McGraw-Hill Editors - THE BIG BOOK OF JOBS 2012-2013

THE BIG BOOK OF
JOBS
2012 2013 EDITION

The Editors of McGraw-Hill & the United States
Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

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ISBN: 978-0-07-177456-7
MHID: 0-07-177456-4

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Section One
The Job-Seekers Guide

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Section Two
Occupational Outlook Handbook

The journey of 12,000 days starts with a single stepand 12,000 days is, on average, what most of us will devote to our work during the course of our lifetimes. If we live to the reasonable age of 70, well spend between 45 and 50 years in the work forceand many of us will work even longer. This means were likely to have 10 to 15 jobs and as many as three to six different careers during the course of our working life.

The global financial crisis has had a significant impact on todays job market. However, the job outlook remains moderately positive. According to Careerbuilder.coms annual survey, 28 percent of hiring managers said they planned to hire full-time, permanent employees in the next fiscal quarter. Despite off-shoring, we are seeing growth in the information technology industry, as well as in other industries such as finance and accounting, healthcare, manufacturing, and even government and public service.

Nevertheless, the jobless rate is estimated at 9.2 percent. Competition for open positions is still fierce, and the average job search lasts about four to six months. The much-discussed trend of outsourcing, or off-shoring, also continues to be an issue. In such an employers market, it is more important than ever to build your arsenal with a fantastic resume and cover letter to set you apart from other applicants. The only way to succeed on this journey is to have a realistic map of todays work-world terrain.

No matter what your circumstanceswhether youre a recent college graduate launching your first job search, a homemaker returning to work after raising a family, or a manager seeking to change career fieldsyoull find practical strategies in the chapters that follow. These strategies will to help you build skills in researching career options and conducting an effective job search.

Today, career management skills are a necessity, not a luxury, as the statistics above indicate. The ability to manage your career may be the most important skill you acquire, because you simply cant practice the profession of your choice if you cant find a job.

Whats the difference between a career and a job? A job is a particular position you pursue, while a career is the broad field of endeavor that consists of a series of related jobs. When you hunt for a job, youre seeking something relatively specific, such as an opening for a personnel recruiter or benefits specialist. When you choose a career, youre committing to a comprehensive field of knowledge and skill, such as human resources management.

This distinction between a job and career is important. Sometimes you may work in jobs that are unrelated to your career field. Sometimes you may not know the precise job you want to pursue today, tomorrow, or next year, but youve identified the ideal career.

Sadly, most of us wear blinders when it comes to exploring the exciting range of truly viable, rewarding careers. Some of the most obvious career choices most of us recognize are accountant, business manager, doctor, editor, engineer, journalist, lawyer, nurse, and teacher. Many of us choose from this limited list without much thought or exploration, simply because its easy.

If, however, you understand the importance of making a thoughtful, well-considered career choice, youll gladly invest the relatively small amount of time it takes to discover a career that suits you. As you learn about new career possibilities and make initial decisions, you must consider many things: