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Friday, December 31, 2010

7 Jobs That Earn $60,000 per Year

Although the National Bureau of Economic Research has declared the recession officially over, plenty of people are still struggling to make ends meet. The median family income is hovering at around $50,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and the Consumer Price Index keeps rising. What's a working stiff to do?

A salary boost to just north of that median income can help, and it may not be out of reach--even in this economy. Here are seven jobs that earn at least $60,000, according to online salary database PayScale.com, in industries that are expected to grow through 2018.

1. Senior staff accountant
Elizabeth Lions, a former recruiter and the author of "Recession Proof Yourself!" says that senior-level staff accountants in most industries earn over $60,000--with or without the CPA title. Most accountants have a college degree in accounting, and there are specialized certifications necessary for some positions. Lions says that the potential for growth is great. "From senior-level staff they would promote to accounting manager, then controller, and eventually CFO."

2. Electronic discovery professional
Sally Kane, editor-in-chief of "Paralegal Today" magazine, says, "E-discovery is a $3 billion industry and growing rapidly." These professionals use technology to manage electronic data and facilitate the exchange of information in litigation; they are invaluable to tech-challenged attorneys and clients. "Since the industry is new, no formal educational programs exist, and most training is on the job," says Kane. To break in, obtain a bachelor's degree in legal studies, computer science, or information technology, and obtain certification on specific software platforms.

3. Court reporter
A nationwide shortage of court reporters, and a growing need for closed-captioning services for television programs, has fueled the demand for court reporters, says Kane. Likewise, the BLS predicted that the need for court reporters would grow 18 percent between 2008 and 2018. Kane notes, "The amount of training required to become a court reporter ranges from less than a year for a novice voice writer to an average of 33 months for a real-time stenotypist."

4. Paralegal
Kane points out that this is one of the fastest-growing positions in the United States, as clients demand lower legal fees and lawyers delegate an ever-widening scope of tasks to paralegals. Getting started can be as simple as earning a paralegal certificate or a two-year associate's degree. People with a bachelor's degree will find the most employment opportunities.

5. Physician's assistant
The cost of health care is rising right alongside the need for specialized professionals. Hospitals' and patient-care facilities' efforts to control costs mean rapid job growth for physician assistants (PAs). The BLS estimated the demand for PAs would increase by nearly 40 percent between 2008 and 2018. Nurses, EMS workers, and paramedics can accumulate on-the-job training to become a PA. Other requirements include a college degree, completion of an accredited education program, and passing a national licensing exam.

6. Certified safety professional
Safety is a broad category, and a professional's responsibilities run the gamut from designing safe work spaces or inspecting machines to testing air quality. Most jobs require a bachelor's degree in occupational health, safety, or a related field--tapping into an industry that's expected to post double-digit growth in less than 10 years may make the investment worthwhile. To bring down health-insurance and workers' compensation costs, many businesses are looking for professionals specializing in construction safety and ergonomics.

7. School administrator
The BLS predicts robust growth for elementary or secondary school administrators over the next several years. Teachers have the best chance of moving into an assistant-principal or principal job in a public school, especially if they hold a master's or doctoral degree. States do require that principals be licensed as school administrators.
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Thursday, December 30, 2010

How can you make the most of opportunities on LinkedIn


LinkedIn continues to get bigger and bigger and still a great resource for employers and employees connect with each other.

One of the best things about LinkedIn is the property of shared connections. This feature makes it possible to find people as potential customers and then see what connections they have in common. Shared connections, and then you get a virtual introduction much easier.

The creation of a strong network on LinkedIn and be prepared to submit to others (in good faith, of course, always use your best view) can also increase the chances you can get in the future.

B2B marketing is often built through trust and word of mouth. Having a shared connection is a good way to begin to establish some confidence from the beginning.

LinkedIn also has a community of active participants. LinkedIn Answers serve as a knowledge base where company representatives can establish the authority and experience to participate in ongoing discussions. LinkedIn Groups is an opportunity for business people to interact with other issues relevant to their interests. A business groups successfully used LinkedIn as a way to build business leads. This company has chosen to participate in relevant discussions in the industry and offers services to companies when applications are made, which in a very specific business advantage. Actively participate in LinkedIn is often one of the best ways to not only help people, but also to establish a connection to the service and even generate leads.

Responding to queries via LinkedIn Answers and LinkedIn groups does not mean simply putting the marketing propaganda, but to actually participate and provide feedback and solutions. Once again, the media is most effective when it is genuine.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Who is Hiring This Month -- Apply Till the End of December 2010

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 non-farm 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

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By Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

25 best-paying jobs for women

When you look at Forbes magazine’s most recent list of highest-paid CEO’s (chief executives of the 500 biggest companies in the United States), you won’t see a woman until No. 48: Irene B Rosenfeld, CEO of Kraft Foods. In a country where women make up 47 percent of the workforce, 3 percent of Fortune 500 CEO’s are female. In addition, women who worked full time earned an average of just 80 percent of what men earned in the same positions, according to the BLS.

But is salary disparity between genders the issue or is it something else?

In the Harvard Business Review blog, Avivah Wittenberg-Cox wrote: “Women represent one of the world’s biggest and most under-reported opportunities. The business world has been so focused on stories like the rise of China that it has not been invited to see that, much closer to home, business could be reaping the benefits of the rise of women. Companies and their business school feeders have been slow in adapting and profiting from this shift, and part of the reason is that media too often focus on small, sensational and misleading parts of the story, including aspects like the wage gap.”

Catalyst’s 2010 Pipeline’s Broken Promise report examining high potential graduates from top business schools around the world found that, even after taking into account experience, industry and region, women start at lower levels than men, make on average $4,600 less in their initial jobs, and continue to be outpaced by men in rank and salary growth. Only when women begin their post-MBA career at mid-management or above do they achieve parity in position with men - a situation that accounted for only 10 percent of the women and 19 percent of the men surveyed.

Whatever the cause, the BLS reports there are only a handful of occupations where women’s earnings are equal to or exceed men’s including construction and extraction occupations; special education teachers; installation, maintenance and repair occupations; life, physical and social science technicians; and counselors.

We wanted to know, what jobs pay women the most money? Here are 25 jobs where women earn $1000 a week or more, according to the BLS, and how those wages compare to their male counterparts’.

Pharmacists
Women – Median weekly earnings: $1,647
Men – Median weekly earnings: $1,914
Women’s earnings as percent of men’s in same occupation: 86.1%

Chief executives
Women – Median weekly earnings: $1,603
Men – Median weekly earnings: $1,999
Women’s earnings as percent of men’s in same occupation: 80.2%

Lawyers
Women – Median weekly earnings: $1,509
Men – Median weekly earnings: $1,875
Women’s earnings as percent of men’s in same occupation: 80.5%

Computer software engineers
Women – Median weekly earnings: $1,351
Men – Median weekly earnings: $1,555
Women’s earnings as percent of men’s in same occupation: 86.9%

Computer and information systems managers
Women – Median weekly earnings: $1,260
Men – Median weekly earnings: $1,641
Women’s earnings as percent of men’s in same occupation: 76.8%

Physicians and surgeons
Women – Median weekly earnings: $1,230
Men – Median weekly earnings: $1,911
Women’s earnings as percent of men’s in same occupation: 64.4%

Management analysts
Women – Median weekly earnings: $1,139
Men – Median weekly earnings: $1,391
Women’s earnings as percent of men’s in same occupation: 81.9%

Human resources managers
Women – Median weekly earnings: $1,137
Men – Median weekly earnings: $1,433
Women’s earnings as percent of men’s in same occupation: 79.3%

Speech-language pathologists
Women – Median weekly earnings: $1,124
Men – Median weekly earnings: *
Women’s earnings as percent of men’s in same occupation: **

Computer and mathematical occupations
Women – Median weekly earnings: $1,088
Men – Median weekly earnings: $1,320
Women’s earnings as percent of men’s in same occupation: 82.4%

Computer scientists and systems analysts
Women – Median weekly earnings: $1,082
Men – Median weekly earnings: $1,240
Women’s earnings as percent of men’s in same occupation: 87.3%

Physician assistants
Women – Median weekly earnings: $1,077
Men – Median weekly earnings: **
Women’s earnings as percent of men’s in same occupation: **

Medical and health services managers
Women – Median weekly earnings: $1,066
Men – Median weekly earnings: $1,504
Women’s earnings as percent of men’s in same occupation: 70.9%

Physical scientists, all other
Women – Median weekly earnings: $1,061
Men – Median weekly earnings: $1,535
Women’s earnings as percent of men’s in same occupation: 69.1%

Postsecondary teachers
Women – Median weekly earnings: $1,056
Men – Median weekly earnings: $1,245
Women’s earnings as percent of men’s in same occupation: 84.8%

Marketing and sales managers
Women – Median weekly earnings: $1,024
Men – Median weekly earnings: $1,601
Women’s earnings as percent of men’s in same occupation: 64%

Physical therapists
Women – Median weekly earnings: $1,019
Men – Median weekly earnings: $1,329
Women’s earnings as percent of men’s in same occupation: 76.7%

Occupational therapists
Women – Median weekly earnings: $1,016
Men – Median weekly earnings: **
Women’s earnings as percent of men’s in same occupation: **

Registered nurses
Women – Median weekly earnings: $1,011
Men – Median weekly earnings: $1,168
Women’s earnings as percent of men’s in same occupation: 86.6%

Managers, all other
Women – Median weekly earnings: $1,010
Men – Median weekly earnings: $1,359
Women’s earnings as percent of men’s in same occupation: 74.3%

Psychologists
Women – Median weekly earnings: $1,004
Men – Median weekly earnings: **
Women’s earnings as percent of men’s in same occupation: **

Computer programmers
Women – Median weekly earnings: $1,003
Men – Median weekly earnings: $1,261
Women’s earnings as percent of men’s in same occupation: 79.5%

Architecture and engineering occupations
Women – Median weekly earnings: $1,001
Men – Median weekly earnings: $1,286
Women’s earnings as percent of men’s in same occupation: 77.8%

Advertising and promotions managers
Women – Median weekly earnings: $1,000
Men – Median weekly earnings: **
Women’s earnings as percent of men’s in same occupation: **

Education administrators
Women – Median weekly earnings: $1,000
Men – Median weekly earnings: $1,398
Women’s earnings as percent of men’s in same occupation: 71.5%

What do you think? Do you agree or disagree? Are males and females paid the same at your organization?
*No data or data that do not meet publication criteria.

** Data not shown where the male employment base is less than 50,000.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Ten Questions to Ask Yourself if You Still Haven't Found a Job

Are you in an active job-search, but have no job? Are you having troubles finding a job?

Not long ago, one of my former students contacted me in despair. It was six months after graduation, and she still hadn't found a job. I started thinking about some of the common roadblocks to a successful job-search, and I came up with this list of 10 important questions. Still haven't found a job? Ask yourself. . .

  1. Are you networking?   --  Job-seekers today can't rely on passive methods of job-hunting. You have to meet people and tell as many of them as possible that you're looking for a job (be specific). Take your resume everywhere and give it out to everyone you can. Try informational interviewing; it's a highly effective form of networking.
  2. Are you limiting your search?  --  Are you relying strictly on want ads in the newspaper? Or have you decided that Internet ads will be the source of your next job? Don't search in only one sphere. Only a small percentage of job-seekers find jobs through either print or Internet want ads. So where do they find them? See Question No. 1 through networking. But don't even limit your search just to networking; incorporate every form of job-hunting into the mix.
  3. Are you targeting employers most likely to need your skills?  --  A really effective job search begins with comprehensive employer research and development of a list of employers to target. Based on various research criteria, you can target companies you most want to work for, companies that are likely to have plentiful openings in your field, and/or companies in particular need of the skills you have to offer. Once you've researched them, you can approach them using various job-hunting techniques:
      • Sending cold-contact inquiry letters the impress the employer with your knowledge of the company.
      • Using your network to uncover people with an "in" into your target companies.
      • Informationally interviewing people in your target companies.
      • Watching for print and Internet want ads from the companies (but not relying solely on these ads).
  4. Are you spending enough time job-hunting?   --  Many experts believe job-hunting should in itself be a full-time job. If you're in school or employed while seeking a better job, your time may be somewhat limited. But you should put as much time as you can into it. Try to contact people in your network every day with the goal of setting up interviews with your contacts or people they've referred you to.
  5. Do you follow up after sending out your resume? Do you just send your resume and cover letters out into limbo and hope for the best? Or do you make a follow-up call or send follow-up e-mail to see if you can schedule an interview appointment? Those who proactively follow up are much more likely to get interviews.
  6. Are you even getting interviews?   --  If you're following up but still not getting interviews, the problem could lie with your resume or cover letter. You may want to get a professional to review them. A good source is your college career-services office. Even if you're long out of school, these offices often serve alumni, sometimes for a fee. Or consult a professional resume writer.
  7. How are your interview skills?   --  If you're getting lots of interviews but never make it past the interview stage, your interview skills might need some polishing. Have a friend conduct a mock interview with you and critique your performance. Better yet, find a professional in your field to mock-interview you. And the best choice is to see a professional career counselor who can not only critique your performance but also videotape it so you can see for yourself how you appear to others. Our interviewing resources may also be able to help you.
  8. Do you send thank-you notes after interviews?   --  It's just common courtesy. Though a thank-you note won't make or break your job search, it might. Let's say the hiring decision is between equally qualified candidates. One sent a thank-you note, and the other didn't. Odds favor the candidate who thanked the employer for his or her time.
  9. Do you follow up after the interview and thank-you note?   --  If you've sent a thank-you note and haven't heard anything by the time the employer said the hiring decision would be made, by all means call. Be polite but persistent. This kind of follow-up shows your interest in the job.
  10. Have you asked what you're doing wrong?   --  After you receive a rejection from an employer, do you ask what you did wrong or what you could have done better? Granted, most employers won't give you a straight answer; they're afraid of getting sued. But occasionally you'll find a sympathetic person with whom you may have had good rapport in the interview. If only one person reveals something that can give you a more effective approach to your job search, it will have been well worth asking. If you are rejected, also be sure to let the employer know you're still interested in working for the company. That technique has paid off for many a job-seeker when the person the company hired didn't work out.
by Katharine Hansen, Ph.D.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Who is Hiring This Week -- December 20 - 26 ..

We know that your job search can get quite frustrating these days with more people trying to find a job and less employment opportunities available.

To ease the burden, we've tracked down 10 top companies with the most job openings this week from sales jobs to finance jobs, full-time jobs to part-time jobs. We hope you find a job that's perfect for you.

Good luck job hunting!


01. American Express
American Express Company is a global travel, financial and network services provider. The Company has three operating segments: Travel Related Services (TRS), American Express Financial Advisors (AEFA) and American Express Bank (AEB).AEB provides banking and other financial services to wealthy individuals, financial institutions and retail customers outside the United States.

Top Job Categories:
Sales Jobs
Customer Service Jobs
Information Technology Jobs
Finance Jobs
See all American Express jobs



02. Lowe's
Lowe's Companies, Inc. is a home improvement retailer, with specific emphasis on retail do-it-yourself (DIY) customers, do-it-for-me (DIFM) customers, who utilize its installation services, and commercial business customers. The company currently has 15,000 job openings across the nation!

Lowe's offers a line of products and services for home decorating, maintenance, repair, remodeling and property maintenance. Lowe's Companies, Inc. serves homeowners, renters and commercial business customers. Homeowners and renters primarily consist of do-it-yourselfers, and others buying for personal and family use. Commercial business customers include repair and remodeling contractors, electricians, landscapers, painters, plumbers, and commercial and residential property maintenance professionals, among others.

Top Job Categories:
Information Technology Jobs
Management Jobs
Engineering Jobs
See all Lowe's jobs



03. Sears
Sears Hometown Stores were developed sixteen years ago to serve our customers in locations outside of major metroploitan cities. There are currently about 900 Hometown Stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. These stores carry all of the top home appliance brands, consumer electronics, tools and lawn and garden equipment.

Top Job Categories:
Sales Jobs
Franchise Jobs
Management Jobs
See all Sears jobs


04. Merrill Lynch
Merrill Lynch, now part of Bank of America, is one of the world's premier providers of wealth management, securities trading and sales, corporate finance and investment banking services. Working with our clients as strategic partners, we create and execute winning solutions, which address our clients' most pressing strategic, financial and investment needs-anywhere in the world. We stand apart by building and maintaining solid partnerships with clients. Merrill Lynch places our client relationships first and is proud to conduct our business based on five unwavering principles: Client Focus, Respect for the Individual, Teamwork, Responsible Citizenship, and Integrity.

Top Job Categories:
Finance Jobs
Accounting Jobs
See all Merrill Lynch jobs



05. Dell
For more than 25 years, Dell has provided technology solutions to customers that improves their productivity, enhances their lives and meets their distinct needs. Headquartered in Round Rock, Texas, Dell has framed its business around the customers it serves, from the world's largest and most demanding businesses and public sector organizations, to small and medium businesses, to consumers worldwide.

Top Job Categories:
Management Jobs
Information Technology Jobs
Consultant Jobs
See all Dell jobs



06. IBM
Working at IBM provides opportunities you may not experience anywhere else. It gives you the chance to change the way the world works. The chance to help the world learn, to make education more available, knowledge more attainable and information more accessible. The chance to participate in research and development projects that facilitate technological and medical breakthroughs. These are the kinds of opportunities you'll find throughout our company. Opportunities that could certainly make a difference--in ways that are exciting, demanding and perhaps even unimaginable.

Top Job Categories:
Information Technology Jobs
Management Jobs
Consultant Jobs
See all IBM jobs



07. CVS
CVS Caremark, through our unmatched breadth of service offerings, is transforming the delivery of health care services in the U.S. We are an innovative, fast-growing company guided by values that focus on teamwork, integrity and respect for our colleagues and customers. What are we looking for in our colleagues? We seek fresh ideas, new perspectives, a diversity of experiences, and a dedication to service that will help us better meet the needs of the many people and businesses that rely on us each day.

Top Job Categories:
Retail Jobs
Customer Service Jobs
Management Jobs
See all CVS jobs



08. Dollar General
Dollar General stands for convenience, quality brands and low prices. Dollar General's successful prototype makes shopping a truly hassle-free experience. We design small neighborhood stores with carefully edited merchandise assortments to make shopping simpler. We don't carry every brand and size, just the most popular ones.

Top Job Categories:
Management Jobs
Retail Jobs
Customer Service Jobs
See all Dollar General jobs



09. Bayada Nurses
Bayada Nurses provides care to children, adults, and seniors in their homes. Even though we have grown from one office in 1975, to more than 140 offices in 18 states today, founder Mark Baiada still runs the company with the same compassionate, human focus that clients and employees appreciated from the beginning.

Top Job Categories:
Health Care Jobs
Nurse Jobs
Management Jobs
See all Bayada Nurses jobs



10. Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance through almost 6,000 stores, the internet and other distribution channels across North America and internationally.

Top Job Categories:
Banking Jobs
Finance Jobs
Sales Jobs
See all Wells Fargo jobs

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By AOL Jobs Contributor

Saturday, December 25, 2010

20 Jobs That Pay $25 per Hour

Twenty-five dollars. It can buy you two movie tickets, one bottle of nice wine (or several of the cheap stuff), or 25 of your favorite items from the dollar menu at McDonalds. It might not seem like a lot -- but when you think about it in terms of your salary, you might change your mind.

If you earned $25 an hour and worked the standard 40-hour workweek for 52 weeks each year, you'd be raking in $52,000* per year. Considering the national average salary is $43,460, according to the National Compensation Survey, you'd be doing pretty well for yourself.

So who earns more than $25 per hour? Here are 20 jobs that pay $25 or more per hour and their predicted job growth through 2018**:

1. Vocational education teachers, postsecondary
What they do: Teach students in a variety of subjects beyond the high school level
Hourly wage: $25.01
Mean annual salary: $52,030
Job outlook: 15 percent job growth through 2018



2. Stationary engineers and boiler operators
What they do: Control and maintain heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems
Hourly wage: $25.02
Mean annual salary: $52,040
Job outlook: 5 percent job growth through 2018



3. Health care practitioners and technical workers, all other
What they do: N/A
Hourly wage: $25.05
Mean annual salary: $52,110
Job outlook: N/A**



4. Curators
What they do: Oversee museum affairs and activities
Hourly wage: $25.16
Mean annual salary: $52,330
Job outlook: 23 percent job growth through 2018



5. Transit and railroad police
What they do: Protect and patrol railroad and transit property, employees and passengers
Hourly wage: $25.17
Mean annual salary: $52,350
Job outlook: N/A



6. Court reporters
What they do: Create verbatim transcripts of speeches, conversations, legal proceedings, meetings and other events
Hourly wage: $25.22
Mean annual salary: $52,460
Job outlook: 18 percent job growth through 2018



7. Subway and streetcar operators
What they do: Operate train systems and handle fares for passengers
Hourly wage: $25.38
Mean annual salary: $52,800
Job outlook: N/A



8. Aircraft mechanics and service technicians
What they do: Diagnose and repair aircraft engines and assemblies
Hourly wage: $25.47
Mean annual salary: $52,970
Job outlook: 6 percent job growth through 2018



9. Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers
What they do: Set up, remove and repair switching and dialing equipment used in central offices or on customers' property
Hourly wage: $25.48
Mean annual salary: $52,990
Job outlook: 0 percent job growth through 2018



10. Real estate sales agents
What they do: Rent, buy or sell property for clients
Hourly wage: $25.53
Mean annual salary: $53,100
Job outlook: 16 percent job growth through 2018



11. Advertising sales agents
What they do: Sell or solicit ads or advertising space in publications, signs, TV and radio
Hourly wage: $25.57
Mean annual salary: $53,190
Job outlook: 7 percent job growth through 2018



12. Dieticians and nutritionists
What they do: Plan and conduct food service or nutritional programs to promote health and disease control
Hourly wage: $25.59
Mean annual salary: $53,230
Job outlook: 9 percent job growth through 2018



13. Music directors and composers
What they do: Conduct and plan performances by musical groups
Hourly wage: $25.68
Mean annual salary: $53,410
Job outlook: N/A



14. Lodging managers
What they do: Plan and coordinate accommodations of an organization or department that provides lodging
Hourly wage: $25.72
Mean annual salary: $53,500
Job outlook: N/A



15. Appraisers and assessors of real estate
What they do: Appraise property to determine its fair value
Hourly wage: $25.73
Mean annual salary: $53,520
Job outlook: 5 percent job growth through 2018



16. Construction and building engineers
What they do: Plan, direct, or budget activities with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities and systems
Hourly wage: $25.75
Mean annual salary: $53,550
Job outlook: 17 percent job growth through 2018



17. Locomotive engineers
What they do: Drive locomotives to transport passengers or freight
Hourly wage: $25.77
Mean annual salary: $53,590
Job outlook: 10 percent job growth through 2018



18. Tax examiners, collectors and revenue agents
What they do: Determine tax liability or collect taxes from individuals or business firms
Hourly wage: $25.87
Mean annual salary: $53,800
Job outlook: 13 percent job growth through 2018



19. Sound engineering technicians
What they do: Operate machines and equipment to record, synchronize, mix or reproduce music, voices or sound
Hourly wage: $25.93
Mean annual salary: $53,940
Job outlook: 2 percent job growth through 2018



20. Chemical and plant system operators
What they do: Control or operate an entire chemical process or system of machines
Hourly wage: $25.97
Mean annual salary: $54,010
Job outlook: N/A

*Figures were found by dividing the annual salary by 52 weeks (in the year).
**Salary information according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Hourly wages and annual salaries were computed based on mean number of hours worked each week and year, which vary per occupation.
***Some occupations do not collect data for job growth.
 
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Friday, December 24, 2010

The World's Most Reputable Companies – Scores and Rank

From Google to Volkswagen: Companies built on trust and admiration
When top executives set out to build well-regarded companies, most start in their home countries. If they're successful, strong business practices and values they craft there will translate overseas.
As companies become more connected and businesses more international, creating a first-class reputation across borders is critical. For some companies, this can be the difference between success and failure.

So what is the secret to earning esteem that spans the world? And which companies are best at doing it? Reputation Institute, a global private consulting firm based in New York, uncovered 28 companies that have established international merit. Earlier this year it conducted a survey to assess the strength of the world's 600 largest companies (by revenue) in their home countries. Then consumers in 24 countries, from Brazil and the U.S. to Spain and South Korea, judged the 54 highest-rated companies, giving them more than 181,000 reputation ratings--from 0 to 100--on their products and services, innovation, workplace, governance, citizenship, financial performance and leadership. 

Companies at the top of the list all had one thing in common: innovation. Google ( GOOG - news - people ) and Sony ( SNE - news - people ) ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively (with scores of 78.62 and 78.47), pulling in consumer admiration for new technologies that touch consumers' lives. The two companies have a history of producing forward-thinking products that have emotional and rational appeal. Google, along with pulling in $6.7 billion in advertising revenue for the first quarter of 2010 (up 23% from the same time period last year), offers free services, such as e-mail and maps, for anyone to use. Sony, the world's second-largest consumer electronics maker behind Samsung, has a 54-year history of releasing leading music players and television sets. The two companies recently announced a partnership to launch Internet-connected TVs.

Apple ( AAPL - news - people ), IKEA and Intel ( INTC - news - people ), placing sixth, eighth and 10th on the list (with scores of 76.29, 75.60, and 75.39), also won over consumers by making snappy products. Apple, based in Cupertino, Calif., sold 1 million iPad tablet computers in the first 28 days at retail. IKEA, the Swedish furniture retailer operating in 44 countries, has revolutionized home furnishings, making fashionable, affordable furniture available to families across the world. Santa Clara, Calif.-based Intel makes semiconductors to help power cars, computers and even televisions. "Innovation is a powerful tool for reaching consumers," says Kasper Nielsen, managing partner of Reputation Institute.

The eighth, ninth, and 25th most reputable companies, BMW, Daimler (Mercedes-Benz) and Ferrero, established their reputations by forming prestige around their brands. Italian chocolate and confection maker Ferrero individually wraps its Ferrero Rocher chocolates in gold wrapping, which gives them an upscale look. BMW and Daimler, both German-owned, manufacture luxury cars and cater to consumers who are looking for top-notch products and services. They tap into car-buyers' emotions. BMW launched an ad campaign in February, re-branding itself as a company that makes people happy. "What you make people feel is just as important as what you make, we make joy," one of the company's ads says.

Commitment to citizenship is especially important these days. Microsoft ( MSFT - news - people ) founder Bill Gates established a philanthropic arm, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in 1994 as a way to improve international health and education. The Redmond, Wash., software giant--once viewed as a monopolistic, monolithic company--is now seen as a charitable, approachable company and ranked No. 11 on the list. French cosmetic maker L'Oreal, No. 16, is also reaping the rewards of its benefit work. The company started in 1998 the L'Oréal-UNESCO Awards for Women in Science, a scholarship fund granting $100,000 to female researchers.

Companies with large international operations can thrive. Johnson & Johnson ( JNJ - news - people ), maker of medical devices, consumer products and pharmaceuticals, oversees sales in more than 175 countries. The New Brunswick, N.J., company is the world's 12th most reputable company. Food maker Nestle ( NSRGY.PK - news - people )'s expansion into South America, where it was listed regionally as the most reputable company, is paying off. The company, based in Vevey, Switzerland, ranked 20th overall.
Another important factor in building global reputation is the appearance of transparency, a category won by Google. When the Mountain View, Calif., company pulled out of China to avoid showing censored search results to users there in late March, Google sent a message to the rest of the world that its values would be placed ahead of its profits. The decision resonated strongly in Central and Northern Europe, Central and South America and in North America, where consumers rated the company within the top five most-reputable businesses.

When privacy issues arise around its business, Google usually responds quickly: Recently the search giant said it would keep its Street View cars from picking up wireless networking data after Google revealed that these vehicles had collected content of users' Internet communications on open Wi-Fi networks.
 
Most important is the realization that global consumers matter, says Nielsen. "Having a global reputation is really difficult, but future growth will come from international markets," Nielsen says. "Companies need to know how to build and trust outside of their own homes."

Global Reputation Pulse 2010 - The Most Reputable Companies in the World Pulse Scores and Rank

Company
Home Country
Rank
Reputation Pulse
Google
U.S.
1
78.62
Sony
Japan
2
78.47
The Walt Disney Company
U.S.
3
77.97
BMW
Germany
4
77.77
Daimler (Mercedes-Benz)
Germany
5
76.83
Apple
U.S.
6
76.29
Nokia
Finland
7
76.00
IKEA
Sweden
8
75.60
Volkswagen
Germany
9
75.55
Intel
U.S.
10
75.39
Microsoft
U.S.
11
74.47
Johnson & Johnson
U.S.
12
74.12
Panasonic
Japan
13
73.67
Singapore Airlines
Singapore
14
73.54
Philips Electronics
the Netherlands
15
73.31
L'Oreal
France
16
73.17
IBM
U.S.
17
73.03
Hewlett-Packard
U.S.
18
72.67
Barilla
Italy
19
72.45
Nestle
Switzerland
20
72.37
Ferrero
Italy
21
72.36
Samsung Electronics
South Korea
22
71.62
FedEx
U.S.
23
70.84
Honda Motor
Japan
24
70.82
The Coca-Cola Company
U.S.
25
70.40
Carlsberg
Denmark
26
70.31
Procter & Gamble
U.S.
27
70.21
UPS
U.S.
28
70.07

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By Laurie Burkitt – for forbs.com

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