Jobs Rated 2010: A Ranking of 200 Jobs From Best to Worst

When launching their careers, many job seekers had a simple method of choosing the best job for them: They guessed. A job might "feel right" or "sound cool" or be considered successful according to the media, conventional wisdom or the advice of others. However, as many realtors and autoworkers will tell you, conventional wisdom can change. And with fierce competition for jobs making it tougher than ever to get a "do-over" if you make the wrong choice, guessing is not a smart approach to career management.

So if the lesson of the past year is that you need to determine the best career path for you the first time around, how exactly can you do that? For starters, having a few facts will help. CareerCast.com's 2010 Jobs Rated report offers a comprehensive analysis of 200 different jobs – from Accountant to Zoologist – giving each a unique ranking based on factual analysis and hard data, not guesswork. If you're entering (or re-entering) the job market and want to avoid selecting the wrong career, our rankings can help you make a stronger, more informed decision, both for today and the long-term.

How does Jobs Rated determine which professions rank better than others? Data on each job is broken down into five key categories: Physical Demands, Work Environment, Income, Stress and Hiring Outlook. Jobs receive a score in each individual category, and when these are added together, the career with the best overall score is ranked 1st, while the one with the worst overall score is ranked 200th.

Of course every employee is different, and what you consider a "dream job" might be someone else's idea of a career nightmare. Because of this, a simple ranking may not be enough – you need to know what a particular job is really like on a day-to-day basis. This is where the survey's individual scores and rankings can help. If you're the type who cares a lot about income but doesn't mind stress, for example, public relations executive might be a great career for you. While the job may seem less desirable with an overall ranking of 79, it ranks 19th for median income and 193rd for stress – perfect for the job seeker who wants good pay and can handle a high-stress environment.

1. Actuary

Interprets statistics to determine probabilities of accidents, sickness, and death, and loss of property from theft and natural disasters.

• Overall Score: 46.00
• Income: $85,229.00

---

• Work Environment:

• 179.440
• Stress:

• 20.187
• Physical Demands:

• 3.97
• Hiring Outlook:

• 24.79

2. Software Engineer

Researches, designs, develops and maintains software systems along with hardware development for medical, scientific, and industrial purposes.

• Overall Score: 66.00
• Income: $85,139.00

---

• Work Environment:

• 150.000
• Stress:

• 25.000
• Physical Demands:

• 5.00
• Hiring Outlook:

• 45.39

3. Computer Systems Analyst

Plans and develops computer systems for businesses and scientific institutions.

• Overall Score: 77.00
• Income: $76,162.00

---

• Work Environment:

• 90.780
• Stress:

• 24.965
• Physical Demands:

• 5.08
• Hiring Outlook:

• 29.62

4. Biologist

Studies the relationship of plants and animals to their environment.

• Overall Score: 123.00
• Income: $71,279.00

---

• Work Environment:

• 314.370
• Stress:

• 26.946
• Physical Demands:

• 4.98
• Hiring Outlook:

• 24.79

5. Historian

Analyzes and records historical information from a specific era or according to a particular area of expertise.

• Overall Score: 132.00
• Income: $62,226.00

---

• Work Environment:

• 136.410
• Stress:

• 28.419
• Physical Demands:

• 5.09
• Hiring Outlook:

• 24.26

6. Mathematician

Applies mathematical theories and formulas to teach or solve problems in a business, educational, or industrial climate.

• Overall Score: 133.00
• Income: $95,161.00

---

• Work Environment:

• 89.720
• Stress:

• 24.673
• Physical Demands:

• 3.97
• Hiring Outlook:

• 11.11

7. Paralegal Assistant

Assists attorneys in preparation of legal documents; collection of depositions and affidavits; and investigation, research and analysis of legal issues.

• Overall Score: 179.00
• Income: $46,152.00

---

• Work Environment:

• 263.820
• Stress:

• 23.084
• Physical Demands:

• 5.79
• Hiring Outlook:

• 22.52

8. Statistician

Tabulates, analyzes, and interprets the numeric results of experiments and surveys.

• Overall Score: 187.00
• Income: $73,193.00

---

• Work Environment:

• 89.520
• Stress:

• 27.975
• Physical Demands:

• 3.95
• Hiring Outlook:

• 9.93

9. Accountant

Prepares and analyzes financial reports to assist managers in business, industry and government.

• Overall Score: 190.00
• Income: $59,176.00

---

• Work Environment:

• 276.780
• Stress:

• 31.138
• Physical Demands:

• 4.23
• Hiring Outlook:

• 18.76

10. Dental Hygienist

Assists dentists in diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of a group or private dental practice.

• Overall Score: 198.00
• Income: $67,107.00

---

• Work Environment:

• 593.250
• Stress:

• 24.719
• Physical Demands:

• 7.00
• Hiring Outlook:

• 30.07

11. Philosopher

Studies questions concerning the nature of intellectual concepts, and attempts to construct rational theories concerning our understanding of the world around us.

• Overall Score: 207.00
• Income: $60,218.00

---

• Work Environment:

• 361.440
• Stress:

• 30.497
• Physical Demands:

• 6.04
• Hiring Outlook:

• 24.18

12. Meteorologist

Studies the physical characteristics, motions and processes of the earth's atmosphere.

• Overall Score: 210.00
• Income: $81,226.00

---

• Work Environment:

• 179.640
• Stress:

• 29.192
• Physical Demands:

• 6.98
• Hiring Outlook:

• 12.26

13. Technical Writer

Transforms scientific and technical information into readily understandable language.

• Overall Score: 215.00
• Income: $62,162.00

---

• Work Environment:

• 221.250
• Stress:

• 36.506
• Physical Demands:

• 5.85
• Hiring Outlook:

• 20.12

14. Bank Officer

Oversees the successful operations by assisting in the direction of policies and procedures for a financial institution.

• Overall Score: 222.00
• Income: $88,217.00

---

• Work Environment:

• 390.560
• Stress:

• 35.395
• Physical Demands:

• 4.76
• Hiring Outlook:

• 14.67

15. Web Developer

Creating and maintaining layout, navigation, and interactivity of intranet and internet websites.

• Overall Score: 229.00
• Income: $60,090.00

---

• Work Environment:

• 275.000
• Stress:

• 27.000
• Physical Demands:

• 10.00
• Hiring Outlook:

• 29.40

16. Industrial Engineer

Plans for optimum use of facilities and personnel to improve industrial efficiency.

• Overall Score: 232.00
• Income: $74,123.00

---

• Work Environment:

• 230.300
• Stress:

• 34.545
• Physical Demands:

• 8.21
• Hiring Outlook:

• 20.73

17. Financial Planner

Related to careers in portfolio management, the financial planner offers a broad range of services aimed at assisting individuals in managing and planning their financial future.

• Overall Score: 233.00
• Income: $59,353.00

---

• Work Environment:

• 225.000
• Stress:

• 38.350
• Physical Demands:

• 4.00
• Hiring Outlook:

• 16.03

18. Aerospace Engineer

Designs, develops, and tests new technologies concerned with the manufacture of commercial and military aircraft and spacecraft.

• Overall Score: 254.00
• Income: $93,133.00

---

• Work Environment:

• 230.300
• Stress:

• 34.545
• Physical Demands:

• 6.21
• Hiring Outlook:

• 10.33

19. Pharmacist

Advises physicians and patients on the affects of drugs and medications; prepares and dispenses prescriptions.

• Overall Score: 260.00
• Income: $106,070.00

---

• Work Environment:

• 788.640
• Stress:

• 25.877
• Physical Demands:

• 8.86
• Hiring Outlook:

• 22.20

20. Medical Records Technician

Maintains complete, accurate, and up-to-date medical records for use in treatment, billing, and statistical surveys.

• Overall Score: 263.00
• Income: $31,150.00

---

• Work Environment:

• 165.200
• Stress:

• 19.620
• Physical Demands:

• 7.26
• Hiring Outlook:

• 17.00

The 2010 Jobs Rated rankings serve as a guide for anyone trying to get a clearer picture of employment in an uncertain time. Whether you're graduating from college, have recently found yourself downsized or just can't stand the thought of going back to the grind for one more day, our rankings and individual category scores can help you take the guesswork out of your job search. And with facts on your side, you'll be starting out ahead of the game.

=======================

By Andrew Strieber

Seeking Employment Online - Is Fear a Factor?

(6 Tips to Protect Your Privacy)

Does the thought of posting your resume online and exposing yourself to hundreds of thousands of Internet users give you white knuckles? If so, your fears are founded. According to the FBI, identity theft is the number one fraud perpetrated on the Internet. So how do job seekers protect themselves while continuing to circulate their resumes online? The key to a successful online job search is learning to manage the risks. Here are some tips for staying safe while conducting a job search on the Internet.

1. Check for a privacy policy.
If you are considering posting your resume online, make sure the job search site you are considering has a privacy policy, like CareerBuilder.com. The policy should spell out how your information will be used, stored and whether or not it will be shared. You may want to think twice about posting your resume on a site that automatically shares your information with others. You could be opening yourself up for unwanted calls from solicitors.

When reviewing the site's privacy policy, you'll be able to delete your resume just as easily as you posted it. You won't necessarily want your resume to remain out there on the Internet once you land a job. Remember, the longer your resume remains posted on a job board, the more exposure, both positive and not-so-positive, it will receive.

2. Take advantage of site features.
Legitimate job search sites offer levels of privacy protection. Before posting your resume, carefully consider your job search objectives and the level of risk you are willing to assume.

CareerBuilder.com, for example, offers three levels of privacy from which job seekers can choose. The first is standard posting. This option gives job seekers who post their resumes the most visibility to the broadest employer audience possible.

The second is anonymous posting. This allows job seekers the same visibility as those in the standard posting category without any of their contact information being displayed. Job seekers who wish to remain anonymous but want to share some other information may choose which pieces of contact information to display.

The third is private posting. This option allows job seekers to post their resumes without having it searched by employers. Private posting allows job seekers to quickly and easily apply for jobs that appear on CareerBuilder.com without retyping their information.

3. Safeguard your identity.
Career experts say that one of the ways job seekers can stay safe while using the Internet to search out jobs is to conceal their identities. Replace your name on your resume with a generic identifier such as:

Confidential Candidate
Intranet Developer Candidate
Confidential Resume: Experienced Marketing Representative

You should also consider eliminating the name and location of your current employer. Depending on your title, it may not be all that difficult to determine who you are once the name of your company is provided. Use a general description of the company such as:

Major auto manufacturer
International packaged goods supplier
Confidential employer

If your job title is unique, consider using the generic equivalent instead of the exact title assigned by your employer.

4. Establish an email address for your search.
Another way to protect your privacy while seeking employment online is to open up a mail account specifically for your online job search. This will safeguard your existing email box in the event someone you don't know gets a hold of your email address and shares it with others. Using a dedicated email address specifically for your job search also eliminates the possibility that you will receive unwelcome email solicitations in your primary mailbox. When naming your new email address, be sure it is nondescript and that it doesn't contain references to your name or other information that will give away your identity. The best solution is an email address that is relevant to the job you are seeking such as salesmgr2004@provider.com.

5. Protect your references.
If your resume contains a section with the names and contact information for your references, take it out. There's no sense in safeguarding your information while sharing private contact information for your references.

6. Keep confidential information confidential.
Do not, under any circumstances, share your social security, driver's license, and bank account numbers or other personal information, such as marital status or eye color. Credible employers do not need this information with an initial application. Don't provide this even if they say they need it in order to conduct a background check. This is one of the oldest tricks in the book - don't fall for it. Most legitimate employers don't do background checks until they have met with you, conducted an extensive interview process, and decided you're the ideal candidate. Even then, you need only provide limited information. Contact an attorney if you still have concerns.

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By Kate Lorenz

Success Without a College Degree?

Six Hot Shots Who Made It

Many think the only way to succeed is through education. While piling on the degrees can earn you piles of dough -- and debt -- it's not the only option.

Some of today's most successful people don't have a college degree. But what they lack in academic credentials, they make up for in tenacity, brains, guts and strong business sense.

Richard Branson
In 1970, Richard Branson founded Virgin as a mail order record retailer, and not long afterward he opened a record shop in London. Two years later, the first Virgin artist, Mike Oldfield, recorded "Tubular Bells." Since then many household names, including Ben Harper, Fatboy Slim, Perry Farrell, Gorillaz, Lenny Kravitz, Janet Jackson and The Rolling Stones have helped to make Virgin Music one of the top record companies in the world.

Branson sold the equity of Virgin Music Group -- record labels, music publishing and recording studios -- in 1992 in a $1 billion deal, but he remains chairman of Virgin Group, which today includes Virgin Atlantic, Books, Games, LifeCare, Limousines, Megastores and Hotels.

Barry Diller
Barry Diller started his career in the mail room of the William Morris Agency after dropping out of UCLA after one semester. He was hired by ABC in 1966 where he created the ABC Movie of the Week, pioneering the concept of the made-for-television movie.

At age 32, he became president of Paramount Pictures, which produced a string of successful television shows (Laverne and Shirley, Taxi, Cheers) and feature films (Saturday Night Fever, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Beverly Hills Cop) under his helm. From 1984 to 1992, he was chairman and CEO of Fox Studios and was responsible for creating the Fox Broadcasting Company. Today, Diller is the chairman of Expedia and the chairman and CEO of IAC/InterActiveCorp, which includes Citysearch, Evite, Home Shopping Network, Lending Tree, Match.com and Ticketmaster .

Matt Drudge
Pundit, blogger and radio personality Matt Drudge is best known as the proprietor of the Drudge Report Web site. "The only good grades I got in school were for current events," he has said of his education. Drudge opted out of college and floated among a number of odd jobs including convenience store clerk, book salesman and grocery store sales assistant.

In 1989, he moved to Los Angeles and took a job in the gift shop of CBS studios, eventually working his way up to manager. The inside scoop he learned while in this position was allegedly part of the inspiration for founding his gossip rag The Drudge Report. The tabloid made gained notoriety when it was the first to break the news of a relationship between White House intern Monica Lewinsky and President Bill Clinton in 1998.

Janus Friis
Named to Time Magazine's 2006 list of 100 most influential people, Janus Friis holds no formal education. He worked at the help desk of CyberCity, one of Denmark's first ISPs and later worked at Tele2, the leading alternative consumer oriented pan-European telecom operator. It was at Tele2 where Friis met Niklas Zennström, with whom he co-founded the file-sharing application KaZaA and Skype, the peer-to-peer telephony application. In early 2006, Friis and Zennström sold Skype to eBay for $2.6 billion.

Rachael Ray
Rachael Ray's career started at Macy's department store, first at the candy counter and then as the manager of the fresh foods department. Ray quickly followed with stints in gourmet markets and restaurants in New York. At gourmet food market Cowan & Lobel, she began a series of cooking classes -- 30 Minute Meals. Those classes became so popular that she was soon doing weekly segments for the evening news.

Today, Ray is an Emmy-winning television personality who hosts a nationally syndicated talk show and four different programs the Food Network, publishes her own magazine, and has written multiple cookbooks.

Jeff Valdez
Named one of AdAge's Marketing 50 in 2005, Jeff Valdez grew up the youngest of nine children in a housing project in Pueblo, Colorado. As a young adult, he moved through several jobs and ended up as a drummer with a lounge band called Wildfire. Valdez later returned to Colorado after about 10 years of touring and opened a comedy club where he did stand-up. In 1990, he threw his hat into the political ring and made a failed bid for mayor of Colorado Springs. But in 2004, he launched Si TV, the first all-English language network targeting a Hispanic audience.

Anna Wintour
Best identified by her trademark sunglasses and pageboy hairstyle, Anna Wintour is an icon of the fashion world. She reportedly attended North London Collegiate School, but never graduated. She started in 1970 working in the fashion department of Harpers and Queen in London. In 1976, she was named fashion editor of Harper's Bazaar, followed by a brief stint at New York Magazine, three years as creative director of American Vogue, and finally named editor of British Vogue in 1986.

In 1998, she became editor-in-chief of American Vogue. Wintour's work style is so notorious, the novel "The Devil Wears Prada" and its subsequent motion picture are said to be based on her. In recent years, she's focused on many philanthropic endeavors including raising more than $10 million for AIDS, putting Vogue's support behind women-owned businesses in Kabul, Afganistan, and promoting various post-9/11 campaigns.

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By Kate Lorenz

Internet Tips and Tricks to Help You Land Your Next Job

There's a wealth of career information on the Internet, and these resources are just a mouse-click away for any job seeker.

But as comprehensive as sites like CareerBuilder.com are, there are other resources on the Internet you can use to land a new job. Here are a few tips and tricks to help maximize your job search on the Web.

1. Career assessment tests

Career assessment tests can be engaging and fun, and the results can give you important insight into your working style to help you find the best fit.

For example, CareerPath.com has a number of helpful career tests, including a color test that gauges your reaction to colors and suggests potential career paths based on the result. Take note of any keywords that appear in your test results and use them as search terms.

2. Network, network, network

Most career experts encourage job seekers to expand their networks. You can connect with other professionals via Web sites like BrightFuse and LinkedIn, and even a personal contact on Facebook can provide an important connection to an opportunity.

Alumni groups with an online presence can also be a great place to network, since the focus of those groups is their eagerness to connect with fellow graduates.

If you're not sure where to start, sign on to a networking site.  Search for current or former co-workers and managers and invite them to join your network. Engage your network by sending messages and giving other users recommendations or kudos for the positive experience you had with them.

3. Research your prospective employer

If you're competing against other candidates with equally impressive skills, education and experience, you really need to break ahead of the pack. One way to do that is to know your prospective employer.

Start with the company's Web site; look in the "About Us," "Media" or "Press Room" sections. To be fully informed, you'll want to check out other sites with detailed information.

"Use online news sites to understand which companies are doing well or expanding," suggests Patrick Madsen, the director of professional career services at The Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. "Reading through articles and generally knowing where the world is going can open potential new doors and windows."

Madsen also suggests that job seekers research information sites like Hoover's, Vault.com or Careerbeam to learn about companies.

4. Person to person

Do an Internet search on yourself. A recent CareerBuilder.com survey found that one in four hiring managers are researching candidates online. If there's any information out there that could hurt your chances of being hired, you need to be aware of it.

Once you've landed an interview, you can also research the person you'll be talking to.  Madsen recommends doing a simple Google search on the interviewer's name, as well as checking Facebook or LinkedIn to see if he has a profile there. The interviewer may also be featured on the company's Web site.

Mark Moran, founder and CEO of Dulcinea Media in New York City, says this step is vitally important. "I've interviewed perhaps 500 people in the last five years, and I can tell you most of them failed to get the job because they did not use the Internet to research me, the company or our industry."

5. Brave the cold

It's ideal to use sites like CareerBuilder.com to reply to job postings from employers actively seeking candidates in your field. But you can also use the Internet to do a "cold" search on companies that are in your field.

Career expert Chris Russell, the founder of the Secrets of the Job Hunt blog, recalls his initial job search. He researched companies in his area (none of which were actively hiring) and compiled a list of 80. From there, he identified a contact at each company. Russell launched his own "direct mail" campaign and soon had seven interviews. One of those companies hired him.

The twist to the story? Russell's job search was in the pre-Internet days of 1993. "The Internet would have made my campaign a much easier one if I had access to it back then. Today, there is so much information on the World Wide Web it can be daunting," he admits. "But if you know where to search, you can end your job hunt that much faster."

6. Back to basics

Some important basic tips to remember when using the Internet to land your new job:

- Make sure your e-mail address is professional; a handle like "partyguy2002" will give employers a negative perception of you before you've even started. 

- Don't rely on spell check alone to capture any errors in e-mails, cover letters and résumés. The difference between the word "shift" and a common curse word is only one letter.

- Be sure to have text-only versions of any documents, so they can be easily sent or submitted to employers.

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By CareerBuilder

7 Signs of Poor Productivity

If you're like most professionals, there never seems to be enough time in the day. A handful of e-mails may keep you in the office past the time you had planned to leave, or you might find yourself working on Saturday after barely touching a key project during the week. Short of adding an extra hour or two to the day, what can you do to complete everything on your plate?

One solution is to identify and eliminate productivity pitfalls from your workday. Consider the following signs of poor productivity and ways of improving your habits:

1. Not knowing what to tackle first.
If you have dozens of to-dos, it can be difficult to determine which to work on first; you may approach a low-priority project immediately only because it was top of mind. Spending just 10 to 15 minutes at the start of your day organizing your work is a simple and highly effective way to boost your productivity. You'll be able to prioritize and identify the most pressing projects.

2. Biting off more than you can chew.
When you're facing a complicated or tedious assignment, what's the first thing you usually do? Procrastinate, probably. The result is that you have to scramble to finish the assignment on time. A better approach is to break your work down into smaller, more manageable tasks. You'll feel a sense of accomplishment each time you reach a milestone and gradually work toward your goal.

3. Working at the wrong time.
In a recent survey by our company, 57 percent of executives said Tuesday is the most productive day of the week. Monday came in a distant second with just 12 percent of the response. The lesson: Schedule your most important projects for days and times when you are most productive. If you typically have meetings in the morning, for instance, you may save an assignment that requires a lot of concentration for the afternoon. 

4. Having an unruly inbox.
Instead of boosting productivity, e-mail can quickly decrease your effectiveness. Over time, trying to keep up with an ever-expanding and unorganized inbox can steal hours from your day. To avoid this, clean your inbox weekly; delete unnecessary messages and file the important ones in an appropriate folder. In addition, remember that some discussions are easier and quicker to conduct in person or by phone. The less e-mail you send, the less you are apt to receive.

5. Keeping your door open.
It's important to be accessible to colleagues, but you occasionally need some time for yourself. When you're under a tight deadline or working on a crucial assignment, minimize distractions and curtail interruptions by closing your door or hanging a "Do Not Disturb" sign in your work area. But keep in mind your request will lose impact if your sign is posted at all times.

6. Staying put.
As most people know, sitting at your computer for hours on end can be draining and put you in a productivity rut. Recharge and clear your head by taking short breaks throughout the day. For instance, you may take a quick stroll around the building or sit at a picnic table outside. Getting some fresh air can be an invigorating break from your routine and give you the energy you need to tackle your next assignment.

7. Missing opportunities to save time.
Small "time cheats" that save you a few minutes here or there can significantly boost your productivity. For example, rather than responding to every e-mail as it comes in – and losing momentum – hit Reply, then save the message in your Drafts folder. You'll be able to respond to the message at a more convenient time – and won't forget to answer the person who wrote you. 

Finally, be realistic. While you want to push yourself, if your productivity goals are impossible to achieve, you'll end up frustrated, not motivated. Start with small objectives, such as limiting your unanswered e-mail to a single screen before leaving the office each night. As you begin to hit your initial targets, you can gradually increase the challenge.

 Robert HalfInternational

10 Industries to Watch

Where are the jobs now and where will they be in five years?

The economy's current state might be better than it was in the tail end of 2008, but it definitely has room for improvement. The unemployment rate cracked 10 percent and companies continue to cut jobs. People want to find jobs now, and understandably so.

The march toward recovery is frustratingly slow, however, which means job seekers who are looking for work today also need to keep an eye on the future. Industries that aren't thriving today will bounce back and grow in the coming years. Therefore, you can job hunt now and still work toward your long-term career goals.

Where the jobs are now
In his new book, "Where the Jobs Are Now," Joe Watson looks at the industries that are hiring right now, despite the sluggish economy. Some sectors are booming because of increased demands -- some related to the economy. Watson identifies seven industries experiencing a boon right now: health care, biotechnology, education, green energy, government, security and information technology.

Why? Well, the answer is different for each industry. Right now, many professionals are returning to school to earn a degree, get a certification or brush up on the latest technology. Therefore an increase in education jobs, from the administrative level to teaching positions, makes sense. An aging population is putting more demands on health care workers and also emphasizing the importance of biotechnology. New technology and a cultural desire for sustainability are increasing the need for green technology. The reasons go on and on, but ultimately they all prove that certain needs don't disappear just because of a sour economy.

Which industries will grow
Meanwhile, for other industries, growth isn't happening just yet, but it will soon. The economy won't stay in its current state forever, and depending on the source, some people claim we're on an upswing right now.

Regardless, throughout the next five years some sectors will rise above others, says Toon van Beeck, senior analyst for industry research firm IBISWorld. "Some industries on the list have taken a major hit during the recessions," he explains. "But as economic conditions improve, resurgence in global demand and rising commodity prices will boost conditions in those sectors."

"Some industries on the list have taken a major hit during the recessions," he explains. "But as economic conditions improve, resurgence in global demand and rising commodity prices will boost conditions in those sectors."

Perhaps you can't predict the future, but IBISWorld analyzed more than 700 U.S. industries in order to understand where the jobs will be in the near future. Based on IBISWorld's number crunching, here are 10 industries that will have the fastest employment growth in the next five years:

1. Voice over Internet protocol providers (VoIP)
2009 employees:  17,110
Projected 2014 employees: 34,850
Annualized growth: 15.3 percent

2. Private equity, hedge funds and investment vehicles
2009 employees: 35,200
Projected 2014 employees: 58,700
Annualized growth: 10.8 percent

3. Single-family home building
2009 employees: 435,000
Projected 2014 employees: 655,000
Annualized growth: 8.5 percent

4. Car and automobile manufacturing
2009 employees: 50,756
Projected 2014 employees: 73,950
Annualized growth: 7.8 percent

5. Environmental consulting
2009 employees: 122,922
Projected 2014 employees: 176,519
Annualized growth: 7.5 percent

6. Multi-family housing construction
2009 employees: 60,000
Projected 2014 employees: 86,000
Annualized growth: 7.5 percent

7. Search engines
2009 employees: 29,530
Projected 2014 employees: 40,850
Annualized growth: 6.7 percent

8. New car dealers
2009 employees: 750,825
Projected 2014 employees: 1,033,679
Annualized growth: 6.6 percent

9. Court reporting services
2009 employees: 271,843
Projected 2014 employees: 370,993
Annualized growth: 6.4 percent

10. Mining, oil and gas machinery manufacturing
2009 employees: 45,169
Projected 2014 employees: 60,716
Annualized growth: 6.1 percent

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By Anthony Balderrama

Come to the Fair -- Prepared!

Job fairs are a great way to shop for new job opportunities, network and make personal contacts with recruiters at various organizations.

Here are some techniques recommended by experts to ensure that your performance at the fair doesn't turn into a circus:

Do some scouting. If you've never been to a job fair, attend the next one that comes to your city for observational purposes. Pay attention to recruiters and fellow job seekers to pick up some pointers on how to dress, how to approach a company's booth appropriately and how to successfully work the room.

Do some research. Find out which companies will be represented and learn about them in advance through corporate Web sites or other tools. The more you know, the more you can converse with the company representative in the booth and the more memorable you will be. You will also appear much more professional than unprepared job seekers who make the mistake of starting off their conversations with company representatives by asking, "What does your company do?"

Deliver your key messages quickly. Interviewers are very busy, so don't waste their time. Work on a "sound bite" that says what your skills are, the type of work that interests you and the kind of company with which you want to associate.

Plan some questions. If you have additional time, be ready to ask intelligent questions. Ask how departments are organized and how your skills might be utilized within the framework of the company. Also show you know something about the company by asking questions about a recent product release, acquisition or other relevant news. And make sure to ask the interviewer what he or she likes best about the corporate culture to better assess if this company is right for you.

Get the interviewer's business card. If an interview goes well, you will want to follow up with a letter that reinforces the points you made and the facts you learned. If you made a good impression at the fair, the interviewer probably has made a note to that effect and will remember that you passed his or her on-site screen.

Take advantage of the obvious. Sometimes recruiters will post job openings at their booth and provide written information. Grab all of the information you can on site before you get in line for an interview so you won't waste precious time discussing the obvious.

Dress appropriately. You are going to a job interview, so dress the part. Break out the business attire and shine your shoes. It's better to error on the side of the conservative than to be too casual.

Show your pearly whites. Smile when you meet the interviewer. Give a firm handshake. (If you are prone to sweaty palms, bring a handkerchief to use as a towel.) Keep breath mints on hand and make eye contact.

Be organized. Bring plenty of resumes with you. Keep them in a nice folder so you don't get fingerprints all over them. Have a notebook for memos to yourself.

Avoid the shopping spree. Many companies give out freebies at their booths. It's OK to pick up an item or two, but don't leave the impression that you are shopping for your kids. The main impression you want to make is that you are very interested and very qualified for a job.

Keep lively. The lines may be daunting, but don't fail to maximize this opportunity. Talk to every company that fits your experience and ambitions. If you meet with 20 recruiters, at the end of the day you will know 20 people by name. That sure beats sending a blind resume to "Personnel Director."

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By Kate Lorenz,

10 Booming Jobs in the Business Sector

Many of today's fastest-growing and most lucrative job opportunities are in business. In fact, experts predict this sizzling field will offer 2.2 million new jobs and grow by 14 percent through 2014.

College students, in particular, are in hot pursuit of these growing opportunities. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, more than 300,000 students earn a business degree each year. That's double the number of students pursuing any other major, and the rate continues to skyrocket.

Even job seekers without degrees can take advantage of growing opportunities in this expanding field. "You don't need to have an MBA to get a good job in the business world. In fact, the business jobs with the most annual openings typically require only on-the-job training, such as customer service representatives and bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks," write the editors at Jist in its "Business CareerVision Book and DVD."

The "Business CareerVision Book and DVD" ranks the top jobs in the business field, according to a combined score of each job's annual earnings, percent growth and annual openings. According to the book, here are the 10 best business jobs overall:

Computer and information systems managers

Annual earnings: $96,520

Percent growth: 25.9 percent

Annual openings: 25,000

General and operations managers

Annual earnings: $81,480

Percent growth: 17.0 percent

Annual openings: 208,000

Accountants

Annual earnings: $52,210          

Percent growth: 22.4 percent

Annual openings: 157,000

Auditors          

Annual earnings: $52,210          

Percent growth: 22.4 percent

Annual openings: 157,000

Medical and health services managers

Annual earnings: $69,700          

Percent growth: 22.8 percent

Annual openings: 33,000

Sales managers          

Annual earnings: $87,580          

Percent growth: 19.7 percent

Annual openings: 40,000

Management analysts

Annual earnings: $66,380          

Percent growth: 20.1 percent

Annual openings: 82,000

Financial managers

Annual earnings: $86,280          

Percent growth: 14.8 percent

Annual openings: 63,000

Marketing managers

Annual earnings: $92,680          

Percent growth: 20.8 percent

Annual openings: 23,000

Personal financial advisers

Annual earnings: $63,500          

Percent growth: 25.9 percent

Annual openings: 17,000

*Jobs 3 and 4 share 157,000 annual openings

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By Selena Dehne,

Companies hiring this month

Who's hiring in December

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' most recent figures, 29 states and Washington, D.C., have lower unemployment rates than they did in 2010. And in the most recently released month-over-month figures, 41 states saw an increase in nonfarm employment. 

The year's winding down and even if the economy isn't as robust as it was a decade ago, it is certainly healthier than it was a year ago judging by these statistics. This progress, albeit slow, is welcomed by job seekers who remember how bleak the hiring outlook felt a couple of years ago.

And the companies that are hiring aren't necessarily putting their recruitment on hold in December just because it's a busy time of year. In fact, the end of the year presents several opportunities for job seekers. Some companies are preparing to spend their 2011 budgets and want to interview and extend offers to employees now so that they can begin in the new year. Other companies can't wait until next year and need to fill their vacancies now.

They need employees right now and you might never have a better opportunity to stand out than right now. While everyone else is pausing their job searches, you can stand out in a less crowded pool of applicants. 

Therefore, here are companies hiring in December:

Addus Healthcare, Inc.
Industry: In-home health care
Sample job titles: Nurses, therapists, regional managers, account executives, home care aides
Location: Nationwide

AkzoNobel
Industry: Manufacturing, specialty chemicals, performance coatings, paints, sales and retail operations
Sample job titles: Store associate, store manager, account manager, process engineer, chemist, field service representative
Location: Nationwide

Altec
Industry: Manufacturing
Sample job titles: Quality manager, field service technician, hydraulic field technicians, outside sales, trainer
Location: Nationwide

BBVA Compass
Industry: Banking / finance
Sample job titles: Bank teller, financial sales associate
Location: Texas, Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Colorado, New Mexico

Boehringer Ingelheim
Industry: Pharmaceutical
Sample job titles: Primary care sales representatives, R&D scientists, project managers, financial analysts, quality and validations
Location: Nationwide

CarMax
Industry: Automotive / retail
Sample job titles: Automotive technicians, detailers, sales consultants, management trainees
Location: Nationwide

Citi Trends
Industry: Retail
Sample job titles: Store manager, store associate, merchandiser, operations manager, manager in training
Location: Nationwide

Country Financial
Industry: Insurance and financial services
Sample job titles: Financial representative
Location: Chicago, Minneapolis, Iowa City, St. Louis, Atlanta, Nashville, Fort Collins, Tulsa, Kansas City, Phoenix, Portland, Bellevue, Wash., Brookfield, Wis.

DirecTV
Industry: Video technology
Sample job titles: Customer service representative
Location: Nationwide

General Dynamics Information Technology
Industry: Defense contractor
Sample job titles: Network engineers, IT security specialists, network administrators, IT specialists, intelligence analysts
Location: Washington, D.C., Virginia, Maryland, Arizona, Florida, Massachusetts, Texas

Global Experience Specialist (GES)
Industry: Professional services - convention and trade shows
Sample job titles: Sale coordinator, account managers, exhibit services coordinator
Location: Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York, Chicago, Dallas

Harbor Freight Tools
Industry: Transportation
Sample job titles: District manager, store sales associates, inventory, purchasing, supply chain
Location: Nationwide

Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG)
Industry: Hotel / hospitality
Sample job titles: Hotel sales manager, general manager, hospitality
Location: Worldwide

Millennium Pharmacy Systems, Inc
Industry: Health care
Sample job titles: Pharmacy technician, pharmacist, billing specialist, pharmacy manager, project manager, consultant pharmacist, customer service representatives
Location: Cranberry, Penn., Orlando, Gaithersburg, Md., Philadelphia

MV Transportation
Industry: Transit
Sample job titles: General managers, fleet maintenance managers, fleet technicians, CDL drivers, safety managers, operations managers, director of accounting, proposal writer
Location: Nationwide

Northern Virginia Community College
Industry: Education
Sample job titles: Computer graphics and Web design teacher, political science teacher, development writing teacher, early childhood development teacher
Location: Annandale, Va.

Plymouth Auctioneering
Industry: Fine art sales / travel / entertainment
Sample job titles: International fine art sales and marketing
Location: Nationwide

REI Systems, Inc.
Industry: Software development and design
Sample job titles: Applications mockup developers, business analysts, database engineers, enterprise report writers, Java developers, Linux system administrators, .Net software engineers
Locations: Virginia, Washington D.C.

Saber Healthcare
Industry: Health care
Sample job titles: Director of nursing, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech language pathologist
Location: Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Carrabelle, Fla.

ServiceMaster
Industry: Home and commercial maintenance, repair and care
Sample job titles: Sales agent, collection agent, lawncare specialist, outbound sales supervisor
Location: Nationwide

Target
Industry: Retail
Sample job titles: Cashier, sales-floor team members, logistics team members, food team members
Location: Nationwide

University of Utah Health Care
Industry: Health care
Sample job titles: Electrophysiology lab manager, health information coder, outpatient coding manager, inpatient coding educator, inpatient and acute care pharmacists, medical unit and oncology unit
Location: Salt Lake City

Volkswagen Group of America
Industry: Automotive
Sample job titles: Quality engineering specialist, area after sales manager, industrial engineer, assistant manager (assembly, production control specialist), manager (sales and distribution)
Location: Nationwide

Wireless Advocates
Industry: Wireless technology / retail
Sample job titles: Sales manager, retail sales associate
Location: Nationwide

Anthony Balderrama,