CeeBee: CareerBuilder.com's Job Search SmartyPants

Bilingual? You're Valuable

CareerBuilder.com

Spanish has become the country's unofficial second language, and corporate America has responded with diversity initiatives that seek to recruit, understand and attract a Hispanic/Latino workforce, writes Graciela Kenig in her book Best Careers for Bilingual Latinos.

With more than 40 million Hispanics in the US today and an estimated annual growth rate of 4.65, the Latino community will add 1.7 million people to its population every year. This trend is creating a tremendous demand for bilingual job seekers fluent in Spanish and English.

According to Kenig and other experts, the top industries for bilingual candidates include healthcare, financial services, sales and marketing, social services and public service. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, reports that there are a number of emerging occupations in social services such as cross-cultural counselors, bilingual teachers and consumer credit counselors.

"Being fluent in Spanish is a big plus in social services," says Evie Engler, vice president for Metropolitan Family Services in Chicago, Ill. "In many of the communities we serve, our licensed clinical social workers, case workers and counselors must be bilingual to serve families in need of our counseling, mental health and financial management services."

Banks and mortgage companies seek tellers and loan officers who can converse with their Latino clients. Insurance companies need claims adjustors and administrative staff to assist in processing claims for their diverse client base. One major insurance company that pays referral fees to employees for candidates who are hired offered an additional $500 incentive if the new hire was bilingual.

Hospitals and pharmaceutical companies are experiencing some of the greatest demand for bilingual employees to better serve patients. "Being able to speak and understand our patients? native language ensures proper treatment. Patients must be able to understand medical instructions and prescription dosages and physicians need to understand symptoms and circumstances related to a patient?s condition," noted Kathy, a nurse at a suburban hospital in Chicago.

To sell goods and services to a multicultural market, corporations must hire people who understand the language and culture of their clients and their vendors. Karen, an inside sales manager in Columbia, Md., needed call center associates to process orders for paint testing equipment from business clients in Latin America. "Finding candidates who were fluent in Spanish and also had strong sales ability were two key criteria in reviewing resumes and deciding who I would interview."

In nearly every field and profession, from financial services to sales, there is a growing need to multi-lingual candidates. In addition to Spanish, companies that have offices and clients throughout the world seek employees who can speak languages from Russian to German, French and Mandarin. "Job seekers who speak Japanese, Chinese and Mandarin are becoming a hot commodity among employers, particularly on the West Coast," says one recruiter from California.

Not only are bilingual skills helpful for seasoned professionals in the job market, graduates who are fluent in a second language are finding that they have an extra edge during job interviews. While bilingual skills aren't always required to land good jobs, many companies prefer to hire candidates with this added dimension.

If you are truly bilingual, that is you can speak two or more languages with equal or near equal fluency and are able to speak and perhaps also read and write more than one language very well, tell employers up-front that you have this ability. Even if your prospective employer may not have an immediate need for your multiple language capabilities, they are likely to see your fluency as an added benefit and asset in the hiring process.

Consider including this information in your cover letter and in your resume?s career or skills summary. Refer to your skills as "bilingual," or "multilingual" if you speak three or more languages. Then, list each language, including English. Be honest though. If you just had a couple of semesters of a language in high school or college, use the phrase "knowledge of..." Never overstate or understate your expertise.

A Few Jobs that go Beyond the Daily Grind

If you crave a little more risk and excitement in your everyday life than the average Joe or Jane, 9-to-5 office jobs may leave you falling short of thrill you’re searching for.  Here are a few unlikely jobs with a sense of adventure.  While they may not always offer an adrenaline rush, they will rescue you from the confines of cube life and offer more hands approach to your working environment.

Golf-ball diver: It may seem like a simple task at first, retrieving golf balls left by the wayside in nearby ponds and on golf courses.  But before you dismiss it as a simple case of dive and conquer, consider that most work in found in Florida, and your biggest obstacle is the wildlife inhabiting the waters, which includes alligators.

Sparring partner: It may have been rated as one of the worst jobs in sports, but taking the blow for a few rounds will land you a decent amount of pay and keep you sharp on your feet.

Crime scene clean-up crew: If you have a strong stomach, working as part of the clean up crew will take you on a new scene everyday and provide a much-needed service at a rate of pay.

Rural Food Animal Veterinarians Wanted

I recently came across an article by Mikel Alderman describing the increased need for vets in rural settings. Alderman’s article includes reported findings by The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association stating that while the demand for veterinarians is increasing, few graduates are setting off to work in these areas. 

The job fill shortage is bad for the animals, but it can also have a potentially deadly effect on all of society.  While most people are not aware of it (as I wasn’t before reading this article) the secondary role of vets is to report early detections of unusual diseases.  With a large number of veterinarians currently up for retirement and a lack of qualified veterinarians available for replacement, there is an increased risk of eating contaminated foods.

Before a lot of people make a career decision, they want to know if the job will be a good fit for them. I’ve listed some animal-work related jobs to get you started.  Maybe they’ll be the experience needed to inspire filling some of our country’s rural vet needs.

Animal Behavioral Trainer:

What they do: Teach animals how to act in response to different conditions or stimuli.  Training is conducted for entertainment, protection, detection or companionship.

What they earn: *$36,000 is the median salary with one to four years of experience.

Animal Caretaker

What they do:  Assist in grooming, training and companionship for animals staying in pet spas, kennels and similar temporary locations.

What they earn:  A median salary of $30,000 when working for a company.

Marine Biologist:

What they do: Study and interact closely with the lives of species that spend all or most of their lives in water.

What they earn:  $45,000 is the median salary.

Park Management:

What they do:  Oversee daily park maintenance and operations.  They are in charge of preserving and protecting wilderness areas.

What they earn:  $40,000 is the median salary for state and local government positions.

Secondary School Science Teacher

What they do:  Educate students on the methods of observation, experimentation and study of different topics in science, including animal life.

What they earn:  A median salary between $41,400 and $45, 920.

Animal Groomer

What they do: Maintain the appearance and hygiene of animals.

What they earn:  A median salary of $30,000 when working for a company.

Veterinary Pathologist:

What they do: Study the scientific causes, development and results of diseases in animals.

What they earn:  A median salary between $120,000 and $160,000 for industry work.

Animal Welfare Lawyer

What they do: Practice law with special focus on how it deals with animals.  Cases can range from veterinary malpractice to anti-cruelty issues.

What they earn:  The median annual earnings of all lawyers are $94,930

Zoo Director:

What they do: Organize and direct zoo operations.  This position includes everything from analyzing the annual budget to organizing the special care of animals.

What they earn:  The average starting salary for zoologists is $28,000, increasing to $36,000 after five years.

Animal-Assisted Therapist

What they do: Study behavioral patterns in animals and apply techniques to improve mental, social and physical issues within humans through animal/human companionship.

What they earn:  Median annual earnings of physical therapists are $60,180, but the concentration of animal-assistance may increase or decrease earnings.  Some animal-assisted therapy is considered volunteer work. 

* Salary sources: Payscale.com, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS),

American

College

of Veterinary Pathologists (AVCP), The Princeton Review

By Candace Corner

CareerBuilder.com

Restaurant Jobs vs. Retail Jobs

Whether it was the first job you had when you were 16, or something you dabbled in a few months ago for secondary income, chances are you have or will venture into restaurant jobs or retail jobs at some point in your life.  Once you get locked into your restaurant serving gig or log in a few years of cashiering, making the move from restaurant to retail or vice versa may be a little tricky.  High-end restaurants start looking for people with more experience and retailers will want to know that you’ve nailed the basics before you move to management. 

Both environments can offer flexible scheduling, and company discounts, but before you decide which way to go for a little extra cash, here are some things to consider:

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Restaurant-related work

Working at a restaurant or bar offers you flexibility, company discounts at your company and their affiliates and (depending on your position) fast cash in your pocket, Keep in mind that the schedule flexibility may come with the cost of mandatory holiday hours.  Pocketing your earnings after each shift means you won’t be getting much of a weekly paycheck, so remember to keep track of what you make and put it away before you blow it all on after-shift drinks with your co-workers.  While servers fill the bulk of restaurant-related employment, don’t rule out applying for a job as a cook, host, delivery driver or bartender.  Choose the position based on what the job requires and find what fits you best.

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Retail-related work

Retail work also offers flexibility and company discounts, but if the bulk of your pay is commission, you may have to fight for customers.  Weather plays a key role in when and what people buy, so your income may follow accordingly.  Turnover is high, so you may be frequently working weird hours with new people.  Sales associates and cashiers are the majority, but stocking, tagging, driving, cleaning and marketing-related positions are also available.  Putting your foot in the door in sales could provide you with a start to move up with the company.

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Search Tip: When you click through to see the jobs linked through this article, narrow the job results by using the city & state links on the left side of the page. This way you can see these jobs located near you.

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By Candace Corner

Communications Specialist

CareerBuilder.com

Reality Paycheck: What Real-Life Salaries Would be for Your Favorite Character’s Jobs

Have you ever watched a TV show and wished you could have their life, or at least their paycheck? Well, in some cases it may not be what it’s cracked up to be.  Big Love’s Bill Hendrickson may earn enough to take care of three of his wives and his family, but owning a small business owning can be a big risk and requires a lot of attention.  Peter Griffin, Family Guy, was fired from his toy assembly line job, but found a less stressful life as a fisherman.  CSI: Miami's Horatio Caine is working in one of the fastest emerging fields and Meredith Grey, Grey’s Anatomy, could find a huge reason to stick it out as an intern – her paycheck.    Here’s a few of TV’s most popular characters and their salaries. 

Lynette Scavo, Desperate Housewives - Advertising Manager

Real-life median salary: $63,610, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

Peter Griffin, Family Guy - Fisherman

Real-life median salary: $24,100, according to BLS

Horatio Caine, CSI Miami Lead Criminologist

Real-life median salary: $70,000, according to Payscale.com

Bill Hendrickson, Big Love - Hardware Business Owner

Real-life median salary: $60,000, according to Payscale.com

Michael Scott, The Office – Regional Sales Manager

Real-life median salary: $65,000, according to Payscale.com

Meredith Gray, Grey’s Anatomy – Surgeon

Real-life median salary: When Grey’s finished with her internship and starts as a surgeon she will earn over $145,600, according to the BLS

Vince Chase, Entourage – Actor

Real-life median salary: As an actor in the state of California, Chase’s median income is $74,730, according to Payscale.com (their site states that specific data for his kind of acting is not publishable without further data.)

America's Endangered Jobs

Want good job security?  Don’t go into one of these careers.  While the overall job forecast is healthy, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts these jobs will severely decline between now and 2014:

1.  Farmers and ranchers – The trend toward consolidation means fewer jobs for small, independent farmers.

2.  Stock clerks and order fillers – Computers and other equipment are automating and reducing the need for these jobs.

3.  Sewing machine operators – Increasing imports, the use of offshore assembly and greater productivity through new automation will contribute to additional job losses.

4.  Mail clerks and mail-machine operators – The demand for such clerks will be offset by the use of electronic communications technologies and private delivery companies.

5.  Computer operators – Advances in technology are making systems more user-friendly and reducing the need for operators.

6.  Secretaries (except medical, legal and executive) – Professionals and managers are increasingly doing their own typing, data entry and correspondence.

7.  Telemarketers – Thank the do-not-call registry.

8.  Meter readers – Automated processes are reducing demand.

9.  Parts salespeople – Electronic commerce ordering and reordering systems should automate much of the work of many parts salespersons.

10.  Telephone operators – Voice recognition technologies, the Internet and e-mail are all reducing the need for operators.

Top jobs for working moms

Top jobs for working moms

I hope you had a happy mother’s day!  According to CareerBuilder.com’s annual Mother’s Day survey, one-in-four working moms say they are dissatisfied with their work/life balance, and 52 percent say they are willing to take a pay cut to spend more time with their children.

There are jobs, however, that afford working moms the flexibility they need to effectively balance their work and home responsibilities, consider these 10.

1. Writer – One of the most telecommute-friendly jobs out there.
2. Architect – One-in-five architects are self-employed – about three times the national average for all professional occupations.
3. Retail salesperson – Think flexible hours, part-time opportunities and store discounts.
4. Physician – Opening a private practice means setting your own hours.
5. Computer software engineer – This in-demand job offers good telecommuting opportunities.
6. Personal shopper – Get paid for running errands on a flexible schedule.
7. Photographer – About half of photographers are self-employed.
8. Teacher – You and your kids will have the same schedule.
9. Financial adviser – This job lends itself well to compressed work weeks or job sharing.
10. Hairstylist – Flexible and part-time schedules are plentiful.

Top-paying jobs for associate degree holders

More education usually brings more professional opportunities, and is correlated with lower unemployment and higher salaries.  But a four-year education isn’t always the ticket to a swollen bank account.  The following jobs – ranked by the BLS as the highest-paying jobs typically held by those with associate degrees – pay more than many jobs requiring a bachelor degree:

1. Computer specialist -- $59,480
Depending on the employer, computer specialists perform a variety of functions, ranging from technical support to coordinating network security.

2. Nuclear technician -- $59,200
Nuclear technicians monitor radiation and operate nuclear test and research equipment. They may also assist nuclear engineers and nuclear physicists with their research projects.

3. Dental hygienist -- $58,350
One of the fastest-growing occupations in the nation, dental hygienists provide routine dental services including cleaning teeth, taking X-rays and preventative care.

4. Radiation therapist -- $57,700
Radiation therapists administer radiation therapy to patients afflicted with tumors or cancer.

5. Nuclear medicine technologist -- $55,840
Nuclear medicine technologists administer diagnostic tests that involve using radioactive materials to monitor organ functions.

6. Fashion designer -- $55,840
Fashion designers study current fashion trends, sketch out new clothing designs, select the colors and fabrics and oversee the production of their items.

7. Aerospace engineering and operations technician -- $52,500
Aerospace engineering and operations technicians construct, test and maintain aircraft and space vehicles.

8. Diagnostic medical sonographer -- $52,490
Diagnostic medical sonographers – also known as ultrasonographers – administer diagnostic imagining technology used during pregnancy and to diagnose some diseases.

9. Registered nurse -- $52,330
Registered nurses treat sick, injured and convalescent patients, and provide education on post-treatment care.

10. Engineering technician -- $49,440
Engineering technicians perform a variety of research- and development-related tasks, including building and setting up equipment, conducting experiments, collecting data and recording results.

Summer Jobs for College Students

School’s almost out … what now?

College students are starting to wind down their school years, and high school students and teachers will follow soon.  Now’s the time to start thinking about summer employment.

While waiting tables at a local restaurant or working as a retail salesperson are always good options, there are plenty of summer jobs out there that let you take advantage of the sunshine.  Here are just a few ideas:

1.  Tour guide

2.  Theme park worker

3.  Tennis instructor

4.  Golf caddy

5.  Nanny

6.  Dog walker

7.  Construction worker

8.  Lifeguard

9.  Concession stand vendor

10.  Camp counselor

Or, log on to CareerBuilder.com to search for other great seasonal jobs.

Keywords: summer jobs, summer job, college jobs, college job, student job, student jobs, part time work, part time jobs, part time job, temp job, temp jobs.

Got an MBA? Now go get a job.

MBA students graduating in 2006 have a promising job outlook, according to a survey of corporate recruiters by the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC), the organization that issues the GMAT admissions test.

Salaries for MBA graduates are also strong.  The average starting base salary is nearly $81,000, with total compensation close to $100,000 when you consider fringe benefits and bonuses, GMAC found.

MBAs get jobs in all industries, but Fortune magazine lists out the 100 companies MBAs say they would most like to work for.  These are the top 10.

1.  McKinsey & Company

2.  Google

3.  Goldman Sachs

4.  Bain & Company

5.  The Boston Consulting Group

6. Citigroup

7.  Apple Computer

8.  General Electric

9.  Johnson & Johnson

10.  Morgan Stanley

Or you can always search by "MBA Jobs" in your area to find out who's hiring near you.