Top 10 Companies Hiring This Week (December 20 - 26), Hurry Up ..

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

Six-Figure Jobs in High Demand - Yahoo most popular careers ...

All six-figure jobs were NOT created equal.

Not only do some require more education and experience than others, some are just more in demand than others. So, if you want to increase your chances of landing a six-figure job, it helps to know which ones have the most positions available.

Finance-related jobs accounted for more than half of the top 25 jobs with the most openings that paid over $100,000, according to research by Monster.com. That's everything from a finance manager to an internal audit supervisor and an accounting director.

There's still a lot of competition for those jobs, though: Indeed.com estimates that for every online job listing in financial services and banking, 30 people click on it. For accounting jobs, that number rises to 34. Health care and information technology had the least clicks per post, while media and construction had the most.

So, where are the best opportunities? Here are eight of the top six-figure jobs that have the most openings -- and who's hiring.

Finance Manager

Finance-related positions dominate Monster.com's list of the most in-demand six-figure jobs and, of those, finance managers are near the top of the list.

The good thing about pursuing a career as a finance manager is that nearly every company, government agency or other type of organization requires a finance manager -- no matter what the economy's doing. That's the person who oversees the preparation of financial reports and handles the cash management and investment activities of the firm.

A bachelor's degree is required by most firms -- and many require a master's degree or professional certification. The hours can be long, typically 50 to 60 hours a week, plus some travel.

The field is expected to grow by 8 percent over the next decade, which is average, according to the Labor Department. Competition is expected to be tough for these jobs, so those with a master's degree are likely to have the edge.

Who's hiring right now? Ernst & Young, Bank of America and Deloitte are among the firms doing the most hiring for finance managers, according to Indeed.com.

Software Engineers

Not only are software engineers in demand right now, the field is expected to be one of the fastest growing over the next decade, rising 32 percent.

But let the programmer beware: While computer software engineers, the guys who write software, are projected be in demand in the next 10 years, demand for computer programmers, the guys who write the instructions for a computer to use that software, is expected to shrink 3 percent in that time.

The reason? Software engineers will be in demand due to increased computer networking, expanding technologies and the need for more security on those systems, while programmer demand will take a hit from the rise of open-source software and outsourcing.

Most software-engineer positions require a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or mathematics, and many require graduate degrees.

Who's hiring right now? Microsoft, EMC and Broadcom, according to Indeed.com.

Corporate Public Relations Director

Demand for public-relations managers is expected to be stronger than average due to an increasingly competitive and global business environment. It is crucial for a firm to have a good relationship with the public their profitability, whether they're publicly traded or not, is dependent on their reputation.

Public-relations managers do everything from managing PR campaigns to doing damage control when a negative rumor or story about the company emerges. Some work traditional 40-hour workweeks but most need to be on call 24-7 in case of emergency.

Employment for PR specialists is expected to grow 24 percent over the next decade, faster than other professions. Being on top of new trends, like social media, is crucial and additional languages are a bonus.

Who's hiring right now? Kaiser Permanente and AstraZeneca, according to Indeed.com.

Investor-Relations Manager

Demand for public-relations managers is expected to be stronger than average and that is particularly true for those who specialize in investor relations, communicating the firm's financial information to investors, analysts and the media. Increased regulation and scrutiny in particular will drive the need for skilled investor-relations managers.

The qualifications for this job are unique: Not only does the person have to have strong communications skills but also a firm command of financial systems and statements -- and how to explain that in plain English. They also have to be good at crisis management and willing to work long hours, should the stock come under pressure from a rumor or news event.

A bachelor's degree is usually required, with a focus on finance, economics and journalism. Being a member of the National Investor Relations Institute is particularly helpful for networking -- they have local chapters in most states.

Who's hiring right now? Citigroup and Bank of America, according to Indeed.com.

Sales Executive

As companies dig out from the recession, sales executives are going to be in particular demand because they're the ones that drive growth, bringing in new business and new sources of revenue.

Sales executives are the ones that set strategies and goals, and direct their sales reps for the best way to improve their sales performance. You need good people skills for this job but also good analytical skills -- knowing the trends and making sure your team is out front. There's a lot of pressure with a sales executive job because once you set those goals you have to meet and exceed them. The firm is counting on you.

Having a bachelor's and/or MBA is helpful, with courses in marketing as well as law, management, economics, accounting, finance, mathematics and statistics helping to provide an extra edge. Most firms tend to promote from within. Advancement is typically quicker at large firms than small ones, according to the Labor Department's outlook for the industry.

Who's hiring right now? IBM, CSC and ADP, according to Indeed.com.

Compensation Analyst

A compensation analyst develops salary, bonus and benefits structures, identifies compensation and benefits issues and makes adjustments based on new regulatory requirements.

Typically this position requires a bachelor's degree, preferably in mathematics, business administration or human-resources management.

Not only is there solid demand for compensation analysts today but the outlook is also strong for the next decade, due to health-care reform and globalization.

Who's hiring right now? KPMG, JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America, according to Indeed.com.

Associate Professor

The number of tenure-track professors is on the decline as schools increasingly seek flexibility in dealing with compensation issues, making associate professors one of the most in-demand $100k+ jobs on Monster.com.

The trend now is toward hiring professors for limited-term contracts, typically 2 to 5 years. Competition is expected to be tough for the tenured positions and often a professor will have to move into a more administrative or managerial role such as department chairperson in order to achieve tenure. Those with a PhD have the best job prospects, according to the Labor Department.

Overall, demand for postsecondary teachers is expected to grow by 15 percent in the next decade, faster than average, as enrollment is projected to increase -- not just among those 18 to 24 but also adults returning to college to change professions or enhance their prospects in an existing field. Demand is expected to be strongest for professors in fast-growing fields such as business, nursing, biological sciences and other health specialties.

Who's hiring right now? George Mason, University of Iowa and University of Miami, according to Indeed.com.

Company Attorney

Globalization and legislative changes are driving the need for more in-house attorneys.

Among other issues a corporate attorney has to deal with are patents, contracts, property interests and negotiating with unions. Lawyers typically work long hours, though the hours are slightly less brutal for corporate attorneys.

Not only is demand strong now but it's projected to be strong over the next decade, according to the Labor Department, amid increased demand for services such as health care, intellectual property, bankruptcy, corporate and security litigation, antitrust law and environmental law. Though, a shift toward using big accounting firms or paralegals for some of these functions will curb demand to some degree. Economic downturns also take a toll as companies are less inclined to pay hefty legal fees.

Competition is expected to be tough, so a willingness to relocate is a plus.

Who's hiring right now? KPMG, Ernst & Young and JPMorgan Chase, according to Indeed.com.

------------------------

by Cindy Perman

Six Top Industries Hiring in 2011 - Don't Miss it ..

Which industries will be the hottest in 2011? Though the economy is still sleepy, some industries are moving again, while others struggle.

To find out where there's high job demand, we talked to two employment experts: Career expert Robin Ryan, author of '60 Seconds and You're Hired,' and Laurence Shatkin, author of '2011 Career Plan.' Here's their advice on the industries and jobs that'll be in demand next year.

1. Health care

There's never been a recession in this sector, says Shatkin, and demand will continue to be strong next year. Jobs in demand include home health care aides and registered nurses ($61,148). Hot specialties within nursing include nurse anesthetists ($144,821), nurse practitioners ($86,774) and psychiatric nurses ($55,155).

Many nurses begin with just a two-year associate's degree or acquire their skills during military service, Shatkin notes. Advanced nursing specialties may require a master's degree.

"Health care is the industry where almost none of the work can be outsourced overseas," he says. "Most of it has to be done hands-on with patients."

Health care opportunities aren't all where you might think, says Ryan.

"It's not just doctor's offices and hospitals," she says. "It's with pharmaceutical companies, insurers, suppliers -- any company that provides services to keep medical facilities in operation."

-- Find Health Care Jobs

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2. Federal government

While local and state governments have seen their budgets slashed, there's no recession at the federal level. Between new government programs and a wave of baby-boomer civil servants who are retiring, hiring will be huge in government for the next couple of years. It's forecast that 600,000 need to be hired by 2013.

There are many administrative positions such as accountants ($55,188) and auditors ($104,762), says Shatkin.

-- Find Government Jobs

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3. Human resources

As companies begin to hire, Ryan notes, they first need human resource professionals to help manage that process. Jobs in demand at larger companies include human-resource manager ($56,227) and human-resource specialist ($45,267), while smaller companies usually seek a human resources generalist ($50,950).

-- Find Human Resources Jobs

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4. Manufacturing

This one may surprise you, but because manufacturing went down so sharply in the downturn, it's now one of the industries doing substantial hiring as production expands again, says Shatkin. Unlike in decades past, many manufacturing jobs today are highly skilled, he notes. One in high demand is a Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) programmer ($50,466), who runs a tool-and-die computer that creates tools for manufacturing processes.

"In some places there are shortages of workers with these skills," he notes, "because of the prejudice people have against blue-collar jobs."

-- Find Manufacturing Jobs

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5. Energy

Thanks to federal stimulus funding, green jobs have grown. One in demand is energy auditor ($48,098), says Shatkin, along with wind-turbine technicians ($48,990) and solar-energy system installers ($47,658).

Traditional energy is thriving too, he notes, with strong need for petroleum engineers ($121,214). One engineering role in energy that requires less training is engineering technician ($47,918), who assist senior engineers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports many engineering technicians specialize in electricity or electronics. A two-year degree at a technical institute or community college can get you started in this career.

-- Find Energy Jobs

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6. Education

While many districts have laid off teachers, opportunity remains in inner cities, says Ryan. Cities such as Memphis are hiring teachers ($45,914) with just a six-week bootcamp training. You need a bachelor's degree to qualify for such programs, she notes.

"You used to need to get a teaching certificate in most states," she says. "Now, you can find a teaching job without one."

-- Find Education Jobs

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By Carol Tice

"100 Best" companies for women

Five D.C. companies were among 100 who are being highlighted by Working Mother magazine for maintaining workplaces that allow women to keep balance between their work and home lives. For the 25th year, the list of "Working Mother Best 100" companies spotlights companies that "set a new standard for family-friendly policies." The local companies include:

• Arnold & Porter
• Covington & Burling
• Fannie Mae
• FINRA
• National Education Association

Congratulations to them and to their very fortunate employees. The news release below, e-mailed to me by Ila Tyagi of The Rosen Group, a publicist for the magazine, explains the list and why the magazine chose to celebrate such companies.

Print out and show this post to your boss, give or her a hard look and then say something like, "How nice it must be to work for a company with such progressive, enlightened leadership. How wonderful that must be for the employees and the bottom line!"

New York, NY (September 14, 2010) -- Celebrating its silver anniversary this year, the Working Mother 100 Best Companies initiative has set the bar for forward-thinking, family-friendly workplace policies for a quarter-century. Today, the Working Mother 100 Best Companies offer better benefits than ever before, eclipsing their counterparts nationwide. With 70 percent of mothers working and women outnumbering men in the workplace for the first time in U.S. history working moms have come a long way.

"Twenty-five years ago, we made a bold decision to launch our Best Companies initiative and challenge businesses to address the unique needs of working mothers," said Carol Evans, President, Working Mother Media. "The immense influx of women into the workforce demanded changes in workplace culture as companies strove to keep working moms' talent and loyalty. Today, we celebrate our winners' untiring commitment to their employees through an impressive array of programs."

While the Working Mother 100 Best Companies continue expanding their benefits, those at companies nationwide° lag. Just 44 percent of American companies offer telecommuting (vs. 100 percent of the 100 Best), 17 percent offer formal mentoring (vs. 95 percent), and 37 percent offer health insurance for part-timers (vs. 100 percent). 49 percent of employers offered flextime last year, down from 54 percent the prior year. In contrast, all of the 100 Best Companies offer paid maternity leave, lactation rooms, flextime, mental health consultations and elder-care resources; and 98 percent offer health screening and wellness programs--particularly significant in a stress-inducing, poor economy.

Improvements in these companies' offerings to working-family employees include:

THEN: Six weeks of partially-paid maternity leave
NOW: Six to 14 weeks at full pay, with pre-maternity leaves and new-mom phase-back

THEN: Four percent of Best Companies offered paternity leave
NOW: 75 percent of Best Companies offer paternity leave

THEN: Seven Best Companies offered on-site childcare
NOW: 99 Best Companies offer a range of services including backup child-care, sick childcare, before- and after-school care and summer camps for kids

THEN: Stress reduction programs
NOW: Fully-staffed medical centers at 63 percent, fitness centers at 78 percent and exercise classes at 80 percent of Best Companies

"There's been a dramatic change in America's mindset," said Suzanne Riss, Editor in Chief, Working Mother. "In 1986, women didn't acknowledge the fact that they were a mom at work for fear of being 'mommy tracked.' Today, moms have photos of their kids on their desks because companies recognize that moms make high-achieving, loyal and ambitious employees. What's more, other employee groups - including dads and people with aging parents - have benefited from the policies promoted by the 100 Best."

The Working Mother 100 Best Companies employ dynamic programs that adeptly help employees in all areas of their lives. Employees who want to learn how to build a nest egg in a cracked economy can benefit from Prudential Financial's one-on-one budget coaching. Intel supplies employees and their children and grandchildren with homework help via a tutoring hotline. And employees at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey work with a former stand-up comedian to learn how humor can reduce stress, as part of a five-year program focused on education, exercise and overall well-being.

Profiles of the 100 Best Companies, as well as national comparisons, are in the October issue of 

Working Mother and at workingmother.com/bestcompanies.

THE 2010 WORKING MOTHER 100 BEST COMPANIES

*Indicates a Top 10 winning company
־ Indicates a company on the list for all 25 years

• Abbott
• Accenture
• Allstate Insurance Company
• American Electric Power
• American Express Company
• AOL
• Arnold & Porter LLP
• AstraZeneca
• Automatic Data Processing, Inc.
• Bain & Company, Inc.
• Bank of America*
• Baptist Health South Florida
• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
• Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceutical USA
• Bon Secours Richmond Health System
• Booz Allen Hamilton
• The Boston Consulting Group, Inc.
• Bristol-Myers Squibb
• Bronson Healthcare Group, Inc.
• Capital One Financial Corporation
• Carlson Companies
• Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
• Cisco
• Citi
• Colgate-Palmolive Company
• Covington & Burling LLP
• Credit Suisse
• Dell Inc.
• Deloitte*
• Deutsche Bank
• Diageo North America
• Discovery Communications*
• Dow Corning Corporation
• DuPont
• Eli Lilly and Company
• Ernst & Young*
• Fannie Mae
• FINRA
• First Horizon National Corporation
• First National Bank
• Freddie Mac
• Genentech
• General Electric Company
• General Mills*
• Goldman, Sachs & Co.
• Grant Thornton LLP
• Hallmark Cards, Inc.
• HCA Virginia Health System - Richmond Market
• Hewitt Associates LLC
• Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
• HP
• IBM Corporation* ־
• Intel
• Johnson & Johnson ־
• Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP
• Kellogg Company
• KPMG LLP*
• Kraft Foods, Inc.
• LEGO Systems, Inc.
• March of Dimes Foundation
• Marriott International, Inc.
• MasterCard Worldwide
• McGladrey
• The McGraw-Hill Companies
• McKinsey & Company
• Merck & Co., Inc.
• Mercy Health System
• MetLife, Inc.
• Microsoft Corporation
• Moffitt Cancer Center
• Monsanto Company
• Morgan Stanley
• National Education Association
• New York Life Insurance Company
• Northern Trust Corporation
• Northwestern Memorial HealthCare
• Novo Nordisk Inc.
• Patagonia, Inc.
• Pearson Inc.
• Pfizer Inc.
• Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
• The PNC Financial Services Group
• PricewaterhouseCoopers*
• The Principal Financial Group
• Procter & Gamble
• Prudential Financial, Inc.
• sanofi-aventis U.S.
• SC Johnson
• Scripps Health
• Texas Instruments Incorporated
• TriHealth, A Partnership of Bethesda and Good Samaritan
• Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.
• University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics*
• VCU Health System
• Verizon Communications Inc.
• WellPoint, Inc.
• WellStar Health System*
• Wyndham Worldwide
• Yale University
• Yale-New Haven Hospital

_______________________

By Avis Thomas-Lester  for the Washington Post

Just Do It! Six Reasons to Ride a Bike or Walk to Work

As an avid walker and bike-rider, I have to admit that I am biased in my views about biking or walking to work but I am also an excellent case-study of someone who has become much healthier since taking up biking and walking several years ago. I also spent the last year biking to and from my job at a local university.

So... why should you buy those new walking shoes or invest in a good bike? Here are my six reasons for riding a bike or walking to work:

1. It's efficient. Biking or walking to work allows you to accomplish two things with the same activity. First, choosing to bike or walk solves the issue of how to get to work. Second, by biking or walking you improve your health, fitness, and mental outlook. In fact, biking or walking to work is both efficient and effective.

2. It's healthful. There's no question that walking or biking to work at a decent pace (no need to set records here) provides excellent cardiovascular exercise, offering many health benefits, including weight loss, muscle tone development, as well as lowering your blood pressure and stress levels while also reducing your risk of heart attack, hypertension, osteoporosis, and type II diabetes.

3. It's cheap. Consider the gas, tolls, parking, and upkeep on a car or the monthly bus or train pass you are currently paying versus the cost of walking or biking to work. You may need to invest in a new pair of walking shoes or a better bike, but once you've made that purchase, you have minimal additional costs. And if you're really lucky and work for an organization that has a workplace wellness program, you may even be able to get the shoes or bike at a reduced price -- or even free.

4. It's rewarding. Besides the psychological benefits of feeling better about yourself, walking or biking to work also offers very clear mental benefits -- from adrenaline and endorphins -- that boost your mood and provide you with a sense of well-being. Because it's often a solitary experience, walking or biking also provides opportunities for deep thoughts that tap into your creative side, leading to new ideas and ways to solve problems.

5. It's green. You don't have to be a diehard environmentalist to appreciate that by walking or biking to work you are doing something to personally reduce the negative impact of other forms of transportation. One expert states that for every four miles ridden on a bicycle (or walked presumably), you are keeping 15 pounds of pollutants out of the atmosphere. No fossil fuels, no ozone depletion, no deadly pollutants.

6. It's fun. Driving to or from work is often stressful (or at best boring), while biking or walking is always an adventure. It's relaxing, especially on the way home, to know you have had another good day at work and are now helping yourself live a longer and healthier life by biking or walking. And no matter where you live, you're bound to encounter people or things in nature that make you appreciate life.

by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.

How to make Your Case for a Promotion – An Easy 4-Step Plan by YahooHotJobs

An easy, 4-step plan for proving your value and establishing leverage:

Do you want your boss to advocate for you when it's time for management to decide on promotions (and raises)? Do you want your employer to reward your contributions? Take these four steps to prepare for your next performance review and make a case for your promotion.

1. Know your company's policies.
Does your company have a merit promotion plan? If so, be sure you're familiar with your responsibilities as an employee under that policy. If your company doesn't have a human resources professional for you to work with, or if the information simply isn't trickling down the pipeline, you're going to have to navigate any existing policies on your own. (If you tossed your employee manual in the ol' circular file after you were hired, track down an up-to-date version.) You'll have a difficult time showing you deserve a promotion if you aren't conscientious enough to know the fine points existing promotion policies.

2. Establish clear expectations.
If you aren't totally clear about your responsibilities in your current job, you'll have a difficult time showing exactly how you met or exceeded those expectations come review time. If your job description has changed, ask your supervisor or HR representative for an updated copy that accurately describes your role. You can then choose to pursue additional responsibilities, projects, or career training to show initiative and demonstrate that you're exceeding expectations.

3. Create a value proposition.
Employers reward results--so you'll need to figure out and quantify exactly how your job helps the company succeed. Say your company's primary goal is selling a certain product, but you're not in sales--you're in purchasing. What are you doing that directly contributes to that primary goal, and how do you impact the company's bottom line? You'll also have to link up your individual objectives (for instance, finding the best resources for your company at the lowest prices) with corporate priorities (for instance, trimming operating costs without making it more difficult for salespeople to work effectively). Combining clear expectations with objectives allows you to create a value proposition that answers the question "What have you done that adds value to the company?"

4. Develop an easy system for documentation.
Come review time, wouldn't it be great if you had all the documentation you needed completely organized? The following system takes only a few minutes to set up and less than a minute to document each time you do something brilliant or even rise above your own mistakes. By next year, you'll have a collection of one-sentence summaries for each expectation or objective, with backup documentation and dates.

Step one: In your email program, create a folder and name it something like "Performance Documentation."

Step two: Create a folder within that Performance Documentation folder for each expectation or objective that you'll need to meet.

Step three: Each time there's an email that clearly demonstrates how you've exceeded an expectation or done a superior job on something, forward that email, change the subject line to a quick one-sentence summary, send it to yourself, and place it in the correct folder.

Step four: If your shining moment happens outside of email, take a minute to send yourself an email with a quick summary as the subject line and three bullet points, including what you did and what the outcomes were.

Your performance is within your control, so when it comes to managing it, is that something you'd really want to leave up to someone else? It's up to you to advocate for yourself and help your employer see how much you're really worth.

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by JoVon Sotak

7 Great Side Jobs for Extra Cash

Strapped for cash? Many people are in these trying times. With growing unemployment, salary cuts, and the rising cost of living, plenty of Americans are seeking additional avenues to increase cash flow. Check out these seven hot side jobs that can be done around your 9-to-5 and with skills you may already have.

1. Dog Walker.

Even in a recession people don't skimp on their furry loved ones. Therefore, being a dog walker can be an easy sell, especially for other people who need to work two jobs to make ends meet. The double bonus here is you can get great exercise while racking up extra bucks. You can also walk dogs before or after your full-time job.

Dog walker median salary per hour: $16.29. 

2. Handyman. 

No matter where the economy stands, things still break that must be fixed. When you are good at fixing things, word travels fast. It's possible to make a small mint fixing cars, installing water heaters, and doing home electrical and plumbing jobs. Consider how much a full-time car mechanic or a plumber charges. Even if you discount your rate, the pay is still good, and customers feel like they got a deal. From painting to fence-building, there are plenty of household jobs many people can't do or simply don't want to. 

Handyman median salary per hour: $17.33. 

3. Medical Transcription.
Are you a fast typist with excellent grammar and a medical background? If so, medical transcription may be for you. An added perk is that you can do it from home! This job often calls for at least one year's experience in a hospital or clinical setting; some ads require transcription experience. Tools you will need for this job likely include high-speed Internet and Microsoft 2000 software. You should also be prepared to take a skills test.
Medical transcriptionist median salary per hour: $13.78.

4. Wills/Medical Power of Attorney.
While planning for the inevitable can be upsetting, it provides a way for attorneys to make extra side income. Lawyers can get up to speed on formulating simple wills and living trusts without too much effort. Completing these documents is something most people agree is essential but have not checked off their 'to-do' list. Talk to friends, church members, and neighbors to generate clients. Potential clients are likely working or have other commitments just like you. Therefore, being available outside of business hours makes meeting up more convenient for everyone involved.
Attorney median salary per hour: $55.66.

5. Income Tax Preparer.
Tax season is here so why not cash in? Preparing income taxes is one of the most dreaded have-tos among Americans. There are plenty of people who would be glad to pass off their tax preparations to someone else if for no other reason than the fear of being audited. Donald Cheatham, owner of DC Tax Group, turned his side job into a small side business. He chose this off-hours gig because of the high demand and he enjoys accounting and the extra money. "I work 50 to 60 hours a week on my main job [as an accountant] and another 25 to 35 hours a week for my part-time job during tax season. So it gets a little hard at times and usually sleep is the one thing that I don't get during tax season, but it is well worth it," says Cheatham, who started up in 1995 in Chicago. While it helps your credibility if you are a certified public accountant, this certification is not required.
The median salary for an accountant per hour: $18.19; CPA median salary per hour: $26.25.

6. Teach a Hobby.
Whether it is dance, tennis, golf, computer skills, or music, teaching someone how to do something you are good at and love makes working a second job less like, well...work. You can find teacher job ads at recreational centers in your neighborhood or advertise your expertise online and in local publications. With spring in the air, more people will want to get out and try something new or improve their skills.
Dance instructor median salary per hour: $18.58; Music teacher median salary per hour: $21.28.

7. Babysitter. 
This job is convenient, especially if you have kids. After all, you can make money with them right near by. Offer to watch your friends' and neighbors' kids so they can take a breather, and they will love you for it. Another option is to help people who work nights. Finding a 24-hour daycare service is difficult to say the least. Caring for several kids on the same night can compound your earnings and get you extra cash more quickly.
Babysitter median salary per hour: $9.00.

Source: All salary data are from PayScale.com.

By Cherie L. Berkley, PayScale.com

12 Companies Hiring Part-Time - Hurry up

Hello Friends,

We know that searching for a Part-Time job these days can be quite frustrating. To help you get started, we've tracked down the following 12 companies that posted the most new part-time jobs.

1. 7-Eleven

7-Eleven is hiring sales associates nationwide. "The person who greets and helps customers in a local 7-Eleven is the most important person in the 7-Eleven corporation, bar none," says a company rep. "You are the face of our company. That's why we have never - and will never - consider a sales associate nothing more than a clerk."

* Find a job with 7-Eleven

2. Build-A-Bear Workshop

Build-A-Bear Workshop is hiring store associates, also known as "Master Bear Builders," who help customers (generally children) create customized stuffed animals. They do everything including choosing the animal, selecting its sound effect, putting together its outfit, deciding upon its name and preparing it for the trip home.

* Find a job working with toys

3. Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel is looking for servers, cashiers, cooks, dishwashers and hosts. Shifts can be as short as three hours, mornings or evenings, any day of the week. Starting pay varies but employees get discounts at all locations on meals and products.

* Find a job with Cracker Barrel

4. Sheetz

Sheetz is a chain of large convenience stores/gas stations open around the clock. They offer a made-to-order menu of specialty coffee and foods like hoagies and burgers. They are looking for cashiers and MTO (made-to-order) food preparers.

* Find a job with Sheetz

5. VIPdesk

VIPdesk provides virtual contact center and loyalty solutions for companies in the travel, auto, financial services, and retail industries. They need Home-based Concierges who handle telephone calls and emails from the customers of VIPdesk's high profile, blue-chip clients.

* Find a job with VIPdesk

6. Six Flags

Six Flags, which operates 20 parks in the U.S., is hiring in food service, games, merchandise, rides, park service and entertainment, which includes dressing up as a character.

* Find a job with Six Flags

7. New Jersey Turnpike Authority

Toll collectors for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority must be at least 18 years old and pass two pre-screening tests and a physical, including drug test. Must have a valid driver's license and pass a background check.

* Read the full story on MainStreet

8. American Greetings

American Greetings is the world's largest publicly owned creator, manufacturer and distributor of greeting cards, gift wrap and similar products. They are hiring merchandisers - people who go to retail locations and keep the card department orderly and fully stocked.

* Find a job with American Greetings

9. Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman is looking to fill a variety of positions in its information systems, aerospace systems, electronic systems, technical services and shipbuilding divisions.

* Find a job with Northrop Grumman

10. Lowe's

Lowe's has 7,900 positions open companywide, ranging from seasonal employees in stores, to team members in distribution centers, to positions in the corporate office.

* Find a job with Lowe's

11. JCPenney

JCPenney is hiring hourly sales positions at retail stores. Generally, some weekends and/or nights are required and stores have expanded hours during holiday season.

* Find a job with JCPenney

12. Jamba Juice

Jamba Juice is hiring ''team members,'' which is a combination of a cashier, customer service rep and juice blender. Nights and weekends are required and pay varies depending on experience.

* Find a job with Jamba Juice

Top 10 Companies Hiring This Week September 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. rue 21

rue21 is a leading specialty retailer offering the latest fashion for girls and guys. We continue to strive for the best selections while offering a competitive pricing strategy. As new goods arrive daily, our choices of style are always fun and affordable for that fashion-conscious customer.

Top Job Categories:

• Management Jobs
• Sales Jobs
• Retail Jobs
• Customer Service Jobs
• See all rue 21 jobs

02. Aegis Therapies

From proven clinical capabilities and professional staffing - to compliance management and exclusive rehabilitative programs - Aegis fulfills our company's mission: To improve the lives of the people we serve through compassion and innovation in healthcare.

Top Job Categories:

• Health Care Jobs
  
• Nurse Jobs
• Management Jobs
  
• See all Aegis Therapies jobs

03. Colors on Parade

Founded by Robert Lowery in 1987, Colors on Parade began with a vision to provide the automotive industry with body shop quality repairs from a mobile unit, thus allowing services to be conducted on the customer's own site; all while maintaining cost-effective pricing.

Top Job Categories:

• Sales Jobs
• Engineering Jobs
• Management Jobs
• See all Colors on Parade jobs

04. United States Army

The Army can strengthen you for tomorrow in many ways. In addition to the unique training and salary you'll receive, the Army also offers money for education, comprehensive health care, generous vacation time, special pay for special duties, cash allowances to cover the cost of living, family services and support groups.

Top Job Categories:

• Entry Level Jobs
• Administrative/Clerical Jobs
• Other Jobs
• See all U.S. Army jobs

05. Brookdale Senior Living

Brookdale Senior Living has provided exceptional service and care to seniors since 1981. Throughout out years of operation, we have remained a leading provider of senior living by focusing on one goal and one goal only - serving our residents.

Top Job Categories:

• Management Jobs
• Health Care Jobs
• Nurse Jobs
• See all Brookdale Senior Living jobs

06. 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

07. Firestone

Since 1926, drivers have trusted Firestone Complete Auto Care to keep their vehicles running well. As America's auto care needs have grown, so have we. We're the leading provider of maintenance, repairs and tires for a reason: because we believe in offering a total auto care experience that perfectly meets your needs.

Top Job Categories:

• Automotive Jobs
• Retail Jobs
• Skilled Labor/Trades Jobs
• See all Firestone jobs

08. Farmers Insurance

Today, the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies, is the country's third-largest writer of both private passenger automobile and homeowners insurance. Our agents, independent contractors and independent agents, along with Farmers employees, are responsible for servicing more than 15 million customers.

Top Job Categories:

• Sales Jobs
• Insurance Jobs
• Finance Jobs
• See all Farmers Insurance jobs

9. Waste Management

Waste Management, Inc. is the leading provider of comprehensive waste and environmental services in North America. The company is strongly committed to a foundation of financial strength, operating excellence and professionalism.

Top Job Categories:

• Transportation Jobs
• Management Jobs
• Sales Jobs
• See all Waste Management jobs

10. Conklin

Conklin Company Inc. is celebrating over forty years in the network marketing business. At the core of the Conklin opportunity lie our quality products - more than 130 across six major product divisions: Agronomics, Animal Products, Building Products, Health, Home and Vehicle Products. Our products are marketed through a vast network of Independent Business Owners. The diversity in our product lines offers unlimited opportunities for sales to a variety of customers.

By AOL Jobs