be just as demanding as working in an office, so search wisely.

• Use search terms on job boards like “home office,” “telecommute” and “work from home.”

Tips for working from home
When you do land that home-based job, here are some tips to make your transition from the cubicle to the home office easier:

• Stick to a schedule. Although you’re not at the office and nobody’s monitoring you, a schedule helps you stay on task and avoid procrastination.

• Eat lunch. When you’re at the office, the lunch hour is when you get to step away from your desk and run errands, meet up with a friend or enjoy your lunch outside. Make sure you give yourself this time to do what you want so that you’re not as tempted to mix work and personal time throughout the day.

• Location is everything. If you’re in front of the TV and an arms-length from the pantry you’ll never get anything done. Dedicate a room or area in your home for work so that you won’t be tempted to do spend your day watching talk shows and eating chips.

• Don’t forget to take a break. A common telecommuting habit is to work too much. Don’t forget that, while you need self-discipline when working at home, you also don’t need to ignore your children or your pets. A few minutes here and there won’t ruin your productivity and they might even put you in a better mood.

Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.

Did you have high hopes of being an astronaut or even the president when you were growing up? Now you’re stuck behind a pile of papers wondering exactly when you lost the desire to dream big.

If you didn’t start out 2008 in your dream job, you’re not alone. A new survey of more than 6,700 workers by CareerBuilder.com and Disney Parks reveals that only 15 percent of workers say they are in their dream jobs.

So what does the perfect job entail? It means something different for everyone.

Most of us are looking for more than just a paycheck. Ninety percent of workers said, if they could get a job that would allow them to make a difference in the world, they would do it. More than a third (35 percent) said they would even take a pay cut if they could help others or give back to the community.

Why wait to find your dream job?

Is your job negatively affecting your personal life, are you having a hard time getting out of bed in the morning? Maybe you’re staying put because of the benefits or because you are worried you aren’t qualified for the job you really want. There are all sorts of reasons (or excuses) for not seeking out a dream job, but you may be in a better position to find that “dream job” now than you realize.

Increasingly, job seekers are finding themselves in the driver’s seat as employers face a shortage of qualified talent. Baby boomers are ready to retire and there aren’t enough experienced job seekers to take their place. In fact, CareerBuilder.com’s annual job forecast found that 40 percent of employers say they have positions for which they can’t find qualified candidates.

This could be good news for you in 2008. Not only are employers making their jobs more attractive with unique perks and better salaries, but they are also casting a wider net when it comes to finding talent. This means you could be considered for positions that you weren’t perceived as qualified for in the past.

Finding your dream job in 2008?

• Identify a role model: Is there someone out there who has your dream job? Consider what makes this person successful? What path did this person take to achieve his/her success? Ask him or her what responsibilities, experience, education and training are needed to obtain their position.

• Get some help: Reach out to HR professionals and ask what qualities they look for in a candidate who doesn’t have direct experience. Talk to a career advisor or take an online career assessment test learn how your interests, skills and personality can translate into a new job or career. You can also find career tests at sites such as www.CareerPath.com.

• Don’t underestimate your skills and experience: The qualified talent shortage has helped employers become more open-minded about relevant experience. Do your homework and understand what skills are necessary to be successful in the job you dream about. Then position your experience accordingly.

• Plot your path: Do you want to change jobs or careers, but are worried about starting over? Understand that the route you take doesn’t have to be direct. Consider the transitions steps that could help you get the job you always dreamed about. Could you volunteer or take a similar job in a different industry to gain some of the skills and experience you need?

Disney Parks Create a Dream Position
If you’re feeling less than inspired in your current job, Disney Parks may have just the position you’re looking for. CareerBuilder.com is conducting a search for the first-ever Disney Parks Chief Magic Official (CMO) to oversee magic in Disney Parks and be an ambassador of dreams.

The search for the CMO will begin on January 8, 2008 and runs until January 27, 2008. According to Disney, the CMO will create one-of-a-kind magical moments for guests, participate in special events at Disney Parks and design his/her own dream with the Disney “masters of magic,” the Imagineers. The most important job requirements, says Disney: “A belief in all things magical and a strong desire to grant wishes, both big and small.” If you think you got what it takes, go to www.DreamCMO.com to apply.

Remember when you got your first job and realized one movie ticket was equal to one hour of work or that a pair of shoes was an entire workday? Somewhere along the way, many of us stopped looking at our paychecks as units of time and started focusing on how much we deposit in the bank.

If you haven’t calculated your hourly pay in a while, now might be a good time crunch some numbers and see what you’re bringing home each day. The median household salary is $48,201, according to the 2006 U.S. Census Bureau report. This makes the average hourly rate $23.17 based on a 40-hour workweek.

We’ve made a list of the top 20 jobs that earn $30 per hour, along with their median annual salary, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

1. Electronics engineers, except computers – $38.97/hour*
Electronics engineers create a variety of electronics and monitor their manufacturing. They are involved in electronics of all sizes and functions, from personal and home audio equipment to broadcast systems.
Median annual salary: $81,050

2. Computer applications software engineers – $38.36/hour
Computer applications software engineers create or improve programs and software in response to user needs. Their applications might be bundled with other software or they might be created specifically for a client’s private use.
Median annual salary: $79,780

3. Chemical engineers – $37.91/hour
Chemical engineers solve problems related to using or manufacturing chemicals, whether it’s in the machinery used in the production or in materials created with the chemicals.
Median annual salary: $78,860

4. Electrical engineers – $36.50/hour
Electrical engineers develop electrical equipment, such as a building’s lighting and wiring or cars and airplanes.
Median annual salary: $75,930

5. Administrative law judges, adjudicators and hearing officers – $34.90/hour
Administrative law judges, adjudicators and hearing officers preside over court proceedings that relate to a specific government agency. Their cases can involve everything from health code violations to workplace discrimination.
Median annual salary: $72,600

6. Mechanical engineers – $33.58/hour
Mechanical engineers are involved in the creation of new tools, machines and components, from the concept’s inception to the production and testing stages.
Median annual salary: $69,850

7. Civil engineers – $32.98/hour
Civil engineers draw up plans for roads, airports and other public goods and oversee their construction.
Median annual salary: $68,600

8. Management analysts – $32.72/hour
Management analysts look at a company’s structure and business plans for ways to improve revenue and productivity.
Median annual salary: $68,050

9. Personal financial advisers – $31.79/hour
Personal financial advisers work with individuals to asses their financial situation and help them reach certain goals, which can be anywhere from establishing a retirement fund to deciding the best investment options.
Median annual salary: $66,120

10. Operations research analysts – $31.08/hour
Operations research analysts are brought into businesses and organizations to identify, investigate and solve logistics problems through the use of statistical analysis and computer programs. The type of problems can vary depending on the nature of the business, whether it’s a production factory or the military.
Median annual salary: $64,650

*All salary information based on BLS data.

Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.