Saturday, November 29, 2014

The 10 Best Retail Companies To Work For Right Now

Work-life balance, compensation and more evaluated


Friday, November 28, 2014

7 Great Second Careers If You're Over 40

Opportunities abound in tech, finance, and more


Tuesday, November 25, 2014

7 Part-Time Jobs That Pay Up To $40 An Hour

School bus driver, makeup artist, and more



For some 8 million Americans, part-time jobs are a way of life. Many are cobbling together several part-time gigs while they search for that elusive full-time job. Some, though, prefer part-time work because it offers flexibility and time off for other pursuits, including raising kids.
But whether you are looking for part-time work out of choice or necessity, you probably want to find one that offers some personal satisfaction and good wages. With the help of PayScale, AOL Jobs has a compiled a list of the seven best part-time jobs. Some require little training, and many pay more than $25 an hour.

One caveat: The wages shown for each position represent a range of amounts paid to the 25th and 75th percentiles of workers who've been operating in their fields for five to eight years. In other words, a quarter of workers within a given job description earn less than the reported low wage, while the rest earn less than the reported high wage.


Also, PayScale notes that the range of wages shown are national numbers. If you live in a metropolitan area, you'll probably earn far more -- sometimes twice as much -- than what's listed here.

1. School Bus Driver
After the first day of school.


Hourly Wage Range: $12.40 to $16.70, nationally. (As noted, pay is often higher in urban markets, such as New York City, where the hourly median wage is $29.50.)
Median Weekly Hours Worked: 26

What you'd do: No surprises here -- school bus drivers transport children to and from school and related special events. Depending on several factors, including the distance to be traveled on a given route and when school starts, part-time school bus drivers may start work early in the morning -- 6 a.m. or earlier isn't unusual. Others work the afternoon "shift," picking up children from school and bringing them back home. Weather, heavy traffic and unruly children can make the job challenging at times, though one perk that many school bus drivers enjoy is summer break, giving them two to three months to pursue other jobs or interests.

What you need to get started: A commercial driver's license is usually required, and certain hearing and vision requirements must be met.

2. Makeup Artist
FASHION-FRANCE-ELIE SAAB
AFP/Getty ImagesA makeup artist prepares a model backstage before an event.
Hourly Wage Range: $14.70 to $23.50

Median Weekly Hours Worked: 20

About the Job: Makeup artists enhance performers' and consumers' appearance through the application of cosmetics, which may include knowledge of period styles to reflect actors' roles. They work in a wide variety of settings, including theaters, broadcast studios, amusement parks, as well as boutiques and department stores. States with a significant show business industry -- New York, California and Nevada -- have the highest numbers of workers employed in this profession. Ohio and Texas, with numerous large media markets and amusement parks, also rank high.

What you need to get started: Most makeup artists complete formal training that requires a high school diploma and may include obtaining an associate degree in cosmetology or bachelor's degree in theater. Some states also require cosmetologists and makeup artists to be licensed.

3. Tutor
Ohio Voices
APTutor working with a student on a set of math problems.
Hourly Wage Range: $12.70 to $27

Median Weekly Hours Worked: 8

What you'd do: Think of a tutor as a personalized teacher, who typically works one-on-one with students who are are having difficulty comprehending a specific field of study, such as language or math. The job requires patience and a willingness to listen. It also requires organization, an attention to detail and the ability to show up on time.

What you need to get started: There are few industry standards that apply to tutors, who generally gain expertise in a field of study through their own achievements, such as a high school diploma, an associate degree or a bachelor's degree. Certification is available through numerous organizations, such as the College Reading & Learning Association and the American Tutoring Association.

4. Dance Teacher
DANCE HAVING A BALL
APDance teacher watches students at a rumba rehearsal.
Hourly Wage Range: $15.30 to $24.50

Median Weekly Hours Worked: 8

What you'd do: Teaching dance often involves working one-on-one with students to help them master the techniques in different styles of dance -- jazz, ballroom, Western swing, tap, children's -- though instructors frequently work with large groups. Settings vary and include dance halls or studios, classrooms, restaurants, retirement communities, resorts and even cruise ships. It requires a willingness to work with people and patience in dealing with students struggling to learn.

What you need to get started: Education and training requirements vary, however, part-time dance instructors typically require two years of teaching experience.

5. English Teacher for Non-Native Speakers
DENVER,CO--Master teacher, Lindsey Erisman, left, works with students, karen Hernandez, 6-years-old, center, and America Garcia,
Denver Post via Getty ImagesTeacher works with students at an English Language Acquisition class in Denver.
Hourly Wage Range: $18.10 to $30.50

Median Weekly Hours Worked: 17

What you'd do: Teaching English as a foreign language can be rewarding but also challenging. Students may be reluctant to learn or find English to difficult to master. For instructors, that means being well prepared with lesson plans, a knowledge of how to inspire and motivate struggling students and a degree of patience. Public and private grade and high schools, college campuses and community organizations are typical settings. Demand for English as a second language, or ESL, instruction is such that qualified teachers can land a job in virtually any country in the world.

What you need to get started: Generally, a bachelor's degree is required; a certification specializing in teaching ESL is also available from numerous institutions, including many colleges and universities.

6. Flight Attendant
DENVER COLO, MAR 09, 2006--United Airlines flight attendent, Kathy<CQ> O'Connor<CQ>, points to the other near by exits, Thursday
Denver Post via Getty ImagesFlight attendent points to the other near by exits on a United Airlines flight.
Hourly Wage Range: $26 to $34.80

Median Weekly Hours Worked: 20

What you'd do: Though viewed by some travelers as little more than airborne waiters and waitresses, the primary responsibility offlight attendants is the safety of passengers aboard aircraft, which often includes reminding them about what is and isn't allowed during flight. There are perks, of course, which may include travel to many destinations and pay that's near the top for part-time work. Downsides include dealing with stubborn or unruly passengers, frequent downtime, and working in an industry that has gone through major layoffs in recent years.

What you need to get started: Many major airlines require flight attendants to have a college degree. A professional appearance and an outgoing personality are also key to landing the job.

7. Pilates or Yoga Instructor
FRANCE-SPORT-HEALTH
AFP/Getty ImagesA teacher gives advice during a session of Bikram yoga.

Hourly Wage Range: $20.20 to $39.90

Median Weekly Hours Worked: 6

What you'd do: Yoga and Pilates instructors typically work with groups of students in the movements and techniques unique to each exercise. One-on-one training is common, too. As with other teaching professions, it requires a degree of patience with those students struggling to learn. One benefit is relatively high pay for a part-time profession -- and all that teaching helps keep you fit, too.

What you need to get started: Both exercise techniques require months or even years of practice before practitioners can begin teaching. Numerous certification programs are available for both disciplines.





Saturday, November 22, 2014

17 High-Paying Careers You've Never Heard Of

Air traffic controller, packaging engineer, and more




Sometimes, great jobs come in unusual packages. Sometimes, they're things you've never considered at all. Below, you'll find what Reddit users consider some of the best careers around--none of which, you'll find, are especially glamorous. Because come on: glamour is overrated! What matters is finding a career you love and can depend upon, and for the right job seeker, these underrated, high-paying jobs could satisfy both. Take a look, and happy applying!


1. Air-Traffic Controller

Median salary: $78,160

"My father is an ATC at Pearson. 200k a year with brilliant benefits. He provided a great quality of life for my family." – 1stOnRT1
> Find a job as an air-traffic controller

2. Tower Technician

Median salary: $17.00/hour

"The cool thing is you don't need a college degree, or any kind of education (personally, I have my Bachelors in an unrelated field)." – IClimbStuff
> Find a job as a tower technician

3. Geomatic Engineer/Land Surveyor

Median salary: $42,053

"Most surveyors are old, for instance, the average age of a surveyor in the state of CA is in the mid to late fifties, which means you will definitely get a job out of college and you can quickly work your way up to a decent 6 figure income once you get your professional license." – TheGeomatician
> Find a job as a land surveyor


Read more:  17 High-Paying Careers You've Never Heard Of

Friday, November 21, 2014

18 hot jobs for 2015




If you’re in the market for a new job in 2015, check out these 18 top jobs based on supply and demand.

Things that are hot right now: sweatpants-as-real-pants, [insert any name] of the Jenner/Kardashian clan (sorry haters), anything produced by Shonda Rhimes, “Shake it Off” inspired videos — and this list of hot jobs for 2015.
CareerBuilder and Economic Modeling Specialists Intl. compiled a list of the top jobs for the New Year by looking at supply versus demand – the occupations that have a large number of openings each month compared to the number of people actually hired for these jobs.
The list is broken down into two sections – those jobs that require a college degree and those that don’t – and both sections include jobs that span industries, so there are opportunities for every type of job seeker looking to make a change.
If you’re in the market for a new job in 2015, check out the 18 jobs featured below (that is, if you’re not too busy catching up on “Scandal” or copying outfit ideas from North West).

Among occupations that require a college education and have the largest gap between job openings and hires are:
Occupation Average monthly unique job postings Average monthly hires Gap between postings and hires Job growth 2010 - 2014 Total 2014
employment
Median hourly earnings
Marketing executive1 34,613 11,617 22,996 10% 191,872 $57.42
Software developer, applications 52,700 31,616 21,084 15% 684,614 $44.66
Registered nurse 122,922 103,804 19,118 5% 2,729,647 $32.51
Industrial engineer 26,031 7,880 18,151 9% 235,817 $38.96
Network and computer system administrator 35,788 18,734 17,054 7% 378,638 $35.84
Web developer 30,108 14,616 15,492 17% 151,081 $28.02
Medical and health services manager 27,696 12,626 15,070 6% 317,314 $43.61
Physical therapist 24,425 10,880 13,545 10% 211,296 $38.63
Speech-language pathologist 15,113 7,112 8,001 5% 133,383 $34.00
Sales manager 28,589 22,280 6,309 8% 376,238 $51.98

Among occupations that don’t require a college degree, but have gaps between job openings and hires are2:
Occupation Average monthly unique job postings Average monthly hires Gap between postings and hires Job growth 2010 - 2014 Total 2014
employment
Median hourly earnings
Truck driver, heavy and tractor-trailer 242,400 131,902 110,498 9% 1,838,993 $18.37
Merchandise displayer and window trimmer 20,808 6,126 14,682 5% 79,145 $13.11
Orderly 7,287 2,079 5,208 4% 56,944 $11.66
Sales representative, wholesale and manufacturing 18,547 14,802 3,745 7% 385,789 $35.59
Purchasing manager 5,286 2,534 2,752 7% 72,351 $49.86
Medical records and health information technician 9,224 7,332 1,892 6% 187,947 $16.81
Telemarketer 23,733 22,224 1,509 8% 250,429 $11.03
Demonstrator and product promoter 12,742 11,308 1,434 10% 96,096 $12.26


1 The marketing manager occupation includes everything from vice president of marketing to director and manager, etc.
2 Some occupations may require additional training after high school.

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

6 STEM Jobs With the Most Women Workers

Top positions in science, technology, and engineering



Chemical lab glassware

By Debra Auerbach, CareerBuilder writer

It's no secret that STEM jobs (science, technology, engineering and math) are some of the hottest careers to pursue. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, STEM jobs will increase by 9 million from 2012-2022.

While these industries are ripe with opportunities for any type of worker with the right skills, they've historically been male-dominated. In 2009, women represented less than 25 percent of STEM jobs. But the good news is that's quickly changing, in part due to initiatives like the one driven by the White House, which empower young women to pursue these areas of study.

While major strides have been taken to diversify the STEM workforce, there are some occupations that have higher percentages of women than others. Here's a list* of six jobs – spanning the science, technology, engineering and math fields – that have the highest percentage of women:

1. Clinical psychologists assess, diagnose and treat mental, emotional and behavioral disorders. Counseling psychologists advise people on how to deal with problems. School psychologists apply psychological principles and techniques to education-related and developmental issues.
Percentage of women: 68 percent
Average hourly wage: $33.39
2012 – 2022 growth: 11 percent
Education: Doctoral/professional degree

2. Epidemiologists are public health professionals who investigate patterns and causes of disease and injury in humans.
Percentage of women: 53 percent
Average hourly wage: $34.34
2012 – 2022 growth: 10 percent
Education: Master's degree required

3. Physical scientists conduct research tasks within a chosen field of study. Sample job titles include chemist, biochemist, astronomer, geologist, physiologist, environmental scientist and physicist.
Percentage of women: 41 percent
Average hourly wage: $45.05
2012 – 2022 growth: 5 percent
Education: Bachelor's degree

4. Statisticians use statistical methods to collect and analyze data and help solve real-world problems in business, engineering, the sciences or other fields.
Percentage of women: 41 percent
Average hourly wage: $38.28
2012 – 2022 growth: 27 percent
Education: Master's degree

5. Database administrators use specialized software to store and organize data, such as financial information and customer shipping records.
Percentage of women: 38 percent
Average hourly wage: $38.04
2012 – 2022 growth: 15 percent
Education: Bachelor's degree

6. Environmental engineers use the principles of engineering, soil science, biology and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental problems.
Percentage of women: 26 percent
Average hourly wage: $40.93
2012 – 2022 growth: 15 percent
Education: Bachelor's degree

Employers and recruiters: For more information on women in STEM and tips for attracting STEM workers, download a free report here.


Sunday, November 16, 2014

Choosing dream jobs and workplace perks

Author: Susan Ricker



Workers played "Would you rather" with workplace perks, careers

You don’t always get what you want, in life or in your career. In fact, most of your day is made up of compromises between what you want and what others are asking for. You rearrange your priorities to keep projects moving, to earn a bigger paycheck, to accommodate your family. But if somebody asked you what you really wanted, would you answer your job or the perks that come with it?
A CareerBuilder survey found the choices that workers will make when faced with hard decisions (like choosing between a bigger paycheck or a shorter work week) and the dream jobs we secretly yearn for. How would you answer?


Would you rather…
Workplace perks are becoming a bigger selling point in finding a new job, but you can’t expect to get it all. The survey attempted to find what workers really want, asking:
If you had to choose between the following at work, which would you choose?
  • A car (76 percent) vs. a smart phone (24 percent)
  • Air conditioning (54 percent) vs. Internet access (46 percent)
  • Free lunches at work (63 percent) vs. the ability to wear jeans every day (37 percent)
  • A bigger paycheck (77 percent) vs. a shorter work week (23 percent)
  • An office (71 percent) vs. your own bathroom (29 percent)
  • A concierge (70 percent) vs. a valet (30 percent)
Dream careers and second careers
Most careers end up looking different from what we imagined while growing up because we find more practical options or follow the labor market’s in-demand jobs. Though we pursue careers that are different from what we originally hoped for, we never really forget what we’d like to be doing if we could. The survey got to the heart of this, asking:

If you could do any job in the world, what would it be?
1.Professional athlete
2.Actor
3.Teacher/instructor, K-12
4.Artist/designer
5.Photographer
6.Veterinarian
7.Chef/cook
8.Computer programmer
9.Police officer
10.Engineer
If you’re realizing that you’d rather make a career switch to something new or to your original dream job, check out these resources that can help you determine if a career switch is the right move for you:
  • “How I stumbled into my dream career”
    Some people have known since they were young what they wanted to do for work. Others took a less-direct route to get to their dream career path.
  • Why uncertainty is necessary for a career switch
    When you're entering the workforce for the first time, it's natural to be nervous about your career and uncertain of how things will turn out. But what about later in life, when you're ready for a change or career switch?
  • Navigating a career crossroads
    When standing at a career crossroads, you need to give careful thought to the consequences of your actions. Take into account your unique situation and the potential benefits of making -- or not making -- a change.
  • 5 tough questions to ask before a career change
    Getting started in a new field often means taking a cut not just in pay but also in security and prestige -- at least for a while.
  • Quiz: Are you really ready to switch careers?
    Have you thought carefully about the personal and professional implications of making a switch, or have you decided that anything is better than what you're doing?
  • Why quitting my job was the best decision I ever madeEverybody’s had a project, co-worker or boss who has caused them to think, “I’m going to quit!” But rarely do we follow through with the threat, and usually the job gets better or the problem gets fixed. But for some people, choosing to quit has been the best decision they ever made.

Friday, November 14, 2014

10 Celebrities' Ordinary Jobs That Will Make You Go 'Whoa'

Including Jennifer Aniston, Telemarketer



BRITAIN-ENTERTAINMENT-CINEMA-HORRIBLE BOSSES 2

By Deanna Hartley, CareerBuilder writer

We can't all have chic and fabulous jobs without paying our dues and working our way up the ladder ... unless of course you're North West, who apparently is a fashion accessory designer at age 1.

So in case you're having a bad day at work or wondering what your next career move should be, get inspired by some of your favorite stars who got their start far away from Hollywood tackling ordinary jobs.

Jennifer Aniston
Telemarketer
Before soaring to international fame as Rachel Green on "Friends" and becoming the envy of every girl having a bad hair day in the '90s, Aniston earned a few bucks as a telemarketer while auditioning for various roles. So, did she kill it as a salesgirl? Nah. In a recent interview with "Extra," Aniston said - perhaps not-so-jokingly - that she doesn't think she sold even a single timeshare. Let's all be thankful for that, amirite?

Nicki Minaj
Worked at Red Lobster and in customer service
Long before she burst onto the rap scene and had diva-sized beef with Mariah Carey on "American Idol," the only (w)rapping Minaj did was seafood as a waitress at Red Lobster. In a recent interview, she admitted to being fired for chasing down and confronting customers who had apparently walked off with her pen - because pens are what most rap feuds are made of. After another short stint in customer service, Minaj decided the ordinary life wasn't for her.

Channing Tatum
Stripper
OK, so maybe this isn't your average Joe's gig, but it's still worth mentioning Tatum's deeper-than-you-may-have-thought ties to his character in the hit film "Magic Mike" and its soon-to-be sequel. Tatum started stripping at the age of 19 and also admitted to working a few other menial jobs around that time.


Rachel McAdams
Worked at McDonald's
You may not thought the reports about McAdams' love-but-mostly-HATE relationship with Ryan Gosling on the set of "The Notebook" was legit, but you better believe the young star put in her dues before crossing over into Hollywood. While working at McDonald's for about three years, McAdams has admitted she never really expected to become employee of the month or anything - what, with breaking the OJ machine and all.

Matthew Morrison
Worked at the Gap and as a waiter
He's got a buzzworthy stint on Broadway coming up following his success in the hit TV show Glee, but if you dig back a bit into his pre-fame days, you'll find that Morrison worked at the Gap in New York and even waited tables for a while.

Ellen Degeneres
Worked at J.C. Penney, T.G.I. Friday's and more
Degeneres is a close contender for being one of the funniest human beings alive, but her glamour-less days prior to becoming a huge star weren't that funny. That's because she spent her time working a wide assortment of jobs, including at J.C. Penney and T.G.I. Fridays as well as other gigs as a hostess, bartender and even a house painter (whaa?!).

Tina Fey
Worked at the YMCA
While it's unclear exactly what Fey did to earn wages at a YMCA in Chicago, what is clear is that it totally paid off when she got her foot in the door at Second City - an unofficial launching pad for future SNL stars - around the same time.

Bill Murray
Chestnut seller
Long before he became one of the most iconic actors of our generation and crashed an engagement photo session like a boss, Murray literally sold chestnuts outside a grocery store in Chicago. The man really is a chameleon.

Jennifer Garner
Ballet teacher, babysitter, hostess
You may know Garner as a doting mom and oh, just one of the biggest movie stars in the world. But what you may not know is that before her days kicking butt on shows like "Alias," Garner juggled an assortment of gigs to help her get by - including teaching ballet to little kids, babysitting and even working as a hostess at a restaurant in New York.

Ashton Kutcher
Worked at Quaker Oats
From modeling to starring on a hit TV show to film to starring on another hit TV show, Kutcher has sort of done it all. No, really - he has done it all. Starting at the tender age of 13, he helped his dad with a construction-related job, he worked at a grocery store and, more notably, he used to sweep the floors at a PepsiCo/Quaker Oats factory in Cedar Rapids, Iowa back in the day. It may seem like a far cry from the glamorous life he leads today, but Kutcher says they were all stepping stones to his future success.

Friday, November 7, 2014

Companies Hiring in November

Add a job to the things you're thankful for this year


Multiplex