Career Resources and Advice for Experienced Workers

The standard workplace looks very different than it did a few generations ago. Technology alone has revolutionized the way most organizations function. Look beyond the contemporary furniture and laptops to see another difference: your boss. Gone is the image of your manager or boss as a curmudgeon with an ill-fitting short-sleeved, button-up, yellowing shirt with an askew tie. Today’s bosses look very different, and not just because they can wear jeans on casual Fridays.

According to a new CareerBuilder survey, 43 percent of workers 35 and older currently work for someone younger than them. (more…)

Professional skills you wish you had learned

By: Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer

Not everybody approaches education with the same goal. High school and higher education serve different purposes for each student. For some pupils, school is a direct path to a job. For others, it is a chance to learn for the sake of personal growth. Visit any classroom and you’ll encounter students with a variety of goals for their education.

Regardless of what you want school to be, most people seem to agree that an education should set you up with at least a basic set of skills. Not a universal set — no one expects someone who studied nursing to have an identical skill set as someone who studied accounting. But when you have employers posting jobs that say a high school diploma or four-year degree is a requirement, you realize they expect you to have crossed a certain threshold. Still you seem to hear frustrated employers and employees wondering aloud, “Why didn’t they teach this in school?”

From not knowing how to balance a checkbook to handling a tough boss, many schools don’t teach their students how to deal with basic issues they will encounter in their career. We asked employees and employers what skills they wish were taught in schools to see what they thought were the most glaring omissions. Here are their responses:

Communication skills
“Small talk. Probably the most important skill in business is how to engage people you barely know, how to hold your own in cocktail party and dinner conversation, and how to respond graciously to idiots, drunks and other problem personalities.” - Maureen Wall Bentley, vice president of brand strategy for Aartrijk

“Reading between the lines in other people’s words to find subtle indicators of dissatisfaction with what you’re doing (or not doing).” – Jeff Deutsch, life coach and presenter

“Public speaking. I was fortunate to have competed on a speech and debate team in high school, but most kids don’t get that training — and it’s truly priceless. I recently tracked down my coach and thanked him.” – Bentley

“One of the most important skills we have in business is the ability to truly listen — in fact, the skill of active listening. Many times, when people are giving a presentation, [participating in a] Q&A or doing a media interview, they’re listening with an intention to answer versus listening to fully understand and empathize with the person speaking. It’s a critical life skill, and one very few people have mastered.” - Bronwyn Saglimbeni, public speaking and media coach

Personal development
“[How] to be OK to change what you are doing to pursue something you are [passionate] about … even if it means working for yourself.” – Carrie Middlemiss, owner of Bella Cupcake Couture

“Time management. I had no idea how to organize my time to prioritize what needed doing.” – William Duke, president of Duke Computer Solutions

“Success. Schools do not discuss how to determine what success is for the individual. We leave everyone to figure out for themselves what they want, or just go for money.” – Duke

“Independent problem solving — how to get things done by yourself and use strategy, deductive reasoning and common sense to do it when you aren’t well-versed in the area and stuck doing it on your own.” – Sabina Ptacin, partner and chief creative strategist for Red Branch Public Relations

“Actual hands-on accounting skills, such as budgeting, reading financial reports, financial instruments and their use.” – Gary A. Powell, head of Financial Security Specialists

“Your values may not be the organization’s values. If your parents raised you with a strong ‘universal’ value set, you may be shocked that an organization’s values focus primarily on their goals — not yours or your parents.” - Kate Nasser, The People-Skills Coach

“Knowing when to say no and just slow down — my first few years all I did was work — but now I know what offers and networking events to say no to, what projects to pass on and when to just call it a day. My work is better, my creative juices are stronger and more creative, and I’m a nicer person to be around at home. – Ptacin

Interacting with others

“Relating to customers, superiors and peers. No matter how high you climb, you will always have all three to answer to.” – Deutsch

“Gauging how important a particular issue is to someone.” – Deutsch

“Tips on the best ways to ask for what you want and not to be afraid to do so.” – Middlemiss

“Sales. No matter what you think, you’ll be selling. Everyone’s selling something; even if it’s just themselves. Let’s teach our kids how.” – Duke

“That corporate meetings, like staff meetings where people are supposed to openly discuss changes to the organization, are not what they seem — open places to discuss changes to the organization. Instead the concept of working around the office with smaller groups to gain buy in on projects is key before taking anything up the chain or to the larger group.” - Paul Hager, partner at Information Technology Professionals

“Manual labor. Everyone should have a manual labor job at some point. Wait tables and wash dishes. Pump gas. Mow lawns. A little humility is good for you and might prevent you from being a jerk later in life.” – Duke

“Everyone likes and benefits from a positive attitude and genuine praise.” - Nasser

All things boss-related
“Not all in management have true leadership ability. Not all have good management skills. Others are learning how to be managers after they get the job. Learn how to communicate and work with these bosses or be prepared to get a different job. Simply complaining about it is never a good step.” - Nasser

“Practical aspects of management: hiring and firing skills, personnel management and employee assistance program management.” - Powell

“To let your boss know in advance if an issue is going to explode in her or his face. Would you want to experience a negative surprise in front of others?” - Nasser

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: Robert Half International

Emerging signs that the economic downturn is ending may mean you’re considering a job change, especially if you’ve been struggling under large workloads and high levels of stress. But what if you seek not just a new position but an entirely new career? You may dream of pursuing a personal passion, taking advantage of opportunities in an industry with significant growth potential or finding a path that better fits your skill set.

A new start can be attractive and worthwhile, but go in with your eyes open. It’s not always an easy road. Here are a few tips to help you make a successful leap into a new career.

1. Take a step back
Before you head full steam into your next opportunity, evaluate your present situation and make sure that switching careers is the right path. Are you unhappy with your job or the type of work you do? Would working for a company that provides better employee recognition or clearer paths for promotion, for instance, be enough to rejuvenate you? Be certain of your motivation before taking the leap.

2. Do your due diligence
If you think your current career path lacks promise, you can quickly convince yourself that any other option is better. But that may not be true. Pursuing a position in a struggling industry or area of the country, for example, could set you back professionally. Read trade publications, conduct online research and speak to members of your network to get a better sense of the field you’d like to pursue and its prospects. Also research any potential hurdles you may have to overcome prior to making the switch. You may have to gain new training or certifications, for instance, or face steep competition from a large labor pool.

3. Seek advice
Consider arranging an informational interview with someone in the field or position that interests you to get a real-world perspective. If you don’t know anyone, find out if people in your network do. Once you’ve identified the right person, contact him or her to schedule an informational interview. Be clear that you’re not asking for a job.

An informational interview will give you the chance to find out what’s currently happening in your field of interest and, potentially, additional insight into the hiring environment. You also can ask the people you meet with about how they started out in their careers, the challenges you might face when you make the transition and whether or not your contact can share any helpful advice for getting a foot in the door.

4. Know thyself
Once you know what opportunities are achievable, evaluate your current skills and experience and consider how qualified you are. For example, communication, organizational and leadership skills can often be effective across industries. Other skills, such as specific software knowledge, may not. The more transferable your skills are, the better able you will be to make a quick switch. At the same time, consider what skills or qualifications you might need to develop. Is extensive schooling or training involved? Do you need to become licensed or certified in a certain software or procedure? Think about the time and cost involved to determine the ease or difficulty of making a switch.

5. Transition slowly
Look for opportunities to give your new career a “test run.” Depending on the industry, you may be able to pursue volunteer or temporary work and determine if the new situation feels like a good fit.

6. Be realistic
No matter the economic climate, a career switch won’t usually happen overnight. It can often take time to transition into a new field, especially if you need to build skills, and you may have to start in an entry-level position until you gain experience.

Although it may not be a path to immediate employment, a career transition is an opportunity for you to rethink where you are headed and potentially discover a new course that gives you the professional satisfaction you crave.

Robert Half International Inc. is the world’s first and largest specialized staffing firm, with a global network of more than 360 offices worldwide. For more information about our professional services, please visit www.roberthalf.com.

By: Selena Dehne, JIST Publishing

Time and time again, studies indicate that cover letters are read in less than 60 seconds. That’s all the time it takes for most recruiters and employers to decide whether or not you’re a candidate worth interviewing.

To progress beyond this point, you have to be savvy about what’s in your cover letter and how you present it. But how do you do that?

Wendy Enelow and Louise Kursmark, co-authors of “Cover Letter Magic” and two of the nation’s most reputable career coaches, offer the tips you need to write a cover letter that generates great results. Below are some of the most common questions they hear from clients, as well as their responses to them.

Q. How long should my cover letter be?
A. Generally, cover letters should be one page in length. This is true for approximately 90 percent of all cover letters.

There may be instances, however, when one page is not enough. If you believe that the information you are including in your letter is essential information that is not communicated in your résumé, go ahead and prepare a two-page letter. But be sure that everything you’ve included is vital to favorably presenting yourself to a company or recruiter.

Two-page letters are most frequently used by the following types of job seekers: career changers, industry changers, senior executives, scientists and technologists, people seeking government jobs and people seeking university and academic appointments.

Q. Should I include salary information in my cover letter?
A. It depends. We are of two minds. We offer dual recommendations in two situations but agree with one another on the other two situations. See which rationale seems right to you.

If you are responding to an advertisement that has requested your salary history or salary requirements:

· Supply the information. If you do not provide this information when requested, certain companies and recruiters will not look at your materials.

· Don’t supply the information. Repeated surveys show that nearly 100 percent of readers said they will look at your résumé and call you for an interview even if your salary information is not included. Why give them ammunition to screen you out?

If a personal contact or source you’ve uncovered during your search has requested your résumé and salary information:

· Supply the information. To do otherwise would seem unresponsive and impolite.

· Consider addressing the issue without providing numbers that can be detrimental in a future salary negotiation. Say something such as, “I’d be glad to discuss salary when we meet, once I learn more about the position and you have the chance to assess my fit for your needs.”

When contacting companies either as a cold call or in response to an ad where salary information has not been requested:

· Do not supply the information. It is much better to have this conversation in person rather than on paper. Always try to defer any discussion of salary until you have been offered the position.

When writing “cold” to recruiters:

· Always offer salary information. It helps them determine your “proper fit” within a hiring organization. A recruiter will not work with you without knowing whether you match the requirements (including salary) for the specific position she is attempting to fill.

Q. Should I follow up a faxed or e-mailed résumé?
A. We recommend that you do not mail a hard copy if you have already transmitted your information electronically. Electronic communication is now a totally acceptable method of communication in virtually any business, industry and market sector. The only time you should follow up with hard copy is when it has been requested.

Q. What if I don’t know the addressee’s name?
A. It’s a personal choice. Take a look at the following possible salutations:

· Dear Sir/Madam. All-purpose and inoffensive, although it might be perceived as stodgy and old-fashioned.

· To Whom It May Concern. Another standard; has the downside of being impersonal and old-fashioned.

· Dear Hiring Executive (or Hiring Committee). Formal, but appropriate.

· Dear Human Resources (or Human Resources Representative). Acceptable only if you’re writing to a “blind ad” that lists only a P.O. box and you cannot call to get a specific individual’s name.

· Dear Hiring Authority. Acceptable only if, despite your best efforts, you have been unable to uncover the name of the non-HR person to whom you’re sending your résumé.

· Good Morning (or Good Day). A bit more up-to-date, but it reminds us of junk-mail greetings that try (unsuccessfully) to be personal.

· Re: Job Title You’re Applying For (leaving off a specific salutation). A useful method for replying to want ads, when you truly don’t know to whom you are sending your résumé. We think it’s preferable to the “Dear Human Resources” greeting.

· No Salutation (begin your letter immediately after the inside address). Again, perfectly acceptable for want-ad replies. Might be considered an improvement over old-fashioned, nonspecific greetings.

Q. What if I’m unsure of the addressee’s gender?
A. Simple answer: Dear R. Smith (assuming that “R. Smith” is the contact name listed in the ad). But do make an effort to find out the person’s gender so you can address your letter to “Dear Mr.” or “Dear Ms.”

Q. Do I need to mention why I’m in the job market?
A. It depends. There’s certainly no requirement that you do so, but if your reason is particularly legitimate (such as a plant closing or a management change due to the successful initial public offering you were instrumental in negotiating), you might send a positive message by mentioning this information. In any event, be prepared for the question, “Why are you leaving your current job?” or “Why are you looking?” to come up early in your search. Practice a concise, positive and believable response. Never badmouth your company, boss or co-workers.

Selena Dehne is a career writer for JIST Publishing who shares the latest occupational, career and job search information available with job seekers and career changers. She is also the author of JIST’s Job Search and Career Blog (http://jistjobsearchandcareer.blogspot.com/). Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/SelenaDehne.

Gender perceptions at work

By: Anthony Balderrama, PrimeCB.com writer

Author BJ Gallagher, who has been a boss and worked for male and female bosses, has a list of tips she’s titled, “How to Tell a Male Boss From a Female Boss.” Among the helpful hints:

· A male boss is aggressive; a female boss is pushy.
· A male boss is attentive to details; a female boss is picky.
· He knows how to follow through; she doesn’t know when to quit.
· He’s ambitious; she’s driven.
· He loses his temper occasionally; she can’t control her emotions.
· He isn’t afraid to say what he thinks; she’s mouthy.
· He’s a man of action; she’s impulsive.
· He controls his emotions; she’s cold.
· He thinks before he acts; she can’t make up her mind.
· He thinks before he speaks; she second-guesses herself.
· He tells it like it is; she’s tactless.

The list might read like an e-mail forward that people laugh at, but considering the average American woman earns approximately 21 percent less than the average man, is there any truth to these perceptions?

“I can tell you that the exact same behavior is judged differently, depending on whether it’s a male or a female doing the behavior. This is true at all levels in the organization,” says Gallagher, author of “Everything I Need to Know I Learned From Other Women.”

It’s all about perceptions
Vicky Oliver, author of “Bad Bosses, Crazy Coworkers and Other Office Idiots,” says she sees the differences in how people perceive professional men and women. Oliver says leaders of both genders can show aggression and still be accepted by their employees. The problem arises for midlevel professionals.

“Yelling, berating underlings, slamming doors, throwing chairs and loud, truculent phone conversations with vendors on speakerphone that everyone can hear can sometimes be career-stallers,” Oliver explains. “If a woman acts out, underlings will gossip about her, and eventually their whispers will be overheard by someone in top management. If a man in the middle behaves in the same way, sometimes underlings will strive to ally with him. They may perceive that he is powerful or protected. His behavior is still errant, but it’s less likely to get him in trouble because he’ll have more allies to defend him if push comes to shove.”

Obviously, abrasive behavior isn’t the entire problem. How people react to it is also an issue, and it carries over into other types of workplace behavior.

“Crying is the worst emotion to show at the office, and unfortunately, this is generally a female response,” Oliver says. “Crying makes everyone around you feel like you’re weak and out of control, and it will positively unnerve some men in the office who won’t know how to react. Crying seems to be mildly acceptable in certain circumstances (such as when a female employee is laid off); it’s never acceptable as a response to a disagreement or office showdown.”

Naturally, if people didn’t let tears unnerve them, becoming emotional wouldn’t be a problem. But the fact that we use “emotional” to describe tears — but not screaming — alludes to the problem, considering that they’re both effects of an emotion.

Beware of the ‘crazy’ woman
Clinical social worker Irina Firstein has been a therapist for more than 20 years and has seen the problem firsthand.

“Unfortunately, it has been my experience that the workplace is more forgiving of a man than a woman,” Firstein says. “A man being emotional usually means inability to control temper. A woman being emotional is being ‘crazy.’”

In Firstein’s opinion, the problem doesn’t come only from men. She says women are more tolerant of a man’s unfavorable behavior than a woman’s. As a result, a strong woman is seen as competition by male and female colleagues alike, putting her in a tougher spot than her male counterparts.

Oliver suggests you try to understand the behavior. You don’t have to like it, but you might be able to handle it with less bias.

“I feel that sometimes people react at the office in a similar way as they’ve been conditioned to in their personal lives,” she says. Fits of rage could be the result of upbringing or a current household, not necessarily your performance. “If you happen to be on the receiving end of [someone's] outbursts, it’s helpful to remind yourself that most over-the-top reactions are not about business … it is personal, and it’s about something in that person’s life that has nothing whatsoever to do with you. The person is just venting steam.”

Does that mean you have to accept what’s happening? No. Learning how to deal with an angry boss is one thing; learning how to stand up for yourself is another.

Know when to speak up
If you’re a woman, you could find yourself in this situation more often than you’d like. Author Judy Hoffman still remembers a specific instance when she let intimidation get the best of her.

“I was the only woman on the executive team of our small chemical manufacturing company. At meetings, whenever I would voice my opinion, one male chauvinist — the vice president of manufacturing — would sit with his head in his hands, elbows on the table, looking down at the floor,” Hoffman says. “It was very clear what he was saying: ‘Why in the world would this woman be allowed to sit at the same table with us men, daring to give advice to the president of the company?’”

Hoffman hadn’t received that kind of hostility while at the company for 16 years prior to his arrival, and she didn’t confront him on the issue.

“To this day, I’m embarrassed that I did not deal with it better as I let it fluster me,” she recalls. “But it didn’t make me stop speaking up when called for.”

Even if Hoffman didn’t address the VP, she didn’t let him alter her behavior because she knew the problem was his and not hers. When you think about it, if an outspoken woman is going to be called mouthy and a quiet one will be labeled a pushover, what do you have to lose by being strong-willed?

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.

Rachel Zupek, PrimeCB.com writer

Lying in any capacity is generally not advised — especially at work. More often than not, your lies will catch up to you or run away from you. Either way, you’re left in the dust, with a pink slip likely in your hand.

We’ve talked about lying in an interview, at work or on your résumé, but what about when it comes to lying to your boss? Are there exceptions to the rule?

Shawn Achor, a consultant and psychology expert, says that in every workplace where he has consulted, he’s found that most people lie when there is no “psychological safety.”

“There is no psychological safety when managers don’t allow humans to be humans — i.e., to make mistakes and to not be perfect,” Achor says. “If a manager is unable to hear about negative things, confusion or setbacks, then that manager is going to get lied to often. Good managers want an accurate assessment of the present, even if it is not good. Bad bosses want the semblance of progress in the present, at the cost of future successes.”

Even if this sounds like a position you’re in, it doesn’t mean that it’s acceptable for you to lie, says Mark Goulston, author of “Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone.”

“Other than telling your boss something they’re wearing looks nice when it doesn’t, or that they spoke clearly when they didn’t, I can’t think of any instances where it’s OK to lie to a boss. I can think of many instances where you can get away with it, especially when most bosses don’t tell the complete truth,” Goulston says. “I think of those as fibs. The problem is that what starts out as a little bad habit can become a way of life. If you start with a few little fibs, it can be a slippery slope until you’re always doing it.”

Whether or not it’s OK to lie to your boss, workers will do it anyway. Here are five common situations when workers are tempted to lie and whether or not they should tell the truth:

Situation No. 1: The boss asks you to do something that you don’t want to do
Should you lie? It’s OK to fib about this to your boss and say you’re “happy” to do something for him or her, even if you’re not. Doing so shows your boss that you’re a team player and you’ll do whatever it takes to help the company succeed.

“Try to adjust your mindset to being appreciative about something in your job or that you even have a job, to make the ‘happy’ be sincere. In other words, let your happiness to have a job supersede your unhappiness at having to do any task that comes with it,” Goulston says. “Also, realize that it will work out much better for you if you are low-maintenance — easy to please, difficult to upset — than if you are high-maintenance — difficult to please, easy to upset.”

Situation No. 2: You overslept and are late to work
Should you lie? It depends — telling your boss your alarm didn’t go off (when you actually turned it off and went back to bed) might be an acceptable explanation, Goulston says — but only once.

“Use it twice and it becomes an excuse; use it more than twice and you’re running the risk of being seen as disorganized [and] irresponsible, which can work against you at review time,” he says.

Situation No. 3: You’re confused about a project, but say you don’t have any questions to save face
Should you lie? It’s OK to tell your boss that you don’t have any questions when you really do, but only if you know you will be able to get an answer from someone else, Goulston says. If you don’t get an answer, however, and it leads to you doing something wrong, you risk getting pounced on later.

“A way to speak back respectfully and appreciatively to whoever gives you the order is to say, ‘This is too important for me to misunderstand what you said, because neither you nor I will be happy if I end up doing the wrong thing. Would you please repeat what you said or say it in a different way?’” Goulston suggests.

Situation No. 4: You’re behind on a project, but say you’re on track to avoid getting in trouble
Should you lie? If this is the only time you’ve been behind on a project, it’s OK to say you’re on track, Goulston says. That is, if you think you’ll be able to finish the project by its deadline. But, if you repeatedly lie about being on schedule and you miss deadlines, you run the risk of being seen as disorganized, irresponsible or unreliable.

“You don’t want to take that chance because your boss can quickly put you in the same category as others they view that way,” he says. “And you don’t want to be painted with the same brush as people your boss regards as slackers.”

Situation No. 5: You call in sick, but really, you just want a day off
Should you lie? If you need a day off, it’s best to just be honest and ask for one. “If you’re like many people, calling in sick may cause you fear of being found out or guilt that you’ve lied, which can take the enjoyment out of that day off,” Goulston says. “That would defeat the purpose.”

At the end of the day, Goulston suggests remembering that although your boss might be upset at first, he or she will forgive an honest mistake. But, your boss will never forgive or forget if you lie about it.

Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.

By: Anthony Balderrama, PrimeCB.com writer

Remember when your parents told you to always tell the truth? And then one day you answered the phone and the annoying neighbor asked to talk to your dad. He whispered to you, “Tell them I’m not here.” Thus began a series of contradictory behavior by your parents that led you to wonder why they weren’t following their own advice. By now you’ve probably realized no one is immune from this behavior, which can best be summarized as, “Do as I say, not as I do.”

This phenomenon still manifests itself in our daily lives, though we might not realize it. Look no further than your interactions at work. Someone enthusiastically says “yes” but is sporting a frown. You try to act calm when you talk to the CEO, but you can’t stop tapping your pen against the table. Our body language gives us away every time, and being able to decode it would benefit you and your career, says Dennis Kravetz, author of the book “Relating Effectively.”

“Nobody can control their body language for more than a few moments at a time,” Kravetz says. “This is why it is so powerful to read body language. People can control the words that they say, but they cannot mask their body language and true feelings for more than a few moments.”

The problem isn’t whether or not we can read body language, he explains. We all read it, but not everyone does anything about it or knows what to do about it.

“For example, a guy may see his spouse or co-worker walking around and slamming doors and cabinets and putting the heels of her shoes right through the carpeting. He asks his wife or co-worker, ‘Is something wrong?’ She says, ‘No.’ So he goes about his business,” Kravetz says.

What to look for
Nick Morgan, president and founder of the communications organization Public Words, has spent enough time researching body language that he has identified certain clues for body language giveaways, and you’ll recognize each of them in the workplace:

· “Beyond the eyes and face, look for the torso to be turned away (lying) or toward you (truth).”
· “If the voice is carefully controlled or a little higher pitched than usual, the person may be attempting to conceal something.”
· “Most of us, when we lie, turn our head away or tip it up or down so as to move it away from the other person.”
· “I’ve seen people in a meeting lean back and put their hands behind their head in order to express their superiority over the rest of the room. It’s arrogant but effective.”
· “Powerful people also take up more space: They splay their legs out, or their arms, or hog more space in the room. It’s why important people get bigger hotel rooms than lesser folk, and it’s why tall people are statistically more likely to rise higher in their professions than shorter people. The alpha dog strikes again.”
· “What is [the hand] doing? Is it clenched or nervously kneading the other hand? Is it twitchy or attempting to conceal itself in a pocket?”

What can you do
Author and speaker Selena Rezvani says that body language often overshadows what people say, so she recommends that professionals learn how to convey the right message through their actions.

· Project your voice
The right volume can enhance your message. “When you are speaking, project your voice at a level that sounds assertive and confident,” Rezvani explains. “Practice speaking confidently — no matter what you are saying — by projecting your voice and finding your perfect volume.”

· Find the right posture
“Posture is conveyed from the way you sit to how you walk and carry yourself,” she says. “When attending a meeting, sit upright with an open torso, which shows both comfort and confidence. If standing or presenting, keep your posture open with your torso facing your audience and maintain strong eye contact with the audience. When in group settings, avoid the common mistake of having side conversations, which tend to alienate others.”

· Eye contact matters
“Make strong eye contact with everyone from the receptionist to the chief executive of your company. Resist the urge to look down or look away if you are nervous. Being mindful about keeping strong eye contact can help build your confidence and send the message that you are interested in others, engaged and self-assured,” she says.

· Shake with a purpose
“A strong, firm handshake communicates to those you are meeting that you are someone to be taken seriously,” Rezvani says. “A firm handshake is best executed while making full, friendly eye contact.”

Of course, body language varies from culture to culture, so always know your audience. Whether you are visiting another country or are dealing with professionals from a different background, do your research so you know whether your for eye contact and handshakes are going to be read similarly or if you’ll be offending anyone.

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: Anthony Balderrama, PrimeCB.com writer

If you turn on the TV, you’re probably going to see a character who has one of the following jobs: lawyer, doctor, criminal investigator or generic business professional who must wear a suit.

Not that we don’t love those jobs (and those shows), but the media in general seem to forget about the millions of workers who are in other fields. To give some coverage to other occupations, we decided to highlight 40 jobs that are in one of these industries: construction, maintenance, operations, production and material handling. These careers are typically considered blue-collar jobs and are some of the top-earning in each field.

Based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and CBSalary.com, here are 40 top-paying blue-collar jobs and their mean annual salaries:

1. Aircraft mechanics: $54,506
2. Aircraft service technicians: $41,604
3. Boilermakers: $50,091
4. Brickmasons: $48,439
5. Carpet installers: $42,682
6. Chemical plant and system operators: $51,464
7. Construction and building inspectors: $51,815
8. Electricians: $55,188
9. Electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation and equipment: $44,450
10. Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment: $49,260
11. Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse substation and relay: $60,700
12. Elevator installers and repairers: $66,642
13. First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers: $61,280
14. First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers and repairers: $59,160
15. First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators: $53,960
16. Gas plant operators: $64,608
17. Line installers and repairers: $54,300
18. Locomotive engineers: $70,116
19. Machinists: $49,626
20. Millwrights: $54,969
21. Mining machine operators: $45,570
22. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines: $44,300
23. Model maker, metal and plastic: $44,700
24. Nuclear power reactor operators: $73,510
25. Numerical tool and process control programmers: $46,360
26. Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators and gaugers: $54,950
27. Power distributors and dispatchers: $58,401
28. Power plant operators: $74,061
29. Plumbers: $49,169
30. Radio and telecommunications equipment installers and repairers: $52,650
31. Rail car repairers: $44,981
32. Railroad brake, signal and switch operators: $49,400
33. Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators: $44,870
34. Ship and boat captains and operators: $67,730
35. Ship engineers: $50,754
36. Stationary engineers and boiler operators: $50,098
37. Structural iron and steel workers: $47,170
38. Subway and streetcar operators: $55,318
39. Tool and die makers: $48,180
40. Transportation inspectors: $46,984

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: Robert Half International

With some companies beginning to emerge from the recession and pursue growth plans again, moving up the corporate ladder could be on your mind. Taking on a higher-level position — and, ideally, the corresponding bump in pay — could be especially appealing if you’ve assumed added responsibilities or put in longer hours during the downturn. What can you do to ensure you’re on the short list of candidates for a promotion? Here are some tips:

1. Talk to your manager.
Your supervisor has a large say in your chances of earning a promotion. Don’t assume he or she is aware of your desire to grow your career. Speak to your boss about your long-term plans. Your manager may know of opportunities within the department, or elsewhere in the company, and be able to help you evaluate and prepare for the opportunities. Your boss also has a more objective view of your professional strengths and weaknesses than you do and can provide an honest assessment of what steps you may need to take to assume a new role.

By involving your boss in your quest for a promotion, you can discuss with him or her any questions or challenges you face. For example, if you are an administrative assistant in the marketing department and are interested in a position as an account executive, your supervisor’s feedback could help you determine if such a transition would be right for you.

2. Upgrade your skills.
There’s a good chance you may lack some of the necessary skills or qualifications for a higher-level role. The supervisory position you’re eyeing, for instance, may require knowledge of budgeting procedures or recruiting techniques. In some cases, you may even have to earn a new certification, license or degree.

You also need to consider if you have the necessary soft skills. A promotion may require you to do less hands-on, technical work and instead manage people, oversee projects, help various groups reach consensus or negotiate with vendors. If you lack experience in these areas, work with your manager to identify the appropriate training opportunities. Also, volunteer for projects that allow you to build skills in essential areas.

3. Expand your network. Being connected at work has multiple benefits. Most obviously, you could learn of opportunities you might not have otherwise been aware of. You also may meet someone who can provide insight into the job or type of position you seek. A manager, for example, could outline the steps he took to move up from a staff-level role and warn you about any stumbling blocks he faced.

Perhaps most importantly, networking with others allows you to boost your visibility within the company, increasing the likelihood that someone considers you when a position becomes available.

4. Gauge your interest. The most crucial part of preparing for a promotion is determining if you truly want it. While it’s safe to assume that you want any additional compensation or perks the job offers, do you also want the additional responsibilities? After you’ve learned more about a role you’re interested in assuming, ask yourself if you can do everything the position requires. Take into account not only your skill set and qualifications but also your life outside of work. If you have young children, for example, will your work/life balance suffer? Will a higher-level position require you to play office politics? Are you comfortable transitioning from peer to manager if you take a supervisory role?

A promotion is a great way to advance your career, but remember that it isn’t an all-or-nothing proposition. You’re unlikely to jump multiple rungs on the corporate ladder in a single move. So keep your eye on the position you want to assume eventually and focus on the steps, even if they seem small, that will allow you to get there.

Robert Half International is the world’s first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 360 offices worldwide. For more information about our professional services, please visit http://www.roberthalf.com/.

By: Anthony Balderrama, PrimeCB.com writer

Everyone has a different idea of what’s a good or bad salary. Some people are happy just to make ends meet. Others won’t settle for less than six figures. A lot of factors go into what makes a salary seem reasonable.

Therefore you can’t really classify any single salary as high or low without bringing in your own bias. That said, sometimes salaries just don’t seem large enough. We put together a list of 10 jobs that have salaries we thought would be bigger. Don’t mistake these jobs for having salaries that are impossible to live on; instead, these are salaries that seem too low for the amount of work, time or risk they involve.

Here are 10 jobs we thought would pay more:

1. Court reporters transcribe arguments during trials, mediations and other legal proceedings.
What they earn: $48,968/year
Why it’s surprising: Legal matters are important, and having an accurate record of what occurs is vital to almost any proceeding. Court reporters have to be attentive, speedy and accurate. That’s not easy.

2. Dry cleaners get those stubborn stains out of our clothing when at-home scrubbing just won’t do. Plus, they press our work clothes and formal attire so we look presentable in public and not like we’re wearing wrinkled tissue paper.
What they earn: $22,641/year
Why it’s surprising: Have you seen how much laundry your average dry cleaner is dealing with? Not to mention the fact that most people take their garments at the last minute, so the turnaround is usually very quick.

3. Maids and housekeeping cleaners are responsible for cleaning up the messes we make at hotels and homes. They empty the trash, replace the linens and do other chores that make homes and workplaces livable.
What they earn: $23,922/year
Why it’s surprising: It’s common knowledge that maids and housekeepers don’t earn as much as other occupations, but we’d probably expect someone whose job involves so much labor to be paid more.

4. Middle school teachers instruct children in grades six through eight. They sometimes specialize in one course, but often teach several.
Salary: $50,963/year
Why it’s surprising: Have you spent any time with an adolescent or teenager lately? Could you handle being trapped in a room with dozens of them, much less trying to keep them focused so you can teach them? A Nobel Peace Prize should be included in their compensation. Not to mention the amount of education most teachers are required to have, and they are usually required to take development courses every few years.

5. Paramedics respond to emergencies and provide medical care on-site. They also transport patients to health-care facilities if necessary.
What they earn: $46,184/year
Why it’s surprising: Although putting a price on saving a life seems impossible, you would expect a paramedic’s salary to be a bit higher.

6. Police officers protect citizens from criminals and help enforce laws that keep us safe.
What they earn: $53,428/year
Why it’s surprising: Their lives are on the line and they never know what they’re getting into. It’s hard to imagine many jobs that deserve better pay.

7. Rehabilitation counselors work with patients to treat disabilities, which can range from social to physical ailments. They work closely with the patients’ other health-care specialists to ensure they’re making progress.
What they earn: $27,617/year
Why it’s surprising: Rehabilitation workers are dealing with important issues that affect patients’ lives in a significant way and often have irregular work hours.

8. Security guards keep watch over businesses, merchandise and buildings. They make sure no one steals items or breaks into closed offices.
What they earn: $33,195/year
Why it’s surprising: Security guards have to be on the lookout at all times, and may be standing for their shifts. Their jobs involve little relaxation.

9. Teacher assistants do just what their title says — they help teachers. They often help students with some basic tasks or grade papers and prepare materials so teachers can focus on more demanding issues.
What they earn: $24,448/year
Why it’s surprising: Although these are assistants and not teachers, and therefore their education and experience requirements are less demanding, they are still highly involved in educating students and not paid as competitively as expected.

10. Veterinary assistants help veterinarians with caring for a variety of animals, which includes helping with examinations and treatments.
What they earn: $32,584/year
Why it’s surprising: Animals aren’t the easiest patients to deal with. They’re finicky, often dangerous and definitely not something just anyone can handle.

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 Anthony Balderrama, PrimeCB writer

Associate degrees have suddenly landed on the radar of many people who hadn’t given them much thought. Why? The economy, stupid.

Once the recession knocked us all on our backsides, we needed to find a new way to compete in this tough job market. Many people suddenly realized the importance of education when you’re trying to stand out. Associate degrees became particularly attractive for several reasons:

· You can typically earn one in one to two years.
· The shorter schooling period makes them more affordable.
· They can land you a high-paying and in-demand job.
· You can obtain one at community colleges, which are often more accessible than traditional universities for many people.

If you think a boost in your education credentials could be the ticket to finding the right job, consider one of these jobs. Keep in mind that some employers or states require a specific combination of a degree, experience and certification.

Here are seven jobs you can get with an associate degree, their average annual salaries and the number of workers they’re projected to add between 2008 and 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

1. Computer support specialists
Computer support specialists work in information-technology departments and respond to problems that employees have with technical equipment, most often computers. They troubleshoot software and hardware issues. Depending on their specific role in an organization, they might work as technical support or as a help desk technician. Technical support specialists work on site for an organization, handling employees’ computer issues in person and participating in the other computer-related daily operations. Help desk technicians respond to customer phone calls and instruct the caller on how to troubleshoot the issue through detailed directions.
Projected growth 2008-2018*: 78,000
Salary**: $54,963

2. Dental assistants and hygienists
Dental assistants work under the supervision of dentists to prepare patients for the dental exam or assist with procedures. They are allowed to perform certain tasks but should not be confused with dental hygienists, who undergo separate training and often perform more involved tasks, such as administering anesthetics or working with the material used in fillings
Projected growth 2008-2018: 105,600 (assistants) and 62,900 (hygienists)
Salary: $38,359 (assistants) and $69,907 (hygienists)

3. Engineering technicians
Engineering technicians address technical issues in a variety of engineering fields and they often assist engineers in the research and development of products.
Projected growth 2008-2018: 25,800
Salary: $52,753

4. Occupational therapist assistants and physical therapist assistants
Assistants follow the instructions of occupational and physical therapists to help rehabilitate patients. They work with patients, and record and report their progress to the therapist.
Projected growth 2008-2018: 7,900 (occupational therapist assistants) and 21,200 (physical therapist assistants)
Salary: $42,416

5. Paralegals
Paralegals research and gather information on legal documents and other relevant materials that attorneys need for trials and other proceedings.
Projected growth 2008-2018: 74,100
Salary: $58,236

6. Radiation therapists
Radiation therapists administer radiation therapy to patients based on the instructions provided by the radiologist. They monitor patients’ prescriptions and progress to ensure they are in line with what the radiologist prescribed.
Projected growth 2008-2018: 4,100
Salary: $70,512

7. Registered nurses
Registered nurses work in every health-care facility imaginable — hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and countless others. They care for patients in a variety of ways, including administering medication as prescribed by a physician, monitoring their vital signs and assisting with other needs.
Projected growth 2008-2018: 581,500
Salary: $67,217

*Projected job growth figures based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
**Average annual salary figures based on data from CBsalary.com, powered by SalaryExpert.com

By: Lisa Cook, director of career services for Walden University

With the national unemployment rate in double digits, people lucky enough to be employed are focusing on how to keep their jobs. For some, that means spending longer hours at the office, volunteering for new assignments, or enrolling in continuing education programs to gain additional skills that can add value in their current position.

For others, this is a time of deep, personal reflection about their job choice and career path. Many people are re-evaluating their careers, and they are looking at how they can make a greater impact on the lives of others.

As the director of career services for Walden University, I have been privileged to hear the success stories of hundreds of working professionals who found ways to make a greater difference in their communities. Here are three important lessons they taught me:

1. Expand your current role
The answer to making work more rewarding may be right in front of you. Before switching jobs and companies, first look inside your organization for opportunities to make an impact. With many organizations short-staffed right now, it might be possible to gain experience in a new field and shift careers with your current employer.

One of our public health doctoral students did just that. Julie*, who works in public health for a federal agency, sought projects to lead, and she became involved in two research initiatives outside her usual job description.

She updated her résumé to reflect her newly acquired skills, experiences and education, proving to her supervisor that she was qualified for a higher-level position. As a result of her resourcefulness, Julie received a promotion and a raise.

2. Spearhead a new initiative
Sometimes finding more meaningful work comes from exploring novel ways to use what you already know to make a difference in a new arena.

Maria* was completing a practicum in nursing at a local college. In conversations with the college’s dean, she learned that the curriculum had not yet been developed for the college’s new community health nursing course.

Capitalizing on her 20 years of experience in home health care, Maria offered to develop a syllabus and lesson plan for the course, and she was given the opportunity to do so. Her initiative paid off — the associate dean offered her a faculty position as the community health nurse educator.

3. Share your expertise with colleagues
When I talk to students who are successful in their jobs and their lives, I learn that they often go the extra mile in their professional roles, especially in their interactions with others.

There are plenty of opportunities to make a difference for individuals within your organization. Newer staff members need more experienced advisers to help them navigate difficult work scenarios or simply to grab lunch with them once in awhile.

Co-workers in other departments may be looking to better understand the work you do — and these connections will help strengthen ties between individuals and work groups within your company.

Check with your human resources department to see if you can sign up for a mentoring program, or simply invite a junior employee to lunch. Sometimes there is no greater reward than helping someone else succeed.

Now is a vital time to find ways to make current jobs more fulfilling, while also building skills for future achievement.

*Last names have been withheld for privacy purposes.

Lisa Cook is the director of career services for Walden University, an online university with a curriculum tailored to meet the needs of working professionals who strive for greater social impact. For more information, go to www.WaldenU.edu.

By: Selena Dehne, JIST Publishing

Nearly one-in-four human resources managers said they receive, on average, more than 75 résumés for each open position, according to a nationwide survey by Careerbuilder.com.

When a job posting’s response is that overwhelming, human resource managers often struggle to distinguish one candidate from another — particularly since most of them spend only a minute or two assessing each candidate’s résumé. That’s why job seekers have to be savvy about their résumé’s content and presentation.

Unfortunately, even the most talented, qualified candidates sometimes write weak résumés. Whether they’re in a hurry, lack writing skills or are unsure how to market themselves to employers, they fail to score interviews because their résumés don’t immediately demonstrate what return on investment they offer employers.

To sidestep this dilemma, consider Susan Britton Whitcomb’s 10 tips for writing great résumé copy, excerpted from her book, “Résumé Magic”:

1. Know your audience before you begin to write. What skills and competencies are they looking for? What knowledge do they require? What trends are they capitalizing on? What opportunities are they interested in tapping? What problems do they need fixed? What projects can you help them move forward?

2. Pack your résumé with keywords — those words that describe your title, knowledge base, skill set, impressive “name-brand” companies or Fortune 500 employers, prestigious universities attended, degrees, licensing, software experience, affiliations and so on.

3. Find keywords by reviewing relevant job postings online or detailed classified ads in newspapers, reading job descriptions or content at your target companies’ Web sites, reading your association’s newsletter or trade journals, conducting informational interviews with industry contacts and so on.

4. Position critical information at the “visual center” of the page. Weave keywords throughout your Qualifications Summary and Professional Experience sections, as well as in your cover letter. Create a Keyword Summary section for electronic versions of your résumé.

5. Resist the temptation to outsmart applicant-screening software by, for instance, planting the keyword “project manager” nine times throughout the résumé when you might have minimal experience as a project manager.

6. When writing job descriptions, try to keep your paragraph to around five lines. Summarize any redundant statements and present the material with an emphasis on transferable skills. Always highlight your accomplishments.

7. If you’re writing a functional or skills-based résumé, focus on three to five skill areas and lean toward occupational skills (such as event planning, marketing or project coordination) instead of personal skills (such as analytical skills, problem-solving skills or organizational talents) for category subheadings. After you have selected your subheadings, develop two to five sentences, along with specific accomplishments that encapsulate your range of experience for each subheading.

8. New graduates with limited professional experience will normally place their Education section near the top of the résumé, after the Objective/Focus or Qualifications Summary.

9. For categories such as affiliations, publications, presentations or awards and honors, consider presenting information in a bulleted list or two-column format to save space and add visual appeal.

10. Think like an advertising copywriter: Be concise, but give enough data to create interest and a desire to meet you.

Selena Dehne is a career writer for JIST Publishing who shares the latest occupational, career and job search information available with job seekers and career changers. She is also the author of JIST’s Job Search and Career Blog (http://jistjobsearchandcareer.blogspot.com/). Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/SelenaDehne.

By: Rachel Zupek, PrimeCB.com writer

Going back to school is an appealing option for many people, but they can’t afford to quit their jobs to be a full-time student. If this sounds familiar, there might be a solution that allows you to go to school and continue working: an online or distance-learning program.

Online colleges and distance-learning programs are ideal for full-time professionals because they can earn a degree without driving to a campus or attending classes, and they can learn on their own schedule.

While all of this sounds alluring, there are a few things to consider before starting online classes. How long will it take to earn the degree? How much will it cost? How do I know if a school is legitimate? And most importantly, how will employers perceive it?

What do employers say?
To many people, a degree is a degree — but to others, there can be an issue of trust, or lack of reputation and familiarity, says Marc Scheer, a career counselor and educational consultant based in New York City.

“Traditional programs have been around for hundreds of years, but online programs are relatively new [and] employers tend to be less familiar with them,” he says.

Employers are getting there, however. In a survey done by online institution Excelsior College and Zogby International, 61 percent of CEOs and small business owners nationwide said they were familiar with online or distance learning programs.

Not only are they familiar with them, but 83 percent of executives in the survey say that an online degree is as credible as one earned through a traditional campus-based program. Employers said such factors as the accreditation of the college or university, the quality of its graduates and the name of the institution awarding the degree were among other things they considered to make an online degree more credible.

Dannie McClain, a category manager for Town and Country Linen, says she thinks getting a degree from a school with both online and traditional programs has helped employers view her degree as credible. Initially hired without a degree, McClain now has a double online degree in marketing and business from Michigan-based Baker College, which also has online programs.

“I think gaining my degree from a ‘true’ college that offers online courses in addition to regular ground courses helps in my employer seeing this as a ‘true’ degree,” she says.

Not all employers feel the same way, however. Brandon Mendelson, a former business owner, says he wouldn’t consider an applicant with an online degree — even if he had everything he was seeking. He says he thinks that students get only a fraction of the learning experience online.

“I want someone who made the full commitment,” he says. “These days, there are no excuses. Your job will pay for school; colleges have day-care facilities that are usually free; so actually going to the school gives a candidate the edge in my book.”

The online advantage
But what about those who don’t have time to make it to school every day? Luckily, one of the biggest perks of earning an online degree accommodates that very issue.

“Online degree programs are designed to help adult learners with busy lives earn their degree without being tied down to class times and without having to go to campus,” says Jeff Caplan, dean of strategic enrollment management at American Sentinel University, an online university.

Michael Rogich, director of the center of online learning at Saint Leo University, based in Florida, says studying online is just as effective as studying traditionally, and in some sense is more powerful.

“With adult students, your options are either part time or online,” Rogich says. “Online, the student has more access to a good program and is constantly connected to instructors and fellow classmates.”

Tom Johansmeyer, who earned his MBA online and is currently working on his doctorate, is a perfect example. He says an online program was his only option for going back to school.

“I was working as a management consultant and spending 40 weeks a year on the road,” he says. “With that kind of travel schedule, it would have been impossible for me to get to a classroom.”

Indeed, online learning can benefit some students more than classroom learning. For example, some students might not learn as well in a classroom if they are shy or disengaged in group settings. In this case, Scheer says online students may benefit from their programs by interacting with students like themselves. Additionally, online discussions can be more inclusive and productive than classroom debates, especially because online forums offer more opportunity for participation.

Disadvantages to online learning
Not having face-to-face interaction with a teacher, however, can be seen as a disadvantage for some students.

“Being able to attend when you want means you have no face-to-face, so there are no real-time answers to questions you have,” McClain says. “You either have to wait for someone to reply to a forum, e-mail the instructor or hope that there is someone on IM that can answer you.”

Scheer says it’s easy for online programs to be fraudulent and nonaccredited, so there’s the possibility of being scammed or unable to transfer credits to another school. Finally, some employers simply don’t accept online degrees from any school, accredited or not.

Tips for finding a quality online degree
Are you interested in going to back to school online? Here are six things to consider when looking for a quality online degree program:

1. Reputation
Is it an institution that provides only online degrees or does it have physical locations as well? Having actual campuses helps to establish credibility. A red flag would be the existence of only a post office box or suite number.

2. Accreditation
The Department of Education says that researching the accreditation is essential. Diploma mills are usually accredited by fake agencies. It’s important to make sure the accrediting agency is one recognized by the department or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

3. Accessibility
Does the school offer technical help and easy access to speak with advisers, professors and the help desk?

4. How quickly can you earn the degree?
A red flag would be earning a bachelor’s degree in just months.

5. Program fees
Students should pay as they go and be charged per credit hour, rather than per program.

6. How hard is the work?
Diploma mills require very little work and often take life or work experience into account. Legitimate programs require the same amount of work one would expect attending class on a campus.

Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.

By Rachel Zupek, PrimeCB.com writer

With 2010 in full swing, it’s hopeful that things are starting to look up for those who had a tough time in 2009, professionally or otherwise. While the hope is that those who have been unemployed in recent months have found a job, recent numbers show many people are still looking for work.

Out of the 15.3 million people reported to be unemployed in December 2009, 6.1 million had been unemployed for more than 27 weeks, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In December, 4 in 10 unemployed workers were jobless for 27 weeks or longer. That’s a long time for anything, especially to be out of work.

This year, try doing things totally different than you’ve been doing in the past. Write a new résumé, revitalize your cover letters and kick up your job search a notch.

Here are five ways to shake up your job search in 2010:

1. Instead of job searching where you live … try relocating
We know it’s not easy to just pack up and move somewhere for a new job — we’re only suggesting that you think about it. Assess where you are, personally and professionally. If there’s nothing keeping you in your current city, expand your job search to other areas and see what you get. It’s no secret that some cities have been hit harder than others, so try looking in thriving areas. It definitely won’t hurt.

2. Instead of networking with only friends and family … try broadening your network
Everyone knows that one of the best ways to find a job is through friends and family. Hiring managers are more likely to pay attention to a résumé from someone they trust than by searching through hundreds of applications. If you’ve been doing this, but your job search is still coming up short, it’s time to cast a wider net. Reach out to former co-workers and managers, old college professors or members of clubs or associations you belong to. Take your job search to Twitter or other social networking sites, so everyone knows you are on the hunt. Become a fan of your desired employer’s Facebook page and engage with it.

3. Instead of applying only to “new” companies … try revisiting old possibilities
You might hesitate to reach out to companies you have already applied to for fear of seeming impatient or nagging, but we beg to differ. It never hurts to get back in touch with people you’ve already contacted. You can let them know you are still looking for work to see if they know of anything that might be up your alley, or you can specify the type of position you were hoping to find in their company. Even if you interviewed with an employer, reach out to them and get feedback on why they didn’t hire you. If they chose a more experienced candidate, for example, maybe they have an open position that is a better fit with your qualifications.

4. Instead of focusing on your strengths … try strengthening your weaknesses
While you should focus on what things you do well, consider that those aren’t the things that need work. After all, it’s not like you aren’t getting a job because you are so good at something, right? Say, for example, that you know you look good on paper and you get a lot of interviews — but nothing pans out after that. One might guess that your interview skills aren’t up to speed. Instead of trying to “fix” something that works (your résumé and cover letter), try spending more time perfecting your interview skills. Review questions you’ve been asked in interviews before and had a hard time answering, and work through answers to questions you’ll be asked all the time, like, “Tell me about yourself,” or “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

5. Instead of waiting for a full-time job … try looking for something in the interim
While most people might prefer to lock down a full-time job, these types of jobs are not abundant right now. Try expanding your search to something temporary or part time. Any kind of work, no matter how many hours you put in, will help you build up your skill set, which can only benefit you in your search for a full-time job. Not to mention, any new supervisors or co-workers that you meet will likely serve as a reference or at least part of your network in the future. Lastly, if you’re able to land a part-time gig in an area that interests you and in which you excel, it could lead to a full-time job.

Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.

By Rachel Zupek, PrimeCB.com writer

Everyone wants to earn a hefty salary in their careers, and it’s no secret that some of the highest-paid people are doctors, dentists and lawyers. It’s even less of a secret that those careers aren’t easy to come by. They require years of schooling — something that not everyone can (or wants to) handle.

But don’t despair. If you want to earn a lot of money, but don’t necessarily want to earn and advanced degree, check out these 20 careers. Although you won’t start out earning six figures, with your bachelor’s degree in tow, you can easily work your way up.

Here are 20 high-paying jobs that require only a bachelor’s degree:

1. Chief executives
Salary: $160,440
Education: Many top executives have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business administration, liberal arts or a more specialized discipline.

2. Natural sciences managers
Salary: $123,140
Education: Natural sciences managers usually move up to management positions after starting out as scientists. They may have a bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline.

3. Engineering managers
Salary: $120,580
Education: Engineering managers usually move up to management positions after starting out as engineers. Nearly all engineering managers have at least a bachelor’s degree in some specialty of engineering.

4. Petroleum engineers
Salary: $119,140
Education: Engineers usually earn a bachelor’s degree in an engineering specialty.

5. Computer and information systems managers
Salary: $118,710
Education: A bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field such as computer science, information science or management information systems is usually required for management positions.

6. Marketing managers
Salary: $118,160
Education: Employers often prefer a bachelor’s or master’s degree in marketing, or in business administration with an emphasis in marketing.

7. Financial managers
Salary: $110,640
Education: A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics or business administration is the minimum academic preparation for financial managers, but many employers now seek graduates with a master’s degree.

8. Sales managers
Salary: $110,390
Education: A wide range of educational backgrounds is suitable for entry into sales manager jobs, but many employers prefer college graduates with experience in related occupations. Most sales managers start out as sales representatives with a bachelor’s degree in business.

9. General and operations managers
Salary: $107,970
Education: Just like their responsibilities, the formal education and experience required by general and operations managers vary. Most of these workers have at least a bachelor’s degree and considerable experience.

10. Human resources managers
Salary: $103,920
Education: A bachelor’s degree is typical to break into the human resources field. It should be noted, however, that many colleges and universities don’t offer degree programs in personnel administration, human resources or labor relations until the graduate degree level. This particular salary applies to human resources managers other than payroll and timekeeping, labor relations managers and training managers.

11. Public relations managers
Salary: $101,220
Education: A bachelor’s or master’s degree in public relations or journalism is preferable for public relations management positions.

12. Judges, magistrate judges and magistrates
Salary: $100,450
Education: A bachelor’s degree and work experience are usually the minimum requirements for judges and magistrates. Many have law degrees and some are elected.

13. Computer hardware engineers
Salary: $100,180
Education: Engineers usually earn a bachelor’s degree in an engineering specialty.

14. Political scientists
Salary: $99,320
Education: Political scientists with a bachelor’s degree usually qualify for entry-level positions as a market analyst, research assistant, writer or policy analyst.

15. Actuaries
Salary: $95,980
Education: A bachelor’s degree and a strong background in mathematics, statistics and general business are needed to be an actuary. They’re also required to pass a series of exams in order to become certified professionals.

16. Advertising and promotions managers
Salary: $94,720
Education: Employers often prefer a bachelor’s degree in advertising or journalism, along with related courses.

17. Computer software engineers, systems software
Salary: $94,520
Education: A bachelor’s degree is normally required for software engineering jobs, although a master’s degree is preferred for some positions.

18. Purchasing managers
Salary: $94,300
Education: Most employers hire applicants who have a college degree and who are familiar with the merchandise they sell and with wholesaling and retailing practices. Workers may begin as trainees, purchasing clerks, junior buyers or assistant buyers.

19. Personal financial advisers
Salary: $92,970
Education: Personal financial advisers must have a bachelor’s degree. Many go on to earn a master’s degree in finance or business administration or get professional designations.

20. Securities, commodities and financial services sales agents
Salary: $92,050
Education: Most positions require a bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting or economics. An MBA or professional certification is helpful for advancement.

Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.

10 Jobs with better hourly pay

By Anthony Balderrama, PrimeCB.com writer

President Barack Obama gets a nice little salary. Certainly some CEOs, entrepreneurs and movie stars are earning millions (and in some cases billions) of dollars, so he’s by no means the richest person on the planet with his $400,000 annual salary. And he gets some pretty sweet perks — a fancy plane, an amazing chef and one of the most famous addresses in the world.

But if you stop to think about all his job entails, he’s never really off the clock. Although he takes vacations, he can’t completely clock out as long as he is in office. Regardless of where he is, the Secret Service is monitoring his every move and he must respond to any crisis that arises. The only other job that requires you to be on call 24 hours a day without fail is that of a parent, and no one’s paying you to do that, unfortunately.

We took Obama’s salary (not including his perks) and divided it by the 8,765 hours in a year, to figure that he earns $45.63 per hour. Again, not too shabby, but considering what a president has to put up with — constant danger, huge responsibilities, graying hair, people throwing shoes — it’s a tough gig.

Here are 10 jobs that, while important and demanding, probably don’t have the same pressure as that of Obama’s, and they pay more than he gets:

1. Computer and information systems managers are involved in technology administration for a company or organization. They work with leaders to ensure the company is meeting all goals and standards they have set for technology.
Hourly pay: $49.90

2. Dentists perform routine maintenance on your teeth and gums, ranging from preventive treatment to certain types of procedures. In other words, they allow you to smile with confidence.
Hourly pay: $66.54

3. General internists care for and treat adult patients for diseases or ailments relating to internal organs, such as heart or gastrointestinal issues.
Hourly pay: $55.61

4. Judges and magistrates preside over various legal and civil proceedings in order to assign awards or punishment based on the law.
Hourly pay: $59.95

5. Lawyers perform a wide range of legal duties, ranging from acting as counsel in a trial or working on behalf of organizations and corporations to ensure they are abiding by the law.
Hourly pay: $54.35

6. Marketing managers coordinate the promotion and marketing of a product or service for a company. They are involved in all marketing aspects for the company, from the initial brainstorming to the execution of the plan.
Hourly pay: $51.26

7. Post-secondary business teachers teach business courses in college and universities. Their students are typically working toward an MBA, although they might be studying any number of fields.
Hourly pay: $60.92

8. Post-secondary physics teachers teach post-secondary physics courses at universities and institutions and often perform research, as well.
Hourly pay: $57.76

9. Psychiatrists work with patients to diagnose and treat mental and behavioral disorders or conditions.
Hourly pay: $71.93

10. Securities, commodities and financial services sales agents sell stocks or bonds to investors in exchange for a commission. They are in constant contact with customers to see what stocks or bonds might interest them and find out how they want to proceed.
Hourly pay: $53.54

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.

Who might be interviewing you during your job hunt

By: Anthony Balderrama, PrimeCB.com writer

Interviewing for a job comes with several question marks. What do I wear? How should I answer this question? How long will this take? A good job seeker prepares. Take your suit to the cleaners. Think about your answers. Arrive for the interview in plenty of time.

But the one factor that can throw everything off is the type of interviewer you get. When you sit down at that table, the interviewer’s line of questioning and attitude will change what you say and how.

To give you a little extra help, here is a list of 10 types of interviewers you might encounter and how to deal with them.

1. Your best friend
What to expect: Too much of everything. You walk in the door and the handshake is a little too enthusiastic. The smile is too wide. The conversation is too personal. It’s all just too much. This interviewer treats you like a best friend, which is nice, but this style is unnerving because you want to be relaxed without forgetting that you are still on an interview.
What to do: Take this approach as a cue that you can be a little less rigid in the interview because the best friend doesn’t want an uptight employee. Just remind yourself that the interviewer can be more casual than you because he isn’t the one interviewing for the job. Show the interviewer that you’re relaxed, but stay professional and don’t act like you’re actually good friends — stories about wild parties and your personal life don’t belong in the conversation.

2. The interrogator
What to expect: Question after question after question. The interrogator doesn’t come to the interview ready for conversation. He has a list of questions to fire off and you had better be ready to answer them. Don’t expect to receive a lot of helpful feedback to gauge how you’re doing. Just expect more questions.
What to do: Watch episodes of “Law & Order” to prepare. You’re going to feel defensive the entire time and might walk away from the interview feeling as if you did something wrong. Once you realize that your interviewer is going to lambaste you with questions, just focus on answering them and don’t obsess over reading his reaction. You can try to initiate conversation with a few of your answers, but don’t be surprised if those efforts fail. This interviewer wants to hear your answers and see how you handle yourself, so staying calm is the best approach you can take.

3. The one who has better things to do
What to expect: An interviewer checking her e-mail, looking at you but not paying any attention to what you say. Some people are forced to participate in the interview process even if they have no interest in doing it, so don’t take it personally.
What to do: Answer the questions and be friendly. Try to hold conversations with this distracted interviewer and hope you can win her over — hey, it can’t hurt to have someone who likes you. But this interviewer either made up her mind before she walked into the room or doesn’t intend to give much feedback about you, so do your best but don’t take her disinterest personally.

4. The inappropriate one
What to expect: Cold sweats because you don’t know what to do or say. Every once in awhile you will encounter an interviewer who doesn’t understand limits. You might hear an inappropriate joke, a personal story that should be reserved for a therapist or a question that delves too deeply into your life. This interviewer probably isn’t trying to be inappropriate; he just has no concept of boundaries.
What to do: Stay in your comfort zone. Just because this interviewer is ready to cry on your shoulder, don’t feel pressured into doing the same. Answer what you want to answer and try to steer the conversation back to pertinent topics, such as the job requirements or your qualifications. The interviewer probably won’t realize how off track he is and will follow your lead. Of course, if you think the questions cross a line, then you want to get out of there ASAP.

5. The rule follower
What to expect: Every interviewing tip you’ve ever been told. Just like some students never imagine skipping a day of school or not doing homework, some interviewers can’t imagine going outside of traditional business interviewing protocol. Boring questions and a stoic demeanor are this interviewer’s best friend.
What to do: Be the best interviewee you can be. Do you know what your biggest weakness is? Do you know how to give the perfect handshake? Do you plan on wearing a conservative shirt under your jacket? You had better, because these by-the-book practices will earn you high marks.

6. The joker
What to expect: A comedy routine. Some interviewers have such a good sense of humor that they can’t shut it off even when they need to. You’ll answer a question and you’ll receive a sarcastic comment or a funny aside. This approach isn’t inherently bad, but it can confuse you because you’re not sure if the interview has even begun.
What to do: After a few minutes, you’ll realize that your interviewer is a joker. If this personality bugs you, you probably won’t like working for the company. If it doesn’t bother you too much, then try to play along. Joke back and show that you have a personality. For some interviewers, your résumé proved your qualification; the interview is their chance to see if you fit in with the gang.

7. The weirdo
What to expect: Strange behavior. We all know odd people, but we often forget that these odd people hold day jobs. And some of them are bosses or hiring managers who conduct interviews. Therefore we shouldn’t be surprised when we’re interviewed by a peculiar person who has macaroni art hanging in her office or who asks, “Who is your favorite member of the A-Team?”
What to do: Just go with it. Unless the weird factor transitions into creepy or offensive, you should just answer the questions and ignore oddities. If the questions and rapport are professional, but the interviewer is working on her origami, stay focused on the interview. She probably has no idea she’s doing anything strange and is paying attention to you.

8. The no-nonsense one
What to expect: Tough love. This interviewer doesn’t believe in sparing your feelings. He’s honest and will waste neither his nor your time.
What to do: Brace yourself. This interviewer will say that he’s not sure you’re qualified or that he fears you won’t fit in with everyone. Prove him wrong with evidence that you are perfect for the job. He won’t respect someone who cowers, so be just as firm with him.

9. The blank slate
What to expect: No feedback. The blank slate is an interviewer whose face remains unchanged for the duration of the meeting. You won’t see any hint that the interview is going well or badly.
What to do: Don’t try to break the interviewer’s façade. If you spend the interview looking for clues that you said the right or wrong thing, you’ll be miserable. Answer the questions, be yourself and stay composed. Your instinct will be to think that you’re bombing, but you never know with the blank slate, so don’t let yourself analyze the situation too much.

10. The mafia
What to expect: An intimidating group. Every group interview is an ordeal. The interviewers might be lovely, horrible or a mix, but you still have several sets of eyes staring at you.
What to do: Try to relax. That seems like impossible advice, but it’s the best approach. When you have multiple interviewers, you will see several types of interviewers, so you can’t try to please everyone. Try to be yourself and find the interviewers that seem the most responsive to you. When you see someone nodding in agreement or maintaining eye contact, you’ll feel more at ease and the nerves will begin to disappear.

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

One thing about the hiring process is true: It leaves much room for speculation. Whether you got the job — or you didn’t — most job seekers want to know why. Why were you chosen over the next guy? Or, better yet, why weren’t you? Was it your experience, your attitude, your interview answers, your outfit?

We decided to ask hiring managers directly: What seals the deal when you choose to hire a candidate? Why do you choose one person over another? Their answers will give you some insight as to what you should pay attention to the next time you’re up for a job.

Here’s what hiring managers had to say:

(more…)

By Rachel Zupek, PrimeCB.com writer

Everybody knows that in most situations, less is more — your accessories, eating habits and especially your résumé.

Job seekers do themselves a disservice when they send out résumés with too much information. Employers don’t have the time or the patience to sift through irrelevant information like your hobbies, interests or how many grandchildren you have. Just stick to the basics and you’re good to go.

Here are 10 things to leave off your résumé and why:

1. Your picture
Why to leave it off: Unless a job posting specifically asks for your picture (very few jobs will), don’t include it just for fun. Not only are your looks irrelevant to your potential as an employee, but you’re putting employers in a bad spot. If they have a picture of you and choose not to hire you, it’s possible that you could come back with a discrimination lawsuit. In most cases, they’ll throw your résumé away without looking at it, to avoid the issue altogether.

2. Interest and hobbies
Why to leave them off: Unless your interests and hobbies have something to do with the job you’re applying for, there’s no reason to include them. If you want to show how your passion for art would be asset to a graphic design position, that’s one thing. But telling employer that you love to skydive on an actuary application is another. In general, make any applicable connections between your hobbies and the job in your cover letter. Better yet, save them for the interview when you’re asked what you like to do outside of work.

3. Spelling mistakes and grammatical errors
Why to leave them off: Most employers assume that if you’re OK with sending out a résumé littered with typos and mistakes, you’ll have the same lack of concern for the work you do as an employee at their company. While spell check picks up most errors, it can miss something major (did you work the late night shift? Or did you forget to include the “f” between “i” and “t”?), so have several eyes look over your résumé before sending it out to employers.

4. Personal attributes
Why to leave them off: Similar to sending in a picture with your résumé, your height, weight, age, race or religion are all unimportant to an employer. Though it’s illegal for employers to discriminate against applicants because of any of these factors, some will do so, regardless. Keep everything on your résumé pertinent to the job, and you’ll be fine.

5. References
Why to leave them off: Many job seekers still include references on their résumé or they include a line that says, “References available upon request.” This tactic is not as effective as it used to be. Jack Harsh, adjunct professor at the University of Richmond Robins School of Business, says that when he receives a résumé with references attached, he gives them virtually no weight. “They seldom are specific to the role my company seeks and are not meaningful in considering qualifications or traits of successful candidates,” he says. Wait to broach the topic of references until you’re asked for them.

6. Minute details
Why to leave them off: Hiring managers don’t need to know the details of every task you’ve ever done in every job you’ve ever had. It’s just too much information, and most of the time, half of that information isn’t relevant. Employers want to be able to see at first glance that you’re a great candidate, so pick out those details that are most relevant to the job for which you’re applying and omit the rest.

7. False information
Why to leave it off: Plain and simple, no one wants to hire a liar. Don’t say that you have a master’s degree if you’ve only earned your bachelor’s; don’t say you’re presently employed at a company if you’ve recently been fired; don’t list your salary history as 20 percent higher than it was. Everything you tell an employer can be verified, so play it safe and be honest.

8. Flair
Why to leave it off: No one wants to look at a résumé on fluorescent paper, covered in crazy fonts and symbols. Similarly, links to personal Web sites, your photo-sharing site, or strange e-mail addresses can also be left off. Employers are less likely to respond to likes2party@email.com than just DMiller@email.com.

9. Negativity
Why to leave it off: Never put anything negative on your résumé. Don’t include your reasons for leaving. If you left the position due to a layoff or you were fired, for example, bring it up only if asked. Never write anything bad about a previous employer. Don’t explain gaps on your résumé by stating that you were in prison for 10 years for killing your husband. Keep your résumé all positive, all the time.

10. A selfish objective
Why to leave it off: Employers are trying to determine whether you’re a good fit for their organizations, so everything on your résumé should point to your experience. Employers would rather see a summary of qualifications that displays your accomplishments and background than a generic objective statement like “To gain experience in…”

Get the latest job search advice and news on The Work Buzz, CareerBuilder’s job seeker blog. Follow CareerBuilder on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CBforjobseekers.