The U.S. Department of Labor has recently been reporting rising job numbers in several sectors of the economy--including manufacturing, retail, transportation, restaurants, and hotels. Here are six job tips will help you ride this new wave of economic recovery and job growth.
1. Train smarter. Instead of enrolling in a general liberal arts associate's degree, consider degree and training programs that are aligned to careers with a lot of potential growth. Value specific training over general education.
2. Connect the dots. Seek out growing career fields that appeal to your interests and skills, and connect your existing experience to education. Management training plus retail experience could lead to a retail management job, for example.
Career Spotlight: Hotel Manager
A hospitality and tourism MBA combines business training with the specific challenges of hospitality work. Lodging managers earned mean annual wages of $52,550 in 2008. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that hotels and restaurants have added nearly 50,000 new jobs in the past two months. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that management trainees for large hotel chains almost always need a bachelor's or master's degree, preferably in hospitality or hotel management.
3. Look up, not out. Consider the future potential of your current line of work. Think about what kind of education you could use to move up the career ladder instead of changing jobs completely. If your future path doesn't appeal to you, consider a change.
Career Spotlight: Retail Manager
While you likely don't need any formal training for an entry-level sales jobs, supervisor positions may require an associate's or bachelor's degree in business administration or a similar field. Retailers listed 320,000 job openings, the U.S. Labor Department reports. Additionally, Kronos Inc. reports that retailers boosted hiring by 9 percent in March, to the highest level since fall of 2008. The BLS notes that retail salespersons earned $25,050 in 2008, while salesperson supervisors earned $39,910.
4. Seek out experts. If you have a dream job in mind, seek out individuals who hold the same position and ask them how they got there. Ask about their degree or training path and what they would do differently along the way.
Career Spotlight: Machinist
Become the expert of a set of machines in this highly skilled position. Machinist training programs are found in apprenticeship programs, community or technical colleges, or vocational schools, and can include up to four years of hands-on training. Machinists are an important part of the manufacturing industry, which saw 17,000 more job openings in February 2010. Machinists earned mean annual wages of $37,490 in 2008, the BLS notes.
5. Get local--or branch out. Even if you're not ready to apply yet, check out employment listings in your area to find out who's looking. Consider job markets in other cities by looking at local employment ads, and pay special attention to educational requirements.
Career Spotlight: Registered Nurse
Registered nurses still hold the top spot for fastest projected job growth, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Over 581,000 new jobs are expected to enter the market between 2008 and 2018. What's more, you can train for the career with a two-year associate's degree program in registered nursing, or a broad-based four-year nursing degree that will allow you to specialize down the road. Nurses earned mean annual wages of $65,130 in 2008, the BLS reports.
6. Reorganize. No amount of job growth will be satisfying if you don't enjoy your job. Think about what other type of work could make you happier, and reset your goals if need be.
Invest in career training for valued jobs
Although no career training program can guarantee a particular job or salary, training gives you the opportunity to prove your inter
est in a field while developing knowledge and skills. Prepare to take advantage of job growth during this economic upswing by training in a career that values skilled workers.
Mary Fineday is a freelance writer in Austin, Texas.
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