The job industry is continually changing. Old industries are dying and new industries are springing up to replace them. Knowing what’s on the up will help you get ahead and plan your career effectively. In late 2009, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics released a report entitled, “Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition.” This study detailed trends in work, examining the types of industries where work will increase and where work is declining. The report covers trends from 2009 through 2018, and revealed some interesting changes. What is not particularly surprising in a service-driven economy is that manufacturing and mining are on a downward slope, while consumer-led services are on the increase. But which areas will experience the largest growth? The top five are detailed here...1. Healthcare and social assistanceThe largest area for growth by far is in the healthcare and social assistance industry. This sector will account for 26 percent of al new jobs in the … [Read more...] about Job Industries of the Future
How to Master the Waiting Game
Whether it's waiting for a call from an interview for your dream job, the 4-1-1 follow-up on an audition for your awesome band, or an acceptance confirmation on a creative piece you've penned, the wait can be hell.You know the script...You check your emails several times a day in eager anticipation. You wait by the phone constantly checking to make sure the phone is on the hook. You second guess whether or not you've made a good first impression.Sound familiar?It seems like every day plays out like dog years.Unfortunately, it's a necessary evil that comes with seeking better opportunities and broadening our horizons. But there's an art to waiting gracefully and making the best use of those endless hours. And if you do it well, you won't grow weary, you'll grow wiser.Here are a few pointers to help you keep your peace and proper perspective, without pulling your hair out.1. In the famous words of Robert Deniro of the Sopranos, “fuhggetabout it!” … [Read more...] about How to Master the Waiting Game
The Illusion of Control at Work
What percentage of your work style would be called "control freak?" Not something that you find on a job description. But admit it, there’s at least a bit of control freak in all of us. The word “controlling” has a negative connotation, but a lot of people with that label are simply take-charge types who get the job done. The others are, well, control freaks.An article in the Wall Street Journal, “She Talks a Lot, He Listens a Little” got me thinking about controlling behaviors. She discusses communication in personal relationships, but you can apply it to business, too. She makes a point when describing the talker vs. the non-talker - the non-talker has control over any conversation; when one party is done listening, the conversation is over.Think about how many times when someone has presented an idea, someone has dismissed it, either by “tabling” it for later or just moving on through the agenda. If this is your style or you’re the … [Read more...] about The Illusion of Control at Work
The Importance of Virtual Resumes and Online Portfolios
Obreanna McReynolds is a guest blogger for Pounding the Pavement and a writer on technical schools for Guide to Career Education. In today’s competitive job market, standing out from the crowd has become at once more important, and more difficult, than ever. As desperate as many job-seekers may feel, employers are just as eager to find that one superstar hire buried in the thick stack of cover letters and resumes. Luckily for both parties involved, the tools for building a polished, marketable and most importantly hirable personal brand have exploded in recent years thanks to the rapid expansion of online networking technologies. For the job hunters of the twenty-first century, submitting a paper resume is just one piece of a much larger equation. The most competitive candidates supplement, or even replace, their printed materials with virtual resumes, online portfolios, and social media profiles. Especially for those interested in telecommuting, online credentials … [Read more...] about The Importance of Virtual Resumes and Online Portfolios
Noisy Office? 10 Tips to Help You Cope
Trying to concentrate in a noisy environment can be a very difficult task. Whether it’s chatty co-workers, loud machine noises, or a neighbor who insists on having long conference calls on speaker phone, noisy distractions can have a significant negative effect on your productivity. However, there are some simple methods that can help you deal with the noise and focus on your work. #1. White Noise Machine - A white noise machine generates a sound that is random but soothing like running water or wind. It is capable of blocking out distracting noises. Use of a white noise machine is also dependent on the policies of your office. Another option that can produce a similar effect is to run a small fan on your desktop. If the fan is noisy enough, it can also block out distracting noises. The best one on the planet is... #2. Listen to Music - Depending on the policies of your office, you may be able to listen to music with headphones while you are working. If this is the case, then … [Read more...] about Noisy Office? 10 Tips to Help You Cope
The “Anti-Holidays” Survival Guide
This is the first holiday season I’m spending alone. Well, I did get stuck at college one time, but the stranded all hung out together. I won’t bore you with gory details; I’m just not up for it this year. I’m opting to hang with the cat.I don’t mean to step on any religion’s toes – you are free to observe, celebrate or whatever. But I won’t be there. Sure, I’ll spend some time with my mother around Christmas, but for the most part, I’ll be doing the “Anti-Holidays.”So here are some of my Anti-Holiday survival (Stress-Busters and Holiday Survival Guide) plans:· Watch movies - No, no holiday-themed ones. I’m thinking more like “The Fast and the Furious.” Now, I’m not a gearhead, but I do like nice cars. Plus it’s just so right to make fun of Vin Diesel.· Food – No … [Read more...] about The “Anti-Holidays” Survival Guide
7 Ways to Use Salespeople to Advance Your Career
Communication skills are vital to our careers, yet we don’t often look for opportunities to improve them. While dealing with salespeople can be stressful—we often see them as a drain on our bank account—that interaction can also serve as a chance to sharpen our negotiation skills. And learning to negotiate is essential no matter what career we’re striving for.Here are a few ways to improve your communication skills the next time you deal with a salesperson:1. Ask a ridiculous question.Whoever said there are no stupid questions was a fool. If you’ve ever asked a silly question, you know what it feels like to have blood rush to your face. Yet we can’t avoid asking silly questions once in a while; we need the answers no matter how much it hurts. Asking whatever questions come to your mind, regardless of how silly they seem, will help you feel comfortable asking that important question at work.2. Negotiate the price.There are two types of people in this … [Read more...] about 7 Ways to Use Salespeople to Advance Your Career
How to Be Confident at Work
In my job as a Deputy Sheriff, confidence can mean the difference between going home safely and being in a potentially deadly situation. As a female officer who stands 5’4” and weighs 130 pounds, I am not a physically imposing person. However, the people I work with are often as much as a foot taller than I am and many pounds heavier. I work in a jail, and my typical work day finds me in a room alone with as many as 96 inmates who have charges ranging from traffic offenses to murder. Yet as part of my job, I am required to keep these individual safe from themselves and others and to enforce rules that may seem petty, such as not allowing inmates to wear the legs of their uniforms rolled up to the knee. The key to staying safe and keeping my community safe is confidence. While your job may not include people who want to (literally) kill you, chances are you could benefit by being more confident at work. The first tip I would give is to … [Read more...] about How to Be Confident at Work
10 Types of Insurance You May NOT Need
Insurance is something that can be greatly beneficial to you. For a small fee you can get some financial security and peace of mind, protecting yourself against some of the terrible things that can happen in life. However, sometimes insurance is just a waste of money. Carefully consider the following 10 types of insurance before getting them because you may not need them: 1. Car Rental Insurance. You may have enough insurance protection from your personal auto insurance and your credit card protections that you don’t need additional car rental insurance. In many cases, the insurance that you can get at a car rental agency is redundant so you’re wasting a lot of money for absolutely no reason. Look into this carefully before any trip that you take. 2. Credit Card Insurance. This is insurance that pays off your credit card balance in the event of your death, severe disability or certain unemployment situations. … [Read more...] about 10 Types of Insurance You May NOT Need
109 Gifts for Coworkers That Are Cheap and Neutral
In these politically-correct, economically-challenging times, buying the perfect inexpensive holiday gifts for coworkers is more difficult than ever. But before you go to the dark side and join the cubicle Grinch, check out our list of Jobacle-approved inexpensive gifts for coworkers that are both neutral and cheap - and guaranteed to be appreciated for Christmas or any holiday. Anything is better than recycling that 90s alternative rock CD! Brush up on The Rules of Office Gift Giving and go buy these today! Check out Gift for Coworkers, a blog for affordable office gifts. Buying bulk Christmas gifts for coworkers is always a smart play. Oprah's Favorite Things Amazon's Top Trending Gifts Pickleball gift ideas are trending HOT in 2022 Umbrella Rhianna not included. Everyone appreciates a good umbrella, especially if it's lightweight, folds up small, and can withstand the elements. I've never met an umbrella I couldn't lose, and that's precisely why it makes … [Read more...] about 109 Gifts for Coworkers That Are Cheap and Neutral