Survey: Hot jobs for 2004 ( 2003-11-21 09:59) (SmartMoney.com)
Looking to change employers?
You're not alone. According to a recent Monster.com survey, 82% of Americans
are dissatisfied with their jobs. While many of us merely like to complain, you
can bet the competition will be fierce next year as more and more people look to
improve their situations.
"Look at the polls; in a recessionary trend a lot of people confidentially
reveal that 'when things get better I will look around,'" says Stephen Mader,
chief executive of New York-based executive search firm Christian & Timbers.
Next year, those chickens are sure to come home to roost.
Where are the brightest prospects? Recruiters identified at least two trends
creating job opportunities next year. The first: aging baby boomers, who'll need
lots of financial advice and health-care services as they approach 65. Also,
after years of cost cutting, corporate America is finally ready to spend on
sales and marketing.
Moreover, some encouraging signs are popping up in the technology and
recruiting areas. After two very difficult years, Monster.com's founder Jeff
Taylor says, ads for hardware jobs jumped 34%, software positions climbed 16%
and IT openings increased 19% over the past year. Corporate America, meanwhile,
is starting to hire some high-level recruiters. With so many workers looking to
switch jobs, companies are using the opportunity to upgrade their staffs and
retain the qualified people they've got.
Now let's take a look at the five hottest career areas for 2004.
1. Sales
If you've got a knack for glad handing, your time has come. The No. 1 job
category on Monster.com is sales. "Companies need to hire sales people as a
precursor to growth," says Monster.com's Taylor. Only then will they be ready to
capitalize once their customers start spending again. Since it typically takes
six months to train a sales associate before he or she produces results,
companies are wasting no time rebuilding their teams.
The pharmaceutical industry, in particular, is beefing up its sales ranks.
During the summer there were some 3,000 entry-level positions available
nationwide, according to the National Association of Pharmaceutical Sales
Representatives. And more jobs are being added all the time. Someone with no
prior industry experience can expect to make $55,000 to $60,000 a year, plus a
bonus and car allowance. Top performers are often rewarded with additional
incentives. The rep of the year, for example, wins an all-expense-paid trip for
two to the Bahamas, courtesy of the NAPSR.
2. Financial Planners
Did the stock-market plunge crush your nest egg? If you're young, you have
plenty of time to recover your losses. Baby boomers, on the other hand, don't
have that luxury. In just six years, the first of America's 77 million boomers
will reach retirement age — and they're going to need an army of financial
planners to help clean up their portfolios. Otherwise, they'll be pushing paper
from nine to five rather than swinging a golf club.
In addition, corporate America is bringing in financial planners to address
the troops, says John Challenger of recruiting firm Challenger Gray &
Christmas. While most companies no longer offer defined-benefit pensions, bosses
know it's good PR to show compassion by holding retirement seminars during
working hours. Financial planners who feel comfortable speaking in front of
crowds should have no problem finding an audience.
If you already work in the financial-services field, it's relatively easy to
obtain full credentials. While it can take up to three years to qualify for
certified financial planner status, fast-track programs allow some to do it
within a year, says Doug Nogami, spokesman for the Certified Financial Planner
Board of Standards.
3. Health Care
You've heard it before: America is aging quickly. That means demand will
increase in coming years for all manner of health-care workers.
Rather than finding treatment in hospitals, more and more Americans are
choosing home-based care, says Challenger. This is a boon for practitioners who
prefer flexible schedules and hate to work under the watchful eye of a boss.
Even if you don't have a medical degree, there are plenty of jobs in this
field. Health-care companies ranging from insurers to drug manufacturers need
accountants, customer-service reps, marketing folks and others. The government
should also have spots to fill as it reconfigures the Medicare program.
4. International Business
Get out those Berlitz tapes. Corporate America has a global reach, and people
who can speak a second language and who have a deep understanding of a foreign
culture are in high demand. Companies are looking for everything from factory
managers to government liaisons. The ideal candidates are second-generation
Americans and other workers with international experience.
Where are the jobs? U.S. businesses are already expanding in fast-growing
areas like China, India and parts of Latin America, says Challenger. While this
isn't exactly a new trend, companies plan to shift even more manufacturing
facilities abroad to take advantage of inexpensive labor.
5. Compliance
Thanks to some hair-raising corporate scandals, many U.S. businesses are
playing it safe. Enter the compliance officer. These are corporate watchdogs
whose job it is to monitor their fellow workers and make sure all activities are
legal and in compliance with regulatory rules. The hottest areas are financial
management, corporate security and corporate governance, says Christian &
Timbers' Mader. In some industries, such as health care, all three areas are
necessary.
Companies are looking for everything from chief financial officers and former
government employees (who worked for regulatory bodies) to IT professionals who
can keep even the most sophisticated hackers out of a computer system.
Leaving Gracefully
Once you land a great new job, you'll need an exit strategy for your current
one. Here are a few tips from the pros on how to leave gracefully.
Maintain Your Relationships
Don't think of quitting as leaving your job. Instead, think of it as building
your professional network. Maintain your friendships, and former colleagues can
turn into trusted contacts. Recruiters agree that networking is the No. 1 way to
find a new job. "Alumni networks play an important role in managing career
change," says Challenger. The best way to maintain those relationships is to
thank your coworkers before you leave and keep in touch. "With email, it's
easier than ever," he says.
Don't Burn Bridges
Ever. Complete all projects before your last day and make sure you leave on a
civil note. Also, this isn't the time to tell your boss how you really feel.
Take the high road and you just might find that your former employer tries to
lure you back in a couple of years with a big raise and better title.
"It used to be that you couldn't go back home, that you permanently burned
your bridges," says Challenger. "Now, a lot of people go back a second or third
time. It's important that you leave on a high note."
Give Ample Notice
How much notice do you really need to give your employer? That depends on
your seniority. Most of us can get away with two weeks, says Christian &
Timbers' Mader. But the most senior executives should probably give at least a
month.
There are, however, some exceptions. If you are, say, in the middle of a
project, you should finish it before leaving — even if that means pushing back
your start date with your future employer. If the new boss starts to get antsy,
simply explain that this is the way he or she would want to be treated, too,
says Monster.com founder Jeff Taylor.
Train Your Successor
The easiest way to leave with a recommendation in hand is to thoroughly train
your successor. In these leans times, this act of kindness is more important
than ever — especially if you're the only one in your organization who performs
certain functions. Should you leave the company in a difficult spot, all your
years of good service and devotion will quickly be forgotten.
