Now Hiring: Video Game Jobs

Time to show off your special moves

By AOL Jobs Staff

For a lot of people, working in the video game industry is a dream job. As in other creative fields, like film and television, competition is extremely stiff, and landing the most coveted jobs is pretty much akin to winning the lottery.

But that's not to say there aren't of plenty of great jobs out there for people who want to get their foot in the door--or more experienced designers and programmers looking for their next step (or dodge, parry, or spin dash).

So, aspiring game-makers of the world, dream no more! We've got the best games jobs now hiring, so click through to check them out.

Read More..... Now Hiring: Video Game Jobs

The 15 Best-Paying Jobs For Young Professionals

Because you've gotta pay those student loans somehow

By Business Insider



Two months ago, the class of 2014 left the gates of their beloved alma maters. Fortunately for them, there are some great-paying jobs they can pursue.

With help from Payscale, the creator of the world's largest database of individual compensation profiles, containing more than 40 million today, Business Insider found 15 of the highest-paying jobs for young professionals with a bachelor's degree.

The numbers are based on median pay, which includes base annual salary or hourly wage, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, and other forms of cash earnings, for workers with two years of experience or less, who shared salary data on the Payscale site.

The data shows that electrical engineer is the the best-paying profession for new graduates. This job leads the pack with a median pay of $61,400 for those just out of school.

Is your job on the list? Here are the 15 top-paying jobs for young professionals:

Skills spotlight: Data entry and 10 related positions

By Susan Ricker 

As the world transitions to digital record-keeping in order to preserve information and make it more accessible to others, workers are needed to add this information to digital databases. But the functions and skills of data entry keyers or other workers who enter new information into databases can be applied to a variety of other roles.
If you’re ready to expand your experience or are simply looking to enter a new field, here’s information you’ll find useful when planning your next career steps — like important skills, top employing industries and compatible occupations.
Important competencies and skills in data entry
The educational attainment of data entry keyers mostly centers around high school diplomas or equivalent (31 percent) and some college but no degree (35 percent).* But it takes more than a degree to accurately update records and ensure that the information flow follows that organization’s standards. Some important competencies and skills in data entry include:

• Clerical
• Customer and personal service
• Computers and electronics
• Mathematics
• Administration and management
• Economics and accounting

Top 10 employing industries
Virtually every industry and organization is constantly adding new information to their records, and are finding the best ways to utilize this data. However, the top employing industries of these professions are:
1. Temporary help services
2. Local government, excluding education and hospitals
3. State government, excluding education and hospitals
4. Elementary and secondary schools (local government)
5. Data processing, hosting and related services
6. Federal government, civilian, excluding postal service
7. Colleges, universities and professional schools (state government)
8. Corporate, subsidiary and regional managing offices
9. Offices of lawyers
10. Office administrative services

Top 10 compatible occupations
If you’re ready to make a career move and take your data entry skills somewhere new, here are 10 compatible occupations that will benefit from your expertise:
1. Word processors and typists use word processors, computers or typewriters to type letters, reports, forms or other material from rough draft, corrected copy or voice recording. They may perform other clerical duties as assigned.
2. File clerks file correspondence, cards, invoices, receipts and other records in alphabetical or numerical order or according to the filing system used. They locate and remove material from file when requested.
3. Office clerks (general) perform a variety of work, and their clerical duties may be assigned in accordance with the office procedures of individual establishments and may include a combination of answering telephones, bookkeeping, typing or word processing, stenography, office machine operation and filing.
4. Tellers receive and pay out money. They also keep records of money and negotiable instruments involved in a financial institution’s various transactions.
5. Library assistants (clerical) compile records, sort, shelve, issue and receive library materials such as books, electronic media, pictures, cards, slides and microfilm. They locate library materials for loan and replace material in shelving area, stacks or files according to identification number and title. They also register patrons to permit them to borrow books, periodicals and other library materials
6. Pharmacy aides record drugs delivered to the pharmacy, store incoming merchandise\ and inform the supervisor of stock needs. They may operate the cash register and accept prescriptions for filling.
7. Receptionists and information clerks answer inquiries and provide information to the general public, customers, visitors and other interested parties regarding activities conducted at establishment and location of departments, offices and employees within the organization.
8. Legal secretaries perform secretarial duties using legal terminology, procedures and documents. They prepare legal papers and correspondence, such as summonses, complaints, motions and subpoenas. They may also assist with legal research.
9. Medical records and health information technicians compile, process and maintain medical records of hospital and clinic patients in a manner consistent with medical, administrative, ethical, legal and regulatory requirements of the health care system. They process, maintain, compile and report patient information for health requirements and standards in a manner consistent with the health care industry’s numerical coding system.
10. Billing, cost and rate clerks compile data, compute fees and charges and prepare invoices for billing purposes. Duties include computing costs and calculating rates for goods, services, and shipment of goods; posting data; and keeping other relevant records. May involve use of computer or typewriter, calculator, and adding and bookkeeping machines.

Now Hiring: Retail Jobs

Jobs at Dunkin' Donuts, La-Z Boy, and more

By AOL Jobs Staff





If there's an industry that's always, always hiring, it's undoubtedly retail. People always need to buy things, and companies are always staffing up people to help sell them. There are plenty of great retailers currently hiring sales associates; here you'll find Godiva Chocolatier, Dunkin' Donuts (did we wake up hungry today?), La-Z Boy, and more.

And working retail doesn't necessarily mean you'll be stuck behind a register. There are plenty of managerial and warehouse-based positions out there, as well as employers that staff in-store technicians and interior decorators, for instance.

Click through to check out today's best retail job openings.

And working retail doesn't necessarily mean you'll be stuck behind a register. There are plenty of managerial and warehouse-based positions out there, as well as employers that staff in-store technicians and interior decorators, for instance.

Click through to check out today's best retail job openings.

10 Cities Where Wages Are Increasing

The top city has seen a 3 percent rise in wages

By Mack Gelber

According to the quarterly PayScale Index, wages have risen 7.4 percent overall since 2006. But you'd never know it, because when you take inflation into account and look at what those wages can actually purchase, they've actually fallen closer to 7.9 percent. Nevertheless, improvement is anticipated for 2014's third quarter, to the tune of a 1.9 percent increase in wage growth.

This is good news for people working in the mining, transportation, and real estate industries, which saw the most growth in Q2. But what about which cities have had the most significant wage increases this year? We'd wait for the Q3 report before you start considering a move, but for now let's take a look at the top 10.

Flickr

10. Washington, D.C.
Q2 2014 year-over-year percentage change in pay: 1.8 percent

Getty Images

9. Tampa
Q2 2014 year-over-year percentage change in pay: 1.9 percent

Getty Images

8. Atlanta
Q2 2014 year-over-year percentage change in pay: 2.0 percent

Getty Images

7. San Francisco
Q2 2014 year-over-year percentage change in pay: 2.1 percent

Getty Images

6. New York
Q2 2014 year-over-year percentage change in pay: 2.1 percent

Getty Images

5. Boston
Q2 2014 year-over-year percentage change in pay: 2.2 percent

Getty Images

4 [tie]. Chicago and Detroit
Q2 2014 year-over-year percentage change in pay: 2.4 percent

Getty Images

2. Minneapolis
Q2 2014 year-over-year percentage change in pay: 2.7 percent

Getty Images

1. Houston
Q2 2014 year-over-year percentage change in pay: 3.0 percent

Take a bow, Houston residents! It must be mentioned, however, that these cities have a high cost of living to go along with their wage growth--New York and San Francisco in particular make frequent appearances on lists of the nation's most expensive places to live. As for the cities where wages have actually decreased over the past year, well, best of luck in the next quarter, Miami, Phoenix, and Riverside, California.

Head over to PayScale for more from the report, or just check out this interactive chart to explore trends by industry, job category, and metro area.

National (US) Year-Over-Year Percentage Change in Pay by Quarter

© 2014 PayScale, Inc.

National (US)

National (US) Forecast

Now Hiring: Construction Jobs

Hardhat not included

By AOL Jobs Staff

Welcome to Now Hiring, a daily new feature from AOL Jobs. Each weekday we'll be exploring the latest and greatest job openings in a range of industries as varied as the colors of the rainbow: from medicine to retail to entertainment, we'll cover it all.

Today, we've collected ten fantastic job openings in the construction industry--which, together, prove that there's more to the world of building stuff than big trucks and guys in hardhats (although there's that too). Click through to explore today's listings, and good luck!

Read more...  Now Hiring: Construction Jobs

Skills Spotlight: Financial And Planning Services And 10 Target Occupations

What it takes to work in finance

By Susan Ricker



The biggest perk to having a job is often the money that accompanies the work you provide. But what about the workers who handle money for a living, and help others manage their finances? Those in financial and planning services plan and manage the financial interests and growth of individuals and institutions, including instruction in portfolio management, investment management, estate planning, insurance, tax planning, strategic investing and planning, financial consulting services and client relations. And that's just the tip of this economic iceberg.

Between 2014 and 2023, this group of workers is expected to grow nationally by 38.9 percent.* Along with this high growth comes a competitive group of workers. Those who are attracted to these occupations cite key drivers like personal growth/advancement and a personal fulfillment in work/life balance as reasons they're attracted to these roles, and they stick around because the work is more interesting and challenging, and they have access to higher salary and benefits.

Important competencies and skills in finances
To succeed in a financial services occupation, or to identify the transferrable skills that you may take with you to a new role, consider these competencies that are expected from workers in financial services:
· Customer and personal service
· Mathematics
· Computers and electronics
· Economics and accounting
· Sales and marketing
· Clerical
· Administration and management

Top 10 employing industries
Financial and planning services workers are needed by nearly everybody; plenty of businesses or individuals have finances that require the expertise or certification of these workers to help manage and move their money smartly. However, the top employing industries of these professionals are:

1. Investment advice
2. Portfolio management
3. Miscellaneous intermediation
4. Securities brokerage
5. Investment banking and securities dealing
6. Commercial banking
7. Other insurance funds
8. Trust, fiduciary and custody activities
9. Pension funds
10. Open-end investment funds

10 target occupations
Though this expansive industry has plenty more roles to consider beyond this list, here are 10 related jobs in financial and planning services that cover a variety of roles and responsibilities:

1. Securities, commodities and financial services sales agents buy and sell securities or commodities in investment and trading firms, or provide financial services to businesses and individuals. They may advise customers about stocks, bonds, mutual funds, commodities and market conditions.

2. Insurance sales agents sell life, property, casualty, health, automotive or other types of insurance. They may refer clients to independent brokers, work as an independent broker or be employed by an insurance company.

3. Loan officers evaluate, authorize or recommend approval of commercial, real estate or credit loans. They advise borrowers on financial status and payment methods. Includes mortgage loan officers and agents, collection analysts, loan servicing officers and loan underwriters.

4. Credit counselors advise and educate individuals or organizations on acquiring and managing debt. They may provide guidance in determining the best type of loan and explaining loan requirements or restrictions. They may also help develop debt management plans, advise on credit issues or provide budget, mortgage and bankruptcy counseling.

5. Loan interviewers and clerks interview loan applicants to elicit information; investigate applicants' backgrounds and verify references; prepare loan request papers and forward findings, reports and documents to appraisal department. They review loan papers to ensure completeness and complete transactions between loan establishment, borrowers and sellers upon approval of loan.

6. Insurance underwriters review individual applications for insurance to evaluate degree of risk involved and determine acceptance of applications.

7. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing (except technical and scientific products) sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Their work requires substantial knowledge of items sold.

8. Credit analysts analyze credit data and financial statements of individuals or firms to determine the degree of risk involved in extending credit or lending money. They prepare reports with credit information for use in decision making.

9. Advertising sales agents sell or solicit advertising space, time or media in publications, signage, TV, radio or the Internet. This role includes individuals who obtain leases for outdoor advertising sites or persuade retailers to use sales promotion display items.

10. Tax preparers prepare tax returns for individuals or small businesses.

* All figures and descriptions for industry, occupation and skill information from Economic Modeling Specialists International 2014.2 Class of Worker Dataset: Financial Planning and Services.

15 Great Companies Hiring In July

Norwegian Cruise Lines, Prestige Care, and more

By CareerBuilder

By Debra Auerbach, CareerBuilder writer

Now that summer has officially arrived, it's getting increasingly difficult to be at work while the sun is shining and the temperature is rising.

But what if it's not just the lure of beautiful weather that's causing you to cringe every morning when the alarm goes off? If you're unhappy at your job, now is as good of a time as ever to re-evaluate your career path and determine whether you're ready to look for a new opportunity.

First, evaluate your current situation to see if there's anything you can do to make it better or if it's truly time to switch jobs. Then, prepare for your search by asking yourself some questions about what you're looking for and how you want to get there. After that, make sure you get all of your application materials (resumes, cover letters, etc.) in tip-top shape.

Once you've completed those steps, it's time to begin searching. To get you started, here are 15 great companies that are hiring right now.

1. Advanced Practice Solutions
Industry: Health care/nursing recruiting
Sample job titles: Physician assistant - occupational health, acute care nurse practitioner - stroke and neurocritical, physician assistant
Location: Recruit nationally; based in St. Paul, Minn.

2. Brunswick Corporation
Industry: Marine, fitness, bowling and billiards
Sample job titles: Manufacturing, production, supply chain, engineering and design, information technology, finance, marketing, sales, general management
Location: Nationwide

3. Connolly LLC
Industry: Financial services
Sample job titles: Medical claims auditor, junior auditor, audit support assistant
Location: Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Kentucky

4. Convergys
Industry: Call center
Sample job titles: Customer service, tech tier 1, B2B inside sales, sales and service representative
Location: Global

5. CornerStone Staffing Solutions Inc.
Industry: Warehouse, manufacturing, drivers, IT
Sample job titles: Warehouse clerk, class A CDL driver, machine operator, assembly production, forklift operator
Location: Nationwide

6. DTZ
Industry: Commercial real estate/facility management
Sample job titles: Mechanical supervisor, HVAC technician, industrial engineer, property manager, operations/facilities manager, facilities director, locksmith
Location: Atlanta; Boston; San Francisco; New York; Charlotte, N.C.; Dallas; Chicago

7. E.C. Barton & Company
Industry: Homebuilding, construction, retail
Sample job titles: Assistant manager, inside sales, customer service, truck driver
Location: Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas

8. LM Restaurants
Industry: Food service
Sample job titles: Front of house manager, kitchen manager, back of house staff, front of house staff
Location: Raleigh, Jacksonville, Durham, Greenville, Charlotte, Cary, Winston Salem, Fayetteville and Concord Mills, N.C.; Boynton, Fla.; Greenville and Columbia, S.C.; Killeen, Texas

9. Norwegian Cruise Lines
Industry: Hospitality
Sample job titles: Assistant cook, bartender
Location: Nationwide

10. Pick-n-Pull (a division of Schnitzer Steel)
Industry: Manufacturing and retail
Sample job titles: Sales supervisor, production supervisor, store manager - general manager, procurement specialist
Location: Nationwide

11. Prestige Care
Industry: Health care
Sample job titles: Personal care attendant, executive director, CNA, registered nurse
Location: Northwest states; based in Portland, Ore.

12. Reliance One
Industry: General; focus on automotive, manufacturing, IT
Sample job titles: Quality engineer, dynamometer technician, materials planning and logistics director, uni graphics designer
Location: Auburn Hills, Mich.

13. Talascend
Industry: Staffing - technical/engineering
Sample job titles: Controls engineer, packaging systems engineer, quality inspector, software test technician
Location: Nationwide

14. The GEO Group Inc.
Industry: Corrections, detention, management, government - civil service, community re-entry, transportation, health care, managed care
Sample job titles: Correctional and detention officer, transportation officer, cook and food service worker, teacher, mental health professional, physician, nurse practitioner, registered nurse ​
Location: Nationwide​

15. Williams Companies
Industry: Energy
Sample job titles: Electrical engineer, operation technician, planner scheduler, IT analyst
Location: Tulsa, Okla.; Colorado; Houston