Abiding by a script and dialing up a set list of customers can sound overly programmatic and repetitive. But the responsibilities of a telemarketer are multi-dimensional. The never-know-what-you-might-get element associated with calling complete strangers or receiving calls from them requires a calm, cool, and collected mentality. A central objective is generating revenue for your company. To do so means burning up the phone lines, tapping into your inner negotiator, and being nimble enough to persuade prospective clients about the merits of the product you're selling. Another key objective: serving as the bridge between your company and the caller, and in doing so, providing the highest quality customer service possible. Multitasking is also a critical component. As they complete the sale, telemarketers must chat up customers while simultaneously entering their information into a company database. Occasionally, telemarketers might hit a bit of luck when eager customers call up to make a purchase, and then they need only a calming voice to complete the transaction.
The Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) projects the telemarketing industry will grow 7.4 percent from 2010 to 2020, creating approximately 21,500 new positions.
Salary
According to the BLS, telemarketers earned $22,520 in 2011, or approximately $10.83 per hour. The best-paid in the occupation earned $39,440 while the lowest-paid earned $16,840 in 2011. Metropolitan areas that compensate telemarketers best are found in Green Bay, Wis., San Jose, Calif., and Norwich, Conn.Salary Range
75th Percentile $29,930
Median $22,520
25th Percentile $18,610
Jump-starting your career as a telemarketer will require a high school diploma. Depending on where you work and what product you’re pushing, on-the-job training can last anywhere from two weeks to a full year. With the help of seasoned hands, new employees adjust to the responsibilities of the occupation.
Reviews & Advice
With some jobs mandating inordinate amounts of experience, it can be tough to land an interview, let alone a job. But an exhaustive resume is not needed to become a telemarketer. "The companies that are hiring post things all over," says Chris Haerich, vice president of member services for the Professional Association for Customer Engagement, a nonprofit organization devoted to advancing the interests of companies utilizing contact centers.
If you're interested in selling a particular product for a particular company, Haerich recommends a trip to its local human resources department to inquire about preliminary steps that may have to be taken before getting hired, such as placement tests.
2013/4/18
Security Guard - The 100 Best Jobs and Careers for 2013
A security guard's post isn't for the faint of heart. Employers hire security officers to help protect against fire, theft, vandalism, terrorism, and other illegal actions. Security guards ensure safety by actively patrolling or using security systems to keep a watchful eye over a facility. Like police officers, a number of security guards are armed with a weapon. Responsibilities vary depending on the setting—transportation guards use detectors to screen passengers, while security guards at casinos survey for cheating and underage gamblers. Although movies frequently depict security guards sleeping on the job, there's little down time in this line of work, as guards must remain alert to monitor for any suspicious activity.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a steady job growth of 18.8 percent for the profession between 2010 and 2020, as concern about crime, vandalism, and terrorism continue to increase the need for security. During that time period, 195,000 jobs will be added.
Salary
According to the BLS, in 2011, security guards earned a median average salary of $23,900. The best-paid earned about $41,860, while the lowest-paid made approximately $17,260. The highest earners worked in the metropolitan areas of Ithaca, N.Y., San Luis Obispo, Calif., and Amarillo, Texas.Salary Range
75th Percentile $31,150
Median $23,900
25th Percentile $19,600
Training
While no universal set of qualifications exists for security guards, many employers prefer to hire individuals with a high school diploma. Previous law enforcement or military experience is definitely a plus. Employers frequently run background checks on potential candidates, so a clean criminal record is important. Employers may also conduct drug tests before hiring a candidate. New employees receive an on-site orientation from their employer about their role and responsibilities. Armed security guards do require the proper certification for carrying a weapon and undergo more thorough on-the-job training. States possess different weapon policies, so be sure to get the proper license to retain your weapon. Additionally, state governments have begun to register security guards. This licensing procedure usually involves a background check and some classroom training independent of your employer.
Reviews & Advice
"Someone aspiring to a career as a security officer should demonstrate a commitment to values such as integrity, vigilance, and helpfulness; a willingness for professional development; a focus on customer service; a desire to work as a team and an ability to utilize technology," said Rocco DeFelice, executive vice president of Securitas USA, in an email. A candidate will have ample opportunity to exhibit these qualities during the application process. As DeFelice explains, "The applicant should expect to complete an extensive application, which includes an assessment; go through a background investigation, to include a drug screen; participate in an in-depth interview; complete applicable licensing requirements and receive all necessary pre-assignment training." Another key quality employers look for is stability. According to Brian Dooling, vice president of marketing at U.S. Security Associates: "We want to see applicants who demonstrate some level of longevity with past employers, such as two years of tenure in each of the most recent jobs."
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a steady job growth of 18.8 percent for the profession between 2010 and 2020, as concern about crime, vandalism, and terrorism continue to increase the need for security. During that time period, 195,000 jobs will be added.
Salary
According to the BLS, in 2011, security guards earned a median average salary of $23,900. The best-paid earned about $41,860, while the lowest-paid made approximately $17,260. The highest earners worked in the metropolitan areas of Ithaca, N.Y., San Luis Obispo, Calif., and Amarillo, Texas.Salary Range
75th Percentile $31,150
Median $23,900
25th Percentile $19,600
Training
While no universal set of qualifications exists for security guards, many employers prefer to hire individuals with a high school diploma. Previous law enforcement or military experience is definitely a plus. Employers frequently run background checks on potential candidates, so a clean criminal record is important. Employers may also conduct drug tests before hiring a candidate. New employees receive an on-site orientation from their employer about their role and responsibilities. Armed security guards do require the proper certification for carrying a weapon and undergo more thorough on-the-job training. States possess different weapon policies, so be sure to get the proper license to retain your weapon. Additionally, state governments have begun to register security guards. This licensing procedure usually involves a background check and some classroom training independent of your employer.
Reviews & Advice
"Someone aspiring to a career as a security officer should demonstrate a commitment to values such as integrity, vigilance, and helpfulness; a willingness for professional development; a focus on customer service; a desire to work as a team and an ability to utilize technology," said Rocco DeFelice, executive vice president of Securitas USA, in an email. A candidate will have ample opportunity to exhibit these qualities during the application process. As DeFelice explains, "The applicant should expect to complete an extensive application, which includes an assessment; go through a background investigation, to include a drug screen; participate in an in-depth interview; complete applicable licensing requirements and receive all necessary pre-assignment training." Another key quality employers look for is stability. According to Brian Dooling, vice president of marketing at U.S. Security Associates: "We want to see applicants who demonstrate some level of longevity with past employers, such as two years of tenure in each of the most recent jobs."
Construction Worker - The 100 Best Jobs and Careers for 2013
A construction site is a massive production where jobs can be split into three groups. There are those in skilled trades: the carpenters, engineers, and architects who design and implement the project. There are those in management: the managers and surveyors who perform the administrative tasks necessary to get the project started and keep it running, then oversee its completion. And then there are the general workers: the personnel tasked with assisting tradespeople to perform the labor required to finish the project. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimated that there were 998,800 general construction workers in 2010, assisting with an essential and exhaustive catalog of duties.
Construction work is usually a progressive occupation. Many laborers start out as generalists who attend to tasks like digging ditches, cleaning highways, knocking down walls, and unloading equipment. But as they gain experience, they begin providing assistance in a specific trade, for example, helping with roofing, pipefitting, electrical work, and carpentry. Some also receive certification to handle hazardous construction materials and waste. Over time, general construction workers typically choose a specific trade and undergo the formal training and certification necessary to ascend to a journey worker position. They might also decide to pursue a bachelor’s degree to enter construction management.
Employment for construction laborers should balloon in the coming years. By 2020, the BLS predicts employment will have surpassed one million workers. Carpenters’ helpers are expected to have the best job prospects, while laborers working in painting, plastering, and roofing will have fewer opportunities.
Salary
Construction workers perform the important task of building our infrastructure. So their median salary—one that’s below $30,000—may seem surprising. In 2011, they made an average salary of $29,730. The highest-paid earned approximately $58,250, while the lowest-paid didn’t eclipse $20,000. Jobs on the East Coast tend to pay the best—the five top-paying cities for construction workers dot the Eastern Seaboard.Salary Range
75th Percentile $40,800
Median $29,730
25th Percentile $29,730
If you’re unsure about which type of construction most interests you, then working as a general construction worker might be a good introduction into the field. There isn’t any rigorous, formal training, and you’ll get your feet wet performing simple tasks while shadowing more experienced workers on a job site. General laborers usually find a preference for a specific type of trade, and at that time might choose to enter a formal apprenticeship program to begin the process for receiving certification.
Reviews & Advice
The absence of formal training might make someone think that entering general construction is a cake walk. It’s not. Unions frequently recruit construction workers from high schools and technical schools. Those who have served in the military have great prospects in this line of work, because unions are always seeking applicants who are in excellent physical shape, have strong math skills, and who can work well with people.
General laborers are often exposed to many types of construction work, and often find a niche they prefer. Their experience within a particular trade will help them advance to more complex activities, gain admittance into a specific apprenticeship, and attain the certification necessary to perform certain craft occupations (such as bricklaying, electrical wiring, and carpentry).
Construction work is usually a progressive occupation. Many laborers start out as generalists who attend to tasks like digging ditches, cleaning highways, knocking down walls, and unloading equipment. But as they gain experience, they begin providing assistance in a specific trade, for example, helping with roofing, pipefitting, electrical work, and carpentry. Some also receive certification to handle hazardous construction materials and waste. Over time, general construction workers typically choose a specific trade and undergo the formal training and certification necessary to ascend to a journey worker position. They might also decide to pursue a bachelor’s degree to enter construction management.
Employment for construction laborers should balloon in the coming years. By 2020, the BLS predicts employment will have surpassed one million workers. Carpenters’ helpers are expected to have the best job prospects, while laborers working in painting, plastering, and roofing will have fewer opportunities.
Salary
Construction workers perform the important task of building our infrastructure. So their median salary—one that’s below $30,000—may seem surprising. In 2011, they made an average salary of $29,730. The highest-paid earned approximately $58,250, while the lowest-paid didn’t eclipse $20,000. Jobs on the East Coast tend to pay the best—the five top-paying cities for construction workers dot the Eastern Seaboard.Salary Range
75th Percentile $40,800
Median $29,730
25th Percentile $29,730
If you’re unsure about which type of construction most interests you, then working as a general construction worker might be a good introduction into the field. There isn’t any rigorous, formal training, and you’ll get your feet wet performing simple tasks while shadowing more experienced workers on a job site. General laborers usually find a preference for a specific type of trade, and at that time might choose to enter a formal apprenticeship program to begin the process for receiving certification.
Reviews & Advice
The absence of formal training might make someone think that entering general construction is a cake walk. It’s not. Unions frequently recruit construction workers from high schools and technical schools. Those who have served in the military have great prospects in this line of work, because unions are always seeking applicants who are in excellent physical shape, have strong math skills, and who can work well with people.
General laborers are often exposed to many types of construction work, and often find a niche they prefer. Their experience within a particular trade will help them advance to more complex activities, gain admittance into a specific apprenticeship, and attain the certification necessary to perform certain craft occupations (such as bricklaying, electrical wiring, and carpentry).
Fabricator - The 100 Best Jobs and Careers for 2013
How many of us pause to consider the skilled hands that spent hours putting together our prized plasma TVs and MacBook Pros? The nimble fingers belong to fabricators—diligent men and women tasked with assembling finished products and the parts that go into them. Aside from using their hands, these workers also rely on tools and machinery to make engines, computers, aircrafts, toys, electronic devices, and other products. Dan Davis, editor-in-chief for online news site The Fabricator says it’s the thrill of thinking critically in a specified window of time that excites fabricators most. “Based on conversations with metal fabricators, I would say the most rewarding part of the job is the ability to work with your hands and solve problems,” he says. “They listen to customers and figure out how to make a metal part work for a particular application. Every day represents new jobs and new challenges. They aren’t stuck behind a desk.” Fabricators might work in the ship and boat-building industry, but the majority of them are employed in the architectural and structural metals and other fabricated metal product manufacturing industries. Unlike industrial machinery mechanics and maintenance workers, fabricators typically don’t maintain and repair equipment and industrial machinery; their chief job is to assemble and build.
Davis says layoffs in the fabrication field aren’t as high today as they have been in the past. “Nowadays, it’s not as high as it might have been in the 1990s when layoffs in manufacturing companies made all of the headlines,” he says. “A lot of baby boomers are retiring, so companies are looking to fill the ranks.” Fabricators held a whopping 1.6 million jobs in 2010, many of which were in manufacturing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), projected employment growth up to 2020 hovers around 5 percent, which is slower than the average rate for all occupations.
Salary
The average fabricator earned $35,170 in 2011. The highest earners made about $52,150, while the lowest-paid earned $24,190 in that same period. The specialized design services, aerospace product and parts manufacturing, and support activities for water transportation industries tend to pay best. The top-three metro areas that compensate fabricators best are Seattle, Minneapolis, and Champaign, Ill.Salary Range
75th Percentile $43,090
Median $35,170
25th Percentile $28,780
After earning a high school diploma or GED and upon finding work, beginner fabricators receive on-the-job training that might involve employer-sponsored technical instruction. Some employers might require their workers to take that a step further, mandating specialized training or an associate’s degree. Jobs involving electrical, electronic, and aircraft and motor-vehicle products manufacturers might require more formal learning at technical schools. Certifications are not required generally, but they can bolster a fabricator’s resume and give them a leg-up in the job hunt.
Reviews & Advice
Mechanical skills and physical strength aren’t the only qualities necessary for excelling in the fabricator field. Dexterity, solid mathematical skills, sound color vision, and stamina are also musts. “The more special skills a fabricator has, the more valuable he or she is to an employer,” Davis says.
Davis says layoffs in the fabrication field aren’t as high today as they have been in the past. “Nowadays, it’s not as high as it might have been in the 1990s when layoffs in manufacturing companies made all of the headlines,” he says. “A lot of baby boomers are retiring, so companies are looking to fill the ranks.” Fabricators held a whopping 1.6 million jobs in 2010, many of which were in manufacturing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), projected employment growth up to 2020 hovers around 5 percent, which is slower than the average rate for all occupations.
Salary
The average fabricator earned $35,170 in 2011. The highest earners made about $52,150, while the lowest-paid earned $24,190 in that same period. The specialized design services, aerospace product and parts manufacturing, and support activities for water transportation industries tend to pay best. The top-three metro areas that compensate fabricators best are Seattle, Minneapolis, and Champaign, Ill.Salary Range
75th Percentile $43,090
Median $35,170
25th Percentile $28,780
After earning a high school diploma or GED and upon finding work, beginner fabricators receive on-the-job training that might involve employer-sponsored technical instruction. Some employers might require their workers to take that a step further, mandating specialized training or an associate’s degree. Jobs involving electrical, electronic, and aircraft and motor-vehicle products manufacturers might require more formal learning at technical schools. Certifications are not required generally, but they can bolster a fabricator’s resume and give them a leg-up in the job hunt.
Reviews & Advice
Mechanical skills and physical strength aren’t the only qualities necessary for excelling in the fabricator field. Dexterity, solid mathematical skills, sound color vision, and stamina are also musts. “The more special skills a fabricator has, the more valuable he or she is to an employer,” Davis says.
Carpenter - The 100 Best Jobs and Careers for 2013
Each day, carpenters throughout the country counter the stereotype that they’re more brawn than brain. From using basic addition and subtraction skills to calculate floor space and wall heights to applying complex trigonometric formulas to make right angle cuts, carpenters rely on more than muscle and endurance to complete their jobs well; they also culminate an expansive mathematical skill set. Joe Weisling, a carpenter of 37 years and training director for the Southeast Wisconsin Carpentry Training Center, challenges misconceptions about his profession. “There are those that feel that the construction industry has no future. There are those that believe that you have to have a size-19 neck and a size-4 hat. In other words, you’ve got to be all brawn and no brain. There are those that seem to think that it’s only a man’s world,” he says. “The construction industry has opportunities for everyone. It’s whether you choose to get involved.” Many carpenters work in the residential and nonresidential building construction industries. Others work for building finishing or foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors. Unlike cement masons who primarily pour, smooth, and finish concrete floors, sidewalks, roads, and curbs, carpenters mostly construct and repair building frameworks and structures like stairways or door frames.
The carpentry profession is projected to grow nearly 20 percent from 2010 to 2020, a rate that exceeds the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Thanks to booming population growth, the need for new-home construction is rising. And more carpenters are needed to build dwellings.
Salary
According to the BLS, carpenters earned $40,010 in 2011, or approximately $19.24 per hour. In that same period, the highest-paid earned about $71,890, while the lowest-paid earned $24,880. Areas of the industry that pay well include motion picture and video and electric power generation, transmission, and distribution. Metropolitan areas that pay well include Fairbanks, Alaska, Honolulu, and San Francisco.Salary Range
75th Percentile $54,560
Median $40,010
25th Percentile $31,230
Training
After earning a high school diploma or its equivalent, prospective carpenters should complete a three- to four-year carpenter’s training program. Weisling says this is the best way for them to learn the ropes of the profession. Carpentry apprentices complete at least 144 hours of paid technical training and 2,000 hours of compensated hands-on, on-the-job training in the areas of carpentry basics, blueprint reading, mathematics, building-code requirements, safety, and first-aid practices. Prospective carpenters should research union and contractor associations in their cities or towns, as several of them sponsor apprenticeship programs. Other basic qualifications for apprenticeship program admittance include 18 years of age, being physically able to perform assigned tasks, U.S. citizenship or proof of legal residency, and successful completion of a drug test.
Reviews & Advice
Because carpenters are constantly called upon to make exact measurements with heavy equipment, those interested in entering the profession must comfortably marry attention to detail with manual dexterity and mathematical prowess. Their problem-solving skills must go hand-in-hand with their stamina and physical strength. Weisling adds that they must also possess an open mind, as well as a genuine passion for the work. “We encourage individuals to define who they are and understand what a carpenter does and what the duties really are and then become as well-rounded as they can,” he says.
The carpentry profession is projected to grow nearly 20 percent from 2010 to 2020, a rate that exceeds the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Thanks to booming population growth, the need for new-home construction is rising. And more carpenters are needed to build dwellings.
Salary
According to the BLS, carpenters earned $40,010 in 2011, or approximately $19.24 per hour. In that same period, the highest-paid earned about $71,890, while the lowest-paid earned $24,880. Areas of the industry that pay well include motion picture and video and electric power generation, transmission, and distribution. Metropolitan areas that pay well include Fairbanks, Alaska, Honolulu, and San Francisco.Salary Range
75th Percentile $54,560
Median $40,010
25th Percentile $31,230
Training
After earning a high school diploma or its equivalent, prospective carpenters should complete a three- to four-year carpenter’s training program. Weisling says this is the best way for them to learn the ropes of the profession. Carpentry apprentices complete at least 144 hours of paid technical training and 2,000 hours of compensated hands-on, on-the-job training in the areas of carpentry basics, blueprint reading, mathematics, building-code requirements, safety, and first-aid practices. Prospective carpenters should research union and contractor associations in their cities or towns, as several of them sponsor apprenticeship programs. Other basic qualifications for apprenticeship program admittance include 18 years of age, being physically able to perform assigned tasks, U.S. citizenship or proof of legal residency, and successful completion of a drug test.
Reviews & Advice
Because carpenters are constantly called upon to make exact measurements with heavy equipment, those interested in entering the profession must comfortably marry attention to detail with manual dexterity and mathematical prowess. Their problem-solving skills must go hand-in-hand with their stamina and physical strength. Weisling adds that they must also possess an open mind, as well as a genuine passion for the work. “We encourage individuals to define who they are and understand what a carpenter does and what the duties really are and then become as well-rounded as they can,” he says.
2013/4/17
Maid & Housekeeper - The 100 Best Jobs and Careers for 2013
Television series like Downton Abbey and novels like The Help might have brought the lives and responsibilities of maids closer to the forefront. But it’s not just the upper class that benefits from these workers’ services. Housekeepers and maids perform essential tasks for our society as a whole. They’re the men and women who empty our office trash cans at night. They mop floors, make beds, and polish furniture in our hotel rooms while we’re sightseeing on vacation. In general, they dust around, soap up, suds down, mop away, and wax behind our messes, helping to keep our lives running smoothly (and hygienically). Most maids and housekeepers work in hotels and motels—which explains why some of the field’s highest-paid employees work in big cities and travel destinations with lots of hotels—but the next-largest chunk of the workforce clean in private households. The rest are split up between nursing homes, hospitals, and office buildings. In public facilities, the maids’ duties might sometimes overlap with those of janitors, although maids work indoors primarily, and janitors might also handle larger cleanup jobs and minor repair work.
The need for diligent and courteous people to perform light cleaning duties isn’t as urgent as in some other professions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts employment growth of about 7.8 percent between 2010 and 2020, which is slower than average for all occupations. Still, job prospects are expected to be good, particularly for experienced housekeepers and those looking to work in hotels. There should be more than 100,000 new positions this decade.
Salary
According to the BLS, housekeepers earned $19,390 in 2011, or approximatley $9.32 per hour. The best-paid earned about $30,130, while the lowest-paid earned less than $17,000. Areas of the industry that pay well include outpatient care centers and medical labs. Big cities also tend to compensate well—specifically, the metro areas of New York, San Francisco, and Honolulu.Salary Range
75th Percentile $23,700
Median $19,390
25th Percentile $17,560
Training
There isn’t standardized training to become a housekeeper, although most jobs insist on hiring people who’ve earned a high school diploma or its equivalent. Those with prior experience are obviously more marketable, but a personable and professional new candidate also stands a good chance of gaining employment, particularly if they’re a quick study and have good customer service skills. New hires tend to receive on-the-job training from more experienced maids.
Reviews & Advice
As with almost any occupation, it’s easier to land a houskeeping job when you’ve had prior experience. But if you’re brand new, then there are a few simple steps you must take to ensure a good first impression on an interview. First of all, show up on time and immaculately dressed. Punctuality is important for any interview or any job, but wearing well-fitting, freshly laundered and ironed clothes could also be indicative of what type of housekeeper you’ll be. Next, show that you have good interpersonal skills. Maids, particularly those that work in private homes, must show that they get along well with the people who have hired them. To become a housekeeper, it might also help to know how to cook and have experience working with children and pets.
The need for diligent and courteous people to perform light cleaning duties isn’t as urgent as in some other professions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts employment growth of about 7.8 percent between 2010 and 2020, which is slower than average for all occupations. Still, job prospects are expected to be good, particularly for experienced housekeepers and those looking to work in hotels. There should be more than 100,000 new positions this decade.
Salary
According to the BLS, housekeepers earned $19,390 in 2011, or approximatley $9.32 per hour. The best-paid earned about $30,130, while the lowest-paid earned less than $17,000. Areas of the industry that pay well include outpatient care centers and medical labs. Big cities also tend to compensate well—specifically, the metro areas of New York, San Francisco, and Honolulu.Salary Range
75th Percentile $23,700
Median $19,390
25th Percentile $17,560
Training
There isn’t standardized training to become a housekeeper, although most jobs insist on hiring people who’ve earned a high school diploma or its equivalent. Those with prior experience are obviously more marketable, but a personable and professional new candidate also stands a good chance of gaining employment, particularly if they’re a quick study and have good customer service skills. New hires tend to receive on-the-job training from more experienced maids.
Reviews & Advice
As with almost any occupation, it’s easier to land a houskeeping job when you’ve had prior experience. But if you’re brand new, then there are a few simple steps you must take to ensure a good first impression on an interview. First of all, show up on time and immaculately dressed. Punctuality is important for any interview or any job, but wearing well-fitting, freshly laundered and ironed clothes could also be indicative of what type of housekeeper you’ll be. Next, show that you have good interpersonal skills. Maids, particularly those that work in private homes, must show that they get along well with the people who have hired them. To become a housekeeper, it might also help to know how to cook and have experience working with children and pets.
Delivery Truck Driver - The 100 Best Jobs and Careers for 2013
The birthday gift from relatives living miles away, the FedExed legal document that needs your signature, and the vanity table you’ve awaited for weeks—all of these items and more are brought to you by dutiful delivery truck drivers. “The bulk of the first part of their day is spent delivering packages, and it can be a wide variety of different people and businesses that they are going to visit throughout the day,” says Dan McMackin, a former delivery truck driver and current public relations manager for the United Parcel Service (UPS). “Delivery drivers serve everything from hospitals to high schools to small businesses to large businesses, and they bring them all the things they need to run their businesses.” Unlike bus drivers, delivery drivers transport goods, not people.
These workers held a solid 125,600 jobs in 2010, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. Their profession is expected to expand nearly 15 percent by 2020—a rate close to the average for all professions.
Salary
The average delivery truck driver took in $29,080 in 2011. The top-tier earners took home $58,440, while the lowest-compensated took home $18,030. The couriers and express delivery services and postal service industries compensate employees best. Many of the highest earners reside in Lowell, Mass., Redding, Calif., and Dover, Del.Salary Range
75th Percentile $40,370
Median $29,080
25th Percentile $21,770
Training
After earning a high school diploma or GED, many new delivery truck drivers receive in-house training at their companies. This training can last anywhere from two to three months and involves a driving mentor riding along with a new employee to ensure that he or she is able to navigate a massive truck on cramped streets comfortably. McMackin says UPS offers a similar training for its new hires. “The company spends 1.3 million hours a year on just safety training for everything from hazmat to safe driving,” he says. “Then, there are also safe work methods—in other words, how not to injure yourself while doing the job, how to lift with the leg, and how to keep packages in your power zone which is between your knees and your shoulders.” Drivers typically receive classroom instruction as well. Lessons center on package drop offs, returns, taking payments, and handling damaged goods.
Reviews & Advice
Delivery truck drivers must have solid math skills and decent hand-eye coordination, but that’s not all. They also need sound communication skills, given that they often prepare reports and converse with the general public and law enforcement officials. McMackin says customer service skills are crucial, and drivers must be both interested and comfortable serving other people. “You might not have a problem driving a truck, or you might not have a problem doing a physical job. But if you’re not interested in serving other people, that’s not the job for you,” he says.
These workers held a solid 125,600 jobs in 2010, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. Their profession is expected to expand nearly 15 percent by 2020—a rate close to the average for all professions.
Salary
The average delivery truck driver took in $29,080 in 2011. The top-tier earners took home $58,440, while the lowest-compensated took home $18,030. The couriers and express delivery services and postal service industries compensate employees best. Many of the highest earners reside in Lowell, Mass., Redding, Calif., and Dover, Del.Salary Range
75th Percentile $40,370
Median $29,080
25th Percentile $21,770
Training
After earning a high school diploma or GED, many new delivery truck drivers receive in-house training at their companies. This training can last anywhere from two to three months and involves a driving mentor riding along with a new employee to ensure that he or she is able to navigate a massive truck on cramped streets comfortably. McMackin says UPS offers a similar training for its new hires. “The company spends 1.3 million hours a year on just safety training for everything from hazmat to safe driving,” he says. “Then, there are also safe work methods—in other words, how not to injure yourself while doing the job, how to lift with the leg, and how to keep packages in your power zone which is between your knees and your shoulders.” Drivers typically receive classroom instruction as well. Lessons center on package drop offs, returns, taking payments, and handling damaged goods.
Reviews & Advice
Delivery truck drivers must have solid math skills and decent hand-eye coordination, but that’s not all. They also need sound communication skills, given that they often prepare reports and converse with the general public and law enforcement officials. McMackin says customer service skills are crucial, and drivers must be both interested and comfortable serving other people. “You might not have a problem driving a truck, or you might not have a problem doing a physical job. But if you’re not interested in serving other people, that’s not the job for you,” he says.
Electrician - The 100 Best Jobs and Careers for 2013
Circuits, fuses, volts, and watts—terms that we vaguely recall from our grade school science class—are all part of an electrician’s jargon. The more than 577,000 workers in this profession know the ins and outs of designing lighting systems, installing wiring, inspecting electrical systems, diagnosing problems, and repairing faulty wiring and fixtures. To qualify for such work, electricians have to undergo at least four years of training as an apprentice, followed by whatever licensing their state might require. Most in the profession specialize in either designing, installing, maintaining, and repairing the motors, equipment, and electrical systems of businesses and factories, or in installing, maintaining, and repairing the electrical systems of residences. “I like to work on projects that have complex systems, such as water and waste water treatment facilities,” says Ryan Lee, an apprentice with the Ohio-based company Claypool Electric. “I am kind of a perfectionist and these types of facilities require a great deal of accuracy to ensure that tasks are done accurately.”
There are other subsets, like electricians who specialize in wiring ships and airplanes, or electricians who coordinate the lighting for a motion picture or television program. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the most stable employment is for electricians who work for businesses and factories. And at present, this is a profession where employment is expected to blossom. Learning to use alternative energy sources in homes and businesses requires coordination with electricians, and maintenance still needs to be performed on older electrical systems. The BLS predicts this occupation will grow by 23 percent from 2010 to 2020, which translates to 133,700 new positions.
Salary
This can be a lucrative career. In 2011, the median wage for an electrician was $49,320. The highest-paid earned north of $80,000, while the lowest-paid electricians earned around $30,000 that year. The best-paying industries include motion pictures (where electricians are known as gaffers), and natural gas distribution. The best-paying cities include Vallejo, Calif., New York City, and Fairbanks, Alaska. An apprentice usually makes between 30 percent and 50 percent less than someone who is fully trained.Salary Range
75th Percentile $65,260
Median $49,320
25th Percentile $49,320
There are other subsets, like electricians who specialize in wiring ships and airplanes, or electricians who coordinate the lighting for a motion picture or television program. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the most stable employment is for electricians who work for businesses and factories. And at present, this is a profession where employment is expected to blossom. Learning to use alternative energy sources in homes and businesses requires coordination with electricians, and maintenance still needs to be performed on older electrical systems. The BLS predicts this occupation will grow by 23 percent from 2010 to 2020, which translates to 133,700 new positions.
Salary
This can be a lucrative career. In 2011, the median wage for an electrician was $49,320. The highest-paid earned north of $80,000, while the lowest-paid electricians earned around $30,000 that year. The best-paying industries include motion pictures (where electricians are known as gaffers), and natural gas distribution. The best-paying cities include Vallejo, Calif., New York City, and Fairbanks, Alaska. An apprentice usually makes between 30 percent and 50 percent less than someone who is fully trained.Salary Range
75th Percentile $65,260
Median $49,320
25th Percentile $49,320
Janitor - The 100 Best Jobs and Careers for 2013
Janitors get a bad rap—perhaps because they’re associated with the slime they sometimes clean—but there’s more to this line of work than just cleaning up messes. The more than two million janitors now working are responsible for helping to keep offices, schools, hospitals, shopping centers, and hotels running smoothly. In addition to buffing floors and cleaning bathrooms, they also perform minor repairs around the building, and they’re in charge of ordering cleaning supplies and maintaining equipment. Interpersonal skills are crucial, since janitors must get along well with the people who live, visit, or work in the buildings they clean, but also because those skills help when these workers serve as a liaison between building managers, security guards, housekeeping staff, and groundskeepers.
There are also perks. For instance, this could be a good job option for someone who needs to find part-time work. Although those with prior experience make more attractive candidates, it is possible to land a cleaning position with little to no prior experience and then receive on-the-job training. Another plus to the profession is the opportunity to gain exposure to many walks of life. Do you like working with kids? Consider becoming a janitor for an elementary school. Are you a sports junkie? Find out if your local stadium has any open custodial positions. Do you have a taste for the macabre? You’re in luck—janitors are even needed to clean up crime scenes.
The biggest hiring spike is expected for janitorial contractors working in healthcare facilities, like nursing homes, hospitals, and medical labs. Across industries, there should be nearly 250,000 new janitors who begin working before 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts.
Salary
There’s a wide pay scale within this industry. A janitor’s average salary was slightly south of $25,000 in 2011. But the best-paid made about $37,000, and the lowest-paid only garnered about $16,720 in a year. Sanitation workers employed by warehouses and the postal service secured the top salaries, as did those who live in Danbury, Conn., Brockton, Mass., and Oakland, Calif.Salary Range
75th Percentile $29,330
Median $22,370
25th Percentile $18,450
Training
Some initial training will seem inherent to anyone who had household chores when growing up: Sweeping floors, scrubbing toilets, and changing light bulbs are all in a janitor’s realm of responsibilities. But most janitors use specialized equipment, like wet-and-dry vacuums and pressure washers, so the training they’ll receive while on the clock will be invaluable. A formal education isn’t necessary to secure entry-level employment, but increasingly, companies are seeking experienced candidates that have received competency certification from either the Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI), or the International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA).
Reviews & Advice
A certified job candidate will be more attractive to employers than a janitor who doesn’t have any certification. These designations imply that you’ve learned certain mechanical skills necessary to fulfill the job tasks, which would decrease the time necessary to train you and integrate you into a regular work routine. Employers are also looking for janitors with good communication skills who can display the stamina and physical strength that’s required to handle the job’s most strenuous tasks. Some workers might also have to submit to a background check before they can begin work.
There are also perks. For instance, this could be a good job option for someone who needs to find part-time work. Although those with prior experience make more attractive candidates, it is possible to land a cleaning position with little to no prior experience and then receive on-the-job training. Another plus to the profession is the opportunity to gain exposure to many walks of life. Do you like working with kids? Consider becoming a janitor for an elementary school. Are you a sports junkie? Find out if your local stadium has any open custodial positions. Do you have a taste for the macabre? You’re in luck—janitors are even needed to clean up crime scenes.
The biggest hiring spike is expected for janitorial contractors working in healthcare facilities, like nursing homes, hospitals, and medical labs. Across industries, there should be nearly 250,000 new janitors who begin working before 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts.
Salary
There’s a wide pay scale within this industry. A janitor’s average salary was slightly south of $25,000 in 2011. But the best-paid made about $37,000, and the lowest-paid only garnered about $16,720 in a year. Sanitation workers employed by warehouses and the postal service secured the top salaries, as did those who live in Danbury, Conn., Brockton, Mass., and Oakland, Calif.Salary Range
75th Percentile $29,330
Median $22,370
25th Percentile $18,450
Training
Some initial training will seem inherent to anyone who had household chores when growing up: Sweeping floors, scrubbing toilets, and changing light bulbs are all in a janitor’s realm of responsibilities. But most janitors use specialized equipment, like wet-and-dry vacuums and pressure washers, so the training they’ll receive while on the clock will be invaluable. A formal education isn’t necessary to secure entry-level employment, but increasingly, companies are seeking experienced candidates that have received competency certification from either the Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI), or the International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA).
Reviews & Advice
A certified job candidate will be more attractive to employers than a janitor who doesn’t have any certification. These designations imply that you’ve learned certain mechanical skills necessary to fulfill the job tasks, which would decrease the time necessary to train you and integrate you into a regular work routine. Employers are also looking for janitors with good communication skills who can display the stamina and physical strength that’s required to handle the job’s most strenuous tasks. Some workers might also have to submit to a background check before they can begin work.
Cashier - The 100 Best Jobs and Careers for 2013
You probably come into contact with cashiers almost daily, primarily at stores and gas stations. There were 3.3 million cashiers in 2011, making this occupation the second-largest in the United States. Some 2.6 percent of all workers are cashiers. But the pay is low, averaging just $9.73 an hour or $20,230 per year. This entry-level position requires little education or work experience. Short-term training is typically provided on the job. However, if you wish to move higher in the company, a high school diploma or additional education may be required. Many cashier jobs are part-time or seasonal, and a flexible schedule may be possible.
Employment of cashiers is expected to grow by 7 percent from 2010 to 2020, with 250,200 new jobs being added, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics projections. Cashier turnover is often high, which could mean opportunities for people new to the job. However, employment growth could be limited by advances in technology, including self-service checkout stands and increasing online sales.
Salary
Cashier jobs are among the lowest-paying professions in the country. Many cashier positions pay minimum wage or slightly higher. The median annual wage for cashiers was $18,820 in 2011, according to the BLS. The best-paid 10 percent in the field made $26,920 per year, or about $12.94 per hour. The bottom 10 percent made $7.80 per hour, or $16,230 per year. The highest-paid in the profession work in San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Calif., and Seattle.Salary Range
75th Percentile $21,850
Median $18,820
25th Percentile $17,340
Training
No degrees are required to become a cashier. The on-the-job training provided by most employers is usually enough for most people to learn how to do the job, but previous experience may be helpful in landing a job. Basic math skills and an ability to relate to customers are helpful for many positions. Additional education may be required to be promoted to other positions within the company.
Reviews & Advice
Customer-service skills are essential to land a cashier job. "First and foremost, you have to have a service orientation and be willing to go above and beyond for the customer," says Arlette Guthrie, vice president of talent management at Home Depot. "We want to make sure our associates have a level of energy and enthusiasm about the work that they are doing and make an effort to connect with the customers that are coming in." It can also help to have a solid understanding of the products or services your employer is selling, such as knowledge of home improvement if you want to work at Home Depot. "Knowledge of home improvement is a plus. I am not necessarily talking about a pro so much as someone who has a passion or an interest in home improvement," says Guthrie. "Homeowners who like to do things as a do-it-yourselfer tend to be more successful in our stores."
Employment of cashiers is expected to grow by 7 percent from 2010 to 2020, with 250,200 new jobs being added, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics projections. Cashier turnover is often high, which could mean opportunities for people new to the job. However, employment growth could be limited by advances in technology, including self-service checkout stands and increasing online sales.
Salary
Cashier jobs are among the lowest-paying professions in the country. Many cashier positions pay minimum wage or slightly higher. The median annual wage for cashiers was $18,820 in 2011, according to the BLS. The best-paid 10 percent in the field made $26,920 per year, or about $12.94 per hour. The bottom 10 percent made $7.80 per hour, or $16,230 per year. The highest-paid in the profession work in San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Calif., and Seattle.Salary Range
75th Percentile $21,850
Median $18,820
25th Percentile $17,340
Training
No degrees are required to become a cashier. The on-the-job training provided by most employers is usually enough for most people to learn how to do the job, but previous experience may be helpful in landing a job. Basic math skills and an ability to relate to customers are helpful for many positions. Additional education may be required to be promoted to other positions within the company.
Reviews & Advice
Customer-service skills are essential to land a cashier job. "First and foremost, you have to have a service orientation and be willing to go above and beyond for the customer," says Arlette Guthrie, vice president of talent management at Home Depot. "We want to make sure our associates have a level of energy and enthusiasm about the work that they are doing and make an effort to connect with the customers that are coming in." It can also help to have a solid understanding of the products or services your employer is selling, such as knowledge of home improvement if you want to work at Home Depot. "Knowledge of home improvement is a plus. I am not necessarily talking about a pro so much as someone who has a passion or an interest in home improvement," says Guthrie. "Homeowners who like to do things as a do-it-yourselfer tend to be more successful in our stores."
2013/4/16
Brickmason & Blockmason - The 100 Best Jobs and Careers for 2013
Brickmasons and blockmasons use bricks and structural stone blocks to build and finish residential and commercial walls, patios, decorative trim work, and interior structures. The jobs require a high school education plus extensive training and on-the-job apprenticeship programs. Masons must be able to follow detailed building instructions, break or cut brick and stone to the proper sizes, mix and apply mortar and grout, and assemble and finish the required structures. "Brickmasons work mainly with veneer and structural brick," says Al Herndon, who oversees masonry training in Florida for the Florida Masonry Apprentice and Education Foundation. "Blockmasons do the structural work." Brickmasons do predominantly residential work and blockmasons tend to do more commercial work. But the distinctions between their crafts has blurred on commercial jobs. "When you get to commercial work, brickmasons and blockmasons do the same thing," Herndon says. "It's not two crafts anymore; it's blended into one." Most masons are men but there are women in the field, he says, and "we find that our female masons tend to become very proficient in detail work."
Residential work tends to involve shorter jobs except on large housing projects. Large commercial projects may take up to two or more years to complete. Blockmasons, who often assemble key internal support structures for buildings, encounter more workplace regulations from Occupational Safety and Health Administration as well as extensive instructions from project architects and engineers. Masons often work for union and non-union contractors during their careers. They can work in local markets but also may travel to find work, especially when local work is scarce. "You can go anywhere the job goes," Herndon says. "There are crews that travel and crews that work in the local area. If you're a traveling mason, you probably do make a little extra money." The most experienced masons are skilled in working with all forms of structural materials—brick, block, stone, glass, and synthetics.
Demand for masonry work is directly tied to economic activity, and is looking up as the residential real estate and office markets slowly recover. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts employment growth of about 40.5 percent between 2010 and 2020. That's 36,100 new jobs and 18,300 replacement jobs. There were 62,560 brickmasons and blockmasons in 2011; this excludes self-employed contractors, who accounted for 28.6 percent of all brickmasons and blockmasons in 2010.
Salary
According to the BLS, brickmasons and blockmasons earned a median wage of $46,800 in 2011, or $22.50 per hour. The best-paid earned a median wage of $80,570, while the lowest-paid earned less than $28,950 in 2011. Apprentice masons earn roughly half of journeymen wages. Commercial jobs tend to be more complex, requiring compliance with extensive government and project design and building protocols. Masons who work on commercial jobs tend to be more experienced and earn higher salaries than residential masons. Employment sectors that pay well include building finishing contractors, nonresidential building construction, and local government. Large metro areas tend to have the most jobs and highest salaries, with concentrations in older industrial markets and the Rocky Mountain states.Salary Range
75th Percentile $62,520
Median $46,800
25th Percentile $36,230
Training
Brickmasons and stonemasons can learn on the job as well as from one-year or two-year training programs at technical colleges. Many also complete extensive apprenticeship programs. The programs are free to apprentices and funded by employers and unions. They usually last three or four years and require at least 144 hours of classroom training each year and 2,000 hours of on-the-job experience. "Apprentices usually come to us when they're between about 21 to 24 years of age," Herndon says. "They've been out of high school for a few years and have discovered that they need a career and not just a job. The guys who go through the apprenticeship program tend to become the foremen and the superintendents, and they tend to go on and become owners" of masonry contracting companies.
Reviews & Advice
High school training programs increasingly are a conduit for getting into masonry craft jobs. So are apprenticeship programs. Having a friend or relative in the construction trades industry is also a common way new entrants learn of job opportunities and apply for work. Military veterans receive preferred access to employment opportunities. "We also live in the real world," Herndon says, and he operates masonry training programs at eight Florida prisons, helping inmates qualify for jobs upon their release.
Residential work tends to involve shorter jobs except on large housing projects. Large commercial projects may take up to two or more years to complete. Blockmasons, who often assemble key internal support structures for buildings, encounter more workplace regulations from Occupational Safety and Health Administration as well as extensive instructions from project architects and engineers. Masons often work for union and non-union contractors during their careers. They can work in local markets but also may travel to find work, especially when local work is scarce. "You can go anywhere the job goes," Herndon says. "There are crews that travel and crews that work in the local area. If you're a traveling mason, you probably do make a little extra money." The most experienced masons are skilled in working with all forms of structural materials—brick, block, stone, glass, and synthetics.
Demand for masonry work is directly tied to economic activity, and is looking up as the residential real estate and office markets slowly recover. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts employment growth of about 40.5 percent between 2010 and 2020. That's 36,100 new jobs and 18,300 replacement jobs. There were 62,560 brickmasons and blockmasons in 2011; this excludes self-employed contractors, who accounted for 28.6 percent of all brickmasons and blockmasons in 2010.
Salary
According to the BLS, brickmasons and blockmasons earned a median wage of $46,800 in 2011, or $22.50 per hour. The best-paid earned a median wage of $80,570, while the lowest-paid earned less than $28,950 in 2011. Apprentice masons earn roughly half of journeymen wages. Commercial jobs tend to be more complex, requiring compliance with extensive government and project design and building protocols. Masons who work on commercial jobs tend to be more experienced and earn higher salaries than residential masons. Employment sectors that pay well include building finishing contractors, nonresidential building construction, and local government. Large metro areas tend to have the most jobs and highest salaries, with concentrations in older industrial markets and the Rocky Mountain states.Salary Range
75th Percentile $62,520
Median $46,800
25th Percentile $36,230
Training
Brickmasons and stonemasons can learn on the job as well as from one-year or two-year training programs at technical colleges. Many also complete extensive apprenticeship programs. The programs are free to apprentices and funded by employers and unions. They usually last three or four years and require at least 144 hours of classroom training each year and 2,000 hours of on-the-job experience. "Apprentices usually come to us when they're between about 21 to 24 years of age," Herndon says. "They've been out of high school for a few years and have discovered that they need a career and not just a job. The guys who go through the apprenticeship program tend to become the foremen and the superintendents, and they tend to go on and become owners" of masonry contracting companies.
Reviews & Advice
High school training programs increasingly are a conduit for getting into masonry craft jobs. So are apprenticeship programs. Having a friend or relative in the construction trades industry is also a common way new entrants learn of job opportunities and apply for work. Military veterans receive preferred access to employment opportunities. "We also live in the real world," Herndon says, and he operates masonry training programs at eight Florida prisons, helping inmates qualify for jobs upon their release.
Teacher Assistant - The 100 Best Jobs and Careers for 2013
You could call a teacher assistant “school instructor No. 2,” but that label would shortchange the pivotal role these professionals play in providing much-needed attention and instruction to students. Teachers can’t do it all. As they scribble math formulas and compound sentences onto chalkboards, they might need an aide to float from desk to desk and answer their students’ lingering questions. Teacher assistants also provide what Ruth Cole Burcaw, the former executive director for the North Carolina Association of Teacher Assistants, calls “the warm fuzzies.” “Teachers are focused on lesson planning, test scores, paperwork, and administrative stuff, and the teacher assistants sometimes feel like they have the luxury to love those little kids,” she says. “They make sure those kids have somebody at school who cares about what happens to them.” Teacher assistants might work at childcare centers, but many are employed by public and private schools. Unlike childcare workers, teacher assistants (in private and public school settings) typically don’t attend to young children’s basic needs (like bathing and feeding).
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that teacher assistants occupied nearly 1.3 million jobs in 2010; about 76 percent of them were employed by elementary and secondary schools, while 9 percent worked for child daycare providers. These workers should see their profession expand 15 percent by 2020—about as fast as the average for all jobs, the BLS also finds. Job growth will coincide with increases in student, childcare, and preschool enrollment.
Salary
On average, teacher assistants made a meager $23,580 in 2011. The highest earners raked in about $36,560, while the lowest earners brought home $17,090. Colleges, universities, and professional schools compensate teacher assistants best, and the highest earners reside in State College, Penn., Dover, Del., and San Francisco.Salary Range
75th Percentile $29,790
Median $23,580
25th Percentile $19,160
Training
After earning a high school diploma or its equivalent, prospective teacher assistants may go on to complete two years of college or earn an associate’s degree. Teacher assistants interested in working with special needs children must pass a skills-based test. Their next step is to train at childcare centers or private or public schools. While there, they usually grasp a basic understanding of various school districts and policies. Extra training can also be attained through different unions or professional associations. Once they land a job, these assistants must start the process of reviewing lesson plans with their supervising teacher and learning the best ways to relay that information to students properly.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that teacher assistants occupied nearly 1.3 million jobs in 2010; about 76 percent of them were employed by elementary and secondary schools, while 9 percent worked for child daycare providers. These workers should see their profession expand 15 percent by 2020—about as fast as the average for all jobs, the BLS also finds. Job growth will coincide with increases in student, childcare, and preschool enrollment.
Salary
On average, teacher assistants made a meager $23,580 in 2011. The highest earners raked in about $36,560, while the lowest earners brought home $17,090. Colleges, universities, and professional schools compensate teacher assistants best, and the highest earners reside in State College, Penn., Dover, Del., and San Francisco.Salary Range
75th Percentile $29,790
Median $23,580
25th Percentile $19,160
Training
After earning a high school diploma or its equivalent, prospective teacher assistants may go on to complete two years of college or earn an associate’s degree. Teacher assistants interested in working with special needs children must pass a skills-based test. Their next step is to train at childcare centers or private or public schools. While there, they usually grasp a basic understanding of various school districts and policies. Extra training can also be attained through different unions or professional associations. Once they land a job, these assistants must start the process of reviewing lesson plans with their supervising teacher and learning the best ways to relay that information to students properly.
Sports Coach - The 100 Best Jobs and Careers for 2013
The challenges confronting coaches vary, though most are, to a large degree, training amateurs to compete. It can be invigorating as well as frustrating. Most coaches do not have the luxury of recruiting the best talent; they work with the players that chance offers them. At its most basic, coaching is teaching, except in an athletic venue instead of a classroom. At its most extreme (picture Remember the Titans or Friday Night Lights), a coach is a pillar of the community. Building a successful team can be very rewarding, but for every winner, there is at least one loser. A coach with a poor win/loss record must remember that while he or she remains in the sporting realm year after year, the players—the true products of his or her labors—move on. Success in this profession is not measurable by a season's record.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 29.4 percent employment growth for sports coaches between 2010 and 2020, adding 71,400 more positions. Favorable job prospects help this profession rank well among Social Service jobs in the Best Jobs of 2013.
Salary
The BLS reports the median annual wage for sports coaches was $28,470 in 2011. The best-paid 10 percent in the field made $65,060, while the bottom 10 percent made approximately $17,110. The highest-paid in the profession work in the metropolitan areas of Athens, Ga., and Auburn, Ala.Salary Range
75th Percentile $44,370
Median $28,470
25th Percentile $19,080
Training
There are no nationwide educational requirements. Familiarity with the sport is preferred but not always necessary. Most schools—the nation's largest employer of athletic coaches—hire one of their current teachers part-time to coach a sport. Coaches who are not already teachers may need state certification.
Reviews & Advice
"Teaching skills and techniques is only 5 percent of the job," says Bob Ferraro, founder and CEO of the National High School Coaches Association. "The best coaches have a good mind for business and good people skills." How do you demonstrate these skills? "With background checks, coaching certifications, and the technology to produce a coaching video," says Ferraro. "It's not just a resume; it's a personality test." Candidates should send their materials to the school where they wish to work.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 29.4 percent employment growth for sports coaches between 2010 and 2020, adding 71,400 more positions. Favorable job prospects help this profession rank well among Social Service jobs in the Best Jobs of 2013.
Salary
The BLS reports the median annual wage for sports coaches was $28,470 in 2011. The best-paid 10 percent in the field made $65,060, while the bottom 10 percent made approximately $17,110. The highest-paid in the profession work in the metropolitan areas of Athens, Ga., and Auburn, Ala.Salary Range
75th Percentile $44,370
Median $28,470
25th Percentile $19,080
Training
There are no nationwide educational requirements. Familiarity with the sport is preferred but not always necessary. Most schools—the nation's largest employer of athletic coaches—hire one of their current teachers part-time to coach a sport. Coaches who are not already teachers may need state certification.
Reviews & Advice
"Teaching skills and techniques is only 5 percent of the job," says Bob Ferraro, founder and CEO of the National High School Coaches Association. "The best coaches have a good mind for business and good people skills." How do you demonstrate these skills? "With background checks, coaching certifications, and the technology to produce a coaching video," says Ferraro. "It's not just a resume; it's a personality test." Candidates should send their materials to the school where they wish to work.
Cement Mason & Concrete Finisher - The 100 Best Jobs and Careers for 2013
Cement masons and concrete finishers perform specialized masonry work dealing with finished concrete (cement masons) and poured concrete (concrete finishers). The jobs are usually outdoors on construction sites and may be physically demanding. Seasonal work is common in colder climates. Required skills are similar across the country, but building codes and weather-related working conditions have an impact on local job conditions. Knowledge of the properties of cement is essential, including how variable weather conditions may affect the pouring, leveling, setting, and finishing processes. Cement masons doing decorative finished work employ design, color, and visual skills. Commercial projects can last for years and demand more specialized skills, while residential projects may take only a few days. Cement masons tend to work with finished cement forms and mortar to erect walls and other above-ground structures.
Concrete finishers pour wet cement into various forms and tend to work on foundation slabs, sidewalks, roads, curbs, and other ground-level projects. "The cement mason's work begins where the finisher leaves off," observes Al Herndon, who oversees masonry training in Florida for the Florida Masonry Apprentice and Education Foundation. Some masonry projects, particularly on smaller residential jobs, require one mason to do both cement and concrete work. But at larger, commercial jobs, there is more likely to be separate masons for each job. "A cement mason will tell you he has more skills than a concrete finisher, and a concrete finisher will tell you he has more skills than a cement mason," Herndon jokes. Cement masons need to be able to follow detailed directions to make complex building components. Concrete finishers, on the other hand, must know how to work quickly and effectively to pour and shape concrete. "You have to do it correctly the first time," Herndon says. "You don't get a second chance with cement."
Job opportunities are directly linked with economic growth and building activity. After several very lean years, the pace of both residential and commercial building work is picking up. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts employment growth of about 35 percent between 2010 and 2020. That's a projected 50,100 new jobs and 22,800 replacement jobs. There were 135,330 employed cement masons and concrete finishers in 2011; this excludes self-employed contractors, who accounted for 6 percent of cement masons and concrete finishers in 2010.
Salary
According to the BLS, cement masons and concrete finishers had median earnings of $35,600 in 2011, or $17.11 an hour. The best-paid earned about $62,600, while the lowest-paid earned $23,180. Experienced journeymen can earn top dollars if they're able to perform multiple masonry skills. Apprentices earn about half the salaries of basic journeymen. Employment sectors that pay well include federal and local government, as well as architectural and engineering firms. Top-paying markets include Fairbanks and Anchorage, Alaska.Salary Range
75th Percentile $46,680
Median $35,600
25th Percentile $28,200
Training
Entry-level masons often enter the industry after high school and receive on-the-job training. As they gather experience and perspective, they tend to seek apprenticeship training in their early 20s after deciding to make a career in masonry, Herndon says A free, two-year, 144-hour apprenticeship program is available for craftsmen in both union and non-union contractors. Roughly half of all cement masons and concrete finishers complete apprenticeship programs, entitling them to higher pay and more advancement opportunities.
Reviews & Advice
Masons can expect to work for both union and non-union contractors and can access job opportunities through either employment channel. Personal contacts and word-of-mouth are common entry points into the profession, usually after high school. Increasingly, specialized construction trades programs at high schools seek to interest future masons and provide them some of the employable skills they will need. Willingness to travel also may help, as some masonry contractors bid on work projects across a large geographic area. Better math skills are a growing priority for the industry.
Concrete finishers pour wet cement into various forms and tend to work on foundation slabs, sidewalks, roads, curbs, and other ground-level projects. "The cement mason's work begins where the finisher leaves off," observes Al Herndon, who oversees masonry training in Florida for the Florida Masonry Apprentice and Education Foundation. Some masonry projects, particularly on smaller residential jobs, require one mason to do both cement and concrete work. But at larger, commercial jobs, there is more likely to be separate masons for each job. "A cement mason will tell you he has more skills than a concrete finisher, and a concrete finisher will tell you he has more skills than a cement mason," Herndon jokes. Cement masons need to be able to follow detailed directions to make complex building components. Concrete finishers, on the other hand, must know how to work quickly and effectively to pour and shape concrete. "You have to do it correctly the first time," Herndon says. "You don't get a second chance with cement."
Job opportunities are directly linked with economic growth and building activity. After several very lean years, the pace of both residential and commercial building work is picking up. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts employment growth of about 35 percent between 2010 and 2020. That's a projected 50,100 new jobs and 22,800 replacement jobs. There were 135,330 employed cement masons and concrete finishers in 2011; this excludes self-employed contractors, who accounted for 6 percent of cement masons and concrete finishers in 2010.
Salary
According to the BLS, cement masons and concrete finishers had median earnings of $35,600 in 2011, or $17.11 an hour. The best-paid earned about $62,600, while the lowest-paid earned $23,180. Experienced journeymen can earn top dollars if they're able to perform multiple masonry skills. Apprentices earn about half the salaries of basic journeymen. Employment sectors that pay well include federal and local government, as well as architectural and engineering firms. Top-paying markets include Fairbanks and Anchorage, Alaska.Salary Range
75th Percentile $46,680
Median $35,600
25th Percentile $28,200
Training
Entry-level masons often enter the industry after high school and receive on-the-job training. As they gather experience and perspective, they tend to seek apprenticeship training in their early 20s after deciding to make a career in masonry, Herndon says A free, two-year, 144-hour apprenticeship program is available for craftsmen in both union and non-union contractors. Roughly half of all cement masons and concrete finishers complete apprenticeship programs, entitling them to higher pay and more advancement opportunities.
Reviews & Advice
Masons can expect to work for both union and non-union contractors and can access job opportunities through either employment channel. Personal contacts and word-of-mouth are common entry points into the profession, usually after high school. Increasingly, specialized construction trades programs at high schools seek to interest future masons and provide them some of the employable skills they will need. Willingness to travel also may help, as some masonry contractors bid on work projects across a large geographic area. Better math skills are a growing priority for the industry.
Painter - The 100 Best Jobs and Careers for 2013
From the sepia- and mahogany-coated bridges we traverse each day to the silver- and dark-hued buildings that house our corporate offices, the meticulous handiwork of painters surrounds us at every turn. Ron Yarbrough, founder and president of Pro-Spec Painting, Inc., says the painting profession’s focus areas are endless—there’s something for everyone. “I think there are tremendous opportunities for those that want to enter the painting trade. And I think that [the field] has so many different segments to it—all the way from infrastructure to new construction of commercial buildings and many types of decorative art and restoration.” The will and patience to do the work is all it takes to succeed, he adds. “I think it’s a fabulous area to enter. People who are really committed to learning the trade can do well at it. If they set their goals high, they can make a really good living at it.” Painters commonly work for building finishing contractors or in the residential building construction industry. Unlike carpenters, painters typically don’t build frameworks and structures; they apply paint, stain, and coatings to them.
Painters held 390,500 jobs in 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). About 29 percent of them worked in the painting and wall covering contractor industry, while more than half were self-employed. The field’s growth rate for this decade is about 18 percent, which is nearly equal to that of all other professions. A little more than 70,000 painting jobs will be added between 2010 and 2020.
Salary
The average painter raked in a little more than $35,000 in 2011, or approximately $17.04 per hour. The highest-paid took home about $60,170, while the lowest-paid earned $23,170 in that same period. The motion picture and video and electric power generation, transmission, and distribution industries compensate painters best. Some of the highest-earning metropolitan areas in the profession are in Illinois—Kankakee, Champaign, and Chicago among them.Salary Range
75th Percentile $46,280
Median $35,430
25th Percentile $23,170
As with many construction jobs, those who successfully complete apprenticeships best-position themselves for painting careers. For painters, apprenticeships can last up to four years. Apprentices must have a high school diploma or its equivalent before they are eligible to complete the requisite 144 hours of technical instruction and 2,000 hours of paid, on-the-job training. Common lessons focus on color recognition (which colors match each other best), using and caring for painting tools and equipment, safety practices, application techniques, and wood finishing. Prospective painters may also choose to attend two-year technical schools that offer courses linked to union and contractor organization apprenticeships. Credits amassed from an apprenticeship typically count toward an associate’s degree.
Reviews & Advice
Aside from nailing color-recognition, supreme customer-service skills, and stamina, painters should always adhere to dress codes, Yarbrough says. “One has to have a professional appearance and a good demeanor because you’re working in the presence of the customer and the public,” he says.
Painters held 390,500 jobs in 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). About 29 percent of them worked in the painting and wall covering contractor industry, while more than half were self-employed. The field’s growth rate for this decade is about 18 percent, which is nearly equal to that of all other professions. A little more than 70,000 painting jobs will be added between 2010 and 2020.
Salary
The average painter raked in a little more than $35,000 in 2011, or approximately $17.04 per hour. The highest-paid took home about $60,170, while the lowest-paid earned $23,170 in that same period. The motion picture and video and electric power generation, transmission, and distribution industries compensate painters best. Some of the highest-earning metropolitan areas in the profession are in Illinois—Kankakee, Champaign, and Chicago among them.Salary Range
75th Percentile $46,280
Median $35,430
25th Percentile $23,170
As with many construction jobs, those who successfully complete apprenticeships best-position themselves for painting careers. For painters, apprenticeships can last up to four years. Apprentices must have a high school diploma or its equivalent before they are eligible to complete the requisite 144 hours of technical instruction and 2,000 hours of paid, on-the-job training. Common lessons focus on color recognition (which colors match each other best), using and caring for painting tools and equipment, safety practices, application techniques, and wood finishing. Prospective painters may also choose to attend two-year technical schools that offer courses linked to union and contractor organization apprenticeships. Credits amassed from an apprenticeship typically count toward an associate’s degree.
Reviews & Advice
Aside from nailing color-recognition, supreme customer-service skills, and stamina, painters should always adhere to dress codes, Yarbrough says. “One has to have a professional appearance and a good demeanor because you’re working in the presence of the customer and the public,” he says.
2013/4/15
Child & Family Social Worker - The 100 Best Jobs and Careers for 2013
It's almost absurd how such a generic job name—social worker—could encapsulate the responsibilities of a group of professionals, but it does. In a very basic sense, these are the workers who try to improve the quality of life as it relates to a catch-all of messy social issues. On a granular level, those issues could include abuse, homelessness, poverty, discrimination, illness, and more. Children, family, and school social workers are concerned with the social and psychological functioning of kids and their families. Their daily responsibilities could range from the depressing, like removing a six-year-old from a foster home where she hasn't received proper care, to the joyous, like finalizing the adoption of the same six-year-old with a loving family.
Here's the bad news: Our society is festering with social issues. At the time of the last census, there were 46.2 million Americans living below the official poverty line. The U.S. Department of Education has reported that the number of homeless students in this country crested 1 million at the end of the 2010-2011 school year. The nonprofit organization Childhelp reports that every year, there are 3.3 million reports of child abuse in the United States.
The good news, if there is any to cipher from those scary statistics, is that there's ample job opportunity for people who feel a calling to help. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there should be 19.7 percent employment growth for children, family, and school social workers between 2010 and 2020. That translates to approximately 58,200 new social work positions to fill.
Salary
The pay is alright, but not terrific, for social workers. The BLS reports that those who concentrate on children and family welfare made a median salary of $40,680 in 2011. The best-paid 10 percent in the field earned a little more than $70,000, while the lowest-paid made approximately $26,190. Keep in mind that the school system offers some of the best salaries for this position, but psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals also pay well.Salary Range
75th Percentile $53,650
Median $40,680
25th Percentile $32,520
Here's the bad news: Our society is festering with social issues. At the time of the last census, there were 46.2 million Americans living below the official poverty line. The U.S. Department of Education has reported that the number of homeless students in this country crested 1 million at the end of the 2010-2011 school year. The nonprofit organization Childhelp reports that every year, there are 3.3 million reports of child abuse in the United States.
The good news, if there is any to cipher from those scary statistics, is that there's ample job opportunity for people who feel a calling to help. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there should be 19.7 percent employment growth for children, family, and school social workers between 2010 and 2020. That translates to approximately 58,200 new social work positions to fill.
Salary
The pay is alright, but not terrific, for social workers. The BLS reports that those who concentrate on children and family welfare made a median salary of $40,680 in 2011. The best-paid 10 percent in the field earned a little more than $70,000, while the lowest-paid made approximately $26,190. Keep in mind that the school system offers some of the best salaries for this position, but psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals also pay well.Salary Range
75th Percentile $53,650
Median $40,680
25th Percentile $32,520
Paralegal - The 100 Best Jobs and Careers for 2013
Paralegals aid attorneys in nearly every facet of the legal profession—from drafting motions to summarizing reports of legal precedent. Also known as legal assistants, paralegals, like lawyers, can specialize in certain types of law, such as criminal, corporate, immigration, and family. Their involvement in legal cases depends on their employer's discretion. Some have a high degree of responsibility and autonomy, while others are restricted to narrower roles. The best paralegals are team players who work behind the scenes.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 18.3 percent employment growth for paralegals between 2010 and 2020, adding 46,900 positions. The anticipated growth is leaps and bounds above that of lawyers. The difference makes becoming a paralegal a great option for individuals who are interested in law but don't want to endure the longer process of becoming a lawyer.
Salary
The BLS reports that the median annual wage for paralegals was $46,730 in 2011. The best-paid 10 percent in the field made $75,400, while the bottom 10 percent made approximately $29,390. The highest-paid in the profession work in the metropolitan areas of San Francisco, San Jose, Calif., and Washington, D.C.Salary Range
75th Percentile $59,970
Median $46,730
25th Percentile $36,230
There are no set requirements to becoming a paralegal. Most have an associate's degree in paralegal studies from a community college. Some holders of bachelor's degrees obtain a certificate in paralegal studies post-graduation. These certificate programs last only for a few months and provide an intense introduction to the field. Before enrolling in either an associates or certificate program, a prospective paralegal should investigate the placement rate of recent graduates. Completing an established internship program frequently leads to hiring. Some employers hire college graduates and provide their own on-the-job training.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 18.3 percent employment growth for paralegals between 2010 and 2020, adding 46,900 positions. The anticipated growth is leaps and bounds above that of lawyers. The difference makes becoming a paralegal a great option for individuals who are interested in law but don't want to endure the longer process of becoming a lawyer.
Salary
The BLS reports that the median annual wage for paralegals was $46,730 in 2011. The best-paid 10 percent in the field made $75,400, while the bottom 10 percent made approximately $29,390. The highest-paid in the profession work in the metropolitan areas of San Francisco, San Jose, Calif., and Washington, D.C.Salary Range
75th Percentile $59,970
Median $46,730
25th Percentile $36,230
There are no set requirements to becoming a paralegal. Most have an associate's degree in paralegal studies from a community college. Some holders of bachelor's degrees obtain a certificate in paralegal studies post-graduation. These certificate programs last only for a few months and provide an intense introduction to the field. Before enrolling in either an associates or certificate program, a prospective paralegal should investigate the placement rate of recent graduates. Completing an established internship program frequently leads to hiring. Some employers hire college graduates and provide their own on-the-job training.
Receptionist - The 100 Best Jobs and Careers for 2013
The job requirements and duties of receptionists are as varied as the companies and organizations that employ them. These diverse positions often serve as a stepping stone into the world of work, attracting younger and often relatively inexperienced people who greet office visitors, answer the phone, handle office correspondence, and a range of other duties. However, receptionists at some organizations fill valued career-path positions that are critical to the operations and success of many employers. Dental and medical offices employ nearly a fourth of all receptionists, and continued strong growth in healthcare will support the creation of new jobs. Larger and more specialized employers may require suitably trained receptionists who perform highly specialized duties. The ability to make a positive first impression is crucial to both doing this job and getting hired in the first place. Also, the growth of online communication is changing the job profiles of many receptionists to also include email and social media communications.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects receptionist employment growth of 23.7 percent between 2010 and 2020, adding 248,500 new jobs and another 317,100 replacement jobs. There were 973,800 receptionist jobs in 2011, and demand for these positions is directly linked with economic growth. Internet and communications technology advances will also influence demand and required job skills.
Salary
According to the BLS, the median annual salary for receptionists was $25,690 in 2011. The best-paid 10 percent made an average of $37,500, while the lowest-paid 10 percent were paid $17,900 on average. The highest salaries were paid by the U.S. Postal Service, scientific research and development organizations, and telecommunication companies (excluding carriers and satellite firms). The highest-paid receptionists worked in the metropolitan areas of Champaign, Ill., San Francisco, and Bridgeport, Conn.Salary Range
75th Percentile $30,930
Median $25,690
25th Percentile $20,880
A high school diploma is normally the highest educational requirement, but some college graduates may fill receptionist positions as a way of getting a foot in the door at very attractive companies in their career fields. Having good listening skills is very important, as receptionists must deal frequently with visitors and callers who are unfamiliar with the organization or are seeking help in dealing with a problem. It's also a plus if the person can operate a wide range of office equipment —computers, photocopiers, sophisticated phone and paging systems, and mailroom equipment, as well as coffee makers. Most receptionists advance by transferring into another occupation. However, some may move up to senior, executive-level assistants, especially at large employers.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects receptionist employment growth of 23.7 percent between 2010 and 2020, adding 248,500 new jobs and another 317,100 replacement jobs. There were 973,800 receptionist jobs in 2011, and demand for these positions is directly linked with economic growth. Internet and communications technology advances will also influence demand and required job skills.
Salary
According to the BLS, the median annual salary for receptionists was $25,690 in 2011. The best-paid 10 percent made an average of $37,500, while the lowest-paid 10 percent were paid $17,900 on average. The highest salaries were paid by the U.S. Postal Service, scientific research and development organizations, and telecommunication companies (excluding carriers and satellite firms). The highest-paid receptionists worked in the metropolitan areas of Champaign, Ill., San Francisco, and Bridgeport, Conn.Salary Range
75th Percentile $30,930
Median $25,690
25th Percentile $20,880
A high school diploma is normally the highest educational requirement, but some college graduates may fill receptionist positions as a way of getting a foot in the door at very attractive companies in their career fields. Having good listening skills is very important, as receptionists must deal frequently with visitors and callers who are unfamiliar with the organization or are seeking help in dealing with a problem. It's also a plus if the person can operate a wide range of office equipment —computers, photocopiers, sophisticated phone and paging systems, and mailroom equipment, as well as coffee makers. Most receptionists advance by transferring into another occupation. However, some may move up to senior, executive-level assistants, especially at large employers.
Administrative Assistant - The 100 Best Jobs and Careers for 2013
Today's administrative assistants do much more than answer the phone and stock the supply closet. Routine clerical work is still part of the job, but administrative assistants are also in charge of maintaining the office's efficiency by organizing meetings, tracking paper and electronic files, preparing research reports, and overseeing other clerical staff members. They're often tasked with keeping track of the budget—ensuring all departments adhere to the funds they've been allocated. At times, they're enlisted as project managers, during which they apply their advanced organization and planning skills. While executive assistants mostly engage with a company's higher-ups, administrative assistants provide support to all levels of the organization.
By 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for administrative assistants will grow by 12 percent, with approximately 118,500 new jobs added—an average increase compared to other professions.
Salary
The Labor Department reports administrative assistants earned a median average salary of $31,870 in 2011. The best-paid made approximately $47,670 a year, while the worst-paid made around $20,050. The highest earners worked in the metropolitan areas of Trenton, N.J., San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.Salary Range
75th Percentile $39,440
Median $31,870
25th Percentile $25,350
Employers are seeking applicants who possess a high school diploma at the minimum, although many are now looking for those with college degrees. Good writing and verbal communication skills are required, as well as experience with computer software applications like word processing, spreadsheets, and desktop publishing. These skills can be acquired through high school vocational programs, one- to two-year office administration programs (offered at business or technology schools), or even training programs provided by temporary placement (temp) agencies. Certifications are also available through organizations such as the International Association of Administrative Professionals. Once hired, administrative assistants will receive some on-the-job training to help them acclimate to the technologies used within that specific office.
Reviews & Advice
Susan Fenner, manager of education and professional development at the International Association of Administrative Professionals, has noticed a change in what employers look for when hiring administrative assistants. "Before, employers were looking for experience," she says. "Now, they're looking for high potential, for people who can think outside the box." Fenner explains that aspiring administrative assistants need to keep the company's long-term goals in mind and demonstrate not only an understanding of the organization and the industry, but also demonstrate how he or she would be a beneficial addition to the team. And because companies are always looking to move forward, Fenner stresses that it is important for job applicants to demonstrate both personal and professional advancement. "If you are looking for a job, now is the time for more education," she says, citing professional certifications and even online courses in business and software applications. "You don't have to know everything, but you do need to know where to go to fill those skill gaps."
By 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for administrative assistants will grow by 12 percent, with approximately 118,500 new jobs added—an average increase compared to other professions.
Salary
The Labor Department reports administrative assistants earned a median average salary of $31,870 in 2011. The best-paid made approximately $47,670 a year, while the worst-paid made around $20,050. The highest earners worked in the metropolitan areas of Trenton, N.J., San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.Salary Range
75th Percentile $39,440
Median $31,870
25th Percentile $25,350
Employers are seeking applicants who possess a high school diploma at the minimum, although many are now looking for those with college degrees. Good writing and verbal communication skills are required, as well as experience with computer software applications like word processing, spreadsheets, and desktop publishing. These skills can be acquired through high school vocational programs, one- to two-year office administration programs (offered at business or technology schools), or even training programs provided by temporary placement (temp) agencies. Certifications are also available through organizations such as the International Association of Administrative Professionals. Once hired, administrative assistants will receive some on-the-job training to help them acclimate to the technologies used within that specific office.
Reviews & Advice
Susan Fenner, manager of education and professional development at the International Association of Administrative Professionals, has noticed a change in what employers look for when hiring administrative assistants. "Before, employers were looking for experience," she says. "Now, they're looking for high potential, for people who can think outside the box." Fenner explains that aspiring administrative assistants need to keep the company's long-term goals in mind and demonstrate not only an understanding of the organization and the industry, but also demonstrate how he or she would be a beneficial addition to the team. And because companies are always looking to move forward, Fenner stresses that it is important for job applicants to demonstrate both personal and professional advancement. "If you are looking for a job, now is the time for more education," she says, citing professional certifications and even online courses in business and software applications. "You don't have to know everything, but you do need to know where to go to fill those skill gaps."
Restaurant Cook - The 100 Best Jobs and Careers for 2013
Whether our culinary skills limit us to stirring contents straight from the microwave or extend to putting the finishing touches on homemade coq au vin, we all prepare food. Professional restaurant cooks, however, take food preparation to another level. They do the basic tasks of cooking, of course—braising, blanching, wisking, garnishing, grilling, and more. But they’ve also mastered other talents. The best in the business have cool heads and fast fingers to better maneuver in a pressure-cooking kitchen (literally) and quickly and efficiently get patrons’ orders to the table. They have a limber imagination for switching up the menu and substituting ingredients, a pleasant personality for fielding both compliments and complaints, and a collaborative spirit for managing and working well with other kitchen staff.
The depressed economy hasn’t stunted dining out as much as you might think, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts 117,800 new openings for restaurant cooks between now and 2020. Cooks who’ve received formal training have the best job prospects, and those working as lower-level kitchen cooks (known as line cooks and sous chefs) will see more opportunity as restaurants attempt to cut costs and avoid hiring head cooks or chefs.
Salary
Restaurant cooks make surprisingly low salaries. The median salary in 2011 was $22,080, while those in the top-10 percentile earned $32,160. The lowest-paid earned approximately $16,800. Head cooks and chefs earned more in a year: The highest-paid took home approximately $74,060 in 2011. And it’s no surprise that the largest paychecks are generated in big cities like Philadelphia, Las Vegas, New York, and San Francisco.Salary Range
75th Percentile $27,000
Median $22,080
25th Percentile $18,630
This occupation involves more than just mixing and sauteing. Becoming proficient in cooking styles, techniques, and food safety requires training, not to mention considerable experience. On-the-job tutelage is common, but attending an accredited cooking program is also beneficial, particularly for those who want to turn cooking into a career. It’s also possible to receive certification for various skill levels.
Reviews & Advice
Michael J. Beriau, the executive chef at the White Cliffs Country Club in Plymouth, Mass., has a wealth of pointers for prospective cooks. First, he suggests spending at least a year working in a kitchen (as an assistant, or perhaps on cleanup) to get to know the working environment and grow accustomed to the hours. Then, spend an additional year working as a cook in that same kitchen. Next up would be culinary school: “They also need to have great communication skills, great computer skills, and it helps to have a bachelor’s degree in restaurant administration,” he says. “That could launch them ahead of other candidates [with job prospects], maybe by even 12 years.”
The hiring process can vary by restaurant, but Beriau says the first thing he looks for in a potential hire is a well-written resume that shows a worker who has put in at least two years in one position. They might then receive a sit-down interview, and if that goes well, receive a call back for a two-hour “live” interview where they’ll need to prepare both a chicken and fish dish. “I’m not looking for them to knock the dish out the park,” he explains. “I want to find out if the food harmonizes with each other. Does the sauce go well with the dish. We’re also watching over them to judge their preparation skills, their sanitation skills, and their temperament.”
The depressed economy hasn’t stunted dining out as much as you might think, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts 117,800 new openings for restaurant cooks between now and 2020. Cooks who’ve received formal training have the best job prospects, and those working as lower-level kitchen cooks (known as line cooks and sous chefs) will see more opportunity as restaurants attempt to cut costs and avoid hiring head cooks or chefs.
Salary
Restaurant cooks make surprisingly low salaries. The median salary in 2011 was $22,080, while those in the top-10 percentile earned $32,160. The lowest-paid earned approximately $16,800. Head cooks and chefs earned more in a year: The highest-paid took home approximately $74,060 in 2011. And it’s no surprise that the largest paychecks are generated in big cities like Philadelphia, Las Vegas, New York, and San Francisco.Salary Range
75th Percentile $27,000
Median $22,080
25th Percentile $18,630
This occupation involves more than just mixing and sauteing. Becoming proficient in cooking styles, techniques, and food safety requires training, not to mention considerable experience. On-the-job tutelage is common, but attending an accredited cooking program is also beneficial, particularly for those who want to turn cooking into a career. It’s also possible to receive certification for various skill levels.
Reviews & Advice
Michael J. Beriau, the executive chef at the White Cliffs Country Club in Plymouth, Mass., has a wealth of pointers for prospective cooks. First, he suggests spending at least a year working in a kitchen (as an assistant, or perhaps on cleanup) to get to know the working environment and grow accustomed to the hours. Then, spend an additional year working as a cook in that same kitchen. Next up would be culinary school: “They also need to have great communication skills, great computer skills, and it helps to have a bachelor’s degree in restaurant administration,” he says. “That could launch them ahead of other candidates [with job prospects], maybe by even 12 years.”
The hiring process can vary by restaurant, but Beriau says the first thing he looks for in a potential hire is a well-written resume that shows a worker who has put in at least two years in one position. They might then receive a sit-down interview, and if that goes well, receive a call back for a two-hour “live” interview where they’ll need to prepare both a chicken and fish dish. “I’m not looking for them to knock the dish out the park,” he explains. “I want to find out if the food harmonizes with each other. Does the sauce go well with the dish. We’re also watching over them to judge their preparation skills, their sanitation skills, and their temperament.”
2013/4/14
Bus Driver - The 100 Best Jobs and Careers for 2013
Stanley Carpenter says he always wanted to be a bus driver. “When I was a kid, I looked up at the tall bus driver and told my mom that I wanted to be a driver, too,” he recalls. His first job was with Continental Trailways, then with Greyhound, once it acquired Continental Trailways. He then switched from doing intercity bus travel to working for DART, a North Texas-based local transit system that services 13 cities in the Dallas area. According to Carpenter, he’s been a DART bus operator for so long that “everybody knows me. They don’t have to ring the bell to get off, because I know where they stop. ... I’ve met two generations, almost three, of families riding my bus.”
Relating to people is one of the best components of this profession, Carpenter says, and having this skill also helps when a driver must manage a mosaic of personalities and commuting problems. In other words, the inpatient need not apply. “I just keep an even keel,” he says. “I stay right in the middle. It’s about the way you talk, and the sound of your voice [when calming riders]. ... I always try to sympathize with the customer.”
The job’s good days can include sunny skies, pleasant riders, and calm streets. The less-than-ideal days might feature slick-with-black-ice roads, rubbernecking cars, and amped-up school kids on a field trip. Good drivers provide safe passage no matter the situation, while still tending to responsibilities like collecting fare, announcing stops, and staying on a stringent route schedule. Most drivers also have light paperwork to complete to record trips, delays, and mechanical problems. They also usually fall into one of two categories: transit, intercity drivers, who are charged with transporting people within or across metropolitan areas; and school bus drivers, who transport children to and from school-related events. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 12.8 percent job growth for this profession between 2010 and 2020. The employment bump is due to several factors, but the largest motivators are the increased number of children who need transport to and from school and the expensive cost of gas, which causes more commuters to rely on public transportation. An additional 83,000 jobs will need to be filled within that time period, either for transit drivers or school and special client drivers.
Salary
According to the BLS, the median annual salary for a transit and intercity bus driver was $35,720 in 2011. The best-paid 10 percent made approximately $57,410, while the lowest-paid made approximately $21,080 in a year. The field’s best-compensated are usually charter bus drivers, but competition for those positions may be higher. The highest-paid in the profession work in Spokane, Wash., Olympia, Wash., and New York City. School bus drivers earn slightly less, with an average salary that is a little less than $30,000 per year. The highest-paid in that profession earn around $43,640, and work in San Francisco, Philadelphia, and New Bedford, Mass.Salary Range
75th Percentile $47,800
Median $35,720
25th Percentile $26,570
Driver qualifications vary by state. Many employers prefer drivers that have a high school diploma (or its equivalent) and are at least 21 years of age. A clean driving record is a no-brainer prerequisite, but a clean bill of health is also often required, to ensure drivers don’t have a heart attack or fall asleep behind the wheel. A commercial driver’s license is the other prerequisite for landing a position. Once hired, new drivers usually receive one to three months of both practical and classroom instruction.
Reviews & Advice
Driving record aside, Carpenter insists that customer service skills set prospective drivers apart from other job candidates. “I believe I could teach a person to drive [a bus]. But I can’t teach you how to deal with people. I’ll never forget when I was going through training, we had a class that was just about different scenarios of dealing with different types of people.”
Relating to people is one of the best components of this profession, Carpenter says, and having this skill also helps when a driver must manage a mosaic of personalities and commuting problems. In other words, the inpatient need not apply. “I just keep an even keel,” he says. “I stay right in the middle. It’s about the way you talk, and the sound of your voice [when calming riders]. ... I always try to sympathize with the customer.”
The job’s good days can include sunny skies, pleasant riders, and calm streets. The less-than-ideal days might feature slick-with-black-ice roads, rubbernecking cars, and amped-up school kids on a field trip. Good drivers provide safe passage no matter the situation, while still tending to responsibilities like collecting fare, announcing stops, and staying on a stringent route schedule. Most drivers also have light paperwork to complete to record trips, delays, and mechanical problems. They also usually fall into one of two categories: transit, intercity drivers, who are charged with transporting people within or across metropolitan areas; and school bus drivers, who transport children to and from school-related events. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 12.8 percent job growth for this profession between 2010 and 2020. The employment bump is due to several factors, but the largest motivators are the increased number of children who need transport to and from school and the expensive cost of gas, which causes more commuters to rely on public transportation. An additional 83,000 jobs will need to be filled within that time period, either for transit drivers or school and special client drivers.
Salary
According to the BLS, the median annual salary for a transit and intercity bus driver was $35,720 in 2011. The best-paid 10 percent made approximately $57,410, while the lowest-paid made approximately $21,080 in a year. The field’s best-compensated are usually charter bus drivers, but competition for those positions may be higher. The highest-paid in the profession work in Spokane, Wash., Olympia, Wash., and New York City. School bus drivers earn slightly less, with an average salary that is a little less than $30,000 per year. The highest-paid in that profession earn around $43,640, and work in San Francisco, Philadelphia, and New Bedford, Mass.Salary Range
75th Percentile $47,800
Median $35,720
25th Percentile $26,570
Driver qualifications vary by state. Many employers prefer drivers that have a high school diploma (or its equivalent) and are at least 21 years of age. A clean driving record is a no-brainer prerequisite, but a clean bill of health is also often required, to ensure drivers don’t have a heart attack or fall asleep behind the wheel. A commercial driver’s license is the other prerequisite for landing a position. Once hired, new drivers usually receive one to three months of both practical and classroom instruction.
Reviews & Advice
Driving record aside, Carpenter insists that customer service skills set prospective drivers apart from other job candidates. “I believe I could teach a person to drive [a bus]. But I can’t teach you how to deal with people. I’ll never forget when I was going through training, we had a class that was just about different scenarios of dealing with different types of people.”
Auto Mechanic - The 100 Best Jobs and Careers for 2013
From testing car parts and systems to ensure that they operate properly, to replacing or repairing worn brake pads and wheel bearings, automotive service technicians play a crucial role in ensuring that drivers safely arrive at their intended destination. Diane Larson, owner of auto service and repair shop Larson’s Service Inc. in Peabody, Mass., says a mechanic’s work routine runs the gamut and every day on the job is unique. “Each day typically brings them some type of surprise or challenge, whether it be finding a water pump ... that was leaking or [addressing] rust problems.” Automotive service technicians and mechanics might work at gasoline stations or at automotive parts, accessories, and tire stores. But an overwhelming majority of them work in the automotive repair and maintenance industry and for automobile dealers. Unlike diesel service technicians and mechanics, automotive services technicians and mechanics repair and inspect all types of vehicles—not just those that contain diesel engines.
Automotive services technicians and mechanics held 723,400 jobs in 2010. Their industry is on track to expand 17 percent by 2020, which is about as fast as average for all occupations. The number of vehicles (particularly late-model cars and light trucks with longer lifespans) continues to rise; in tandem with the need for entry-level techs capable of providing basic maintenance and repair services.
Salary
The average mechanic and automotive technician earned $36,180 in 2011. The highest earners made about $59,600, while the lowest-paid took home $20,620 during the same period. Top earners in the profession worked the aerospace product and parts manufacturing, computer systems design, and related services industries. The highest-paying metro areas include Anchorage, Alaska, San Francisco, and San Jose, Calif.Salary Range
75th Percentile $47,540
Median $36,180
25th Percentile $26,850
After earning a high school degree or its equivalent, prospective auto mechanics should seek additional training to make themselves more marketable to employers. Many employers prefer to hire a service tech who has completed a training program at a vocational school or postsecondary learning institution. Typically, service technicians undergo on-the-job training as part of a formal education program. After gaining two to five years of hands-on experience, these newcomers become fully-fledged technicians. They typically begin as trainee techs, technician’s helpers, or lubrication workers, and learn virtually every type of repair in a one- to two-year time frame. Newly hired auto technicians should seek industry certification once they are brought on board.
Reviews & Advice
Aside from mechanical and technical skills, service technicians should also fine-tune their customer-service skills. Because they often discuss automotive problems with their customers, a courteous demeanor and sound listening skills behoove those interested in breaking into the profession. Troubleshooting prowess or the ability to identify and fix problems in complex mechanical and electronic systems is also a must for service technicians.
Automotive services technicians and mechanics held 723,400 jobs in 2010. Their industry is on track to expand 17 percent by 2020, which is about as fast as average for all occupations. The number of vehicles (particularly late-model cars and light trucks with longer lifespans) continues to rise; in tandem with the need for entry-level techs capable of providing basic maintenance and repair services.
Salary
The average mechanic and automotive technician earned $36,180 in 2011. The highest earners made about $59,600, while the lowest-paid took home $20,620 during the same period. Top earners in the profession worked the aerospace product and parts manufacturing, computer systems design, and related services industries. The highest-paying metro areas include Anchorage, Alaska, San Francisco, and San Jose, Calif.Salary Range
75th Percentile $47,540
Median $36,180
25th Percentile $26,850
After earning a high school degree or its equivalent, prospective auto mechanics should seek additional training to make themselves more marketable to employers. Many employers prefer to hire a service tech who has completed a training program at a vocational school or postsecondary learning institution. Typically, service technicians undergo on-the-job training as part of a formal education program. After gaining two to five years of hands-on experience, these newcomers become fully-fledged technicians. They typically begin as trainee techs, technician’s helpers, or lubrication workers, and learn virtually every type of repair in a one- to two-year time frame. Newly hired auto technicians should seek industry certification once they are brought on board.
Reviews & Advice
Aside from mechanical and technical skills, service technicians should also fine-tune their customer-service skills. Because they often discuss automotive problems with their customers, a courteous demeanor and sound listening skills behoove those interested in breaking into the profession. Troubleshooting prowess or the ability to identify and fix problems in complex mechanical and electronic systems is also a must for service technicians.
Logistician - The 100 Best Jobs and Careers for 2013
Ever wonder who coordinates the response to major weather-related events, such as Hurricane Sandy? Or plans cleanups of environmental disasters, such as the Gulf oil spill of 2010? Logisticians are the ones who make sure the necessary equipment, supplies, and skilled technicians arrive quickly and with the right tools at their side. Their skills lie in making such impressive, behind-the-the scenes undertakings appear effortless, so companies and governments can continue running smoothly. They populate almost every field, from retail to finance to government. In the private sector, they are charged with handling shipping, distribution, warehousing, and quick deliveries to customers.
While logistics is a relatively narrow field, job growth is likely to be higher than average as supply and distribution systems grow increasingly complex. The Labor Department estimates that employment should increase by 25.5 percent between 2010 and 2020, with 27,800 jobs added.
Salary
Logistician jobs pay better than average; median annual earnings in 2011 were $71,910, with the lowest-paid 10 percent earning less than $44,830 and the highest-paid 10 percent earning more than $110,720. The top earners for this profession live in the metropolitan areas of Bellingham, Wash., San Jose, Calif., and Santa Rosa, Calif.
Salary Range
75th Percentile $90,290
Median $71,910
25th Percentile $56,490
Most logisticians start with a bachelor's degree in a field such as business, supply-chain management, process engineering, or industrial engineering. As logisticians rise into the management ranks, many get an M.B.A. or certification in various specialties. On-the-job experience counts for a lot, too, and logisticians should stay current on evolving technology like RFID tracking systems or new inventory-control software. Many logisticians also have a military background, since moving material under adverse conditions—a military specialty—is excellent training for the challenges of commerce. They also tend to be well-organized and good at problem-solving and communication.
Reviews & Advice
According to Sarah James, executive director of SOLE-The International Society of Logistics, the current state of the global economies and need to reduce both public and private operating costs has created a strong demand for logisticians who can work across an entire organization, and she expects their importance to grow even more. "Since logistics impacts every element of an organization at all levels, the logistician who can integrate all enterprise activity may well become the next 'must have' in the C-suite," she says. That means aspiring logisticians might want to consider additional certifications and management or leadership training as their career progresses. As logisticians gain experience, they can move into middle- and senior-management positions, especially those who find new ways to cut costs and improve efficiency. Some logisticians parlay their experience into a job with a consulting firm, or even start their own advisory or outsourcing firm.
While logistics is a relatively narrow field, job growth is likely to be higher than average as supply and distribution systems grow increasingly complex. The Labor Department estimates that employment should increase by 25.5 percent between 2010 and 2020, with 27,800 jobs added.
Salary
Logistician jobs pay better than average; median annual earnings in 2011 were $71,910, with the lowest-paid 10 percent earning less than $44,830 and the highest-paid 10 percent earning more than $110,720. The top earners for this profession live in the metropolitan areas of Bellingham, Wash., San Jose, Calif., and Santa Rosa, Calif.
Salary Range
75th Percentile $90,290
Median $71,910
25th Percentile $56,490
Most logisticians start with a bachelor's degree in a field such as business, supply-chain management, process engineering, or industrial engineering. As logisticians rise into the management ranks, many get an M.B.A. or certification in various specialties. On-the-job experience counts for a lot, too, and logisticians should stay current on evolving technology like RFID tracking systems or new inventory-control software. Many logisticians also have a military background, since moving material under adverse conditions—a military specialty—is excellent training for the challenges of commerce. They also tend to be well-organized and good at problem-solving and communication.
Reviews & Advice
According to Sarah James, executive director of SOLE-The International Society of Logistics, the current state of the global economies and need to reduce both public and private operating costs has created a strong demand for logisticians who can work across an entire organization, and she expects their importance to grow even more. "Since logistics impacts every element of an organization at all levels, the logistician who can integrate all enterprise activity may well become the next 'must have' in the C-suite," she says. That means aspiring logisticians might want to consider additional certifications and management or leadership training as their career progresses. As logisticians gain experience, they can move into middle- and senior-management positions, especially those who find new ways to cut costs and improve efficiency. Some logisticians parlay their experience into a job with a consulting firm, or even start their own advisory or outsourcing firm.
Customer Service Representative - The 100 Best Jobs and Careers for 2013
Customer service representatives work at that critical point where corporate rubber meets the consumer road. They essentially connect a company to its customers, answering consumer questions and helping to resolve difficulties with the firm's product or service. They often field fairly simple questions, like the status of an order. Other questions might require research or the help of an expert. Customer service reps must have diplomatic skills, such as tact and patience—they often deal with angry or frustrated customers—and they must handle complaints within the constraints of company policy. If the bad news is that it can be a difficult job (what job can't be?), the good news is that there are lots of customer rep jobs out there, and more on the way. Just about every industry needs them.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment within the customer service representative profession will grow 15.5 percent between 2010 and 2020, which is faster than the average for all other occupations. An additional 338,400 jobs will need to be filled within that time period.
Salary
According to the Department of Labor, the median annual salary for a customer service representative was $30,610 in 2011. The best-paid 10 percent earned about $49,800, and the lowest-paid made approximately $19,620. The best-compensated customer service representatives usually work for industrial companies focused on oil and gas extraction, aerospace manufacturing, and energy-related parts manufacturing. By region, the highest-paid customer reps work San Jose, Calif., San Francisco, and Bridgeport, Conn.Salary Range
75th Percentile $39,010
Median $30,610
25th Percentile $24,220
According to Don Yager, senior director of Afni, Inc. (which specializes in helping organizations improve their customer care) and member of the International Customer Service Organization board of directors, being in customer service is about building relationships. "You have to want to help people and become the advocate for that customer," he says. "You need to ask: How do I repair the relationship, and how do I provide the best experience possible?" Although customer service positions vary depending on the company, Yager says companies hire applicants based on strong communication and listening skills, the ability to solve problems quickly and efficiently, and a strong understanding of the work environment. "The toughest thing for a company is finding the right fit," he says. "You need to know what type of customer service you're interested in and what type of industry you're getting into."
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment within the customer service representative profession will grow 15.5 percent between 2010 and 2020, which is faster than the average for all other occupations. An additional 338,400 jobs will need to be filled within that time period.
Salary
According to the Department of Labor, the median annual salary for a customer service representative was $30,610 in 2011. The best-paid 10 percent earned about $49,800, and the lowest-paid made approximately $19,620. The best-compensated customer service representatives usually work for industrial companies focused on oil and gas extraction, aerospace manufacturing, and energy-related parts manufacturing. By region, the highest-paid customer reps work San Jose, Calif., San Francisco, and Bridgeport, Conn.Salary Range
75th Percentile $39,010
Median $30,610
25th Percentile $24,220
According to Don Yager, senior director of Afni, Inc. (which specializes in helping organizations improve their customer care) and member of the International Customer Service Organization board of directors, being in customer service is about building relationships. "You have to want to help people and become the advocate for that customer," he says. "You need to ask: How do I repair the relationship, and how do I provide the best experience possible?" Although customer service positions vary depending on the company, Yager says companies hire applicants based on strong communication and listening skills, the ability to solve problems quickly and efficiently, and a strong understanding of the work environment. "The toughest thing for a company is finding the right fit," he says. "You need to know what type of customer service you're interested in and what type of industry you're getting into."
Art Director - The 100 Best Jobs and Careers for 2013
Becoming the first print magazine to enhance each image, editorial, and advertisement with compelling interactive content sounds like no small feat. But for Rachel Gogel, art director of GQ Advertising, creating a unique app that would bring the venerable men's fashion magazine to life was simply par for the course. Just four months after jumpstarting the project, Gogel and her team launched GQ Live!, an app that allows readers to scan each print page with their mobile device's camera, revealing digital extras such as animations, video trailers, social media, and even 3D experiences. Gogel, who had steered the project since its inception, was able to convince her editorial team and more than 170 advertisers that the app would be the "next big thing." Her instincts were correct—GQ Live! is now seen as an industry leader and the "augmented reality" technology used in the app is a rapidly growing trend in the publishing world with Dwell, Maxim, and Esquire recently following suit.
That ability to deliver groundbreaking and inspiring conceptual ideas that work—while thinking across all media—is considered one of the most vital aspects to being an art director. "Being a designer or art director doesn't mean what it used to," says Gogel, who's also a typography instructor at the School of Visual Arts. "You're expected to know about print, Web, tablets, social media—it's no longer one-dimensional."
Overall, art directors or creative directors—which will see 9 percent growth in employment by the year 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)—are responsible for producing artwork to be displayed in an advertising campaign, magazines, television, film, websites, or on products. Art directors are often in charge of a design team and ensure their creative executions meet the client's objectives and remain true to the brand.
For Gogel, being an art director in the publishing industry means all of the above and then some, with the brand always at the forefront of her decision-making. While being resilient to ever-changing timelines and requests, and working in concert with numerous departments including sales, editorial, digital, research, marketing, and merchandising, Gogel must determine one visual language for a brand and maintain that image and voice throughout all of her creative materials. "Occasionally you might have more time on a project and you might want to take your time and get really into it, but usually the turnaround for things is very quick," says Gogel. "That said, we still represent the brand in everything that we produce so it has to be of a certain quality."
With experience, Gogel says art directors will learn about time management, team collaboration, professionalism, punctuality, work ethics, leading a team of artists who might have different visions, and taking constructive criticism. “If you are a passionate and engaged individual who takes initiative and knows how to negotiate/value his or her worth to the company, you will be fine,” she says. “It also helps if you have a mentor at your job who can lend advice or vouch for you.”
Salary
The BLS reports the median annual wage for art directors was $81,260 in 2010. The best-paid 10 percent in the field made approximately $166,620, while the bottom 10 percent made approximately $44,120. The highest-paid work is in the metropolitan areas of New York, Los Angeles, and Nassau-Suffolk, N.Y.Salary Range
75th Percentile $117,290
Median $81,260
25th Percentile $58,520
Most art directors will have at least a bachelor of arts or bachelor of fine arts degree in art or design and at least 3 to 5 years of work experience. Depending on the industry, art directors may have also worked as graphic designers, industrial designers, illustrators, copy editors, set designers, or photographers before becoming art directors. Developing a portfolio—a collection of an artist's work that demonstrates his or her styles and abilities—is essential. Managers, clients, and others look at an art designer's portfolio when they are deciding whether to hire the person or contract for his or her work.
Gogel, who was born and raised in Paris, France, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2009 where she majored in fine arts with a graphic design focus, and minored in anthropology. After graduation, she did a two-week masters workshop in Italy through the School of Visual Arts and then settled in New York City to work in fashion (Diane von Furstenberg, Peter Som, Svilu), TV/film (Sundance, USA Network, Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry documentary) and publishing (Travel + Leisure, GQ). "This client list is the result of 3.5 years of freelancing and being open-minded about taking on all sorts of projects in order to build my portfolio," says Gogel. "I ended up accumulating experience and industry knowledge in a short amount of time." Gogel also says that having a background in marketing and communication as well as a basic understanding of business and some production skills will come in handy while on the job.
That ability to deliver groundbreaking and inspiring conceptual ideas that work—while thinking across all media—is considered one of the most vital aspects to being an art director. "Being a designer or art director doesn't mean what it used to," says Gogel, who's also a typography instructor at the School of Visual Arts. "You're expected to know about print, Web, tablets, social media—it's no longer one-dimensional."
Overall, art directors or creative directors—which will see 9 percent growth in employment by the year 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)—are responsible for producing artwork to be displayed in an advertising campaign, magazines, television, film, websites, or on products. Art directors are often in charge of a design team and ensure their creative executions meet the client's objectives and remain true to the brand.
For Gogel, being an art director in the publishing industry means all of the above and then some, with the brand always at the forefront of her decision-making. While being resilient to ever-changing timelines and requests, and working in concert with numerous departments including sales, editorial, digital, research, marketing, and merchandising, Gogel must determine one visual language for a brand and maintain that image and voice throughout all of her creative materials. "Occasionally you might have more time on a project and you might want to take your time and get really into it, but usually the turnaround for things is very quick," says Gogel. "That said, we still represent the brand in everything that we produce so it has to be of a certain quality."
With experience, Gogel says art directors will learn about time management, team collaboration, professionalism, punctuality, work ethics, leading a team of artists who might have different visions, and taking constructive criticism. “If you are a passionate and engaged individual who takes initiative and knows how to negotiate/value his or her worth to the company, you will be fine,” she says. “It also helps if you have a mentor at your job who can lend advice or vouch for you.”
Salary
The BLS reports the median annual wage for art directors was $81,260 in 2010. The best-paid 10 percent in the field made approximately $166,620, while the bottom 10 percent made approximately $44,120. The highest-paid work is in the metropolitan areas of New York, Los Angeles, and Nassau-Suffolk, N.Y.Salary Range
75th Percentile $117,290
Median $81,260
25th Percentile $58,520
Most art directors will have at least a bachelor of arts or bachelor of fine arts degree in art or design and at least 3 to 5 years of work experience. Depending on the industry, art directors may have also worked as graphic designers, industrial designers, illustrators, copy editors, set designers, or photographers before becoming art directors. Developing a portfolio—a collection of an artist's work that demonstrates his or her styles and abilities—is essential. Managers, clients, and others look at an art designer's portfolio when they are deciding whether to hire the person or contract for his or her work.
Gogel, who was born and raised in Paris, France, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2009 where she majored in fine arts with a graphic design focus, and minored in anthropology. After graduation, she did a two-week masters workshop in Italy through the School of Visual Arts and then settled in New York City to work in fashion (Diane von Furstenberg, Peter Som, Svilu), TV/film (Sundance, USA Network, Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry documentary) and publishing (Travel + Leisure, GQ). "This client list is the result of 3.5 years of freelancing and being open-minded about taking on all sorts of projects in order to build my portfolio," says Gogel. "I ended up accumulating experience and industry knowledge in a short amount of time." Gogel also says that having a background in marketing and communication as well as a basic understanding of business and some production skills will come in handy while on the job.
2013/4/13
Glazier - The 100 Best Jobs and Careers for 2013
Glaziers are the primary skilled craftsmen doing glass work on all types of America's buildings, including new structures and remodeling jobs. The work is as varied as the structures, ranging from installing sweeping glass vistas on the upper floors of high-rise office and apartment buildings to putting standardized window inserts into residences. "It is a physical job as compared to most," and much of the work is outdoors and often at least several stories in the air, says Greg Renne, a former glazier who now works as recruitment manager for the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT). However, he says growing numbers of women and older glaziers can be seen on job sites, due partly to technological advances in tools and lift systems. Glaziers suffer high job-related injury rates, from cuts as well as falls from ladders and scaffolding.
Although jobs do not require more than a high school diploma, employers are becoming more demanding in terms of math and design knowledge and familiarity with sophisticated construction equipment. As a result, multi-year training and apprenticeships are required for many jobs. There may be sharply varying training requirements and salaries depending on whether jobs are offered through non-union or union contractors. The most-demanding and generally best-paying jobs involve working on high-rise buildings, which tend to be located in or near large metropolitan areas. In addition, the South has a concentration of glazing contractors. Glazier work is also benefiting from the rise in environmentally conscious "green" construction, which often features energy-efficient glass products and window systems.
The growth of pre-fabricated windows has dampened demand for glaziers, as has the severe decline in commercial and residential construction because of the recession. Activity has started to pick up, however, providing good prospects for work. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts employment growth of more than 42 percent between 2010 and 2020. That represents 17,700 new jobs and 15,700 replacement jobs. There were 41,960 glaziers in 2011; this excludes self-employed contractors, who accounted for about 5 percent of all glaziers in 2010.
Salary
According to the BLS, glaziers earned a median wage of $37,350 in 2011, or nearly $18 an hour. The best-paid earned a median wage of $69,120, while the lowest-paid earned less than $23,610 in 2011. Salaries for apprentices may be half or even less than what a journeyman makes. Experienced journeymen working on demanding projects can command very attractive salaries. Employment sectors that pay well include local government and nonresidential building construction plus elementary and secondary schools. New York and Chicago have the most jobs for glaziers.Salary Range
75th Percentile $48,510
Median $37,350
25th Percentile $29,840
Training
"The majority of the glaziers and glassworkers get their education through an apprenticeship program," says the IUPAT's Renne. Non-union training tends to be provided more in on-the-job situations, he says, whereas IUPAT provides a three-year training and apprenticeship program at roughly 150 sites across the country through its Finishing Trades Institute programs. Each year, apprentices must have at least 144 hours of technical training and 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training. Training includes the use of tools and equipment; how to handle, measure, cut, and install glass; how to cut, fit, and work with molding materials; installation techniques; basic math; and blueprint reading and sketching. Connecticut is the only state that requires glaziers to be state-licensed.
Reviews & Advice
Glaziers need to have very good eye-hand coordination, a good sense of balance, and be strong enough to lift heavy pieces of glass. They should enjoy working with their hands, have a mechanical aptitude, solid math skills, and the ability to visualize project installations and to correctly interpret complex architectural drawings and construction blueprints. Construction contractors are looking for trained and, preferably, experienced glaziers. Completing a training program is a good way for new entrants into the field to verify their expertise. Unions don't influence access to jobs as much as they once did, but they do retain a large presence in many local craft markets. Like many craft professions, it may be necessary to start on smaller projects that demand fewer skills, and develop both on-the-job experience and contacts within the local construction trades market. Military veterans are sought by many contractors and training programs. "If you have a willingness to learn and a willingness to work, and you're good at what you do, you're always going to find an opportunity to work," Renne says.
Although jobs do not require more than a high school diploma, employers are becoming more demanding in terms of math and design knowledge and familiarity with sophisticated construction equipment. As a result, multi-year training and apprenticeships are required for many jobs. There may be sharply varying training requirements and salaries depending on whether jobs are offered through non-union or union contractors. The most-demanding and generally best-paying jobs involve working on high-rise buildings, which tend to be located in or near large metropolitan areas. In addition, the South has a concentration of glazing contractors. Glazier work is also benefiting from the rise in environmentally conscious "green" construction, which often features energy-efficient glass products and window systems.
The growth of pre-fabricated windows has dampened demand for glaziers, as has the severe decline in commercial and residential construction because of the recession. Activity has started to pick up, however, providing good prospects for work. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts employment growth of more than 42 percent between 2010 and 2020. That represents 17,700 new jobs and 15,700 replacement jobs. There were 41,960 glaziers in 2011; this excludes self-employed contractors, who accounted for about 5 percent of all glaziers in 2010.
Salary
According to the BLS, glaziers earned a median wage of $37,350 in 2011, or nearly $18 an hour. The best-paid earned a median wage of $69,120, while the lowest-paid earned less than $23,610 in 2011. Salaries for apprentices may be half or even less than what a journeyman makes. Experienced journeymen working on demanding projects can command very attractive salaries. Employment sectors that pay well include local government and nonresidential building construction plus elementary and secondary schools. New York and Chicago have the most jobs for glaziers.Salary Range
75th Percentile $48,510
Median $37,350
25th Percentile $29,840
Training
"The majority of the glaziers and glassworkers get their education through an apprenticeship program," says the IUPAT's Renne. Non-union training tends to be provided more in on-the-job situations, he says, whereas IUPAT provides a three-year training and apprenticeship program at roughly 150 sites across the country through its Finishing Trades Institute programs. Each year, apprentices must have at least 144 hours of technical training and 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training. Training includes the use of tools and equipment; how to handle, measure, cut, and install glass; how to cut, fit, and work with molding materials; installation techniques; basic math; and blueprint reading and sketching. Connecticut is the only state that requires glaziers to be state-licensed.
Reviews & Advice
Glaziers need to have very good eye-hand coordination, a good sense of balance, and be strong enough to lift heavy pieces of glass. They should enjoy working with their hands, have a mechanical aptitude, solid math skills, and the ability to visualize project installations and to correctly interpret complex architectural drawings and construction blueprints. Construction contractors are looking for trained and, preferably, experienced glaziers. Completing a training program is a good way for new entrants into the field to verify their expertise. Unions don't influence access to jobs as much as they once did, but they do retain a large presence in many local craft markets. Like many craft professions, it may be necessary to start on smaller projects that demand fewer skills, and develop both on-the-job experience and contacts within the local construction trades market. Military veterans are sought by many contractors and training programs. "If you have a willingness to learn and a willingness to work, and you're good at what you do, you're always going to find an opportunity to work," Renne says.
Real Estate Agent - The 100 Best Jobs and Careers for 2013
The big difference between a real estate agent and a real estate broker: Brokers are licensed to manage their own businesses, and agents are not. But even though real estate agents work under brokers, their jobs are similar. Brokers and agents help clients sell their homes as well as buy homes. It's possible for people to buy or sell their home without using a professional, but a real estate agent can make the process a lot easier. By advising clients on prices, mortgages, and market conditions, an agent instructs sellers on how to price their house accurately and present the property in the best light. Agents guide buyers toward the home that best fits their needs by generating a list of properties for sale, accompanying the client to see the properties, and negotiating an offer with the seller. Real estate agents must be knowledgeable of the communities in their area, particularly in the facets that matter most to people: schools, safety, job opportunities, healthcare, and activities.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 12.2 percent job growth for real estate sales agents between 2010 and 2020, which is about as fast as average. During that time period, an additional 52,500 jobs will need to be filled.
Salary
According to the BLS, in 2011, real estate agents earned a median average salary of $39,070. The best-paid earned about $92,860, while the lowest-paid earned approximately $20,200. The highest earners worked in the metropolitan areas of Santa Barbara, Calif., Chicago, and Syracuse, N.Y.Salary Range
75th Percentile $61,960
Median $39,070
25th Percentile $27,200
Training
All real estate agents must be licensed. To obtain a license, prospective agents must be 18 years or older, possess a high school diploma, and pass a written exam administered by the state. In addition, a college or graduate degree in finance, business administration, statistics, economics, or even law can help prospective agents get ahead in the profession. The National Association of Realtors also sponsors courses that touch on the basic financial and legal aspects of real estate. But education isn't the only deciding factor: Brokers generally look for applicants who exhibit a neat appearance and a pleasant personality. Good judgment, honesty, and enthusiasm for the job will help attract new clients to the firm.
Reviews & Advice
Mo Veissi, president of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), says commission should be the last thing on the mind of an aspiring real estate agent. He says education comes first: "Without that education upfront, you limit yourself initially." Veissi recommends using the NAR as a viable resource for further learning, as the NAR features an extensive library that’s free for members. He also suggests taking courses at state and local associations, as they will be more specific about laws and regulations. "You've got a three-tier level of education available, which is more than most other professions," Veissi says. He also recommends using other real estate agents and brokers as mentors: "People within this business are willing to help you along, even though they are your competition." On top of education, Veissi says employers are looking for applicants with some background in sales, who exhibit excellent people skills, and who are fully committed to the profession. "A good real estate agent must be willing to accept both the stress and the rewards of sales," he says. "Anyone who interviews you wants to know that you want to be successful."
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 12.2 percent job growth for real estate sales agents between 2010 and 2020, which is about as fast as average. During that time period, an additional 52,500 jobs will need to be filled.
Salary
According to the BLS, in 2011, real estate agents earned a median average salary of $39,070. The best-paid earned about $92,860, while the lowest-paid earned approximately $20,200. The highest earners worked in the metropolitan areas of Santa Barbara, Calif., Chicago, and Syracuse, N.Y.Salary Range
75th Percentile $61,960
Median $39,070
25th Percentile $27,200
Training
All real estate agents must be licensed. To obtain a license, prospective agents must be 18 years or older, possess a high school diploma, and pass a written exam administered by the state. In addition, a college or graduate degree in finance, business administration, statistics, economics, or even law can help prospective agents get ahead in the profession. The National Association of Realtors also sponsors courses that touch on the basic financial and legal aspects of real estate. But education isn't the only deciding factor: Brokers generally look for applicants who exhibit a neat appearance and a pleasant personality. Good judgment, honesty, and enthusiasm for the job will help attract new clients to the firm.
Reviews & Advice
Mo Veissi, president of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), says commission should be the last thing on the mind of an aspiring real estate agent. He says education comes first: "Without that education upfront, you limit yourself initially." Veissi recommends using the NAR as a viable resource for further learning, as the NAR features an extensive library that’s free for members. He also suggests taking courses at state and local associations, as they will be more specific about laws and regulations. "You've got a three-tier level of education available, which is more than most other professions," Veissi says. He also recommends using other real estate agents and brokers as mentors: "People within this business are willing to help you along, even though they are your competition." On top of education, Veissi says employers are looking for applicants with some background in sales, who exhibit excellent people skills, and who are fully committed to the profession. "A good real estate agent must be willing to accept both the stress and the rewards of sales," he says. "Anyone who interviews you wants to know that you want to be successful."
Plumber - The 100 Best Jobs and Careers for 2013
All it takes is one lousy morning with no running water (or a clogged sink or phantom-flushing toilet) to remind us how dependent we are on the expertise of plumbers. But troubleshooting is just a sliver of their responsibilities. The men and women working in this profession are trained to develop blueprints to plan where pipes and fixtures should be plotted in a structure. They also install and connect the piping and fixtures, either working individually or with a team of apprentices and pipefitters. In addition to facilitating water supply from pipes and large fixtures (such as bathtubs, showers, sinks, and toilets), plumbers also ensure that water reaches appliances, like dishwashers and water heaters. The best in the occupation know how to juggle problem-solving with the physical and mechanical demands of the job. They’ve also mastered customer service.
General employment within the construction sector took a nosedive during the recent recession, but hiring should pick up for plumbers. New buildings and residences are being built to comply with stricter water efficiency standards, and companies housed in older structures are hoping to retrofit to use more energy-efficient systems. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there should be a hiring spurt of 25.6 percent for plumbers from now to 2020. This translates to more than 100,000 new jobs.
Salary
The average pay for a plumber in 2011 was $47,750, the BLS reports. The best-paid are pulling in around $82,310, while those in the bottom 10 percent earn just shy of $30,000 a year. Cities on the East Coast pay particularly well; specifically, metropolitan areas like Vineland, N.J., Nassau, N.Y., and Peabody, Mass. However, apprentices just starting out could make 30 to 50 percent less than a fully trained plumber.Salary Range
75th Percentile $64,790
Median $47,750
25th Percentile $36,050
Training
Becoming a plumber is a two-pronged process that includes practical training and study. Traditionally, a hopeful would begin a four- or five-year apprenticeship program to receive both the technical education and complete the required hours of on-the-job training under a licensed professional. Plumbers who have successfully completed their apprenticeship are known as journeymen (or women).
Reviews & Advice
Strong math and reading skills are just as important as having the technical chops, says Patrick Kellett, the director of business development for the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters. “And this might seem a little bit out of left field, but a positive attitude is also really important for a candidate’s success,” he adds, “because this can be a kind of tough business, and a dangerous business. Blue-collar work isn’t always the most popular line of work.”
General employment within the construction sector took a nosedive during the recent recession, but hiring should pick up for plumbers. New buildings and residences are being built to comply with stricter water efficiency standards, and companies housed in older structures are hoping to retrofit to use more energy-efficient systems. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there should be a hiring spurt of 25.6 percent for plumbers from now to 2020. This translates to more than 100,000 new jobs.
Salary
The average pay for a plumber in 2011 was $47,750, the BLS reports. The best-paid are pulling in around $82,310, while those in the bottom 10 percent earn just shy of $30,000 a year. Cities on the East Coast pay particularly well; specifically, metropolitan areas like Vineland, N.J., Nassau, N.Y., and Peabody, Mass. However, apprentices just starting out could make 30 to 50 percent less than a fully trained plumber.Salary Range
75th Percentile $64,790
Median $47,750
25th Percentile $36,050
Training
Becoming a plumber is a two-pronged process that includes practical training and study. Traditionally, a hopeful would begin a four- or five-year apprenticeship program to receive both the technical education and complete the required hours of on-the-job training under a licensed professional. Plumbers who have successfully completed their apprenticeship are known as journeymen (or women).
Reviews & Advice
Strong math and reading skills are just as important as having the technical chops, says Patrick Kellett, the director of business development for the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters. “And this might seem a little bit out of left field, but a positive attitude is also really important for a candidate’s success,” he adds, “because this can be a kind of tough business, and a dangerous business. Blue-collar work isn’t always the most popular line of work.”
HR Specialist - The 100 Best Jobs and Careers for 2013
Human resources (HR) jobs may literally involve any aspect of an employer's workforce—recruitment, hiring, training, employee benefits, compensation, job enrichment, relocation, performance, termination, and outplacement. The smaller the employer, the more likely it is that these duties will be shared among fewer and fewer staffers. So it's crucial that those seeking HR jobs become their own HR advocates in the process. They should know exactly the duties they will be asked to perform and the expected experience and skill levels expected for the position. Job growth will be especially strong at employment services firms, as employers continue to outsource some HR functions and the pace of hiring picks up as the economy recovers. HR professionals need to be as diverse and flexible as their employers' workplaces. Jobs often feature flexible hours and telecommuting, collaborating with employees who may be based anywhere in the world, and project teams that form and fade away as needs dictate. A college degree is usually required, including strong business and management coursework. There is a good career-advancement chain at larger companies. Top performers can reach high management positions, or may move to an HR consulting firm.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 20.5 percent employment growth in this field between 2010 and 2020. That's 61,600 new jobs and 36,700 replacement jobs. There were 436,090 HR specialists in 2011. This is expected to be a rapid-growth field as the economy continues to recover from the recession.
Salary
According to the BLS, HR specialists had a median salary of $54,310 in 2011. The best-paid 10 percent made an average of $94,700, while the lowest-paid 10 percent were paid $29,850, on average. Petroleum and coal products makers, software publishers, and the executive branch of the federal government paid the highest salaries. The highest-paid worked in Washington, D.C., and the California metro areas of San Jose and San Francisco.Salary Range
75th Percentile $73,490
Median $54,310
25th Percentile $39,960
If you're just starting out, you'll need an internship to be considered for even an entry-level HR job, says Deb Cohen, senior vice president of knowledge development at the industry's largest professional association, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). "Even if you have a great degree from a great school, you still need experience to get hired." By contrast, she notes, "If it's somebody who's experienced in HR, they need to make sure they are involved in professional associations. Networking is basically the answer" to being favorably considered for a job that requires experience. So is getting certified in one of the profession's increasingly specialized areas, such as in compensation or training. "It's not the same thing as a license, but it declares that you know the body of knowledge in the profession."
The field is growing again, Cohen says, but it's very much a buyer's market for HR positions these days. Many companies downsized during the recession, and as they staff back up, they have the luxury of looking at lots of qualified candidates. Cohen says the most attractive candidates are very focused. "In the past, people could get into HR on purpose or sort of fall into the job," she says. "Today, you need specific qualifications. The field is not just about liking people. It's really about knowing the technical side of the job," including HR laws and the employer's business objectives.
It's also about having a strategic grasp of how HR can help the employer meets its goals. "The ticket for entry is knowing your nuts and bolts," Cohen says. "But it's also showing the business acumen and showing the ability to work as a strategic partner in advancing the interests of the organization."
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 20.5 percent employment growth in this field between 2010 and 2020. That's 61,600 new jobs and 36,700 replacement jobs. There were 436,090 HR specialists in 2011. This is expected to be a rapid-growth field as the economy continues to recover from the recession.
Salary
According to the BLS, HR specialists had a median salary of $54,310 in 2011. The best-paid 10 percent made an average of $94,700, while the lowest-paid 10 percent were paid $29,850, on average. Petroleum and coal products makers, software publishers, and the executive branch of the federal government paid the highest salaries. The highest-paid worked in Washington, D.C., and the California metro areas of San Jose and San Francisco.Salary Range
75th Percentile $73,490
Median $54,310
25th Percentile $39,960
If you're just starting out, you'll need an internship to be considered for even an entry-level HR job, says Deb Cohen, senior vice president of knowledge development at the industry's largest professional association, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). "Even if you have a great degree from a great school, you still need experience to get hired." By contrast, she notes, "If it's somebody who's experienced in HR, they need to make sure they are involved in professional associations. Networking is basically the answer" to being favorably considered for a job that requires experience. So is getting certified in one of the profession's increasingly specialized areas, such as in compensation or training. "It's not the same thing as a license, but it declares that you know the body of knowledge in the profession."
The field is growing again, Cohen says, but it's very much a buyer's market for HR positions these days. Many companies downsized during the recession, and as they staff back up, they have the luxury of looking at lots of qualified candidates. Cohen says the most attractive candidates are very focused. "In the past, people could get into HR on purpose or sort of fall into the job," she says. "Today, you need specific qualifications. The field is not just about liking people. It's really about knowing the technical side of the job," including HR laws and the employer's business objectives.
It's also about having a strategic grasp of how HR can help the employer meets its goals. "The ticket for entry is knowing your nuts and bolts," Cohen says. "But it's also showing the business acumen and showing the ability to work as a strategic partner in advancing the interests of the organization."
Sales Manager- The 100 Best Jobs and Careers for 2013
Sales managers direct the distribution of their companies' products to customers, which involves establishing sales territories as well as setting quotas and goals. Serving as the guiding hand for the sales team, sales managers outline the staff's training programs, develop strategies for the sales team to operate efficiently, and push team members to surpass short- and long-term sales targets. Sales managers also work closely with the marketing department to identify new customers the sales team can target. In addition to overseeing the sales team, sales managers also have external responsibilities that include actively recruiting and hiring new sales associates.
By 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for sales managers will grow by 11.7 percent. During that time period, 40,100 jobs will need to be filled.
Salary
The Labor Department reports that sales managers earned a median average salary of $101,640 in 2011. The best-paid made more than $187,000 a year, while the worst-paid made around $51,760. The highest earners worked in the metropolitan areas of New York City, and New Bedford, Mass., as well as Lowell, Mass.Salary Range
75th Percentile $146,330
Median $101,640
25th Percentile $69,860
Training
Employers hiring sales managers often prefer candidates with a bachelor's or master's degree in business administration with a focus in marketing. Taking courses in business law, economics, management, accounting, mathematics, finance, and statistics will give applicants a leg up on the competition. Computer and Internet skills are also useful for recordkeeping and data management. Many sales managers are promoted from the ranks of sales representatives, purchasing agents, buyers, or even promotion specialists. Some organizations also offer certification programs, a qualification that is becoming a standard among employers.
Reviews & Advice
According to Bob Kelly, chairman of the Sales Management Association, the profession has changed over the past several years as a result of technology and automation. "The management job is trying to make sense of the change, and sales managers are pivotal in its success," he says. Kelly says as the profession develops, hiring managers are looking closely as traits like an applicant's ability to effectively establish a rapport with their team and to improve the sales skills of individual representatives. However, he says companies are more hesitant when it comes to hiring sales managers unless applicants can prove they’ll increase profits. To do that, Kelly recommends applicants develop a plan of action demonstrating how they would boost productivity. "Hiring managers want to know that a sales manager is about implementation and is action-oriented," Kelly says. "It's not enough for a sales manager to make more sales themselves—they have to make the rest of the team more productive."
By 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for sales managers will grow by 11.7 percent. During that time period, 40,100 jobs will need to be filled.
Salary
The Labor Department reports that sales managers earned a median average salary of $101,640 in 2011. The best-paid made more than $187,000 a year, while the worst-paid made around $51,760. The highest earners worked in the metropolitan areas of New York City, and New Bedford, Mass., as well as Lowell, Mass.Salary Range
75th Percentile $146,330
Median $101,640
25th Percentile $69,860
Training
Employers hiring sales managers often prefer candidates with a bachelor's or master's degree in business administration with a focus in marketing. Taking courses in business law, economics, management, accounting, mathematics, finance, and statistics will give applicants a leg up on the competition. Computer and Internet skills are also useful for recordkeeping and data management. Many sales managers are promoted from the ranks of sales representatives, purchasing agents, buyers, or even promotion specialists. Some organizations also offer certification programs, a qualification that is becoming a standard among employers.
Reviews & Advice
According to Bob Kelly, chairman of the Sales Management Association, the profession has changed over the past several years as a result of technology and automation. "The management job is trying to make sense of the change, and sales managers are pivotal in its success," he says. Kelly says as the profession develops, hiring managers are looking closely as traits like an applicant's ability to effectively establish a rapport with their team and to improve the sales skills of individual representatives. However, he says companies are more hesitant when it comes to hiring sales managers unless applicants can prove they’ll increase profits. To do that, Kelly recommends applicants develop a plan of action demonstrating how they would boost productivity. "Hiring managers want to know that a sales manager is about implementation and is action-oriented," Kelly says. "It's not enough for a sales manager to make more sales themselves—they have to make the rest of the team more productive."
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