Career Resources and Advice for Experienced Workers

When the October job loss numbers came out earlier this month, there was one particular change that interested us here at The Work Buzz more than any other: Temporary employment services, a sector that had steadily lost jobs in the beginning of the year, added 34,000 jobs. That’s more jobs than even health care added, which has remained strong and added jobs throughout the recession.

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By Anthony Balderrama, PrimeCB.com writer

Baby boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964, are nearing retirement age. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that there are 78.2 million boomers, and that every hour, 330 of them turn 60. That means an entire generation of workers might leave the work force in the coming years.

But they might not.

Many baby boomers are choosing to postpone retirement and stay at their current jobs or find new ones. Some can’t afford to retire, but many want to explore new avenues. After decades of working in jobs that paid the bills but didn’t fulfill them, they’re moving to different industries.

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By Anthony Balderrama, PrimeCB.com writer

What winter means to you probably depends on where you live. You know the postcard scenes of families enjoying a warm fireplace as pure snow falls outside the window? That might be accurate in some towns, but in many Southern locales, that’s about as realistic as “Jurassic Park.” In some of the Midwestern and Northern regions where snow does blanket the ground, it’s not quite as pretty as you’d think. The ivory snow looks more like mushy charcoal after enough cars drive over it.

Some people love wearing shorts in January. Others can’t imagine walking to the mailbox in fewer than seven layers of clothing. Different wintry strokes for different bundled-up folks.

Whether you want to be waist-deep in the embrace of Jack Frost or you want to be baking under the sun, you can find work when the vernal equinox rolls around.

Here are five jobs that are popular during winter:

1. Accountants
What they do: Accountants are knowledgeable on various financial fronts, including tax issues.
Why they’re popular in winter: Although many people begrudgingly file their taxes as close to April 15 as possible, many do it as soon as they get all the necessary documents. Beginning in January, when W-2 forms are sent to employees, accountants are busy helping their clients navigate all the messy forms and confusing jargon.
Salary: $54,440

2. Cruise line passenger attendants
What they do: On cruise ships, attendants see that passengers have everything they need to enjoy their voyage. They might help guests with accommodations or assist with group activities.
Why they’re popular in winter: Ask anyone who lives in a painfully cold climate where the winters stretch on for an eternity, and he’ll tell you that by February, you need to see some sunlight. That’s why so many people book cruises in the midst of winter. They get out of their gloomy city and onto a bright, sunny boat deck.
Salary: $23,211

3. Personal trainers
What they do: Work with clients to set fitness goals and help them achieve those goals through exercise at fitness centers or private gyms.
Why they’re popular in winter: People worry about their weight during all four seasons, but on Jan. 1, many people vow to get better about eating right and exercising. Of course most people don’t stick to these promises, but for the first few months of the year, the gyms are packed with clients eager to begin anew.
Salary: $46,049

4. Snowplow operators
What they do: Snowplow operators clear streets, highways and paths so that snow doesn’t prevent drivers and pedestrians from getting around.
Why they’re popular in winter: Well, it’s hard to use a snowplow in any season other than winter.
Salary: $33,799

5. Tow-truck drivers
What they do: Tow-truck drivers haul vehicles that have broken down or been wrecked.
Why they’re popular in winter: Snow and ice wreak havoc on cars, and even the best drivers can end up with a sputtering engine on the side of the road. That’s where tow-truck drivers come to the rescue.
Salary: $39,373

Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.

By Rachel Zupek, PrimeCB.com writer

Although the economy is showing signs of recovery, there are still millions of people looking for work. Although full-time employment may be hard to come by, job seekers can look for a short-term reprieve during the last few months of the year.

Many companies, typically retailers, hire an abundance of seasonal workers to prepare for the boost in activity during the holiday season. The National Retail Federation reports that in 2008, the average monthly employment during the holiday season was 15.5 million workers. Retailers hired an additional 231,000 workers for the holiday season last year. Although these numbers are lower than in previous years, companies know that they still will experience increased traffic in the coming months and plan to staff accordingly.

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